Contents
Welcome to Meeple Circus!
Step right up and join the circus!
Hey there, fellow circus enthusiast! Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey into the world of Meeple Circus? Well, hold onto your hats because things are about to get wild!
Now, I know what you’re thinking, “But how do I play this game?” Don’t you worry, my friend, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive right in and explore the exhilarating rules of Meeple Circus!
Set the stage
First things first, let’s set the stage. Lay out the game board, making sure it’s nice and centred on your table. Feeling adventurous? Go ahead and add the three bonus tiles to spice things up!
Next up, grab those meeples and give them a good shuffle. Just like in a real circus, you want to mix things up and keep the audience on their toes!
Don’t forget about the star of the show – the ringmaster! Each player gets their very own ringmaster meeple. Make sure they’re positioned close by, ready to steal the spotlight!
Time to play
Alright, get ready for the main event. Meeple Circus is played in three exhilarating rounds, each with its own unique challenges.
During each round, players take turns performing daring acts. Here’s how it works:
1. Flip over a performance card to reveal the challenges you must complete. It could be stacking meeples, balancing objects, or even building a grand pyrami


- Let’s start off by talking about the game board – it’s called the clap-o-meter.
- Next, we have three scoring tiles that you can use to keep track of your points.
- There’s also a measuring ruler included, which can come in handy during the game.
- Now, let’s take a look at the public demands cards. There are 32 of them in total.
- We’ve also included five circus rings that you can use during gameplay.
- Another important component is the set of 18 component tiles.
- To keep score, we’ve included five score tokens for you to use.
- There are a total of 38 circus act tiles that you’ll use throughout the game.
- In addition to the circus act tiles, we’ve included 32 acrobat meeples.
- And to make things even more exciting, there are 10 guest star meeples included.
- Lastly, we have a first player token and two speed bonus tokens to add to the fun.
Setting Up the Game
To start playing the game, follow these steps:
- Put the game board in the middle of the table.
- Each player gets:
- A circus ring of their chosen color.
- A score token of the same color, placed next to the clap-o-meter.
- 2 acrobats: 1 blue and 1 yellow.
Objective of the Game
Tonight’s program includes 3 numbers, with 2 rehearsals and a main performance in front of a crowd! Your goal is to shine on the circus ring and earn the most applause, ultimately winning the game.
Gameplay
- The first rehearsal
- The second rehearsal
- The great performance
- Preparation
- Presentation
- Evaluation
- End
I. The First Rehearsal
A. Preparation
When I’m getting ready for a circus act, I have to make sure I have everything I need. I can add new acrobats and accessories to my circus to make it even more exciting!
Here’s how the game works: We start with the first player, and then we take turns going clockwise. Each round, we get to do two things in any order we want: take a Component tile and take a 1st Act tile.
After we choose our tiles, we can then get the components that go with them. These components are things like accessories, acrobats, or guest stars. We take them from the reserve and put them next to our circus ring.
Oh, and just so you know, when we talk about components, we mean all the cool things we can add to our circus, like accessories, acrobats, and guest stars.
B. Let’s Showtime!
As the circus act unfolds before the audience, we, the players, are tasked with assembling our various tools to meet the demands of the eager onlookers, relying on the skills of our acrobats. Before we can begin the show, however, we must ensure that all our tools are outside the circus ring and untouched.
Once we’re all set, the first player starts the music using the Meeple Circus app (or the Matagot website).
As soon as the music commences, we all dive into constructing our circus acts simultaneously.
Now, here’s the thing – we’re not obligated to use all our tools during the act. It’s completely up to each of us to decide how we want to lay out our performances, as long as we follow these simple rules:

Hey there! Have you ever wondered where to put all the different pieces of your circus act? It can be quite puzzling, but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here’s the scoop on how you can organize everything inside your circus ring.

