We are a game-playing family. And while my husband and I often choose to play games that involve lots of strategy and deep thinking, I have to admit that sometimes, a crazy, quick, no-thinking-involved game is the one that really hits the spot. Especially if there are kids involved.
And it seems that our son, C. (10), particularly enjoys dexterity games (games involving balancing, flicking, stacking, or some other physical skill). So recently, I took the opportunity to pull a relatively new game, called Hula Hippos, off our shelf. C. and I enjoyed it so much that I decided to give away a copy this week…to one of you!
But first, let me tell you a little about the game, so you can decide if it’s one that your family will enjoy. Hula Hippos is a game published in 2008 by Gamewright (my favorite maker of short, fun, family games). The game is made for 2-4 players, age 5 and up, though younger children can definitely have fun playing along. One game takes about 10-20 minutes.
The components of Hula Hippos are very simple: inside the box you’ll find 1 wooden hoop and 24 hippo-shaped wooden disks (6 hippos in each of 4 colors).
Gameplay is also simple. Just give each player all six hippos in his or her color of choice, and have players line the hippos up in front of them on the table. Then, to begin a round, start the wooden hoop spinning in the center of the table.
Immediately, all players should begin flicking their hippos across the table, toward the spinning hoop. Each hippo may only be flicked once, and players must flick all their hippos before the hoop stops spinning and falls to the table.
Once the hoop has hit the table, take score: If one of your hippos ends up inside the hoop, or under the edge of the hoop, that hippo is out of the game and you score 1 point. Continue playing rounds until one player has earned four points (in other words, four of their hippos have been trapped in or under the hoop). That person is the winner!
Hula Hippos does not present players with the opportunity to think deeply about every move. Instead, it provides wacky, and sometimes wild, hippo-flicking fun.
Though younger children will have a difficult time perfecting their flicks in order to get their hippos near the spinning hoop, it often doesn’t matter — they’ll be just as happy watching the hippos zip across the table, crash into each other, and occasionally go flying across the room. Older kids will take on the challenge of learning to flick their hippos just right — with just enough oomph — while trying to predict where the spinning hoop will finally land.
And what about the grown-ups? If grown-ups enjoy a light, zany game, they’ll have fun with this one too. I certainly did. But even if it’s not exactly your cup of tea, remember: it plays quickly, so you can get in a quick game of Hula Hippos with your kids and then move on to another activity. (I have played games of Candyland that have gone on Forever, so I certainly appreciate a kids’ game that doesn’t overstay its welcome.)
Does Hula Hippos sound like a game your family would enjoy? If so, just leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of Hula Hippos. I’ll randomly draw a winner on Saturday, January 31, and announce that winner here. And I’m sorry to my international visitors, but this giveaway will be for U.S. mailing addresses only, please.
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This giveaway is part of the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival being hosted over at Bloggy Giveaways. Be sure to visit the carnival headquarters so you can check out the tons and tons of great giveaways going on this week. Just click the graphic below!
I think I know a family with lots of little people who would enjoy such a silly game.
Put my name in and I’ll have a jump on
CHristmasValentines Day!Count me in!
This looks like such a fun game!
This sounds a fun, quick, and silly game! I would love to win it!
I love playing games with my kids.. and we are always on the look out for a new one to try. We haven’t tried this yet! Would be awesome to give my daughter for her birthday coming up next month. Great Giveaway! Thanks!
My son would love this!
My 3 y/o would love this…I mean really, flicking things across the table? That sounds right up his alley.
Yes, I think that it would be a hit in my family too! As you know my husband doesn’t really play, but I think that the two kids and I would love it (although my 4 year old does get mad when he loses).
That looks like a ton of fun. I think the only problem would be finding the over zealously flung hippos after each round.
That looks like tons of fun! My girls would have a blast playing it.
My niece has gotten big into games and this would be a great game for her to play when she comes over…
Thanks,
Elizabeth
That sounds great – we love zany games.
My daughter and I could definitely go crazy with this game!
orchestratenoise0726[at]yahoo[dot]com
My dayhome kids would have a riot with this. Please enter me!
Sounds like fun! I’m in.
Fun game! Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a great family game night game!
This game sounds like it’d be a blast! Thanks so much for the chance!
We love games in this household! Thanks for the giveaway.
With three kids it is hard to find a game that all of us can enjoy. This would be cool!
We love games at our house. I would prefer them to use their minds than to use batteries.
This game sounds like fun. We’re always looking for easy things to play with our kids. Thanks for hosting. webb dot rachel at gmail dot com
What a cute game.. My 4 year old.. is very into games.. right now.. He would love this.
Tara
cloudspassby78 (at) yahoo (dot) com
http://www.weightingforperfection.blogspot.com
Sounds like a cute game! Thanks for entering me.
unforgetable_dreamer_always AT hotmail DOT com
We’ve definitely been enjoying the games we got for Christmas and could use one that sets up easily (Don’t Break the Ice takes so long to set up!).
Looks like a game our family would like
My kids have really gotten into playing games lately. My daughter only wanted family games for Christmas. We would love a new one.
