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Barrel Of Monkeys

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An ultra-simple classic game involving about 50 plastic monkeys and a barrel. The little plastic monkeys had long curved arms so tht they would link together at the elbows to make a chain.

Barrel of Monkeys was originally created by Lakeside Toys in 1965, although it's now available through the Milton Bradley Company. The idea of the game was to continue making a chain by linking the monkeys' together arm by arm. The game was over if a monkey fell of the chain. It was possible to play Barrel of Monkeys on your own or with a friend.

Lakeside Toys originally intended to name the game "Barrel of Fun" and the game only used S-shaped hooks, not friendly primates. However, after finding out that the name "Barrel-O-Fun" was already being used by another toy developer they decided to rethink the brand after somebody on the team quipped "more fun than a barrel of monkeys".

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Do You Remember Barrel Of Monkeys?

Do You Remember Barrel Of Monkeys?

  • Anonymous user
    on
    ha i used to love playing with these when i was kid, wish i had some now!
  • Anonymous user
    on
    I remember having a cheap version of this called 'Pick up Monkeys' that came in a cardboard and metal tube with one of the monkeys forming a handle to the lid. For some reason my mother was constantly trying to send it to the church bazaar or charity shops. I was never sure why but I kept rescuing it and as far as I know it's still in my attic to this day.
  • Anonymous user
    on
    There is a Barrel O'Monkeys mentioned in Toy Story - it's in the part where the toys at Andy's house are trying to rescue Buzz after he has been 'pushed' out of the window. One of my children had a Barrel O'Monkeys (a cheap version) and all they did with them was throw them round the lounge!

Do you remember these?