Bringing Family-Friendly Meme Madness to Your Game Night – Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

When my family first discovered “What Do You Meme? Family Edition,” I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would it capture the irreverent humor of internet culture while keeping things appropriate for our multi-generational game nights? After countless rounds of belly laughs and memorable moments, I can confidently say this game has become our go-to choice for family entertainment. But before you rush to add it to your collection, let me walk you through everything I’ve learned about this hilarious card game – from the basic rules to strategic gameplay tips and what makes the Family Edition different from the original.

What Exactly Is “What Do You Meme? Family Edition”?

“What Do You Meme? Family Edition” is a family-friendly adaptation of the wildly popular adult party game. Created by Elliot Tebele (the mastermind behind the F*ckJerry Instagram account), this version maintains the hilarious premise of matching caption cards to funny photos but removes the explicit content found in the original game.

At its core, the game is simple: players take turns being the judge who selects a photo card (featuring a funny image or “meme”), then other players submit caption cards from their hands that they think pair most humorously with the photo. The judge picks their favorite combination, and that player wins the round. It’s essentially “Apples to Apples” or “Cards Against Humanity” but with visual memes as the central element – and importantly, with content that won’t make parents cringe when playing with kids!

What makes the Family Edition special is its ability to bridge generational gaps through shared humor that appeals to everyone from tweens to grandparents. My 12-year-old nephew can play alongside my 70-year-old mother, and both find reasons to laugh uncontrollably throughout the game.

What’s In The Box? A Complete Component Breakdown

Before diving into the rules, let’s explore what you’ll find when you open the box:

• 435 Caption Cards: These feature witty, age-appropriate phrases and statements that players use to caption the photo cards.
• 60 Photo Cards: These showcase funny images and popular meme templates that have been carefully selected to appeal to all ages.
• 1 Easel: This plastic stand holds the current photo card so all players can see it clearly during each round.
• Instruction Card: Outlines the basic rules of gameplay.

The quality of the components is impressive. The cards are printed on durable stock with a nice finish that prevents them from sticking together (a common problem with card games). The photos are vibrant, and the captions are printed in a clear, readable font. The easel is sturdy enough to hold cards upright without tipping over, even when the table gets bumped during enthusiastic gameplay.

One thing I particularly appreciate is the storage design – everything fits neatly back into the box without requiring origami-level folding skills or abandoning the original insert (looking at you, most board games).

Breaking Down the Rules: How to Play “What Do You Meme? Family Edition”

Now, let’s get into the detailed rules of gameplay. I’ll walk through everything step by step:

Game Setup

1. Choose a starting judge: We usually go with the youngest player or whoever most recently looked at a meme online.
2. Deal caption cards: Each player receives seven caption cards to form their initial hand.
3. Prepare the photo cards: Shuffle the deck of photo cards and place it within easy reach of all players.
4. Set up the easel: Place the plastic easel in the center of the play area where everyone can see it.

Gameplay Basics

1. The judge selects a photo card: The current judge draws the top photo card and places it on the easel for everyone to see.
2. Players select caption cards: Each player (except the judge) reviews their hand and selects ONE caption card they think pairs best with the photo. Players place their chosen card face-down in front of them.
3. Caption submission: Once everyone has chosen, players give their selected caption cards to the judge.
4. Judge reviews and shuffles: The judge collects all submitted caption cards, shuffles them to maintain anonymity, and then reads each one aloud while showing the photo card.
5. Judging: After reviewing all submissions, the judge selects their favorite photo-caption combination. Humor is subjective, so judges typically look for the pairing that makes them laugh the most or feels most clever.
6. Awarding the round: The player who submitted the winning caption receives the photo card as a point token.
7. Rotating judge duty: The role of judge passes clockwise to the next player for the following round.
8. Replenishing hands: All players who submitted caption cards draw new ones to return to a hand of seven cards.

Winning the Game

Play continues through multiple rounds until someone collects a predetermined number of photo cards (points). The standard winning threshold is:

• For 3-5 players: First to collect 10 photo cards wins
• For 6+ players: First to collect 8 photo cards wins

However, my family often adjusts this based on how much time we have. For a quicker game, we might play to 5 points, or for an extended evening of laughter, we sometimes go to 12 or even play until the photo card deck is exhausted.

Family Edition vs. Original: Key Differences You Should Know

If you’re familiar with the original “What Do You Meme?” game, you might be wondering what makes the Family Edition different. Here are the major distinctions:

1. Content Appropriateness: The most significant difference is the removal of adult-themed, explicit, or offensive content. The Family Edition contains no profanity, sexual references, or other material that would make parents uncomfortable in a mixed-age setting.
2. Simplified Rules: While the core gameplay remains the same, the Family Edition features slightly simplified rules to make it more accessible to younger players.
3. Recognizable Meme Content: The Family Edition features more universally recognizable meme formats and images that don’t require deep internet culture knowledge to appreciate.
4. Age Recommendation: The original game is recommended for ages 17+, while the Family Edition is appropriate for ages 8+ (though I find 10+ is more realistic for full comprehension and enjoyment).
5. Caption Complexity: The caption cards in the Family Edition use more straightforward language and references that younger players can understand.

