Charades for Kids: Easy Words, Simple Rules
Kids love charades because they get to be silly on purpose. The trick is to pick words they can picture and to keep turns short. Here is how to set it up for ages 4 and up.
Words by age
- Ages 4 to 6: animals (dog, frog, elephant), simple actions (jumping, sleeping, brushing teeth).
- Ages 7 to 9: characters and jobs (pirate, firefighter, robot), activities (swimming, riding a bike).
- Ages 10 to 12: movies they know, sports and silly situations (surfing, roller coaster, karaoke).
Changes that make it work for little ones
- Turns of 30 seconds, not 60.
- Let a parent act with the child as a team.
- Allow sounds: a dog can bark.
- Skip scoring for the youngest and just cheer.
A first game in five steps
- Pick six easy words and say them out loud so everyone knows them.
- Show how to act without talking, then let a child try.
- Guess together, with hints from the adult.
- Swap who acts after every word.
- Finish with a group round where everyone acts the same animal at once.
Heads up for kids
The forehead version works well for children who cannot act yet: they only have to listen to clues. Use a kids deck and let the adults give clues.
Party Guess
Party Guess is a free party game for iPhone: forehead guessing, team battles and your own decks.
FAQ
What age can kids start playing charades?
From about 4, with animals and simple actions. Younger children play better with a parent acting alongside them.
What are good charades words for 5 year olds?
Animals like a dog, a monkey or a penguin, and actions like brushing teeth, jumping or swimming.