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Welcome To Big Monster Games

The home of the wildly popular Trash Monsters card game.

Trash Monsters

A game that takes a modern spin on the classic card game known as “garbage”.

The goal is simple: line up all your Monster Cards from 1 to 10… but beware of sneaky trash pandas along the way!

Trash Monsters Box on the Monster Cards

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Up to 4 adults and kids can play!

SIMPLE AND FUN
Easy to learn in minutes!

VISUAL LEARNING
Improves visual learning and counting skills. Count those monster eyes!

FAST PACED AND LIGHT HEARTED FUN
Fun Monsters and gross trash cards make for a fun night with the family.

PERFECT GIFT FOR ANYTIME OF THE YEAR!
Birthdays, Stocking Stuffers, Easter Baskets

Take 10% off your first order

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I love how this game sneaks in counting and problem-solving while still being super enjoyable. My kids don’t even realize they’re learning while they play.

– Bonny S.

 

We played Trash Monsters during family game night, and now it’s all my kids ever want to play. It’s easy to learn, quick to set up, and keeps everyone entertained for hours. Highly recommend!

– Christina R.

Game Rules

Please read to learn how to play Trash Monsters.

Game Setup:

  • Deal 10 cards to each player, face down in two rows of 5. Don’t look at them!
  • Place the remaining deck face down in the middle as the Draw Pile.
  • Flip one card face up and start the Trash Pile. 
  • The youngest player goes first!
 
Game Setup

How to Play:

  • If the top card on the Trash Pile is a playable card, then use it. If not draw one card from the Draw Pile. 
  • If you get a Monster Card, place it in its correct spot (e.g., a 5 goes in the fifth spot).
  • Flip the card in that spot and place it in it’s correct spot if possible.
  • If it is a Wild Monster, place it anywhere you want, and keep playing.
  • If it is a Trash Panda, steal someone else’s card (see the full details on How to use a Trash Panda card here)
  • Keep going until you draw a Trash Card or a duplicate. When that happens, discard it.
  • Your turn is now over, and it’s the next player’s turn.
 
A Player's Turn

 

Winning a Round:

  • Your goal is to be the first to get your cards in your Card Set to line up in the right order, from 1 to 10 (or whatever number you are on).
  • Once you fill your 10 spots (Monster Cards or Wild Monsters), yell “Trash Monsters”.
  • Last Draw Round: After someone completes their card set, each of the other players will draw one more card.
  • Last Chance Round: After everyone is done drawing cards, players have one last chance to complete their card set by flipping over their remaining hidden cards to see if they fit their spots. You can move Wild Monsters around just like a normal turn.

 

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Next Round:

  • After round completion, the person or persons who successfully finished their card set will be dealt one less card, for example, 9 cards (down from 10).
  • The next round, that person will only need to line up 9 cards, then 8 and then 7 etc.
  • The first person to make it through all of the rounds (down to 1) wins the coveted Trash Master title!
 
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How to use a Trash Panda Card:

  • Woo hoo! You got a sneaky little Trash Panda that loves to steal trash!
  • Trash Pandas guarantee you’ll get a card you can play this round.
  • First, check other players. If someone has a card you can use (a Monster Card you don’t have yet, or a Wild Card), take it!
    • That player will draw a card from the Draw Pile and place it face down where you took the card from.
  • If no one has a card you can use, check the Trash Pile (Discard Pile).
    • Start from the top and work your way down. Take the first card you find that you can play.
  • If there’s nothing playable in the Trash Pile, draw from the Draw Pile.
    • Discard cards you can’t use until you find one that works.
  • If you draw another Trash Panda, play it too!
    • That means you get a second guaranteed playable card this round.
  • When you’re done, discard the Trash Panda card.
    • The next player cannot pick it up — they must draw from the Draw Pile.
 
Trash Panda Card

Definitions:

  • Player Card Set: These are the player’s cards, they are trying to line up from 1 to 10 (or whatever round you are on).
  • Draw Pile: This is the stack of face down cards in the center.
  • Trash Pile: This is the discard pile. Special Note: You cannot pick up a Trash Panda from the Trash Pile.
  • Monster Cards: The numbered cards with unique monsters on them. You can count their eyes and number of items to figure out their number. You want to line these up in order from 1 to 10 (or whatever round you are on).
  • Trash Cards: These items are Trash. If you draw one or flip one, discard it into the Trash Pile, your turn is done.
  • Wild Monsters: These cards can be used in place of any Monster Card that you need to complete your set.
  • Trash Pandas: These guys love to steal trash. Steal one card from any player (replace with a Draw Pile Card). If other players do not have a playable card, then draw from the Trash Pile. If there are no playable cards there, start drawing from the draw pile until you find a playable card.
 

Other Ways to Play:

  • If you want a shorter game, simply start with fewer cards (i.e. 5 to 1 instead of 10 to 1). This will speed the game up significantly.
  • Need really quick game? Just play the single round of 10. Do the round of ten, and the winner is the winner. No additional rounds.
  • Want to play with 5 players? You can! There are 5 sets of numbered Monster Cards in each deck. The game just might take a little bit longer.


Our Mission

At Big Monster Games, we are a family-first company passionate about creating meaningful moments together. We believe family time is rare and precious, and we strive to help families make the most of it. In a world dominated by digital screens, our mission is to reignite the joy of game night with games that inspire interaction, laughter, and learning. Designed to teach kids valuable skills while fostering creativity and fun, our games are easy to understand, quick to pick up, and engaging for all ages. We aim to create unforgettable experiences that bring families closer together.

Mark Schmidt - Owner

Hi, I’m Mark Schmidt, one of the founders of Big Monster Games and a proud father of three daughters. As a lifelong enthusiast of family game night, I’ve always been passionate about how they bring people together, spark creativity, and create awesome memories. But it wasn’t until I became a parent that I truly understood the power of family game time. Being a father is at the core of who I am, and I believe that playing games together is essential to fostering a healthy, connected family. At Big Monster Games, we’re committed to creating experiences that encourage laughter, learning, and meaningful interaction – the kind of moments that strengthen bonds and remind us of what truly matters.

Hi, I’m Josh Rubino, co-owner of Big Monster Games and a proud dad to two young boys. While I’ve always had a love for video games, becoming a father opened my eyes to the importance of unplugging and engaging in real-world interactions. There’s something uniquely special about sitting around a table, playing a card game, and sharing laughter and friendly competition with family. I believe tactile, real-world games are essential for building strong family connections and fostering a sense of togetherness. At Big Monster Games, my passion is creating games that bring families closer, inspire creativity, and remind us all of the joy that comes from simply being present with one another.

Josh Rubino - Owner

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