
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,170
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Exploding Minions
- 2–5 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2021

Rules assistance for Tummy Ache
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Tummy Ache is a board game released in 1973 for 2–4 players, 15 minutes per game, and ages 3 and up. Its main mechanics are Set Collection and Chit-Pull System.
"Try to make a meal you can eat!" Each player has a board with spaces for elements of their meal. Players take cards in turn, which once revealed depict a tasty food item or a rotten "tummy-ache" card. Duplicate food types cannot be taken and must be put in the discard pile which the next player can draw from if she wants. The first player to complete their meal wins.
Tummy Ache supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Tummy Ache is 15 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Tummy Ache for ages 3 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Tummy Ache has a complexity rating of 1.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Tummy Ache belongs to these categories: Humor and Children's Game. Its main mechanics are Set Collection and Chit-Pull System. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Tummy Ache as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.