To ensure safety, it’s crucial to place all components on their side, except for beams and barrels. This may seem puzzling at first, but there’s a good reason for it. Let me explain.
When I’m setting up a circus act on the ground, there’s one important rule to remember: each component needs to be connected to at least one other component. This ensures that everything stays in place and creates a spectacular performance.
But here’s the tricky part: if any of the components don’t follow this rule, they won’t count towards the evaluation of my circus act. So I have to make sure that every piece is securely attached.
Once I’ve finished my circus act and I’m ready to show it off, there’s one final step. I have to spread my hands wide and confidently exclaim, “Tadaaaa!” It’s a special moment that signals the end of the performance and invites applause from the audience.
The first player to finish their circus act before the music ends earns the Speed Token
, while the second player receives the Speed Token
.
If I don’t finish my circus act by the time the music stops, I have to immediately stop adding new components. It’s a race against the clock, and I need to be quick to complete my act.
Now let’s talk about how the circus acts are evaluated.
During the evaluation, the audience gives applause based on different criteria. For every round of applause, I advance my score marker on the clap-o-meter board. The louder the applause, the more points I earn!
I win applause by:
– Fulfilling public demands
– Using acrobat meeples
– Earning speed bonus tokens
Fulfilling public demands is the first way I can impress the audience. These demands come in the form of cards that show what the spectators want to see. I have to carefully plan my actions to fulfill as many demands as possible and gain their favor.
Another way I can earn applause is by using acrobat meeples. These special tokens have different abilities that can help me perform impressive stunts and tricks. By strategically placing and using my acrobat meeples, I can attract more attention and awe the crowd.
Lastly, I can earn a speed bonus by performing my acts quickly and efficiently. The faster I am, the more bonus tokens I can collect. These tokens not only give me a sense of satisfaction but also increase my score, showing the audience that I am a skilled performer.
In conclusion, winning applause in this game is not just about performing well, but also about fulfilling the public demands, using acrobat meeples, and earning speed bonus tokens. By mastering these elements, I can become the star of the show and bask in the admiration of the audience.
When you fulfill the conditions on the Public Demands cards, you’ll receive applause points. The amount of applause you receive is indicated on each card. It’s possible to fulfill the same card multiple times, as long as at least one element is different.
The same element can be used to fulfill different Public Demands cards. Follow the direction indicated on the card when counting the figures.
The meeples that are shown in gray can be either Acrobat meeples of any color or Guest Star meeples of the same shape. The Guest Star meeples include the Extreme horse rider, Tarzan, the Elephant trainer, or the tightrope artist.
When I was performing in the circus, I managed to complete 2 out of the 4 Public Demands cards. I succeeded in fulfilling the first demand once and the second demand twice, which resulted in a grand total of 9 applause!
2) Acrobat Meeples
Hey there, newbies! Every time you see a blue acrobat touch the ground, you’re going to earn yourself one round of applause. That’s right, every time! Isn’t it exciting?

The Yellow Acrobat Challenge – Are you ready to step up your acrobatic skills? Take on the Yellow Acrobat Challenge and earn applause with every successful move!
My name is [Your Name], and I have a proposition for you. We all know how exhilarating it can be to watch acrobats perform gravity-defying stunts. But have you ever wondered what it feels like to be the one soaring through the air, defying both logic and gravity?
Picture this: you’re standing on a tightrope, feeling the adrenaline coursing through your veins. Your heart pounds as you take a deep breath and prepare to leap into the unknown. The crowd watches in awe, cheering you on with every move.
But here’s the twist – instead of a tightrope, you’ll be balancing on a series of yellow acrobats. Each yellow acrobat that you successfully navigate without touching the ground will earn you an applause.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – this sounds like a daunting challenge. And you’re right, it’s not for the faint of heart. But imagine the rush of excitement and the sense of accomplishment when you conquer each acrobat, one by one.
But how do you master this challenge? It’s all about technique and finesse. With each jump and twist, you’ll need to find the perfect balance between strength and grace. One wrong move, and you’ll be back at the starting point.
So, are you ready to take on the Yellow Acrobat Challenge? It’s time to unleash your inner acrobat and show the world what you’re made of. Join us, and let the applause be your motivation as you defy gravity and capture the hearts of the audience.
Remember, every yellow acrobat conquered brings you closer to the ultimate prize – the roar of applause and the exhilarating feeling of triumph.
So, what are you waiting for? Step up and embrace the challenge. Let the Yellow Acrobat Challenge be your ticket to acrobatic greatness.
Acrobats in the circus always receive a lot of applause for their daring stunts. But did you know that the height of an acrobat’s jump can actually tell us how much applause they deserve?

