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Players: 2+ (ages 5+)
Playing Time: 15-20 minutes (depending on the number of players)
When .nightsandweekends.com/articles/10/NW1000278.php>Despicable Me hit theaters in 2010, Gru’s bumbling yellow Minions became an overnight sensation. They became so popular, in fact, that they finally got their own movie, this summer’s Minions. Now, fans of Stuart, Kevin, Bob, and the others can throw Minions-themed parties, dress up as Minions for Halloween, and play Minions games—like Minions Hit Them Out.
The rules to the game are pretty simple: just set up the seven Minion skittles (small, plastic figures) as directed, stand 6-9 feet away, and toss the soft, red ball in their direction. For each one-eyed Minion that you’re able to knock down, you get a point. For every two-eyed Minion that you knock down, you get two points. Players take turns knocking down Minions until someone reaches 20 points. Then, at the end of that round, the player with the most points is declared the winner.
Cute, colorful, and easily adaptable, Minions Hit Them Out is a fun and easy game for Minions fans of all ages. The character pieces are cleverly designed, with some in the standard overalls and others in costumes. And that creative design alone will make it a hit with kids.
Since it doesn’t take up a whole lot of room, you can also play it either indoors or outdoors, making it a good all-weather, all-season activity. If you do choose to play it inside, though, you might want to do so away from anything breakable—because, if your kids are anything like mine, you can safely assume that the ball will end up flying in all directions (either intentionally or accidentally). And even a soft ball like this one can do some damage at high speeds.
Though the game is recommended for ages five and up, younger kids will be eager to get in on the action, too. My three-year-old squealed with delight when she saw the characters, and she loves using the ball to knock them down (sometimes even before I finish setting them up). Of course, she may not always play by the rules—but, thanks to the game’s simplicity and flexibility, she can easily play it her own way.
And, of course, this is more than just a fun little game for kids. While young players are busy knocking down Minions and earning points, they’re also working on their hand-eye coordination and practicing their addition.
The only real flaw in the game is that it doesn’t offer any storage solutions. It doesn’t come with a case—or even a yellow drawstring bag—to keep the pieces together when they’re not in use. So you’ll have to come up with your own way to keep these little guys from getting lost (I like this one).
Whether you’re playing in the back yard, stuck in the playroom on a rainy afternoon, or heading out for a family camping trip, Minions Hit Them Out is a silly way to pass the time with your favorite yellow henchmen. If you need a fun activity to keep your kids active between viewings of the Minions’ three movies, this is a great choice.
