Vintage "The Game of Cootie" board game box with a cartoon illustration of a colorful bug, labeled as an exciting educational game for all ages by W. H. Schaper Mfg. Co. Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.
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Cootie (1927)

The Game of Cootie

The Game of Cootie is a children’s game invented by William H. Schaper in 1948. It was launched in 1949 and has been continuously sold for over seven decades. The game was initially sold by Dayton’s Department Store, and by Christmas, they had sold over 5,000 games. Schaper Manufacturing, later known as the “Cootie Company,” was founded in 1949 to manufacture and distribute the game. In 1973, Cootie was acquired by Tyco Toys, and in 1986, by Hasbro subsidiary Milton Bradley.

Why is The Game of Cootie Popular?

The Game of Cootie is popular for several reasons:Simplicity: The game is easy to learn and play, making it suitable for young children.Three-dimensional: Cootie was the first game to employ a fully three-dimensional, bug-like object as its central component.Cultural Icon: The game has been included in the “Century of Toys List” of the 100 most memorable and creative toys of the 20th century. It has also been featured in various cultural events, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Game Components of The Game of Cootie

The game consists of:A three-dimensional bug-like object called a cootie, made of plastic body parts.A die with numbers corresponding to different body parts.Instructions for players to roll the die, acquire body parts in the order rolled, and assemble the cootie.

Game Setup of The Game of Cootie

The game is set up by:Placing all the plastic body parts in a central area.Each player rolls the die.Players take turns rolling the die and acquiring body parts in the order rolled.

Gameplay Mechanics of The Game of Cootie

The gameplay involves:Rolling the die.Acquiring body parts in the order rolled.Assembling the cootie by attaching the body parts in the correct order.The first player to fully assemble the cootie wins the game.

Game Objective of The Game of Cootie

The objective of the game is to be the first player to build a three-dimensional bug-like object called a cootie by acquiring and assembling the plastic body parts.

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