Thanks
jennifer
I LOVE playing games. Glad I have a daughter now to do all this stuff.
Thanks for the chance.
My kids would love this game!
Both of my kids would enjoy this game.
My family loves silly games so I know they would definitely enjoy this!
texas_heartland84[at]yahoo[dot]com
Would love to play this with my son!
very cute game.Thanks for the giveaway!
angelacisco at rocketmail.com
This looks like so much fun!! I am sure it would be a welcomed addition to our Family Fun Nights!!
Thanks for the great giveaway!!
Sounds like a fun and silly game
My daughter would enjoy this!!
Oh that sounds like a lot of fun! Please enter my name! Thanks!
My daughter would love this!
This sounds like fun! We started family game night about a year ago and are adding new games to play with the kids all the time.
SOunds like fun. What 5yr old girl wouldn’t enjoy flinging … I mean flicking … wooden objects wildly at a spinning hoop?! Heck, *I* might even have fun doing that lol
Hehe! That’s great! A game where they’re SUPPOSED to toss the pieces around! My 5 yr old son would like this – and his uncle (20 years old) would have just as much fun playing it with him!!!
My kids would love this! We have game night every Saturday and are always looking for new ones.
This looks like it would be fun to play.
What a fun game. My family would love it.
Sounds like a fun game. This would be great for a birthday party, or any kids party.
Fantastic game! We are game lovers here, and I’ve never heard of this one! Thanks!
Sounds like a fun game for family night.
They would love this game.It is Great, If I don’t win this one I will be purchasing one. Thanks so much!
Rene
My daughters would love this game!
That sounds like a riot! My girls would love it!
JLHalsted(ta)hotmail(tod)com
That game sounds really fun! Thanks so much!
Our family loves games!
That seems like such a fun and cute game. I am sure my son would love this. Never heard of it before now.
my daughter would love this game
My son keeps asking to play games.
This sounds like such a fun game. I’m sure my son would have a blast with it. And like, you said, it’s nice to have games that don’t go on and on sometimes. Chutes and Ladders took far too long today.
This looks like a fun game my kids would enjoy.
I’d love to win! Thanks!
ms0812@zoominternet.net
This game is just up my kids’ alley, I’d love to win!
Yes this game is perfect for my family. Please enter me. It sounds like a lot of fun.
wow please enter me in for this i think this would be a neet game to play thanks
looks fun
My 3 and 5 year olds would love this game…fun for the whole family.
Thanks for the chance to win!
My daughter loves games. This would be fun.
This game does sound like lots of super silly fun!
I have never heard of this game but it sound like a lot of fun! That and I love hippos, LOL!
this sounds like fun!
This sounds like a fun game. Thanks for reviewing it and offering it in a contest!
This looks like a fun game. I’m sure my kids will enjoy it.
kamlchap(at)gmail(dot)com
My kids would enjoy this game. Thanks.
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
chantellesabino at mac dot com
My kids would love Hula Hippos! Thanks for the great giveaway.
Please enter me for this game for my kids. Thanks.
Love the name of your blog. This would be a game that even 3 year old Tristan could play.
That sounds like a super fun game!
We are a HUGE game loving family, and we’ve never played this one. It looks GREAT, and I really hope I win. Thanks!
How cute! We would love it.
I am always looking for fun games for my family to play.
How cute! I have never seen this game before. It looks like a fun one! My 5 year old son would love this! He loves a good challenge with a little competition.
ljatwood at gmail dot com
This sounds like a game my family would really enjoy. Thanks for doing this giveaway!
thanks for the offer!
Thanks for the chance to win!
My kids would love this for family game night. Thanks for the giveaway!
hottmomma_03(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’d love to win this game to play with my grandchildren. Thank you!
My kids would love to play Hula Hippos.Thanks for the giveaway!!
dlfrx(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
Looks like some zany fun! Thanks for the chance to win!
This looks like so much fun would love to win.
Oh my! My family would love this game…it would be so much fun to have.
Looks like allot of fun!!
I’ve been looking for games my youngest two can play, and this sounds like something they would enjoy with us. Thanks.
That sounds like so much fun. I think I may like it more than my daughter, LOL
This definitely sounds like a game we would enjoy! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Sounds like a fun game – maybe this will be my lucky week!
This would be great for my sister’s family.
I am always looking for a good game for my kids/family to play
This sounds like some good, silly fun.
Sounds like a fun game, I haven’t heard about it until now! Thanks! FlipFlopsChels@msn.com
THank you for the great giveaway. I would love to win.
Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
This would be such fun to play on a snowy day (like today)
my girls would LOVE this game. looks like a great way to break-up a dreary winter day.
Thanks for the giveaway!!
Lisa
lisakay720[at]yahoo[dot]com
Sounds like a fun game!
Great game for grandma’s house with 3 grandsons.
LOL! This game looks like so much fun!!!
my youngest, 3 years old, is in love with hippos. Her and her sister would adore playing this game
Looks like tons of fun! Thanks for the chance!
We love hippos, and silly games too. Thanks for a great giveaway!
My son just turned 5 and has really started getting into board games. I think he would really enjoy this game.
My daughters would love this game!