I’ve found that many families who own both versions actually prefer the Family Edition for most gatherings because it creates a more inclusive environment while still delivering genuine laughs.

Ideal Player Count and Age Range – My Personal Observations

After playing dozens of games with various group sizes, I’ve developed some opinions about the optimal way to enjoy “What Do You Meme? Family Edition”:

Player Count

The box recommends 3-20+ players, but in my experience:

• 3-4 players: Still fun but less variety in caption submissions.
• 5-8 players: The sweet spot! Enough variety in captions without rounds taking too long.
• 9-12 players: Very entertaining but expect longer rounds and more downtime between turns as judge.
• 13+ players: Consider splitting into two games or implementing team play to keep everyone engaged.

Age Appropriateness

The box suggests ages 8+, but I’ve found:

• Under 8: Most children this young struggle with the reading level and conceptual humor required.
• 8-10: Can participate but might need occasional help understanding certain references.
• 10-13: Start to really get the humor and can play independently.
• Teens and adults: Fully engage with both the meme references and caption humor.

One interesting observation: tweens and young teens often become the most enthusiastic players because the game gives them a family-approved way to engage with meme culture that they’re already immersed in online.

Strategic Tips: How to Win at “What Do You Meme? Family Edition”

While primarily a party game based on humor and creativity, there are definitely strategic elements to “What Do You Meme? Family Edition.” Here are my top tips for increasing your chances of winning:

When You’re a Player

1. Know your judge: Pay attention to what makes each family member laugh. My dad loves deadpan humor, while my sister falls for absurdist captions. When someone is judging, tailor your submission to their sense of humor.
2. Consider contrast: Sometimes the funniest combinations come from captions that create ironic contrast with the image rather than simply describing what’s happening.
3. Manage your hand: If you’re holding caption cards that don’t seem versatile across different photo types, don’t be afraid to use a less-than-perfect card in a round where you don’t think you’ll win anyway. This gives you a fresh draw for the next round.
4. Timing is everything: Some caption cards work better with action photos, others with reaction faces. Save your best captions for the most fitting photo opportunities.
5. Play to the room: Consider the collective sense of humor at the table. Inside family jokes often trump objectively “better” captions when playing with relatives.

When You’re the Judge

1. Read captions dramatically: The delivery of the caption can enhance the humor, so read each submission with appropriate emphasis and timing.
2. Consider rewarding creativity: While the obvious match might get immediate laughs, sometimes the unexpected or clever pairing deserves recognition.
3. Be fair to younger players: If playing with a wide age range, try to judge submissions based on the relative cleverness for each player’s age.
4. Maintain poker face: Try not to laugh more at certain submissions while reading them, as this can give away your preference before all options have been presented.

Common Questions and Clarifications About the Rules

After introducing this game to numerous family gatherings, I’ve encountered several recurring questions about the rules. Let me address the most common ones:

“Can the judge participate by submitting a caption?”

No, the judge for each round only selects the photo and chooses the winning caption. They do not submit a caption card themselves. This ensures impartiality in the judging process.

“What happens if I don’t have any good caption cards for the current photo?”

You must still submit a caption card. Sometimes the most unexpected pairings turn out to be the funniest! If your hand is truly terrible, use this as an opportunity to discard your least versatile card.

“Is there a time limit for selecting captions?”

The official rules don’t specify a time limit, but I recommend implementing a loose 60-second guideline if you have players who tend to overthink their choices. For younger players, we sometimes extend this to ensure they have time to read and understand their options.

“Can we see what captions other players have before submitting our own?”

No, all players should select and submit their caption cards independently without knowledge of others’ choices. This prevents groupthink and ensures more variety in the submissions.

“What if two captions are equally funny to the judge?”

In case of a tie, the judge makes the final decision. Some families implement a “judge’s discretion” rule where they can award the point to both players in case of an absolutely unbreakable tie, but this is a house rule variation.

“Can we add house rules?”

Absolutely! Some of our favorite house rules include:

• “Caption Swap”: Once per game, a player can discard their entire hand and draw seven new caption cards.
• “Collaboration Round”: For every fifth round, players team up in pairs to create their submissions.
• “Veto Power”: The winner of the previous round gets one opportunity to veto a photo card if they think it won’t generate good caption options.

