Want to play charades and need a quick low down on the rules? You’re in the right place, my friend!
Here you’ll find out how to play charades, some rule changes to mix things up, charades actions to make you look like a pro, and some charades clue ideas to get you started!
How you play charades is really up to you! But the ground rules are:
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Keep on reading for different game rules for kids, large groups and to mix things up. You’ll find the category actions, and a few clues to get you started too!
Depending on the age bracket, it would be helpful to print or draw out the words you’d like your kids to act out. Keep it simple with themes, such as: animals, Marvel, Disney, or jobs.
Then, refer to this list of fun charades ideas for children.
To make the game run smoothly:
Teamwork makes the dream work when you’re playing charades in a larger group. Watch as your opponents stumble over their guesses, and spill out extra ideas.
Here are 5 tips for large group charades:
Try these three rule variants next time you play Charades:
The only thing more difficult than trying to act out the word “potato” is keeping a straight face when your partner has to as well. Partner charades are a mixed bag. You can play 2 vs 2, or have your partner act out the word as you guess. Whoever guesses the most words in the shortest period of time, wins.
Instead of just one person acting out the phrase, this variant completely spins the game 180 degrees. You’ll be guessing alone as three people monkey around in front of you, attempting to act out the phrase in unison.
The more people acting out the statement/title, the harder it gets. We recommend sticking to 3-4 people for this variant or splitting into teams.
No need to pull words from a hat. All these phrases are straight from the imagination.
The first player will think of a song, movie, or any charade idea, and whoever guesses the correct phrase is next on the stage. This is my favorite variant!
Expert charaders have developed a code on the basic charade clues. With these actions you can signify what the word sounds like, the number of words, syllables count, type of category, and more!
Cuff your hand over your ear to indicate this word sounds like whatever action/thing you’ll be doing next.
Put the number of fingers equal to the number of syllables on your forearm.
Indicate the number of words in the phrase by holding the same amount of fingers in the air. For the second word, show two fingers and then act out the word.
Point your thumb over your shoulder to show the action has happened in the past.
Hug yourself like you’re freezing to indicate that their guesses are trailing in the incorrect direction. We call this “getting colder.”
Pretend to be very hot. This shows your team that they’re close to the word, but not completely correct yet.
Tap your nose with your index finger and point to the correct guesser to indicate that this was a correct word guess!
Make the action of an old-fashioned movie projector playing a movie from a reel. Make a first with one hand to be that projector and with the other hand pretend you’re winding it up!
Draw a rectangle as though drawing the outline of a TV screen.
Make the action of a book opening. Put your hands flat, palms together to create a closed book. Then turn your palms upwards as though a book is opening.
Imagine you are opening a pair of theatre curtains. Put your hands together in front of you and then pull them away from each other as though drawing the curtains.
Pretend to sing using your hand as a microphone.
Sign quotation or “ditto” marks in the air using your index and middle fingers on each hand.
Place your hands on your hips and look off into the distance with your chin raised like a hero!
‘Walk’ your two fingers of one hand across the palm of your other hand.
If you’re playing with themes, here are 10 suggestions from each category to get you started. Need more? Check out our adult charades ideas list and kid-friendly charade ideas.
| Zoolander | Green Lantern |
| Dr. Strange | 50 First Dates |
| Sherlock Holmes | Austin Powers |
| Men In Black | Legally Blonde |
| Shrek | Wolf of Wall Street |
For a huge list of 210 Charades Movie Ideas see this!
| Umbrella Academy | The Boys |
| Breaking Bad | Vampire Diaries |
| American Idol | Wheel of Time |
| Game of Thrones | The Leftovers |
| The Witcher | The Expanse |
| Lord of the Flies | 1984 |
| Harry Potter | Hamlet |
| The Great Gatsby | Frankenstein |
| Charlotte’s Web | Gulliver’s Travels |
| Dracula | The Divine Comedy |
| Cats | Lion King |
| Jersey Boys | Romeo and Juliet |
| Mamma Mia | Wicked |
| The Phantom of the Opera | Chicago |
| Hamilton | Rent |
| Say My Name – Destiny’s Child | Billie Jean – Michael Jackson |
| Don’t Stop Believin – Journey | Happy – Pharell Williams |
| Old Town Road – Lil Nas X | Wonderwall – Oasis |
| Bad Romance – Lady Gaga | Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-a-Lot |
| Yeah! – Usher | Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana |
| “It’s alive! It’s alive!” Frankenstein | “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” – Jaws |
| “E.T. phone home.” – E.T. | “Just keep swimming.” – Finding Nemo |
| “Here’s Johnny.” – The Shining | “There’s no place like home.” – The Wizard of Oz |
| “To infinity and beyond!”- Toy Story | “If you build it, he will come.” Field of Dreams |
| “My precious.” – Lord of the Rings | “Life is like a box of chocolates.” – Forrest Gump |
| Mickey Mouse | Lady Gaga |
| Clint Eastwood | Ryan Reynolds |
| Oprah | Princess Leia |
| Bart Simpson | Catwoman |
| Luke Skywalker | Steve Jobs |
| Brushing teeth | Bungee jumping |
| Mountain climbing | Doing laundry |
| Playing golf | Pitching a tent |
| Gardening | Cycling |
| Massaging | Waterskiing |
| Monkey | Firefly |
| Vlogger | Mrs Doubtfire |
| Fangirl | Deodorant |
| Hello Kitty | Dodgeball |
| Ice Ice Baby | Yoga Instructor |
| Toaster | An Egg |
| Dune | Watching a RomCom |
| Barbequing | Flying in First Class |
| Getting a back wax | A Potato |
| Chomp | Slither |
The hardest ideas are sometimes the simplest, why? Because how can you tell a potato from a rock?
That’s it! Now, you know how to play charades! You’ve got everything you need for a game of charades! Think on the spot, or use some of these ideas. Whatever takes your fancy, you’re going to have an awesome time!
Try out some of the tips, tricks, and rules variants to mix up your charades game!
If you want to print some ideas for your game, see our ideas lists below. The 225+ Funny Charades Ideas for Big Laughs list is a good one to get you started!
Hi, I’m Emily, founder of My Kind of Meeple. I've been playing tabletop games since 2008 when a friend introduced me to Dungeons & Dragons. My favourite games include strategy, creativity, and storytelling.
Published on: 3 November 2022 | Updated on: 9 October 2023 Charles Hendrix says:Hi there, Emily Sargeantson! Oh, don’t we all love that unique zing your style brings along?! Your points struck deep, anecdote about the Monday commute exactly mirrored my experiences. Isn’t every day imprinted with unique dichotomies and surprises just similarly? Can’t we explore the under-utilized alley of delightful uncertainties it emits? I remember, once when stuck in traffic, I chanced upon such memorable characters… strangers bonding oddly but touchingly! Folks, change those stern ‘Monday Faces’ next time. How about mine incident as a zeitgeisty collage of characters? lift those corners caught in a sigh upwards. Thanks & question for tomorrow, pocket a comforting guard against chaos? 😊 Embrace them all! Nightmare or bounty… isn’t it always about perspective? 💭
