What Do You Meme Rules, Age Rating & Editions

Most party games ask you to roll dice or guess a word, but What Do You Meme? asks you to be funny — and that’s why it has become a staple at gatherings since its 2016 debut. Whether you’re eyeing the adult version for game night with friends or the Family Edition for a younger crowd, the rules and age ratings can get confusing fast.

Year launched: 2016 · Publisher: Jerry Media · Core edition card count: 300+ photo and caption cards · Family edition player age: 8+

Five key facts at a glance: this table covers the essentials across editions.

What is What Do You Meme?

What Do You Meme is a party card game where players match caption cards to a photo (meme) card. The first edition was released in 2016 by Jerry Media (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). It quickly became a go‑to choice for adults looking for a humorous, fast‑paced game that taps into internet culture.

Who created the game?

Jerry Media, a digital media company known for meme‑related content, developed and published the original game. The official rules are available as a PDF from the publisher (CMPL PDF (library resource)).

How has the game grown in popularity?

Since its launch, What Do You Meme has expanded into multiple editions, including the Family Edition (2020) and the Bigger Better Edition (2023). The game is now sold at major retailers like Target and Amazon.

The implication: What started as a niche adult party game has grown into a branded franchise with family‑friendly options and regular expansions.

How do you play What Do You Meme?

The basic structure is simple: one judge draws a photo card, other players submit captions, and the judge picks the funniest match. Below are the official steps based on the rules sheet and third‑party guides.

Setup and dealing

• Sit around a table with at least 3 players (CMPL PDF)
• Each player starts with 7 caption cards (Whitworth University Library (university resource))
• The photo card deck is shuffled and placed in the center

Round structure and judging

1. The current judge selects one photo card and places it on the easel (Geeky Hobbies (tabletop game review site))
2. All other players choose one caption card from their hand and submit it face down
3. The judge reads all submissions aloud and picks the funniest caption
4. The player who submitted the winning caption receives one point
5. Judges rotate each round (Board Game Barrister (specialty game store))

Scoring and winning

The first player to reach a predetermined number of points (typically 3–5) wins the game. According to Kohl’s (national department store), a typical game lasts 30–90 minutes.

The rotating judge mechanic ensures variety, making the game engaging for repeat play.

What does freestyle mean in What Do You Meme?

Freestyle is an optional rule where players write their own caption on a blank card. The official rules PDF instructs using a blank card and a pen, allowing for custom humor beyond the provided caption cards.

Is What Do You Meme appropriate?

Appropriateness depends entirely on which edition you pick. The original Core game is rated for ages 17+ due to mature humor and sexual content. The Family Edition is rated for ages 8+ and contains clean, family‑friendly captions.

Age ratings explained

The Adult Core Edition is intended for players aged 17 and older. Retailers and the publisher uniformly list this age restriction. In contrast, the Family Edition is explicitly designed for ages 8+ (Relatable).

Content in the Adult version

The adult deck includes suggestive language, crude humor, and references that are not suitable for minors. This is why the 17+ rating is consistently applied across all retail channels.

Content in the Family Edition

The Family Edition uses everyday situations and clean puns. Target describes it as a “family‑friendly twist” on the original meme game, making it a viable option for game nights with children.

The trade‑off: you get broader appeal with the Family Edition, but lose the edgy humor that many adult players enjoy.

Can a 12 year old play What Do You Meme?

Yes, but only the Family Edition. A 12‑year‑old should not play the Adult Core Edition due to mature content.

Using the Family Edition for younger players

The Family Edition is rated 8+, so a 12‑year‑old is well within the recommended age range. All three retailers that stock the Family Edition — Relatable, Target, and Kohl’s — list the same 8+ rating.

Parental guidance recommendations

Even with the Family Edition, parents should preview a few cards to ensure the humor suits their child’s sensibility. The game is best enjoyed with 3 or more players, making it a good choice for sleepovers or family gatherings.

This clarity helps parents make informed decisions when selecting the right edition.

What is the adult version of What Do You Meme?

The “Core” game is the standard adult version. There is also the “Bigger Better Edition”, which includes more cards and an expanded easel.

Core Edition vs. Bigger Better Edition

Both editions target players aged 17+ and contain mature content. The Bigger Better Edition has a larger card count and is marketed as the ultimate version for dedicated fans.

Where to buy the adult version

The Core and Bigger Better Editions are available at Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers. The Family Edition is sold through Relatable’s website and major chains.

Five differences between the editions, one pattern: the adult versions keep the crude humor, while the Family Edition removes it entirely.

The choice between editions ultimately depends on the intended audience and desired humor level.

“What Do You Meme is a humorous party card game from Jerry Media in which players propose caption cards as a match to a designated photo card.”

— Wikipedia

“Basic rules: Find 2 or more friends and sit around a table.”

— Official rules PDF

The bottom line: What Do You Meme is two different products — one for adults, one for families — and mixing them up will kill your game night. For players aged 17 and up who want crude humor: the Core or Bigger Better Edition is your pick. For parents with tweens or younger kids: stick to the Family Edition. For anyone in between, the choice is simple: choose the edition that matches your crowd, or risk an awkward round.

For a comprehensive breakdown of gameplay and age recommendations, check out this detailed rules and age guide for the game.

Frequently asked questions