This Happy Salmon Card Game Review is part of my search to recommend new toys for the 2020 Holiday Season! I happened to see the Happy Salmon Family Card Game at Target and figured it would be interesting to give it a try. The price point is good, it looked simple and no one has to wait to play- no taking turns is a great idea in my family. It has been out for a while but I had never heard of it so I grabbed it to review.
So I got P (age 10), C (age 8) and T (age 5) and we sat down at the table to play. As you keep reading know that after playing this with the kids I think it would be MUCH more fun as an adult game.
Want to check out another hot toy for this year? See this LEGO Dots Animal Picture Holders Review!
How To Play Happy Salmon
This game is about as simple as a game can be (although to be honest after the first round we changed some of the rules). Each player gets 12 cards which you are supposed to hold in your hand. We ended up putting them down on the table (because kids) but to play with adults you would NEED to keep them in your hand. On the count of three, pick up the top card and shout it so everyone at the table can hear what you have. When any player shouts the same action as you you perform that action together.
- High 5 – High Five the other player
- Pound it! – Bump fists with the other player
- Switcheroo – carrying your cards with you, trade places around the table with the other player
- Happy Salmon – grab at the wrists and slap your fingers against his forearm at least 3 times
Once the action is complete, discard your card into the center and move to your next card- simultaneously. The first person who is out of cards wins. We were organized about it but the way it’s actually supposed to be played everyone is supposed to continue shouting until they run out of cards. I think for some families this would work fantastic but not for this family. I also think after two glasses of wine it would be HILARIOUS with adults.
Happy Salmon Card Game Review
Now it’s hard to know if a 10 year old boy actually doesn’t like something but he was out after the first game. The 8 year old and the 5 year old seemed to enjoy themselves however and probably would have played for a while if it wasn’t for a ten year old hanging around.
I think for a family with kids who are strong readers and can multi-task really well playing it by the rules would be great. If you are used to a loud boisterous Friday night game night (I was thinking organized chaos) watching fist bumps happen across the table and people slapping arms like salmon would be fantastic. Since T isn’t a great reader yet we had to slow down our speed a little bit. So I would shoot for the advertised 6+ for ages on this one.
This game would be fantastic with adults if you played as the rules were actually written. I would say that the best strategy here is to yell the loudest and be the most energetic. In case there are multiple people with the same card up, you want to make sure that people know what you’ve got! But, seriously, there is no strategy. Just start yelling and finding matches as fast as you can!
