All About the Mother May I? Characters

The Story Behind the Characters

From concept to card, we poured heart into every detail. Our quirky animal characters were sketched, refined, and tested until they felt just right. Each one earned a name that captures its personality. When you flip a card, you're not just playing—you're uncovering a moment of discovery and nostalgia. Whether this is your first time or you're reconnecting with a childhood memory, there's joy waiting in every game.

The History Behind Mother May I? The Board Game!

The Lee Family

Hey there! We're so glad you're here.

It started with a simple observation. The Mother May I game we loved as kids had a flaw — one player controlled everything, and the rules weren't always applied fairly, so we decided to change that.

The journey took longer than expected. But we finally got it right. We redesigned the game completely, stripping away the unfairness and building in genuine chance and strategy instead. Every turn hinges on the cards you pick and the chips you draw — Yes You May, No You May Not, or Switch Places. The game board keeps things unpredictable with spaces that can launch you ahead or set you back. The outdoor version is equally as fun, only with fewer components. No favoritism. No shortcuts. Everyone is equal.

We created it for our family. We hope it becomes part of yours too.

Did you know?

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped off a ladder and into history with words that would echo forever: "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind."

What many don't know is the story behind those words. Dr. Solacoff, one of Armstrong's closest friends, shared how Armstrong drew inspiration from a childhood game during that historic journey—Mother May I, with its "small steps" and "giant leaps." It's a quieter, more human side to one of history's greatest moments.

Dr. Solacoff has spoken about this connection publicly, including in interviews with the Boston Sun and the 2019 documentary Apollo: The Forgotten Film, where he remembers Armstrong not as an icon, but as a friend.

We've always cherished Mother May I ourselves—playing it, refining it, keeping it alive. Learning that it may have touched one of humanity's most defining moments only made us love it more.

The best childhood games never really leave us. They shape who we become and sometimes, just sometimes, they change the world.