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All Ages

Charades

The timeless game of silent acting and clever guessing. A must-have for any social gathering.

Charades is the quintessential party game that has entertained people for centuries. Itโ€™s a game of non-verbal communication, creativity, and teamwork. The beauty of Charades is that it requires absolutely no special equipmentโ€”just some scraps of paper and a group of people ready to be silly. Itโ€™s an excellent way to break the ice and get people out of their comfort zones. Whether you're acting out a blockbuster movie or a common idiom, the game always leads to hilarious misunderstandings and triumphant "aha!" moments. Itโ€™s as much about the chemistry between teammates as it is about the acting skills of the performer.
Players
4+
Duration
30-45 mins
Budget
Free
Mess Level
Low

Note:Zero mess. A purely social and physical game.

๐Ÿ“‹What You Need

  • Paper and pen for writing prompts
  • A bowl or hat
  • Timer (phone)

Hungry Players? ๐Ÿ•

Planning the food for after the game? Don't guess! Use our free party tools to feed the crowd.

How to Play

1

Prepare

Write down movie titles, books, or common phrases on slips of paper and put them in a bowl.

2

Teams

Split into two teams.

3

Acting

One player from Team A draws a slip and has a set time (usually 2 mins) to act out the phrase without speaking.

4

Guessing

Their teammates try to guess the phrase. If they get it, they earn a point.

5

Switch

Alternate teams until everyone has had a chance to act.

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • Establish common hand signals beforehand (e.g., "movie," "book," "how many words").
  • Choose prompts that are well-known to everyone in the group.
  • Encourage over-the-top acting to make it more entertaining.

Fun Variations to Try

โœจReverse Charades

The whole team acts out the prompt while only one person guesses. This is often even funnier as you see a group of people trying to coordinate their silent acting.

โœจThemed Charades

Focus all prompts on a specific topic like "The 90s," "Disney Movies," or "Inside Jokes" for close-knit groups.

โœจSound-Only Charades

A twist for the brave: you can make sounds but no words. This makes it a hybrid between Charades and Pictionary (without the drawing).

Common Questions (FAQ)

QAre sounds allowed?

In traditional Charades, no sounds are allowed. However, you can agree on "House Rules" that allow humming or clapping if the group finds it too difficult.

QHow many words can the prompt be?

Usually 1 to 5 words. Make sure to use the "number of words" hand signal (holding up fingers) at the start of each turn.

QWhat happens if we get stuck?

If the team can't guess after the timer runs out, the turn is over and no points are awarded. You can also allow one "pass" per player if the prompt is too obscure.
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Printable Asset

Charades

Free PDFA4/Letter

Includes high-quality rules, setup guide, and variation cards.
Perfect for hosting without a screen.