How to Play Charades for Kids (Including Examples)

Charades for kids is the perfect game to turn a regular day into a laughter-filled adventure for little ones!

The beauty of charades lies in its simplicity—no board, no pieces, just pure imagination. But what exactly is charades, and how do you play it with kids? It's simple: one player acts out a word or phrase without speaking, while the others guess what it is. Ready to dive in? Let's explore how to make charades a hit with your little ones!

How to Play Charades for Kids (Including Examples)

Charades is one of those classic games that never go out of style—especially when you're playing with kids! The rules are simple, the fun is endless, and the game is a perfect mix of silly and educational. So, gather your little actors, because we're about to break down how to play charades for kids and make it an unforgettable experience.

Setting Up the Game

First things first, you'll need to prepare some kid-friendly prompts. You can write them on small pieces of paper or use a charades app if you want to keep it digital. Make sure the prompts are easy to understand and appropriate for the age group playing. Here are some examples to get you started:

• Animals: elephant, kangaroo, penguin
• Actions: Brushing teeth, riding a bicycle, flying like a superhero, playing the drums
• Characters: Elsa, Spider-Man, Buzz Lightyear, Wreck-It Ralph

More examples are below!

How to Play

Divide into teams: If you have a larger group for a kids' birthday party or large family gathering, split into two teams. If not, you can play individually where each player takes turns.

Choose a player to act out a charade: One player picks a prompt from the pile or is assigned one by the app.

Set a timer: Give the player a time limit to act out their prompt (usually around 1-2 minutes).

Act it out: The player acts out the word or phrase without speaking or making any sounds. Gestures and facial expressions are key!

Guess the prompt: The other players (or team) try to guess what the actor is portraying. If they get it right, they score a point!

Switch and repeat: Rotate the actor role among players and keep playing until you run out of prompts or decide to stop.

Examples of Charades for Kids

Here are more charades examples to keep the game rolling:

• Everyday activities: cooking, playing the piano, brushing a pet, brushing your teeth, flipping pancakes, shaving, putting on a wig, pouring a glass of milk, tying your shoes, walking the dog, playing video games, eating spaghetti, applying makeup
• Actions: blowing a bubble, playing the violin, blowing someone a kiss, stretching, looking through binoculars
• Sports: soccer, swimming, hockey, skiing in the snow, basketball, golf, tap dancing
• Animal ideas: crocodile, snake, rabbit, tortoise, monkey
• Jobs: firefighter, ballerina, painter, builder, Uber driver
• Characters: Wall-E, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Winne The Pooh, Pinnochio, Kung Fu Panda, Sonic the Hedgehog

Tips for a Fun Game

• Keep it simple: Choose easy prompts that kids can understand and act out.
• Encourage creativity: Let kids use props or costumes if available—anything to make the game more lively!
• Celebrate every guess: Even if the guess isn't correct, celebrate the effort to keep the mood light and fun.

More Fun Games for Kids

80 Unique Trivia Questions for Kids (With Answers)
Top Indoor Activities for Kids
The Best Free Online Games for Kids

 

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