How to Play Don't Wake Daddy (Board Game)

Reviewed by Ashton Wu

Last Updated: June 17, 2022

Don't Wake Daddy is a fun entertaining game for any age and a favorite for many. In this article, we'll walk you through the instructions for setup and gameplay. If you're ready to get started, read on!

1

Take the game out of the box and set up the pieces.

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Assemble all the pieces to Daddy's bed. Some stickers go below the alarm clock, along with on the headboard and at the bed's foot. You will also need to place Daddy into bed before attaching the headboard. Daddy also needs to wear his yellow bed cap (unless it falls off).
- Place Daddy's bed on the board. On the newest copies of games, there's a dashed line that forms the "border" to the place of where to put the bed and in what direction to put it.
- Snap Daddy into bed.
- Prepare the spinner. Not only will you need the cardboard with the color, but you'll need the spinner arrow and the spinner base, which attaches to the bottom of the card. If you've already fixed this, you may just need to get this spinner out from the box.

2

Shuffle and distribute the 16 cards.

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Each player should have the same number of cards as spaces on the board.
- If there are three players playing this game, you will have unequal cards. Take one card and place it to the side up and out of the way. This space becomes a "free space" for that game - and everybody who lands on this spot is safe. However, randomize this chosen card for this game.

3

Make sure all the players start at the starting point.

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Players should be resting on the "bed" graphics in the one corner.
- If you have more than the max point of players, you can use almost any standing object as an alternative. It works just fine!

4

Have the youngest player go first.

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^{[1]
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Research source} However, if you'd like, you can randomize this and choose whoever you want.

5

Spin the color wheel spinner.

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Players take turns spinning the wheel one by one.

6

Move your mover card to the first spot with that color.

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Move your player card based on the color designated by the spinner.

7

Look at the picture from the board.

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Nothing else needs to be located - play can be passed to the next person successfully.

8

Locate the player holding that card.

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Play advances to the other players. If it's not you, the card featuring it must be passed to you and you must complete the next step.

9

Look at the board where your players' card landed.

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This is where to find the number of times you'll need to activate daddy's alarm clock. Learn what happens if you spin and land on white space with the black or purple star. This will depend on a number of actions:
- Advance to the spot directly ahead of the leader - regardless of how many spots you need to travel to get there.
- Spin the spinner again if you are the leader anyway.

10

Follow the card directions for Daddy's alarm clock.

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If Daddy wakes up (pops up) during the pressing, bring your mover card back to the start location, reset daddy's head back into bed and begin again.

11

Recognize a winner.

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The winner is the first one to land on the Rainbow Refrigerator - the Rainbow Refrigerator is thought of as the spot holding all the last available colors.

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Question

What if I tie with someone?

Sweetpie23

Community Answer

You can't really tie with anyone because you are spinning the wheel one at a time. You can be on the same lane but you can't win at the same time.

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Tips

The instructions say that this game is geared towards those ages 3 to 6. However, if the players are older, it's okay. They will have just as fun!

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The bed operates via mechanical adjustments and doesn't require batteries of any kind. The spinner is operated mechanically too and doesn't take a lot to activate.

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The object of the game is to be the first player to tiptoe from your bed, past all the noisy obstacles, to the refrigerator.

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Warnings

This can be a frustrating game. You'll probably get upset and feel like Daddy is rigged if Daddy jumps up too many times. However, this isn't that way. You just have to be patient!

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Things You'll Need

Don't Wake Daddy (game board)
Assembled bed (you assemble it)
16 Don't Wake Daddy playing cards
Equipment mover cards (included)
Spinner

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How to Play Don't Wake Daddy (Board Game)

Steps

Take the game out of the box and set up the pieces.

Shuffle and distribute the 16 cards.

Make sure all the players start at the starting point.

Have the youngest player go first.

Spin the color wheel spinner.

Move your mover card to the first spot with that color.

Look at the picture from the board.

Locate the player holding that card.

Look at the board where your players' card landed.

Follow the card directions for Daddy's alarm clock.

Recognize a winner.

Community Q&A

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Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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