No Thumbs Challenge

No Thumbs Challenge - What can you do with only 8 fingers?

No Thumbs Challenge is basically what the name implies - Do everyday activities without the aid of your thumbs. There are 112 challenges and none of the items required to complete them are included in the game. More on that below.

The game comes with eight thumb straps and while individuals play they will be wearing two, one on each hand. The plastic straps have a fake thumb that sticks out the side. You will not be putting your thumbs in the fake thumbs. Your thumbs will be tucked across your palms and under the strap, so that you can't use them. The fake thumb is just for looks, not usable.

Back of box showing thumb strap and challenge cards.

There are 56 challenge cards with a challenge on each side, 112 challenges total. You will have to assemble the items you need from around your house. Two players will be competing on each challenge, so you will actually need two of each item. Here are a few examples of the challenges:

• Open a jar
• Drop 10 cards on the floor and pick them up
• Open a bag of chips
• Put on lipstick
• Open a doorknob
• Crack an egg
• Write the alphabet
• Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• Take four equal pieces of tape and make a square on a piece of paper

Some of the items might not be available in every home, but I would guess most are. After going through the deck, I had all but three items already in the house. You will not need all 112 challenges to play a game, so just flip through the cards beforehand and remove any that you don't have the supplies for. Or, you could take a trip to the dollar store and pick up a few items you don't have like lipstick (for sanitary purposes), safety pins, screwdrivers, wrapping paper, etc. Several of the challenges have to do with paper and pencil and coins, and I think you will find those in most every home.  There are also two cards that say make up your own challenge.

There are several "no thumbs" games on the market and I have also blogged about Get A Grip.

Objective:

Be the first to successfully complete all six challenges in a relay race.

Set up:

Give each player two thumb straps. Shuffle the cards and deal five to each player or team. Each player (team) will choose three of those five cards. Discard the remaining cards, shuffle the chosen cards together, face-down. Deal six cards, face-up, in a row where everyone can see them. Those are the final challenges that will be used in the game. Gather any items that will be needed for the challenges if you haven't already done so.

Play:

The first two players will put on the thumb straps. On go, both players will try to complete the first challenge. The first one to complete the challenge wins the card. Keep playing, one challenge at a time, until the last card is claimed and that person wins the game. You can also play in teams with one team member competing at a time. 

Try this:

• Start easy by using a thumb strap on your dominant hand only, allowing free use of your other hand to help. Work your way up to both thumbs strapped.
• Choose the six challenge cards ahead of time, don't let the players choose them. Then you can have the exact supplies that you will need available from the start.
• Consider the players before choosing the cards you will use. If someone already has trouble doing something with both thumbs, discard that challenge to make the game more fair. For instance, can everyone button a shirt quickly, write the alphabet or have the hand skills to apply fingernail polish?
• Skip the game, just have fun presenting a challenge card and doing it.
• Use a timer and time one player completing the challenge and then time the other player completing the challenge. Best time wins the card. This way you will not need two of each item.

In the box: 4 thumb wraps, 56 challenge cards.

If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below.