Are amusement park games that rely on luck to win a prize, such as stacking Pepsi cans or catching ducks, considered gambling and thus forbidden?

Children paying money to participate in games from which they win prizes is precisely the forbidden gambling (maysir), which Allah has associated with intoxicants, idols, and divining arrows. A Muslim must also know that money, time, and the body are blessings that will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment, and he should not spend them on what displeases Allah.