How to Play Hungry Hungry Hippos

Q: How many marbles are used in Hungry Hungry Hippos?

There are 20 marbles in total. At the start of each round, all marbles are released into the center “pond,” and players race to collect as many as they can. If you ever lose a marble, you can order replacement marble sets from Hasbro.

Q: When does the next player start?

All players play simultaneously, pressing their hippo levers as fast as they can to “chomp” the marbles. The round ends when all marbles are gone. After counting marbles, reset them into the pond for the next round.

Last Updated on October 11, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Hungry Hungry Hippos is a fast-paced game where players control hungry hippos and race to gobble up as many marbles as possible. The goal is to collect the most marbles before the game ends, all while trying to outpace and outmaneuver your opponents. With its simple rules and frantic gameplay, Hungry Hungry Hippos is perfect for quick, fun family sessions.

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Components:

Game Base: The board with four hippos and the marble holding area in the center.
4 Hippos: Each player controls one hippo (typically colors are pink, orange, yellow, and green).
20 Marbles: Small white marbles that the hippos will try to eat.
Marble Release Handle: A mechanism to release all marbles into the playing area at the start of the game.

A pair of hands is holding the Hungry Hungry Hippos game above an open cardboard box, showing the four colorful plastic hippos (yellow, blue, orange, and pink) positioned around the central pool of marbles on a blue background. The second image is the box cover for the Aeon's End (Second Edition) board game, which features a group of mages battling a massive, red, horned demon.

Objective:

The objective of the game is to be the player whose hippo collects the most marbles by the end of the game.

Setup:

Assemble the Game:
- Place the game base on a flat surface.
- Attach the hippos to their respective slots on the game base.
- Ensure each hippo’s lever mechanism (mouth and neck) works properly.
Distribute Marbles:
- Place all 20 marbles in the marble holding area in the center of the game base.
Assign Hippos:
- Each player chooses a hippo and sits behind it.

The images show two contrasting board games. The first is a vibrant, overhead shot of four players' hands pressing the levers of the yellow, blue, orange, and pink hippos in the classic children's game Hungry Hungry Hippos, with red marbles in the center and two bowls of puffed snacks nearby on a blue surface. The second is the cover of the Aeon's End (Second Edition) board game box, featuring a group of mages battling a massive, red, horned demon.

Gameplay:

Starting the Game:
- One player or an adult releases the marbles by pulling the marble release handle, spreading the marbles across the board.
Catch the Marbles:
- Players rapidly press the lever on the back of their hippo to make it lunge forward and open its mouth to catch the marbles.
- The hippos’ mouths will open and close as they lunge forward.
- Players continue pressing the lever until all marbles are captured.
Collecting Marbles:
- As the hippo catches marbles, they will move down the hippo’s throat and into the player’s collection area.
End of the Game:
- The game ends when all the marbles have been captured by the hippos.

Winning the Game:

Once all the marbles have been captured, each player counts the number of marbles their hippo collected.
The player with the most marbles is declared the winner.

three excited children playing the Hungry Hungry Hippos game on a blue table against a green background, with the girl in the center cheering with her hands raised as her orange hippo appears to have won. The second image is the box cover for the cooperative deck-building game Aeon's End (Second Edition), featuring a group of mages battling a massive, red, horned demon.

Special Rules:

Ties:
- In case of a tie (two or more players have the same number of marbles), the tied players can play a tiebreaker round with a subset of the marbles.
Rules for Younger Players:
- For younger children, you can reduce the number of marbles or play until a certain number of marbles have been captured.

Strategy Tips:

Rapid Pressing: The game is all about speed, so rapidly press the lever to maximize your hippo’s chances of catching marbles.
Timing: Watch the marbles’ movement and try to time your presses to catch multiple marbles in one go.
Positioning: Slightly angle your hippo towards areas with more marbles to increase your chances of collecting them.

Hungry Hungry Hippos FAQ

How many marbles are used in Hungry Hungry Hippos?

There are 20 marbles in total. At the start of each round, all marbles are released into the center “pond,” and players race to collect as many as they can. If you ever lose a marble, you can order replacement marble sets from Hasbro.

What is the pond area?

The pond is the circular section in the middle of the board where all the marbles start. It’s the “feeding zone” for all hippos. Players should not reach into the pond during play — only use the lever to operate your hippo.

What happens if a marble gets stuck or doesn’t roll into the pond?

If a marble gets stuck during play, pause briefly and make sure all marbles are sitting freely in the pond area. Only restart once everyone agrees that the marbles are in fair positions. Stuck marbles can be nudged gently back into the pond before resuming play.

When does the next player start?

All players play simultaneously, pressing their hippo levers as fast as they can to “chomp” the marbles. The round ends when all marbles are gone. After counting marbles, reset them into the pond for the next round.

How do the hippo heads work?

Each hippo head is connected to a lever. When you push the lever down, the hippo’s neck extends and its mouth opens to grab marbles. When you release the lever, the head retracts and drops any captured marbles into the player’s marble tray.

What if a hippo’s head or lever sticks?

If your hippo doesn’t move smoothly, check for jammed marbles or debris underneath. Avoid forcing the lever — remove any stuck marbles first. If the issue continues, detach the hippo from the base and reattach it carefully to reset the mechanism.

Can I play as a team with someone else?

Yes, you can! In team play, two players can share one hippo, taking turns pressing the lever or alternating rounds. Teams can compete against each other, and the pair with the most marbles at the end wins.

What if two hippos grab the same marble?

If two hippos seem to catch the same marble, the marble goes to whichever hippo’s mouth closes with it inside. If it’s unclear, place that marble back into the pond and continue playing.

How do I know who wins a round?

Once all marbles are eaten, each player counts the marbles in their tray. The player (or team) with the most marbles wins the round. You can play a single round or several rounds and add up totals for a match score.

“Hungry Hungry Hippos” is a fun and frantic game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. The simple rules and fast-paced gameplay make it a great choice for family game nights and parties.