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Kids (4+)

Telephone

A classic quiet game that always ends in giggles. Great for calming things down after a high-energy activity.

Telephone (also known as "Chinese Whispers" or "Broken Telephone") is a fascinating exploration of how information changes as it is passed from person to person. It is a quiet, low-energy game that is perfect for settling a group down after more active play. The game highlights the importance of clear communication and active listening, while also demonstrating how easily misunderstandings can occur. The best part is the inevitable "reveal" at the end, where a simple phrase like "The blue bird flies at midnight" has somehow transformed into "The yellow bus buys a meatball." Itโ€™s a game that never fails to end in collective laughter and serves as a gentle lesson in the fragility of rumors.
Players
5+
Duration
10 mins
Budget
Free
Mess Level
Low

Note:Zero mess. A purely verbal game that requires no materials.

๐Ÿ“‹What You Need

  • None required

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

Line Up

Players sit in a circle or line.

2

Whisper

The first person thinks of a phrase and whispers it to the next person.

3

Pass It On

Each person whispers what they *think* they heard to the next person. No repeating!

4

Reveal

The last person says the phrase out loud. Compare it to the original for laughs.

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • Use tongue twisters for extra difficulty.
  • The longer the phrase, the funnier the result.
  • Make sure players whisper quietly so others can't overhear.

Fun Variations to Try

โœจDrawing Telephone

A hybrid with Pictionary. Person 1 writes a phrase, Person 2 draws it, Person 3 describes the drawing, and so on. This works best with paper and pens.

โœจSpeed Telephone

The phrase must be passed as quickly as possible. This increases the likelihood of errors and makes the final reveal even more nonsensical.

Common Questions (FAQ)

QWhat kind of phrases work best?

Phrases with 5-8 words that include some descriptive adjectives or slightly unusual words (like "A purple penguin eating a pickle") are ideal.

QCan players repeat the whisper?

Strictly no! The "no repeating" rule is what makes the game work. If you didn't hear it, you have to guess based on what you *thought* you heard.
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Printable Asset

Telephone

Free PDFA4/Letter

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