There’s a family card game going around Australian lounge rooms right now that’s got kids shrieking, mums cackling, and at least one dad refusing to admit he lost to his eight-year-old. It’s called Exploding Kittens, and if you haven’t played it yet, buckle up. This thing is chaos in a box, and we mean that as the highest possible compliment.
It’s a game that’s sold over 15 million copies worldwide. It’s a game that your kids will want to play every single night, and it’s a game that will make you question every card you’ve ever drawn and every family member you’ve ever trusted.
Picture UNO’s cheeky, slightly unhinged cousin. There are goats. There’s a magical enchilada. And yes, there are kittens that can absolutely end your game in one devastating card flip. It sounds ridiculous because it is ridiculous, and that’s exactly why it’s become a worldwide sensation since it first exploded (sorry, had to) onto the scene.
Here’s the basic idea. Players take turns drawing from a deck, and hidden somewhere in that deck is an Exploding Kitten. Draw it, and you’re out, unless you’re holding a Defuse card, which lets you escape certain doom using things like laser pointers, belly rubs, and catnip sandwiches.
Look, we don’t make the rules. We just love them.
Every round takes about 15 minutes; it’s suited to ages 7 and up, and it plays 2 to 5 people. Which means it’s basically made for a Tuesday night when everyone’s bored, the homework’s done (allegedly), and someone needs to lose spectacularly to their little sister.
We’re Giving Away 12 Copies, Because We’re Nice Like That
And because we love you, we’re giving away 12 copies of the Exploding Kittens card game. But more on that below. First, let’s talk about why this game is worth fighting your kids over.
So How Does Exploding Kittens Actually Work?
The setup takes about two minutes, which is honestly a small miracle in the world of family games. You shuffle the deck, deal everyone a hand, and take turns drawing cards until someone hits the Exploding Kitten.
Sounds simple. It is not simple. Because scattered through that deck are action cards that let you mess with everyone else’s plans.
- You can peek at the top cards before you draw.
- You can force your opponent to draw two cards instead of one.
- You can skip your turn entirely and dodge the risk altogether.
The tension builds with every card that gets pulled from the deck, because fewer cards left means a much higher chance the next one is a kitten. By the final few turns, everyone’s leaning forward, someone’s holding their breath, and the youngest player in the room is usually the one talking the most trash.
It’s a strategic, slightly ridiculous version of Russian Roulette, played with cats. And somehow it works.
We Sent a Real Mum In (With Real Kids) to Test It
We didn’t just want to tell you it’s fun. We wanted to see it play out in an actual house, with actual kids, in actual chaos. So we tasked mum of three, Bronwyn, to put Exploding Kittens through its paces with her family, camera rolling.
The result? The kids absolutely destroyed her. Bronwyn went in confident, tried to bluff her way through a few rounds, and got caught out every single time by children who apparently have zero mercy and excellent poker faces. She came out humbled. The kids? Absolutely fierce with power and not sorry about it. Watch it all play out below.
Seriously Though, You Need This Game
Exploding Kittens is the family card game that you and your kids will actually fight over. Not in a “who gets to play” way. Well, also that. But mostly in a “I cannot believe you just did that to me” way, followed by immediate demands for a rematch.
At $39.95, it’s one of the best value family game nights you’ll ever have, and it beats another evening of everyone staring at separate screens pretending that counts as quality time together.
Whether you’re looking for something to pull out at Christmas, survive the school holidays, or just survive a rainy Sunday afternoon without screens … this is it.
Shop Exploding Kittens on Amazon now and thank yourself later. Just don’t come crying to us when your seven-year-old wipes the floor with you. We did try to warn you.
Scroll down for your chance to win 1 of 12 copies of Exploding Kittens, because you’re going to want to get your name in for this one!
Score a Copy of Exploding Kittens for Your Games Cupboard!
Okay, here’s where it gets even better. We’re giving away 12 copies of Exploding Kittens, each worth $39.95, to 12 very lucky Mum Central families. So enter, and we could be sending some beautiful, chaotic, kitten-exploding fun out the door to families just like yours.
That’s twelve households about to discover exactly who in the family has the best poker face and the worst luck. Spoiler: it’s probably not who you think.
To enter, simply complete the entry form below in full, and you could be on our winner’s list!
GOOD LUCK!
This post is brought to you by Exploding Kittens.
