Moms should step back from the gross out factor of Speak Out. We put this mouthpiece in our mouths? Then what? Burn them and buy new ones? How do I sanitize these things? I can't let other people put them into their mouths after we have put them in our mouths? This is a health risk. This is gross. Why did I buy this game? Okay. The game comes with 10 mouthpieces. You can even buy extra ones in an expansion pack. After each game you can run them through the top rack of the dishwasher, hand wash them, sterilize them, etc. The kids will be okay. (But--do plan to wash the Speak Out mouthpieces and dry them after the players are finished playing!)
Small mouths will have difficulties with Speak Out. After I bought the game, I noticed that the age recommendation was 16+. My girls have friends (under 16) with the game--so we decided to give it a try as a family. My 10 year old could barely fit the mouthpiece into her mouth--and it took me a bit of practice to get used to maneuvering the piece in and out of my own, adult, small mouth between rounds. Some players may not be able to wear the mouthpiece--but, give it a few practice rounds if in doubt because the players should be able to remove the mouthpiece after every turn.
Expect to laugh during a Speak Out game. A Lot. I literally laughed until I cried. It is so funny to watch a person (especially an adult) truly believe that they are saying a word in a certain way--when nobody in the room is hearing the word in that way! One daughter tried to resort to Charades motions to get her words understood (which isn't allowed). The husband just continued to repeat the same garbled words again and again...thinking somehow he was "clarifying" something...making it all hilarious.
Expect to drool during a Speak Out game. A Lot. Have some tissues at the ready during game play. (Maybe some Clorox wipes for the moms playing!) Younger players and/or those with smaller mouths will tend to drool a bit more than others....but, drool will happen and drool will hit the table or game surface during this game. Moms be ready.
Would I recommend Speak Out by Hasbro? I will admit, the mom in me thought that the concept of this game was gross and childish and I really almost didn't buy it--but, I think those gross/ridiculous/childish/drooling factors are what made it so much fun for a family game night. It's just funny to see your family's mouths splayed out like weird fish...and it is a definite break from the ordinary to hear your husband try to say "Perils of Quicksand are Apparent" when his lips can't form a "P" sound and q's and ck sounds are just not going to happen with the mouthpieces.
I am not a fan of "stupid humor" games--and I am a self-proclaimed germ avoid-er. But. This game just made me laugh. The mom in me did break out the Clorox wipes for the table--and I have sanitized the mouthpieces. A few times. After every game. But--this game was just good, "clean" fun--minus the yucky drooling. We had to actually listen to each other and tune into our partners to pick up the phrases and it was a true break from the ordinary board game. And we laughed. A lot. We played multiple rounds of this game and we would play it again and again. (My husband would even play it again.) This game surprised me--but, I am glad that I bought it and I know that my daughters and their friends will play it at every sleepover for years to come. It is just that kind of game!
Now....if you buy the Speak Out game...
The original game has a 16+ age recommendation. The content of the cards was family friendly and the reading level of the phrases was suitable for independent readers; however, the mouthpieces just may be a bit difficult for younger players to use. There is a Kid vs. Adult version available too that is recommended for ages 8 and up. We have not tried this version--but, it includes smaller mouthpieces for kids and larger ones for adults.
Plan to wash/sanitize mouthpieces frequently--and probably plan to buy an extra pack of mouthpieces.
Plan for drool to happen. A lot. Bring a supply of napkins or tissues to the game.
Plan ahead for an alternate game for younger kiddos or those with super tiny mouths (even adults with small mouths) because the game mouthpieces can be uncomfortable (even painful) if they don't fit the player's mouths well!
Buy Speak Out
Buy the Speak Out Game on Amazon
There is also a Kid vs. Parent version of Speak Out with smaller, kid-sized mouthpieces. We have not tried this version.
There is a pack of extra Mouthpieces sized for adults and children available too which I would recommend.
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