Tie Pile-Up:

When both players put down a card with the same number, leave them there, then put down a new card on top. Whoever puts down the higher card, feeds both of their cards to the monster, and the other player collects and keeps both of their cards. If there is more than one pair of tying cards in a row, the cards pile up until, eventually, one player puts down a higher card and has to feed their entire pile to the monster.

Choose Wisely:

Players start the game by drawing a hand of 3 cards from their pile. The youngest player chooses one of their cards to lay down. Then the oldest player responds by choosing one of their cards to put down. Then, as with the standard game, the player who put down the highest card feeds it to the monster, and the other player collects their card to keep. Each player then draws a card from their pile to replenish their hand to 3 cards.

After the first turn, the player who keeps their card will be the first to lay down a card from their hand on the next turn. As with the standard version, whoever has the most cards at the end wins.

Addition Scoring:

Instead of counting cards at the end, each player adds up the total value of their cards. Whoever has the highest total wins.

Number Deck Alternatives:

Our Number Deck activity shows how to make, print out, or purchase a deck like the one used for this game. But, you could also use standard playing cards (remove the Aces and face cards), UNO cards, or other game cards. Your child will still get a chance to compare values and recognize numerals.

Greater Than:

The hungry monster's mouth forms a "greater than" sign (or a "less than" sign, depending on which way you're viewing it from). These symbols are used to compare two values in math. When comparing 8 and 10, for example, we might write 8 < 10, which is read "eight is less than ten," or write 10 > 8, which is read "ten is greater than eight." One way to remember which way the sign should point is to imagine it's a mouth. Of course that mouth will want to eat the bigger number! Notice that, as you play Hungry Monster, you are forming these kinds of math statements.

Recognizing Numbers:

At first, children may need to count to recognize the number of the Dots, Tally Marks, and Ten Frames. That's fine. Count along with them if they need help. In time, they will be able to look at a card and recognize the number of dots instantly. The Dots suit has specific patterns to recognize. The Tally Marks and Ten Frames organize numbers into two groups of 5. This helps kids notice that 5, for example, is one filled-out row on a Ten Frame, and 10 is two filled-out rows. 4 is one less than a whole row whereas 6 is one more than a whole row. When a child is able to recognize a number very quickly, ask, "How did you know that so quickly? You didn't even have time to count!" and let them explain.

Comparison:

Can your child find a way to see who has more cards without counting? This can be done using a matching strategy. Line up all of one player's cards, then line up all of the other player's cards next to them, so each of one player's cards is paired with one of the other player's cards. If every card has a match, then both players have the same number. If one player has some cards that can't be paired, they must have more cards.