This game sounds like so much fun!
Sounds fun!
Thank you for entering me! My sons would love it and I would too. Have a super day!
Sara
I think this sounds too fun!!
This would be a great game for little kids! Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like fun! I bet my little guy would love it!
Thanks for entering me, it sounds really fun!
COUNT ME IN! THIS IS GREAT! THANKS!
I would love to win this, and I think we would enjoy it! Thanks!
This looks fantastic! Thanks for the opportunity!
This sounds so fun! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!
Oh this looks like a lot of fun & with three boys, it would definitely be a hit around here!
Thanks!
We love playing games–looks great!
Please enter us thanks
We do family game night every week and this game sounds just perfect for that.
ndair4ce@cox.net
Count me in!
Thanks for the opportunity!
This looks like fun. I remember playing a chutes & ladders game one night for hours. A quick, fun game sounds great.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo.com
We LOVE games at our house and this sounds like a great game we could play with our toddler. I have never even seen it before!! It sounds like a lot of fun!
My girls would love this for game night.
M. Waters
svnhm1@yahoo.com
This games sounds fun. We have two nieces who’ll be having birthday’s this year and they would love this. Thanks for the chance. iclipalso(at)yahoo(dot)com
We’d love this. Thanks!
The first thing my nephew says to me when he comes to visit is, “Can we play a game?” I keep several on hand for him to choose from and we always have a blast, getting him Mom to play along, too. Hula Hippos would make a great addition to my game stash!
Please enter me. Thanks.
Heidi
sweet_soul_sistermi@yahoo.com
Sounds like a fun game!!
My 4 boys are always looking for the next best game. This looks like so much fun!
This game looks great…I’ve never heard of it. I’m in! THANKS!
I think my family would love playing this!!
Marianne
http://www.crochetbymommaj.etsy.com
http://crochetbymommaj.blogspot.com/
My son and I would love playing this game. It looks like so much fun!
We love games in our house too! The kids are forever asking can we play Uno, Hi-Ho Cherrio, etc. T
Sounds fun…thanks!
elizardbreath8 at yahoo dot com
How fun!
amelia2007b(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love this game. I used to love the game hungry hungry hippos when I was little and this is another hippo game that I can share with people. Thanks
We love games and now that Olyvia is finally getting older, I think she’ll love them too.
sounds like tons of fun thanks for the giveaway
I have 4 & 6 year old little girls that would love to play this game. Actually they love to play any game, but this one looks fun!!
I adore board games. This one looks like so much fun!!
This would be perfect for our family game night. It looks so cute.
Oooh, we love game night. However, my 6 year old gets discouraged a lot with some of the games that my 9 year old likes to play. This sounds like it would be lots of laughs for everyone though.
We love silly games. I think this would be fun! Thanks for the great giveaway!
-Angela
itsahumanzoo(at)gmail(dot)com
P.S. I’ve got a giveaway on my blog as well, feel free to check it out!
My godson would love this! A game where he can actually sorta throw things!!! Perfect!!!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
My grandkids would love for me to bring this game to play with them!
Thanks for the giveaway
. I love playing new games and it would be great for my family.
This sounds like a game we could use at my job – I’m a pediatric physical therapist. Thanks!
We are a game playing family as well. We’d love this game.
Hula Hippos does sound like great fun.
I’d enjoy playing this game with my granddaughter.
My grandkids keep telling me that my games are old and tired! This would make them very happy! I love an excuse to giggle and yell! Thanks
Oh would that be so much fun to play. My grandkids would love it. Thank you so much!
Oooh..a new game! How fun! We would have fun playing this with our neices and nephews!
Thanks for the giveaway! This looks like fin!
This would definitely be fun for our game playing family!! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Thanks for the giveaway!
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
looks like fun
We are also a big game playing family. Every holiday, when we get together with extended family members, we have started a new game playing tradition! I have only heard of Hungry, Hungry Hippos! The Hula Hippos sound like a lot of fun. Please add my name to your delightful game drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
Oh, this looks cute – my granddaughter would love it. Thanks!
this looks like a fun game
I would love to have this game. Thank you for the giveaway.
This game sounds like i would be fu, without having to use up to much brain power or time. I would like to win. Thank you for having this giveaway.
My girls would have a blast playing this!
Thanks for such a Fun Giveaway
I think my daughter would really enjoy this game!
I think my son would love this game! Thanks!
My kids would love this game. We have family game night and it would be great to have a new game. Thanks!
I love it!
Count me in!
Thanks for the giveaway
We love hippos and games–so this would be awesome. Thanks!
My preschool students would love this & it would be a great fine motor skill practice for their hands! Thanks for the giveaway!
This looks so fun! Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh yes – we love games and this one is going to be such fun. So count us in, and draw our name. You can then notify us that we’ve won. dmj53(at)hotmail(dot)com
We love family games!
Please count me in. Thanks!
I’d love to play this with my kids and neice and nephew! It sounds like fun!
Hula Hippos sounds like a game that I … I mean.. er … my kids would really enjoy.
This sounds like a lot of fun!
daytoncat1(at)yahoo(dot)com