Big Discoveries Dumpster Dice

I have a confession: I hate reading 20-page rulebooks.

You know the feeling. You buy a new game for the group, and 45 minutes later, you’re still reading the instructions aloud while everyone else is checking their phones or wandering off to the kitchen. The mood is dead before the first dice is rolled.

I didn’t pick up Big Discoveries Dumpster Dice because I expected a strategic masterpiece. I picked it up because the box promised I could learn it in 10 seconds. We needed a “palate cleanser”—something fast, loud, and brainless to play between pizza slices.

I put this plastic green bin to the test with my usual game night crew to see if it’s actually fun, or just a gimmick. Here is the verdict.

How We Selected

We ignored the complex strategy games and focused on “Pick-Up-and-Play” value. We judged this game on three strict criteria:

Replayability: Is it fun after the 5th time, or does it get old fast?

Speed: Can we finish a round before people get bored (under 10 mins)?

Component Quality: Is it just cheap plastic, or will it survive being thrown across the table?

Big Discoveries Dumpster Dice

What is it? A fast-paced “push-your-luck” dice game housed inside a plastic dumpster. Players race to roll specific numbers to fill slots on the lid, while trying not to “dump” their dice into the bin. It comes with roughly 60+ dice and a sticker sheet for customization.

My Real Experience / Why I Picked It First off, the packaging is the game. The entire thing packs away into the plastic dumpster, which locks shut. As someone who hates losing game pieces, I appreciate anything that self-contains.

• The “Chaos” Factor: We played the “Dump and Dash” mode (everyone rolls at once). It was absolute mayhem—in a good way. The sound of dozens of dice hitting the table at once is incredibly satisfying. There is a primal joy in physically “dumping” your bad rolls into the bin. It feels tactile and aggressive.
• The Learning Curve: There isn’t one. I explained the rules in two sentences: “Roll a number. If the spot on your card is open, place it. If it’s full, your die goes in the trash.” We were playing 30 seconds after opening the box.
• The Vibe: It broke the ice immediately. It’s not a game where you sit in silence thinking about your next move. You are yelling, laughing, and slamming dice down.

Why it’s a winner:

• Insane Value on Dice: It comes with a massive amount of dice. Even if you hate the game, buying this many dice separately at a hobby store would cost you nearly as much as this entire set.
• No “Downtime”: In many games, you wait forever for your turn. In Dumpster Dice, turns are lightning fast (or simultaneous), so nobody has time to tune out.
• Portable: It screws shut. We threw it in a bag for a weekend trip, and it held up perfectly without spilling.

Warning/Cons:

• The Noise: Do not play this if you have a headache. The sound of 4+ players slamming plastic dice onto a hard table is loud.
• Lid Durability: The lid screws onto the base, but the plastic threads feel a bit “crunchy.” If you force it on crooked, I could see the threads stripping over time.
• Luck Heavy: There is zero strategy here. If you are a serious gamer who likes outsmarting opponents, this will feel like a random number generator. It’s for fun, not for thinking.

Comparison: Dumpster Dice vs. TENZI

If you are looking for fast dice games, you’ve probably seen TENZI. Here is how they stack up.

Note on Value: Dumpster Dice gives you significantly more dice than Tenzi for only a few dollars more, plus a functional game board (the lid). It feels like a “fuller” game experience.

MPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Read Before You Roll

Before you dump these dice onto the floor, there are two safety factors you need to consider.

1. The Choking Hazard This game contains dozens of small objects. If there are toddlers or curious pets around, you need to be extremely careful.

• My Advice: Count the dice when you pack up. If you started with 60 and end with 59, find that missing die before your vacuum cleaner or your dog does.

2. The “Step” Factor Stepping on a Lego hurts. Stepping on a d6 (six-sided die) in the middle of the night hurts worse.

• My Rule: We have a strict “Table Only” rule. If a die falls on the floor, the game pauses until it is picked up. Do not let these migrate into the carpet.

The Final Verdict

Big Discoveries Dumpster Dice isn’t going to win “Game of the Year” for innovation. It’s silly, it’s loud, and it’s entirely luck-based.

But it is also the game that woke everyone up when the energy was dipping. It bridges the gap between different personality types because beginners have just as much chance of winning as the “pros.”

You should buy this if:

• You need a game that supports a larger group (4+ players).
• You want something you can explain to friends in under 30 seconds.
• You love the satisfying sound of clicking-clacking dice.

Skip this if:

• You prefer quiet, strategy-heavy games.
• You are sensitive to loud noises (clattering dice).

Bottom line: It’s dumb fun in a bucket. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this review is for informational purposes only. Always supervise young children with small game parts to prevent choking hazards.

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