Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds is a colorful timing game in which flowers hide running sand timers. Players move hummingbirds through the garden and decide when to check for nectar, creating a quick mixture of memory, risk, and suspense for families at Midnight Oil community events in Titusville.
Watch How to Play
Video source: Watch It Played · Runtime: shown in the player. Edition note: Covers the standard published rules.
Quick facts
What is Hummingbirds?
The game uses flower tubes with hidden sand timers, colorful hummingbird pieces, and nectar tokens. Players claim flowers, start timers, and move hummingbirds between them. Checking after the sand has expired earns nectar, but checking too soon forces a player to give up a low-value nectar token.
How does it play?
- Start the garden. Prepare the flowers, hidden timers, nectar tokens, and hummingbirds as shown in the rules.
- Choose a flower action. Claim a flower, move a hummingbird, or take another available action that affects the garden.
- Decide when to check. Lift a flower to see whether its sand timer has finished.
- Collect or lose nectar. An expired timer awards a matching nectar token; checking early creates a penalty. When one nectar color runs out, total the token values and determine the winner.
Why you might like it
- Hidden timers create suspense without requiring complicated rules.
- Memory and judgment matter, but every player can stay involved.
- The garden theme and tactile pieces make the table easy to follow.
Who is it best for?
Hummingbirds works well for families and players who enjoy light memory games with a push-your-luck choice. Players need to distinguish colors and manipulate small pieces; color descriptions or table assistance can help when needed.
Play it with Midnight Oil
Library games are available to play free at select Midnight Oil community events. They are not currently available for take-home borrowing. Game availability and teaching assistance may vary by event, and visitors may contact us in advance to request a particular game.
Check the Events page for a chance to try Hummingbirds, or contact Midnight Oil if you would like to request it for a future community game night.
Frequently asked questions
Can players see the sand timers?
The flowers hide the running timers, so players must remember when they started and judge when to check them.
What happens if I check too early?
The standard rules require you to lose your lowest-value nectar token, making each check a small risk.
How does the game end?
The end is triggered when one color of nectar tokens has been depleted. Players then compare the value of the nectar they collected.