Is Exploding Kittens for kids? What parents of kids 4–7 should know

• –Manufacturer age label above 7
  Exploding Kittens: Original 7+; NSFW Edition 17+
• ✓Choking or small-parts warning on the official product
  EK shop: pins page, choking hazard, small parts
• ✓Paid random items (blind boxes)
  EK shop: NSFW (17+) pins in blind bags, $9.99
• ✓Recall of the official product
  CPSC 2019: EK goggles sold with Burrito set
• –Resale prices above retail
  No reliable resale data found
• –Government lawsuits, fines, or safety warnings
  None found

Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count.

Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?

Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.

What is Exploding Kittens?

Short answer: A card game in which players draw cards and try not to get the Exploding Kitten.

Players use action cards to skip, attack, shuffle, or defuse their way to being the last one left, per the maker. Elan Lee, Shane Small, and Matthew Inman of The Oatmeal made it; its 2015 Kickstarter drew 219,382 backers, the most of any project at the time, GeekWire reported. The company now sells many editions and expansions, plus a line of other games.

Is Exploding Kittens for kids? What the labels say

Short answer: The Original Edition is labeled 7+; the NSFW Edition is labeled 17+.

• Original Edition: "AGE 7+," 2–5 players, 15 minutes, $19.99.
• 2-Player Edition: "AGE 7+."
• NSFW Edition: "AGES 17+ ONLY," "CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT," $14.99.
• Blind bag pins (NSFW): $9.99, "Contents are hidden"; choking hazard and sharp points, not for under 3.
• Recall: 2019, safety goggles sold with the maker's Throw Throw Burrito Extreme sets (Kickstarter), laceration hazard.

The maker's separate "Kitten Games" for ages 4+, such as Monster Match, aren't Exploding Kittens editions.

The Exploding Kittens Netflix show

Short answer: It's an adult animated comedy; the BBFC rated it 15, and we couldn't confirm its US TV rating.

The 2024 series has nine episodes; Tom Ellis voices God, sent to Earth as a house cat. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists it for ages 13 and up, citing violence, salty language, and sexual innuendo.

The habit kids may copy: the blow-up

In the game, one card knocks you out. Losing suddenly can bring tears or slammed cards.

Try tonight: the feeling passes

Before the game, agree on what you'll do if you explode: count to five and watch the next round. Say: "I lost. The feeling will pass." In our program, this is the lesson "The Wave": a big feeling always passes.

What age is Exploding Kittens for?

The maker labels the Original Edition 7+ and the NSFW Edition 17+.

What is the Exploding Kittens NSFW Edition?

A separate version labeled "AGES 17+ ONLY" that the maker says contains explicit content.

Is the Exploding Kittens Netflix show for kids?

It's an adult animated comedy. The BBFC rated it 15, and Common Sense Media lists it for 13+; we couldn't confirm a US TV rating.

How long does a game of Exploding Kittens take?

The maker says about 15 minutes for 2 to 5 players.

More from “Is it good for kids?”