Don't Wake Daddy
Encyclopedia
Don't Wake Daddy is a children's board game
originally published by Parker Brothers
, now a subsidiary of Hasbro
. It is intended for two to four players.
Players take the role of children sneaking to the refrigerator late at night, trying not to wake their sleeping father (who lies in the middle of the board on a large bed). Movement is determined by using a spinner and moving accordingly. If players make one of several "noises" (that is, if the color of a noise space does not match the color of a preassigned card that they hold), they must push an alarm clock next to "Daddy" a certain number of times; after enough pushes, the clock will go off and "Daddy" will suddenly jerk upright from his bed (as if just having awakened from a nightmare
), at which point the player claims the corresponding color card from a player that has it, then returns to the beginning of the board.
Parker Brothers introduced the game at the 1992 American International Toy Fair
. It was picked as the sixth best toy of the year (third-best among girls) in the Duracell
Kids' Choice National Toy Survey, and was one of the best-selling games of the 1992 Christmas season. Parker Brothers spokesperson Ronni Heyman described the game as "a real sleeper
". The game's success was cited as a contributing factor in Hasbro's 46% increase in net income
after the fourth quarter of 1992. Parker Brothers later released a smaller travel version of the game.
The game served as the inspiration for a series of 1990s works by German artist Martin Kippenberger
. Kippenberger used the symbols for the different "noises" in the game to plan a cycle of wood-carvings and oil paintings. A children's book based on the game, Don't Wake Daddy: Late-Night Snack, was published by Scholastic Corporation in 2001.
Board game
A board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
originally published by Parker Brothers
Parker Brothers
Parker Brothers is a toy and game manufacturer and brand. Since 1883, the company has published more than 1,800 games; among their best known products are Monopoly, Cluedo , Sorry, Risk, Trivial Pursuit, Ouija, Aggravation, and Probe...
, now a subsidiary of Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
. It is intended for two to four players.
Players take the role of children sneaking to the refrigerator late at night, trying not to wake their sleeping father (who lies in the middle of the board on a large bed). Movement is determined by using a spinner and moving accordingly. If players make one of several "noises" (that is, if the color of a noise space does not match the color of a preassigned card that they hold), they must push an alarm clock next to "Daddy" a certain number of times; after enough pushes, the clock will go off and "Daddy" will suddenly jerk upright from his bed (as if just having awakened from a nightmare
Nightmare
A nightmare is an unpleasant dream that can cause a strong negative emotional response from the mind, typically fear or horror, but also despair, anxiety and great sadness. The dream may contain situations of danger, discomfort, psychological or physical terror...
), at which point the player claims the corresponding color card from a player that has it, then returns to the beginning of the board.
Parker Brothers introduced the game at the 1992 American International Toy Fair
American International Toy Fair
The American International Toy Fair is one of a few major toy industry trade shows held around the world. It is held annually in mid February in New York City's Toy Center, located at 23rd Street at the crossover of Fifth Avenue and Broadway and at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and is...
. It was picked as the sixth best toy of the year (third-best among girls) in the Duracell
Duracell
Duracell is a brand of batteries manufactured by Procter & Gamble.Additionally, Duracell owns the Procell professional-use brand.-Products:Duracell manufactures alkaline batteries in many common sizes, such as AAA, AA, C, D, and 9V...
Kids' Choice National Toy Survey, and was one of the best-selling games of the 1992 Christmas season. Parker Brothers spokesperson Ronni Heyman described the game as "a real sleeper
Sleeper hit
A sleeper hit, a.k.a. surprise hit , refers to a film, book, single, album, TV show, or video game that gains unexpected success or recognition...
". The game's success was cited as a contributing factor in Hasbro's 46% increase in net income
Net income
Net income is the residual income of a firm after adding total revenue and gains and subtracting all expenses and losses for the reporting period. Net income can be distributed among holders of common stock as a dividend or held by the firm as an addition to retained earnings...
after the fourth quarter of 1992. Parker Brothers later released a smaller travel version of the game.
The game served as the inspiration for a series of 1990s works by German artist Martin Kippenberger
Martin Kippenberger
Martin Kippenberger was a German artist known for his extremely prolific output in a wide range of styles and media as well as his provocative, jocular and hard-drinking public persona....
. Kippenberger used the symbols for the different "noises" in the game to plan a cycle of wood-carvings and oil paintings. A children's book based on the game, Don't Wake Daddy: Late-Night Snack, was published by Scholastic Corporation in 2001.
External links
- Frederick J. Augustyn. Dictionary of Toys and Games in American Popular Culture. Haworth Press, 2004. 40.