How to play charades with kids

Pick who's playing. “Little ones” has a picture on every card, so children who can't read yet can play too. “Kids” mixes animals, jobs, sports and actions. “Whole family” has silly situations like “a snowman in the sun”.
Take turns being the actor. The actor looks at the card without letting anyone else see, then acts it out. No talking, no sounds (or allow animal noises for little ones).
Everyone else guesses. Start the timer if you want a race. Tap “Next card” when someone gets it, or to skip a card that's too hard.
Print the cards instead if you'd rather keep phones out of it. Cut them out and pull them from a hat.

Charades ideas by age

Ages 3 to 5: animals and everyday actions they know well, like a frog, a snake, brushing your teeth or eating ice cream. Show them the picture and act it with them the first few times.

Ages 6 to 9: jobs, sports and characters. “A firefighter”, “playing tennis” and “a pirate” are easy to start and fun to ham up.

Ages 8 and up, and grown-ups: situations that make people laugh: “stepping on a toy brick”, “a penguin on a hot day”, “a waiter carrying too many plates”.

Tips from our Chief Play Officer

Go first, and go big. The sillier the grown-up, the braver the kids get.
Help the actor, not just the guessers. Whisper “What does a frog do with its legs?” if they freeze.
Skip scores with little ones. Taking turns is the game. Keep points for older kids who want them.
Swap roles. Let a child pick a card for you to act. They love being in charge.

Questions parents ask

Can a child who can't read play charades?

Yes. Choose “Little ones” and every card has a picture. Show the actor the picture, or whisper the word.

How long is a round?

Sixty seconds works well for most families. With little ones, skip the timer and let each turn take as long as it takes.

Are the charades words kid-friendly?

Yes, every list is written for families with young children, including the “Whole family” cards.

Charades generator for kids and families