I’m amazed at what this incredible pyramid can do! Matthew earned a round of applause for his beginner meeple, another one for his intermediate meeple, and a whopping three applause for his expert meeple!
3) The Need for Speed

When you have a speed token, you get applause points based on the number shown on the token.
Step E: The End
After each circus act finishes:
You get to keep all the things you collected and put them next to your circus ring.

So here’s how it goes: I start off as the first player and get to take the token. But before we get into the game, I need to choose a Public Demands card and get rid of it. Then, I grab the next Public Demands card according to the pick.
With that out of the way, I put the remaining tiles and number 1 tiles back in the box.
Time to replenish my hand! I draw 6 new Component tiles and as many 2nd Act tiles as there are players, plus one.
And to mark the end of the first act, I return the First Scoring tile back to the box.
II. The Second Rehearsal
Now things get really interesting. We’re introducing the Guest Star, who brings in even more excitement and fantastic performances! This second act works just like the first, but with a few key differences:
A. Preparation
As you get ready for the game, you’ll notice that we now use the 2nd Act tiles. They play a crucial role in the gameplay, so it’s important to understand how they work.
Remember that retrieving the items associated with your Guest Star tile is a significant step. However, it’s essential to note that you only retrieve the Guest Star itself. The other components present on the tile are there to indicate the conditions under which your Guest Star will secure applause.

C. Evaluation
Now, let’s talk about the evaluation. This is where things get interesting! During this phase, I’ll be able to earn applause by using my Guest Star in the right way. It’s like a little bonus for me!
E. End
Alright, we’re almost at the end of our game. The first thing I need to do is put away all the leftover Component tiles and 2nd Act tiles back in the box. Then, I’ll return the second Scoring tile back to the box too. Lastly, I’ll draw 6 new Component tiles and as many 3rd Act tiles as there are players plus one. Let’s keep the fun going!

III. The Amazing Performance
Get ready for the amazing performance, where you and your fellow players will showcase your extraordinary skills and tackle the most outrageous challenges! In this act, we’ll be following the same format as before, but with a few exciting twists:
A. Getting Ready
Before we begin, let’s gather the 3rd Act tiles for this performance.
B. Taking the Stage
The spotlight will shine on each player, one by one. We’ll start with the player who has the lowest applause score and continue clockwise around the table.
Note: Keep an eye out for 3rd Act tiles that require specific music. You’ll recognize them by the music symbol.
C. Judgment Time
Now, let’s talk about the final evaluation. Here are the changes:
- We won’t be using speed tokens this time.
- The applause earned by Guest Stars will be doubled!
The Excitement of Overcoming Challenges
Have you ever been faced with a challenge that seemed impossible to conquer? It’s a feeling that many of us have experienced at one time or another. The thrill of pushing ourselves beyond our limits and accomplishing something we once thought was unattainable is absolutely exhilarating.
I have faced my fair share of challenges in life, and let me tell you, each one has been an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. It’s amazing what you can learn about yourself when you are confronted with a difficult task.
Challenges come in many different forms. It could be a physical challenge like climbing a mountain or completing a marathon. It could also be an intellectual challenge like solving a complex problem or learning a new skill. Whatever the challenge may be, the process of overcoming it is what truly matters.
When faced with a challenge, it’s important to have a positive mindset. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Know that with hard work, determination, and a little bit of perseverance, you can overcome anything that comes your way.
It’s also important to break the challenge down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This way, you can tackle each task one at a time, building momentum and confidence along the way. Celebrate each small victory and use it as fuel to keep pushing forward.
Overcoming a challenge is not just about the end result, but also about the journey. It’s about the lessons learned, the personal growth achieved, and the resilience developed. Each challenge you face becomes an opportunity to become a better version of yourself.
So, the next time you find yourself faced with a challenge, don’t be discouraged. Embrace it as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. Trust in yourself and your abilities. Break the challenge down into smaller tasks and celebrate each small victory along the way. And most importantly, enjoy the journey and the sense of accomplishment that comes with overcoming a challenge.
- Each Challenge will win applause if you successfully achieve it
End of the Game

When I finish evaluating the 3rd Act, the game is over.
I’ll be the winner if I have the most applause! But if there’s a tie, we’ll share the victory.