and sends the hippo back out again

September 5, 2019 11:31 AM

Humans playing Hungry Hungry Hippos is a thing. Usually with baskets or buckets on some form of wheeled platform, sometimes with each human attached to a bungee cord.

Intramural SportsLife Size Hungry Hungry Hippos Rules [PDF from NC State ]

D.C.’s Winter Sport Craze Is … A Life-Sized Version Of Hungry Hungry Hippos?

Hungry Hungry Hippos becomes life sized at Medina library.

Program Model: Hungry Hungry Hippos from Programming Librarian.

posted by readinghippo (17 comments total)

Also, "These photos of airmen playing a life-size "Hungry Hungry Hippos" game will surely deter our enemies" on Wearethemighty.com
posted by readinghippo at 11:33 AM on September 5, 2019 [1 favorite]

I regularly have to entertain about 20-30 teenagers on any given weekend so PUTTING THIS ON MY ROSTER! Thanks!
posted by wellifyouinsist at 11:45 AM on September 5, 2019 [3 favorites]

Ack it makes me very nervous that they're not wearing helmets at least... a head-to-head (or, i suppose, head-to-ice) impact seems very possible.

That said... omg that looks so fun i want to play.
posted by brainmouse at 11:49 AM on September 5, 2019 [3 favorites]

At least one library's event required helmets which seems like a good way to protect one's brain (or brainhippo).
posted by readinghippo at 11:58 AM on September 5, 2019 [1 favorite]

Reads: "Humans playing Hungry Hungry Hippos is a thing"

Thinks: "Uh, yeah, that game has been around for like 50 years?"

Continues reading: "Usually with baskets or buckets on some wheeled platform"

Thinks: "Huh, is there some sort of alternate live-action version of this? How would that work?"

Continues reading: "... sometimes with each human attached to a bungee cord."

Thinks: Wait, so the object is for the humans to avoid being bitten as they bounce up and down over a group of hippos?!!?? WTF is wrong with people?!?!

Clicks: "Oh, I get it. The people are the hippos, not the balls. That's nice."
posted by skewed at 12:01 PM on September 5, 2019 [14 favorites]

I'm curious why this is being done so much by libraries. It doesn't seem to have much to do with libraries or books or education or ... ? What's the connection?
posted by jacquilynne at 12:12 PM on September 5, 2019 [1 favorite]

I mean, I'm guessing the answer is something like this being a way for a library to host a fun event that makes people connect with them as an awesome part of your community, but...

...I hope the secret answer is that librarians are training humanity for a desperate Hungry Hungry Hippos match against the forces of evil, in order to save the world.
posted by nubs at 12:23 PM on September 5, 2019 [8 favorites]

It’s the classical model, jacqilynne. Or it will be as soon as the libraries also have public baths.

I expect really it’s because libraries are almost the only public space or noncommercial option in a lot of places and they’re leaning into it. But it’s also true that classical libraries were often in complexes with baths and gymnasiums.

(And also also true that a lot of places could use decent public baths again. Another thing that 1960-2000 rich countries were historically unusual in not having.)
posted by clew at 12:23 PM on September 5, 2019 [2 favorites]

Also physical activity isn't NOT educational, even if it isn't academic. Social skills, communication skills, and kinetic skills all need to be practiced, and can be through something as silly as human hungry hungry hippo.

Also in most of comminities kids just need safe, free places to be outside of school hours. Luckily libraries are awesome for that!
posted by wellifyouinsist at 12:34 PM on September 5, 2019 [5 favorites]

My kid's camp started doing this a few years ago. It's the funniest damn thing I ever saw.
posted by Mchelly at 12:44 PM on September 5, 2019 [1 favorite]

I chalk this sudden renewed interest in the game to its appearance in Casino Royale.
posted by Naberius at 12:57 PM on September 5, 2019 [7 favorites]

I was kind of scared to click on the links at first because I thought it was going to be about humans playing with actual hungry hungry hippos and getting their leg bit off or something.

Spoiler alert: no humans were harmed in this game, and no hippos neither. Click away!
posted by basalganglia at 4:07 PM on September 5, 2019 [2 favorites]

readingHippo, your hippo post game has been on point this month! So much fantastic hippo content!
posted by hilaryjade at 5:59 PM on September 5, 2019 [1 favorite]

I don't gamble much, but if I could bet on this event while drinking 32-oz daquiris, I might start.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:38 PM on September 5, 2019 [2 favorites]

This is giving me flashbacks to Time Passes Very Slowly When You're In A Hippo's Mouth.
posted by MrVisible at 7:12 PM on September 5, 2019

Years ago our improv troupe asked the audience if they had any requests for games in that night’s show. One kid yelled “Hungry Hungry Hippos.” To say, “Silly child, that’s not an improv game” would have violated the principle of yes-and...so we knew what we had to do.

We all ran backstage and grabbed our snacks, reemerged and dumped them out on the filthy stage. We wordlessly figured out who would be the hippos, and who would stand behind the hippos and spank them to make the hippos eat faster.

I am retired now, but I can still remember the deeply rewarding mix of laughter and disgusted moans. The spankings and the taste of stage filth were worth it.
posted by armeowda at 7:31 PM on September 5, 2019 [2 favorites]

I play a version of this with my unit of Girl Guides. It’s easily one of their favorite games.
posted by chronic sublime at 6:48 PM on September 6, 2019