Introduction
This year, we have seen an unprecedented surge in the number of kids board games that rely heavily on gross-out humor. These games are often characterized by their use of graphic content and disgusting scenarios; they feature themes such as poop, boogers, and puke. It’s no secret that children enjoy potty humor ” but why are these games so popular with kids in 2020?
One factor driving this unusual trend may be the increased access to digital entertainment. With more families spending time at home during the pandemic, parents may be looking for more off-screen ways for their children to enjoy themselves. Kids board games offer a way for them to engage in fun activities without having to worry about screen time limits or excessive screen time exposure.
Another reason why these types of games have become so popular this year may be due to their outrageousness. Gross-out game mechanics are designed to draw a kid’s attention away from what is traditional and towards something different and extreme. As many parents know, kid’s love novelty and find it easier to engage when the subject matter is unique or unfamiliar. This can lead them to gravitate towards playing with gross-out themes like throw-up or poo cards because it makes the activity stand out among other board games they can choose from.
Finally, gag themed board games may also seem attractive because of their accessibility. Many of these titles are easier to understand than traditional board or card based entertainment options while being accessible enough for young players too. This means that even younger players can take part in interactive play without feeling overwhelmed by too much complexity; many times parents can join as well creating further appeal for parents and kids alike.
In conclusion, this curious phenomenon appears to stem from multiple sources combined; digital fatigue amongst families leading them away from screens towards physical forms of entertainment along with the novelty of changing up the typical playtime environment appealing strongly especially those who tend towards familiarity when faced with decision making around play activities .
Historical Overview
Since the beginning of board games, gross-out themed games have been popular with both adults and children. In the 18th century, a card game called ‘Stinker’ involved collecting flatulence images while trying to avoid collecting special ‘stink cards’ that meant you had to put your hand on your nose. Games like Hide and Eek and Wacky Dodo asked players to complete tasks involving strange noises or perform repulsive activities such as scavenging through kitchen garbage or picking dried boogers off their face.
In the 19th century, there were classic dice games like Whoops-a-Daisy which involved collecting body parts from other players in order to win. A game called Bungooze was a guessing game where one player had to pick up pieces of rotten food with his teeth without recognizing what it was until revealed by another player in the circle.
The 1950s brought about barf bag races, where players raced cars containing motion sickness bags around tracks filled with disgusting obstacles such as vomit piles, mud baths, and pit latrines with falling toilets. Another popular game from this era was Grossology 101 which required players to don protective glasses and battle germs using squirt guns full of slime.
650 years later, we see that disgusting board games are still popular among children today! Newer gross-out games include Don’t Spit The Soup!, a party game where players must guess what food item just got spat into the soup bowl; Poop Tower III: The Great Pile Up!, an arcade-style stacking game featuring giant piles of poop; and Quick Draw Insects, where kids try their luck grabbing moving insects with chopsticks (spitbugs and maggots included). The underlying aim of these nasty games is still the same: make someone else feel disgusted!
The Allure of Disgust
In recent years, the trend of creating games that revolve around themes of disgust have grown in popularity. On the surface, the idea of this kind of game may seem repulsive and unintuitive; however, these types of gross-out games have a strong underlying appeal. These types of activities are designed to provoke an element of shock or surprise when players encounter something they find unpleasant or uncomfortable. As a result, they enable players to enjoy humorous and playful moments while also exploring their own limits and preferences. Social settings incorporating games based on disgust tend to be active, chaotic, and unpredictable – which adds an adrenaline-filled thrill for participants. Such play can be used for argument resolution in a positive manner, as laughing at one another’s discomfort can help mitigate any actual conflicts that may arise. Additionally, participating in activities such as these where everyone is focusing on something odd instead of each other can help reduce anxieties present in group situations as well. In some cases, these types of games can even go beyond providing entertainment value by providing therapeutic benefits for those interested in understanding more about themselves and their responses to unexpected stimuli.
Popular Examples
There has been a seemingly endless stream of wildly popular children’s board games over the past few years, and many of them have been quite …..disgusting. From Roll & Roar the Unicorn Poo Game to Don’t Step In It!, kids everywhere have had a chance to test their luck against some seriously strange games.
Roll & Roar the Unicorn Poo Game is a simple but wacky game in which players take turns spinning a wheel and then attempting to pick up unicorn poo that corresponds to whatever color is spun. Players who successfully collect enough pieces are crowned the winner! Don’t Step In It! puts you in the shoes of contestants trying their best not to trample on piles of fake poop placed throughout an obstacle course. With each successful step, you can fill your poop containers and work your way onto victory anytime you can avoid stepping on a turd!
Other similarly creative takes on questionable material include Gross Out Battle and the aptly named Vomit Go Home Board Game. Gross Out Battle puts players in a race against each other as they try to mechanically shoot gross items like toe jam or zombie brains into their opponents’ buckets. Meanwhile, Vomit Go Home seems like an experiment straight out of childhood dreams – as 2-4 players race around collecting tokens that represent all sorts of horrendous sights (think vomit, spider webs, blood splatter). Whoever collects the most points wins once time runs out! Of course, it goes without saying that these games should be enjoyed with caution (and lots of hand sanitizer!).
Parental Concerns
In recent years, there have been a spate of new kids board games that are intentionally full of gross content. From gummy worms being fed to baby dragons to fetching vomit from a trash can, these games appear designed to shock and entertain players. Parents have expressed confusion and concern about these games; many question why companies would produce such inappropriate content for young audiences.
At the same time, these board games are very popular among children in the age range of 6-12 years old. Kids seem drawn to the excitement and novelty of this style of play. That’s why it is important for parents to use open dialogue when discussing these gross games with their children. Purchasing decisions should be informed by your own moral and ethical standards as a family, and parents should be aware that not all families will agree on which type of content is appropriate for their kids.
It also helps if parents understand why these types of games exist in the first place: gross elements can often create an exciting form of escapism and lighthearted fun suitable for any family setting. When playing a game like “Dragons Who Eat Gummy Worms”, children are engaging in fantasy play while still learning valuable life lessons like patience, strategic thinking, cooperativeness and creative problem solving. While there may be mixed opinions on what constitutes acceptable themes in board games, having a respectful dialogue with your child about their personal preferences is key for negotiations around game selection and rules in your home.
Conclusions
There are a lot of disgusting kids’ board games that have been released this year. The popularity of these games defy traditional notions of children’s entertainment, and many parents wonder why they have become so popular.
The success of these games can be attributed to a combination of factors. While some may see them as simply gross and unpleasant, there is actually a hidden messaging behind these types of games that is especially appealing to young people. For example, many of the games celebrate silliness and give children an opportunity to express their creativity in a playful environment. These games help children develop important social skills such as communication, problem-solving and collaboration – all things that are essential for healthy development. Furthermore, some of the more disgusting elements can be seen as teaching moments for children regarding hygiene and proper caretaking habits.
Ultimately, these types of games can be beneficial for youth development when used in moderation. They provide an avenue for children to explore their unique personalities in a safe environment and allows them to work together towards common objectives. So while these game may appear off-putting at first glance, you may want to take a second look just like the millions of kids who are continuing this popular trend!
I love playing all kinds of games – from classics like Monopoly to modern favourites like Ticket to Ride.
I created this blog as a way to share my love of board games with others, and provide information on the latest releases and news in the industry.
