Get a Grip, from Hasbro, is a no-thumbs challenge game. Players are assigned challenges to complete without the use of their thumbs. Sounds easy, right? Just wait. You’ll quickly learn that you need your thumbs for a lot more than you think! Thankfully, I was given my thumbs back to type up this review.
To play: Each player must wrap his or her hand in the special “no-thumb” band. The bands are pretty cute TBH. Each soft band has a slot in which players can insert their thumbs. Depending on how your party sets the rules—Hasbro suggests younger players get full use of their other four fingers, while older players only get to use two fingers—determines how many fingers will join the thumb in the designated slot— and how challenging the game will be.
Once your thumb is squared away in the special band, the real fun begins. Challenge time! (If you’re having trouble fathoming this, think of wearing oven mitts and then trying to send a text message).
Inside a deck of cards sits 60 challenges. Some involve sculpting a figure from clay and others involve drawing a figure. To make it even more of an obstacle, there’s a time limit to complete most of these challenges that ranges from 30 seconds to 90 seconds. You may want to let the kids borrow your cell phone to accurately record the time.
Players will go head-to-head to complete each challenge. For example, if the challenge is to sculpt a mythical creature, two players will verse each other in a thumb-free battle. After the time has run out, the other player(s) of the game will act as judges and choose their favorite mythical creation. Hasbro suggests that players explain during the judging process exactly why they sculpted or drew a certain image and ultimately why it’s better than the opponent’s. Hence, why at least three players is best for this game to make sure there is always someone who is neutral. Whoever wins the challenges receives the card. The first person to collect three cards is deemed the winner.
The game is set up to accommodate two players at a time with two cans of red sculpting clay, two notepads for the drawing challenges, and four no-thumbs bands (each player wears one on each hand.)
Also among the challenge deck are some “do it” challenges— different from the “draw it” and “sculpt it” challenges. Most of these challenges don’t have time constraints, but rather whoever finishes the challenge first, wins. In the Confetti Challenge, players are tasked to rip up a piece of paper into eight pieces and throw it up in the air. In the Stack Cup Challenge, the first player to stack six disposable plastic or paper cups into a pyramid, and then back into a single stack wins. Note: For some challenges such as this, common household items may be involved. These weren’t my favorite—I preferred the sculpting challenges because, well, I love playing with clay.
To keep the thumbless competition going, kids can also create their own challenges. I suggest challenging kids to see who can pick up their toys or make their bed the fastest—HA.
Think your little ones and their hands are ready for this one? I give this game a thumbs up for actually challenging me and showing me how much I appreciate my sweet, sweet thumbs.
Get a Grip will be available this fall.