Expanding Your Game: Available Expansions and Compatibility

While the base “What Do You Meme? Family Edition” game provides plenty of content for multiple play sessions, eventually you might want to add variety with expansions. Here’s what you should know:

The creators have released several expansion packs specifically for the Family Edition, including:

• Fresh Memes Expansion Pack: Adds new photo and caption cards in the same family-friendly style.
• Holiday-themed Expansion Packs: Special editions for Christmas, Halloween, etc., with themed memes and captions.

An important note: The Family Edition cards are NOT compatible with the original adult version of the game or its expansions. The card backs and sometimes the card sizes differ to prevent accidentally mixing inappropriate content into your family game.

One creative approach my family has taken is creating our own photo cards using printed screenshots of funny family moments or pets. We insert these into card sleeves along with official cards to personalize our game. This has become a favorite tradition, especially when introducing new people to our family gatherings.

Caring For Your Game: Storage and Maintenance Tips

To ensure your “What Do You Meme? Family Edition” provides years of entertainment, consider these care suggestions:

1. Card protection: Consider using card sleeves, especially for the photo cards which see more handling as they’re displayed on the easel each round.
2. Organized storage: The game comes in a well-designed box, but if you add expansions, you might want to invest in a card storage box with dividers to keep photo and caption cards separated.
3. Missing card protocol: If a card goes missing (which happens in family settings), mark it on the instruction sheet so players don’t wait endlessly for a specific caption that’s no longer in the game.
4. Clean hands policy: Establish a “clean hands” rule before playing to prevent greasy fingerprints or food stains on cards.
5. Digital backup: Keep a note on your phone with how many cards of each type should be in the game so you can quickly verify if components are missing before starting.

Where to Buy: Finding the Best Deal

“What Do You Meme? Family Edition” is widely available, but prices can vary significantly. Based on my experience, here are the best places to look:

1. Major retailers: Target, Walmart, and Amazon frequently carry the game, often priced between $20-30.
2. Game specialty stores: While sometimes priced slightly higher, they often have knowledgeable staff who can answer questions about compatibility with expansions.
3. Seasonal sales: The game is frequently discounted during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday sales events.
4. Secondary market: Sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace sometimes have gently used copies at reduced prices, though I recommend checking that all components are included.
5. Direct from publisher: Occasionally, the publisher’s website (whatdoyoumeme.com) offers bundles with expansions at competitive prices.

Before purchasing, I always recommend checking multiple sources and factoring in shipping costs if buying online. The base game typically retails for around $25, so anything significantly above or below that price point warrants further investigation.

Our Family’s Experience: Why This Game Became a Staple

I want to close by sharing why “What Do You Meme? Family Edition” has earned a permanent place in our family game collection:

When we first brought this game home, I was skeptical. Could a meme-based game really appeal to everyone from my meme-obsessed teenager to my technology-resistant parents? The first round answered that question with resounding laughter.

What makes this game special isn’t just the humor—it’s the way it creates connections across generations. My father, who barely knows what a meme is, submitted some of the most unexpectedly hilarious caption cards. My teenage daughter, who normally retreats to her room during family gatherings, stayed for “just one more round” until we’d played for three hours straight.

The beauty of “What Do You Meme? Family Edition” lies in its ability to create shared references and inside jokes. Months after a particularly funny combination, someone will reference it and set off another round of laughter. “Remember when Grandpa paired the cat picture with ‘This is my workout face’?” has become shorthand for any amusing exercise moment in our family.

Perhaps most importantly, the game creates a level playing field where age and knowledge of internet culture don’t necessarily determine success. Creative thinking and understanding your family’s sense of humor matter more than being up-to-date on the latest meme trends.

Final Thoughts: Is “What Do You Meme? Family Edition” Right for Your Family?

After exploring every aspect of this game, from components to strategy, the most important question remains: Should you add it to your family game night rotation?

If your family enjoys humor-based games, values inclusive entertainment where everyone can participate regardless of age, and appreciates the cultural phenomenon of memes even at a basic level, then “What Do You Meme? Family Edition” is an excellent investment in future family memories.

The game strikes a rare balance—simple enough for younger players to understand but engaging enough for adults to genuinely enjoy rather than merely tolerate. Its replayability is excellent, especially if you rotate in new players who bring fresh perspectives to the judging process.

The only families I wouldn’t recommend this for are those who prefer strategy-heavy games with minimal luck elements or those with very young children (under 8) who might grow frustrated with the reading level and conceptual humor required.

For everyone else, “What Do You Meme? Family Edition” offers something increasingly rare in our digitally-divided world: an opportunity for multiple generations to laugh together, create shared references, and engage in the kind of real-time, face-to-face humor that no social media feed can replicate.

And really, in today’s world, couldn’t we all use more moments of genuine, shared laughter with the people we love most?