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How to play Pie Face: spin the spinner, put your chin through the mask, and turn the handles the number of times you spun. If the arm stays put, you score points. If it fires, you get a face full of whipped cream and score nothing. The first player to 25 points wins. These rules follow the Pie Face rulebook for the Hasbro edition, including the partial-turn rule that most families miss.
The box these rules cover: Pie Face (Hasbro)
The Hasbro Pie Face game comes with the pie thrower, throwing arm, two handles, chin rest, splash-card mask and spinner. It is for 2 or more players ages 5 and up, and it costs about $18. Whipped cream is not included.
Price band: $10–$20 (about $18) · Check today’s price on Amazon
Pie Face at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 or more |
| Ages | 5 and up (adult assembly and supervision) |
| Game length | About 15 minutes |
| In the box | Pie thrower, throwing arm, 2 handles, chin rest, splash-card mask and spinner |
| You also need | Whipped cream, a towel, and paper and a pencil for scoring |
| Goal | Be the first player to score 25 points |
Setting up Pie Face
- Slide the splash-card mask between the chin rest opening and the front clips on the thrower.
- Push the chin rest into place so it holds the mask steady. Don’t bend the mask.
- Push a handle into each side of the thrower.
- Attach the throwing arm to the trigger without turning the handles, then press the arm down until it locks.
- Assemble the spinner and put it next to the thrower.
- Put a dollop of whipped cream on the hand, and grab paper and a pencil to keep score.
Older Pie Face boxes came with a sponge you could wet instead of using whipped cream. The current Hasbro box says to use only whipped cream, so follow the instructions that came with your box.
How a turn of Pie Face works
- The youngest player goes first, and play passes to the left.
- Spin the spinner. The number tells you how many times you must turn the handles.
- Put your chin on the chin rest so your face is behind the mask, looking at the hand.
- Turn the handles forward that many clicks. Each click counts as one turn of the handles.
- If you finish without getting hit, score your points. If the arm fires, you are pie-faced and score zero for that turn.
- Reset the arm, reload the cream if needed, and pass the spinner to the next player.
Pie Face scoring
| What happened | Points |
|---|---|
| Full turn, not hit | Double the number you spun |
| Partial turn, not hit | 1 point for each click you turned |
| Hit by the arm | 0 points |
For example, if you spin a 4 and take your full turn without getting hit, you score 8 points. Hasbro’s short product description simply says you score a point for every turn of the handle, so some families play that simpler version with young kids. Agree before you start which scoring you are using.
The partial turn rule
After you spin, you can choose to turn the handles fewer times than the number you spun. You must announce how many clicks you will take before you start turning. If you survive, you score 1 point per click, with no doubling. If you get hit, you still score zero. A partial turn is the safe choice when the arm has not fired for a while and everyone can feel it coming.
How to win Pie Face
Keep a running total for each player. The first player to reach 25 points or more wins the game. With a lot of players, you can lower the target to 15 points to keep the game short.
Tips for playing Pie Face with kids
- Use only a small dollop of cream. A little goes a long way and is much easier to clean up.
- Put a towel or a plastic tablecloth under the thrower, and keep wipes nearby.
- Let nervous kids watch a few rounds first, or let them take partial turns until they feel brave.
- Have an adult reset and reload the arm between turns.
- Wipe the thrower clean and let it dry before you put it back in the box.
Fun ways to play Pie Face at a party
- Teams: pair players up, and partners take turns at the handles. Add the team’s points together.
- Sudden death: everyone takes one click at a time around the table. Whoever gets hit is out, and the last player left wins.
- Prediction round: before each turn, the other players guess whether the arm will fire. Correct guesses score a bonus point.
These are house rules, not part of the official game, so agree on them before you start.
Is Pie Face a good game for young kids?
Pie Face is one of the easiest games to teach a 5-year-old. There is no reading, only simple counting, and the suspense of every click keeps the whole table watching. It works best as a short, silly party game rather than a long game night. For calmer games for the same age group, see the best game gifts for kids.
For another simple family game with a bit of luck and a lot of laughs, try Trouble with its Pop-O-Matic die. It costs about $9.
Pie Face rules FAQ
How many points do you need to win Pie Face?
The first player to score 25 points wins.
Do you get double points in Pie Face?
Yes, in the rulebook version. If you take your full turn without getting hit, you score double the number you spun. A partial turn scores 1 point per click.
Can you use something other than whipped cream?
Older editions included a sponge to use with water. The current Hasbro edition says to use only whipped cream.
How many people can play Pie Face?
Two or more players, so it works for a small family or a big party.
What age is Pie Face for?
The box says ages 5 and up, with adult assembly and supervision.
