Charades needs nothing but a bit of floor space and players willing to look a little silly. The idea is simple: get your team to guess a word without speaking, making sounds or pointing at real objects. A turn lasts one or two minutes, and anyone from five to ninety can join in.
The hard part is not understanding the word but knowing where to start. That is why every result on this wheel comes with an opening move: the pose or detail that puts your team on the right track in the first few seconds. Animals suit younger players, jobs ask you to build a little scene, and everyday actions are the funniest to exaggerate.
How to use it
- Split into two teams and set a time limit per word: one minute for adults, two for children.
- The actor spins the wheel without letting their team see the screen, reads the word and the tip, then faces the group.
- They act in total silence while their team calls out guesses; a word guessed in time scores a point.
- Teams take turns. After ten rounds, the team with the most points wins.
All the options
- Brushing your teeth
- Squeeze toothpaste onto an imaginary brush, scrub in small circles, then rinse your mouth. The squeeze of the tube removes any doubt.
- Tying shoelaces
- Rest one foot on an invisible step and make both loops slowly, pulling tight at the end. Exaggerate the size of the loops so everyone can see.
- Chopping an onion
- Peel off the skin layer by layer, chop it finely, then wipe your streaming eyes. The tears are the clue that makes all the difference.
- Ironing a shirt
- Lay the shirt on a board, press the iron along it, then turn it over to do each sleeve. Fold it neatly to finish.
- Looking for your keys
- Pat every pocket, lift sofa cushions, peer under furniture, getting more and more flustered. Finally find them in your own hand.
- Opening an umbrella
- Hold out your palm to feel the first drops, snap the umbrella open, then fight a gust of wind that turns it inside out.
- Vacuuming
- Push and pull the handle back and forth, nudge a chair out of the way with your foot, then wrestle with a cable caught under the sofa.
- Hanging out washing
- Take a garment from a basket, shake it out and peg it high on a line. Glance up at the sky to check it is not about to rain.
- Flipping a pancake
- Pour the batter and tilt the pan, wait, then flick your wrist and follow the pancake with your eyes up to the ceiling. Catch it, or drop it on purpose for a laugh.
- Oversleeping
- Eyes shut, slap the alarm off, drift back to sleep, then jolt awake at the sight of the clock. Get dressed on the run, one shoe in your hand.
- Blowing up a balloon
- Puff out your cheeks and blow into a balloon that grows between your fingers with every breath. Tie the knot, then cover your ears as if it might pop.
- Texting
- Hold an imaginary phone and tap furiously with both thumbs, then stare at the screen waiting for a reply. Jump when it buzzes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of charades?
The actor may not speak, make sounds or point at objects in the room. Traditional signals are usually allowed: holding up fingers for the number of words, or tugging an earlobe to mean “sounds like”.
What are easy charades ideas for kids?
Animals and actions they know well: a chicken, a snake, brushing your teeth. With under-sixes, allow the animal noise, since it is often what gets the team there.
How many people do you need to play charades?
Three is the minimum (one acting, two guessing), but the game really works from six players in two teams. With more than twelve, make three teams so everyone gets to act often.
How long should a charades turn last?
One minute suits adults and keeps the pace high; give children two minutes. If a word goes unguessed, the other team can steal it with a single guess.