Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Burrito Card Game
A card-matching dodgeball hybrid: collect matching cards, then actually throw soft foam burritos at the other players. The most physically active game in the Exploding Kittens lineup, not a game you play sitting still.
See current price on AmazonAbout Throw Throw Burrito
Throw Throw Burrito comes from the same team behind Exploding Kittens: Matthew Inman, the cartoonist behind The Oatmeal, along with Elan Lee and Brian Spence. It started as a Kickstarter campaign in 2019 that blew past its funding goal within minutes and went on to draw tens of thousands of backers. Since launch it has become one of the best selling games in the Exploding Kittens lineup, with millions of copies sold worldwide.
The card game part plays a lot like Spoons: everyone draws and discards at the same time, racing to collect three matching cards before anyone else. That alone would make a fine quiet card game. Then Throw Throw Burrito adds its twist. The deck includes special Burrito cards, and the moment one gets played, the table erupts into a live burrito fight: players grab one of the two soft foam burritos included in the box and throw it at another player. Getting hit costs a burrito bruise token and points, so there is a real duck and dodge element mixed into what started as a calm card game.
Because the combat is physical and not just simulated on a card, it needs some open floor space and a group willing to get a little loud and a little silly. That is the appeal for most families: it turns a normal game night into something closer to a living room dodgeball match. If your family already likes the original Exploding Kittens or other games in that line, the best Exploding Kittens card games guide breaks down how this one compares to the rest of the lineup and which one to start with.
The Honest Take
What We Like and What We Don't
What we like
- The foam burritos are genuinely soft, reviewers throw them at full force with no worry about anyone getting hurt
- Works as a fast icebreaker for a mixed-age group, quick to learn and quick to set up
- Turns a normal card game into a physical, laugh-out-loud group activity, several reviewers called it the highlight of a party or family game night
- There is real strategy under the chaos, tracking which cards other players discard rewards paying attention, not just fast reflexes
What holds it back
- It needs open floor space and some caution around anything fragile nearby, it is not a game for a small, cluttered table
- A few reviewers found the novelty of the burrito battles fades a bit after several rounds in one sitting, though it comes back after a break
- Kids right at the 7 and up minimum age may need help keeping up with the speed of the card matching, one parent ended up playing her 7 year old niece's hand for her
Is This For You?
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Buy This
Get it if…
you have a family or friend group that enjoys a little physical chaos with game night, you don't mind clearing some floor space, and you want something that is a real card game and a dodgeball match at the same time. It is an easy pick for a birthday gift, a white elephant swap, or the next family game night that needs to be more active than another round of a quiet card game.
Skip it if…
you want a quiet, sit-down card game, or you are playing in a small apartment or anywhere breakables sit close to the table, since the burrito battles need real room to move. It is also worth waiting a year if your youngest player is right at the 7 and up minimum, since the fast card matching can be tough at that age even though everyone enjoys throwing the burritos.
The verdict
Throw Throw Burrito earns its reputation as one of the more physical party games out there, and it delivers on that promise: real card strategy wrapped around genuine dodgeball chaos, with foam burritos soft enough for the roughest family game night. It works best for families and friend groups with a bit of room to move and a tolerance for noise, and it makes an easy gift for anyone who already likes fast, silly party card games.
What Real Buyers Say
“We got this for my niece's 7th birthday. She loved the soft burritos and enjoyed throwing them at her older brother, but she couldn't keep up with the speed of the card matching, so I ended up playing her hand for her. She'll probably be ready to fully play in another year. The rest of the family loved it though, it's fast and easy to pick up once you watch a quick how-to-play video, and there's more strategy than you'd expect, like tracking which cards the player next to you tends to discard.”
United States · June 13, 2026
“I got this as a birthday gift for my younger brother. As a party game it's quick with minimal setup, so it works well as an icebreaker, and it's fun if you have the space to play safely, don't set it up next to anything breakable. It does fall a bit flat once you run out of cards, and the pure chaos can be a lot to manage.”
United States · November 10, 2025
“We played this for the first time the night before hosting a family game night, just to learn the rules ourselves. It's easy to learn and works for all ages. During a Burrito War I ended up hitting my husband in the face by accident because we were sitting too close together.”
United States · February 14, 2020
“Picked this up for a white elephant gift and it was a blast. It's a real mix of card game and dodgeball, you're collecting matching sets while also dodging and throwing squishy foam burritos at your friends. Easy to learn, quick to set up, and the foam burritos are soft enough that nobody has to worry about getting hurt.”
United States · January 2, 2025
“Played this at a birthday party with a big group and it was pure chaos in the best way. My 5 year old nephew played too and had a blast. The only downside is that once everyone gets a few good throws in, the novelty can wear off for a bit, but it comes back around after a break.”
Canada · February 8, 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Throw Throw Burrito actually good for?
The box lists 7 and up, and that's about right for kids who can already manage a fast matching card game on their own. Reviewers note that some 7 year olds still need an adult or older sibling to help manage their cards while they focus on the burrito throwing part.
How much space do you need to play?
You need enough open floor or table space for players to duck, dodge, and throw the two included foam burritos without knocking into furniture or anything breakable. It is not a game for a cramped table.
Are the foam burritos actually safe to throw at people?
Yes, the two burritos included are soft foam, and multiple reviewers specifically mention throwing them at full force with no risk of anyone getting hurt.
How many players can play at once?
The box supports 2 to 6 players. Reviewers say it works fine with just two, but gets funnier and more chaotic with a full table.
Do you need to own the original Exploding Kittens game to play this?
No, Throw Throw Burrito is a standalone game with its own 120-card deck. You don't need the original Exploding Kittens or any other game in the line to play it.
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