What Greedy Granny Is
Greedy Granny is a short, noisy children’s game built around a toy figure of a grandmother asleep in an armchair. Her lap tray holds a set of small treats. Players try to take treats without waking her, because when she wakes, her false teeth pop out and the treats go flying.
It was sold under the Tomy name in some markets and by Goliath in others. Pieces and spinner details can vary slightly between versions, so use the leaflet in your box if anything below differs. It is aimed at young children, and listings generally describe it as a game for up to four players. Check your box for the exact numbers.
What Is in the Box
- Granny, in two pieces plus the chair
- Granny’s teeth
- A set of treats or biscuits, depending on the edition
- A spinner
Setup
- Fit the top half of Granny into her body and chair.
- Put the teeth into her mouth.
- Pull the chair back until it clicks into the resting position. Take care not to force it, since this is the part that sets the mechanism.
- Load all the treats onto her tray.
- The youngest player usually goes first, then play moves clockwise.
How to Play
On your turn, spin the spinner and follow the space it lands on. Spaces are colour-coded and show a number:
- Green (take a treat): Carefully take one treat from Granny’s tray.
- Purple (put one back): Return one of your own treats to the tray. If you have none, there is nothing to return.
- The number: After taking or returning a treat, press the button on the side of Granny’s chair that many times.
Some spinners also include other spaces, such as a lose-a-turn space or one that lets you take a treat from another player. If your spinner has pictures or symbols beyond green and purple, follow the instructions printed with your game.
What Happens When Granny Wakes Up
Each press of the button gets Granny closer to waking up. It is random, so you cannot tell in advance which press will set her off. When she wakes, the figure jolts forward, her teeth fly out and the treats on her tray scatter.
The player who woke her must put all of their collected treats back on the tray. Reset the teeth, set the chair back until it clicks, reload the treats and let the next player take their turn.
How to Win
The first player to collect one of each type of treat wins. Waking Granny means losing your pile, so the game can swing back and forth until someone completes their set.
How Long Does It Take?
Games are short, often around ten to twenty minutes. Granny waking up can reset a lot of progress, so it can run longer if everyone keeps waking her.
Tips for Younger Players
- Let younger children press the button, since the surprise is a big part of the fun.
- Count button presses aloud together to keep the turn fair.
- Agree before starting that waking Granny is just part of the game, as the sudden jolt can startle very young children.
Questions People Ask
How do you take Greedy Granny apart?
The toy is designed to be assembled by hand, and the figure normally comes apart at the same points where you joined it in setup. Avoid forcing any piece. If something is stuck or the mechanism seems jammed, look at the manufacturer’s leaflet or customer service page for your version rather than prying it open.
Is it the same as Don’t Wake Daddy?
No. Don’t Wake Daddy is a different children’s game with its own board and rules. It has a similar “don’t wake the sleeper” idea, but the pieces and turn structure are different, so follow its own instructions instead.
Other Family Games
If your child enjoys this, Jamaica is a slightly more advanced pirate-themed family race, and Pictionary works when older children join the table.