How to Play Bears vs Babies (Rules, Setup & Tips)

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Bears vs Babies is the standalone monster-building party game from the Exploding Kittens crew (Elan Lee + Matthew Inman / The Oatmeal). You stitch weird creatures together, arm them with nonsense weapons, and send them to fight an army of awful Babies — usually in about 20 minutes with 2–5 players (ages 10+).

This how-to covers the boxed Bears vs Babies (ASIN B071GS97RT): what’s in the box, setup, turn structure, how monster power works, key card types, strategy, mistakes, and when to deal it. If your table already loves EK chaos, this is the cousin that swaps “don’t explode” for “build something scarier than a diaper.”

Bears vs Babies vs Exploding Kittens — what’s different

• Standalone: Bears vs Babies is a full game — you do not need Original EK to play.
• Different win condition: you’re building monsters and defeating Babies for points / survival, not last-player-not-exploded.
• Same DNA: short rounds, loud art, table banter, rules that take one teach then run themselves.
• Player count / age: typically 2–5 players, ages 10+ (check your box). More strategic than pure “draw and scream,” still very party.

Want the classic bomb-draw loop instead? Start with our Exploding Kittens rules guide. Already EK-fluent and want extra bombs? See How to Play Imploding Kittens.

What’s in the box

• A big deck of illustrated cards — creature parts, weapons/gear, Babies, and action / sabotage cards (exact counts vary by print).
• Rules sheet — short; keep it out for the first game’s power-icon reference.
• The furry box itself — yes, the packaging is a bit, and it’s half the gift appeal.

First game tip: fan a few completed sample monsters so new players see “head + body bits + weapons = one fighter” before you speed-run.

Setup

1. Shuffle the main deck thoroughly (Babies mixed in unless your sheet says otherwise for a teaching game).
2. Deal each player a starting hand (follow your print — commonly a small hand so early builds aren’t instant armies).
3. Place the remaining deck face-down as a shared draw pile. Leave space in the center for Babies that enter play and for each player’s monster area.
4. Agree on the win condition from your sheet (most points from defeated Babies / strongest surviving monsters — prints share the same fantasy, wording differs slightly).
5. Pick a start player. You’re ready.

House rule for brand-new tables: flip the first Baby face-up for 10 seconds and narrate how power compare works before it hits someone’s monster.

How a turn works

Core loop (every print): play cards to grow your monster(s) and react to Babies, then refill your hand from the draw pile as the sheet allows.

• Build: play creature / part / weapon cards into your play area to assemble one or more monsters. Attachments usually stack onto a base creature.
• Baby appears: when a Baby card is revealed (drawn or played per rules), it challenges monsters. Compare power icons / totals — stronger monster eats the Baby (you score); weaker monster gets wrecked (discard that build).
• Actions / sabotage: some cards steal parts, force discards, or mess with timing. Teach them the first time they hit the table.
• End of turn: draw back up to hand size if required. Play continues until the deck / Baby pool / point target ends the game per your sheet.

If a card and the sheet disagree on a weird edge case, the card in play usually wins for that copy — announce the ruling once and move on.

Key cards & icons you’ll care about

• Creature bases / heads — the identity of your monster (bear, salmon, pomeranian-of-light, etc.). You usually need a legal base before stacking toys.
• Limbs, weapons, hats, gear — add power and jokes. More attachments = scarier fighter and a fatter target for saboteurs.
• Babies — the villains. Each has a power value; they exist to punish unfinished or underpowered builds.
• Action cards — peeks, steals, forced plays, or “not so fast” interrupts depending on print. Pause and read aloud the first time.
• Power icons — the math that settles fights. Teach players to tally before arguing.

Exact titles and art vary; the fantasy stays: Frankenstein a ridiculous fighter, then hope it outranks the next diapered nightmare.

Strategy tips

• Don’t overbuild one fragile god. One mega-monster feels cool until a Baby (or a sabotage) eats your whole investment. Two mid builds often outlast one glass cannon.
• Track Baby pace. If Babies are coming fast, prioritize power over fashion accessories.
• Hold one answer card. A steal / cancel / panic button in hand is worth more than the third silly hat.
• Watch the table, not just your art. If someone else is one attachment from invincible, sabotage timing matters more than your next joke card.
• Teach before you punish. Round one: pause on new icons. Round two: full chaos.

When to play Bears vs Babies

Play it as a 15–25 minute opener, a gift for EK fans who already own the bomb game, or a family-friendly (10+) party deck when NSFW art is off the table. The furry box also earns its keep as a stocking / birthday present.

Skip it if you specifically want the Exploding Kittens draw-or-die loop — that’s a different product. Pairing night idea: EK base for round one, Bears vs Babies for round two when people want building instead of bomb roulette.

Common mistakes

• Thinking it’s an EK expansion. It’s standalone. Own both if you want both loops.
• Playing parts with no legal base. Attachments need a creature to live on — check the sheet.
• Forgetting to tally power before a Baby fight. Argue after the math, not instead of it.
• Hoarding forever. Babies don’t wait for your perfect combo.
• Skipping the first-card teach. One slow read prevents three mid-game rules fights.

FAQ

Do I need Exploding Kittens to play Bears vs Babies?

No. Bears vs Babies is a complete standalone game. EK is a sibling brand vibe, not a required base deck.

How many players and how long?

Box targets roughly 2–5 players and ~20 minutes once everyone knows the icons. First teach runs longer — budget 30.

Is it appropriate for kids?

Rated ages 10+ on typical US listings: cartoon violence and gross-out baby art, not NSFW. Still preview art if your table is sensitive.

Is the furry box worth it as a gift?

Yes for EK fans and gag-gift energy — the packaging is half the unboxing. Gameplay still has to land, which it does for short party nights.

Ready when you are

You’ve got setup, the build-vs-Baby loop, power-tally habits, and the “standalone, not an EK expansion” rule that saves arguments. Shuffle. Attach something ridiculous. Try not to lose to a diaper.

→ Bears vs Babies on Amazon · related: EK Original / Imploding.