Last Updated on January 5, 2026 by The Official Game Rules Team

Hey Cow! is a fun, farm-themed card game that takes its inspiration from an old rural car game where passengers would yell “Hey Cow!” at cows in fields. This easy-to-learn party game is suitable for 2 to 8 players, ages 6 and up, and has a quick playtime of 15 to 30 minutes, making it perfect for family game night. The goal of the game is to be the player with the most points at the end, which is achieved by collecting cow cards, called Lookers, from the Field or from other players and aiming for bonus point combinations.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see our disclosures here.

How to Play Hey Cow!

---

Overview

Players: 2–8 | Ages: 6+ | Playing Time: 15-30 minutes

---

Objective

The goal of the Hey Cow! card game is simple — earn the most points by collecting cows from the Field and from other players using Hey Cow! and Action cards. When the draw pile runs out, the player with the highest total score wins and is crowned the ultimate cow yeller!

---

Setup

1. Remove Reference Cards (with black backs) and hand one to each player for quick reminders of card functions and scoring.
2. Shuffle the deck and deal 5 cards to each player.
3. Place the remaining cards in the tray to form the draw pile.
4. Put the tray and custom die within reach of all players.
5. The player who most recently had a dairy product goes first, with play proceeding clockwise.

---

On Your Turn

Each turn, players perform one main action:

• Play one card from your hand — either as a Field card or an Action card.
• If you have 5 unplayable cards, shuffle them back into the draw pile and draw 5 new ones.
• Field Cards (with colored backgrounds) are played face-down in the Field area.
• Action Cards (with gray backgrounds) are used for special effects, then discarded.

At the end of your turn, draw cards until you have 5 again.

---

Collecting Cows

You can only collect cows using a Hey Cow! card or an Action card — never directly from your hand.

• When cows are collected, place them face-up in front of you so all players can see your growing herd.
• When a Hey Cow! card is played, roll the die and flip that many cards from the Field. You’ll keep any Lookers revealed. (Yelling “Hey Cow!” is strongly encouraged!)
• Play continues until the draw pile is empty and all cards have been played.

---

Scoring

At the end of the game, add up your points and the player with the most points wins!

• Each Looker = 1 point
• Bonus Points:
  • +2 points for 2 identical cards
  • +3 points for 3 cards of the same color
  • +4 points for 1 of each of the 5 colors

Example: 9 Lookers (9 points) + identical, color, and full-color bonuses = 18 total points.

---

Game Variants

Hey Cow! includes multiple ways to play for different group sizes and styles:

• Classic Hey Cow! – The standard version, perfect for beginners.
• Mini Herd – Ideal for 2–4 players; remove half the Hey Cow! and Looker cards for a shorter, faster game.
• Early Harvest – Great for 5–8 players; each player starts with one Hey Cow! card ready to use.
• Level Grazing Field – Distribute all Hey Cow! cards evenly among players before starting.

---

Card and Die Overview

Field Cards:

• Looker: Worth 1 point when collected.
• Dairy-Air: Discarded when flipped.
• Farmer Joe: Ends your turn when revealed; mix up the Field afterward.
• Golden Calf: Worth 1 point and can be any color for scoring.

Action Cards:

• Hey Cow!: Roll the die, flip that many Field cards — keep all Lookers revealed.
• Hey Cow! Bus: Roll the die and flip twice that number of cards.
• Wolf: Steal one Looker from another player.
• UFO: Swap or draw two cards (with various outcomes).
• Cow Tipper: “Tip” another player’s cow — it loses bonus eligibility.
• Dog: Protects you from attacks or lets you flip one Field card and reshuffle the rest.

Die Guide:

Numbers remain the same value as a normal die, the only difference being the Cow symbol is used to represent the number 1.

---

Hey Cow! FAQ

---

Conclusion

The Hey Cow! card game captures the fun and unpredictability of yelling at cows — but with clever cards, quick turns, and bonus combos. Whether you’re stealing Lookers, tipping cows, or doubling your flips with the Hey Cow! Bus, every round brings new laughs. Once the last cow comes home, the player with the most points claims victory — and ultimate bragging rights as the loudest (and smartest) cow caller in the herd!

---

Video Tutorial