Charades is a guessing game in which one player silently acts out a word or phrase while their team tries to guess it before time runs out. Players split into two teams, write prompts on slips of paper, and take turns drawing a slip and miming it without speaking, mouthing words or pointing at objects. Each correct guess earns a point, and the team with the most points at the end wins.
What you need
- At least four players, ideally six or more
- Small slips of paper and pens
- Two bowls or hats, one per team
- A timer, such as a phone or a sand timer
- A clear space where the actor can be seen by everyone
The basic rules
- Form two teams. Mix confident performers with quieter guests so neither side feels stacked.
- Write the prompts. Each team writes titles or phrases on slips and drops them in a bowl. The other team will act these out, so keep them fair.
- Agree on a time limit. A minute or two per turn keeps the pace lively.
- Take turns. An actor from Team A draws a slip from Team B's bowl, reads it privately and starts miming once the timer begins.
- Stay silent. No talking, no mouthing, no sounds, no spelling letters in the air and no pointing at something in the room that gives the answer away.
- Score. If the team guesses the exact phrase in time, they score a point. Then the other team takes a turn.
- Play to an end. Finish when the slips run out or after an agreed number of rounds.
The classic hand signals
Traditional charades has a shared vocabulary of gestures that save a lot of frantic waving. Explain them before the first turn:
| Signal | What it means |
|---|---|
| Cranking an old film camera beside your head | Film |
| Opening your palms like a book | Book |
| Drawing a rectangle in the air | TV show |
| Pretending to sing, hand moving out from the mouth | Song |
| Pulling a theatre curtain cord | Play or musical |
| Making air quotes | Phrase or quotation |
| Holding up fingers | Number of words, then which word you are acting |
| Laying fingers on your forearm | Number of syllables |
| Tugging your earlobe | Sounds like |
| Thumb and finger held close together | A small word such as "a", "the" or "of" |
| Sweeping both arms in a circle | The whole idea at once |
| Touching your nose and pointing at a guesser | Exactly right |
| Beckoning toward yourself | Getting closer, keep going |
Scoring variations
- Points per guess: the simplest option, one point per correct answer.
- Timed totals: record how long each guess takes. After the agreed rounds, the team with the lowest total time wins.
- Speed rounds: each actor tries to get through as many slips as possible before the timer ends, passing on any that stump them.
Ways to change it up
Reverse charades
The whole team acts while a single player guesses. It is loud, chaotic and excellent for shy guests, who can hide in the crowd.
Kids' charades
Skip titles and use animals, everyday actions and jobs. Drawing a picture on the slip helps children who are not yet reading.
Charades for adults
Use film quotes, awkward everyday situations or famous scenes. Keep prompts fun rather than embarrassing, and avoid in-jokes that leave some guests out.
Seated charades
If anyone prefers not to stand, allow acting from a chair using only hands, face and upper body. It works surprisingly well.
Charades ideas to get you started
- Actions: assembling flat-pack furniture with missing screws, walking a dog that refuses to move, losing your keys in a coat pocket, carrying too many shopping bags.
- Jobs: lighthouse keeper, pizza chef, orchestra conductor, window cleaner on a tall building.
- Animals: a penguin on ice, a sleepy sloth, a crab at the beach, an excited puppy.
- Classic films: Jaws, Titanic, The Wizard of Oz, Jurassic Park, Mary Poppins.
- Everyday phrases: "raining cats and dogs", "break the ice", "under the weather", "spill the beans".
- Home and hobbies: setting up a tent in the wind, tuning a guitar, building a snowman, learning a dance step from a video.
Hosting tips
Write a stack of spare slips in advance in case guests run dry, and set aside any that feel too obscure. Keep the actor's area clear of drinks and furniture corners. Charades makes a strong opener for an evening because it gets everyone laughing quickly; later, a calmer game such as one of the cooperative board games lets people catch their breath. Our guide on how to plan a game night covers the running order, snacks and seating, and families can find more playful ideas in kid-friendly party inspirations.
Quick questions
Can you use sounds in charades?
Not in the traditional version. Some families allow sound effects for younger children, but agree on house rules first.
What is the difference between charades and Pictionary?
Both are team guessing games. In charades you act the prompt; in Pictionary you draw it.
How many players do you need?
Four is workable, but six to twelve makes for livelier teams. With very large groups, use reverse charades or split into several smaller games.