I have been the self-appointed charades organiser at every family gathering, party and rained-out holiday for as long as I can remember. It is the one game that gets the phones down and the whole room involved — the shy cousin, the grandparents, the six-year-old who insists on going first. Over the years I have collected the clues that actually work and quietly retired the ones that fall flat. This is that list, sorted by category and difficulty, plus a free generator that will deal the clues for you if you would rather just play.
If you want to start right now, scroll up and open the game — pick your categories, set a timer if you like, and pass the phone around. If you would rather browse, save or print the ideas, they are all below.
How to play charades
The rules are beautifully simple, which is why charades works with any group and any age. One player is the actor. They choose a word or phrase (or let the generator pick one) and act it out in complete silence — no talking, no pointing at real objects, and no mouthing the word. Everyone else shouts guesses. Whoever gets it right goes next, or scores a point for their team.
Most groups play to a time limit per turn, usually one to two minutes, which keeps the energy up and stops any one person from acting out an entire epic while the room loses interest. You can keep it casual and simply take turns, or split into two or more teams and keep score for a proper contest.
The classic charades gestures
A handful of silent signals make the whole game run more smoothly, and teaching them to newcomers takes about thirty seconds.
To show the category, mime it first: draw a rectangle in the air for a movie, pretend to crank an old camera for a film, sing silently for a song, turn your hands like a book for a book, or box the shape of a screen for a TV show.
To show the number of words, hold up that many fingers. Then hold up fingers again before each word to show which one you are acting. For a long word, signal how many syllables by laying that many fingers on your arm.
For a word that rhymes with something easier, tug your earlobe for “sounds like,” then act the rhyming word. Pull your hands apart for “longer,” bring them together for “shorter,” and give a thumbs up when someone is close so they keep going.
Movie charades ideas
Movies are the all-time favourite because anyone can act a scene even if they cannot act. Remember, you are miming the film, not spelling the title.
Family films and easy ones: Frozen, Toy Story, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Shrek, Cars, Moana, Aladdin, Home Alone, Up, Cinderella.
A step trickier: Jumanji, The Wizard of Oz, E.T., Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Back to the Future, Indiana Jones, King Kong, Jaws, Avatar.
For a film-buff crowd: Titanic, Rocky, Grease, Forrest Gump, The Matrix, The Godfather, Pirates of the Caribbean.
TV show charades ideas
Same rule as movies — act the show, do not say the title. Great for a crowd that watches a lot of telly.
Kids’ shows: SpongeBob SquarePants, Peppa Pig, Sesame Street, Pokemon, Paw Patrol, Scooby-Doo, Bluey, Tom and Jerry. General favourites: The Simpsons, Friends, The Office, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Survivor, MasterChef, The Voice. Harder: Doctor Who, Sherlock, Stranger Things, Game of Thrones.
Animal charades ideas
Animals are perfect for younger players and warming up a shy group, because every one of them has a signature movement or sound to lean into.
Dog, cat, elephant, monkey, snake, kangaroo, penguin, lion, giraffe, frog, rabbit, bear, chicken, cow, horse, spider, butterfly, shark, dolphin, crab, octopus, eagle, owl, gorilla, T-rex, flamingo, sloth, crocodile, peacock.
Action charades ideas
Acting out a verb is where charades gets wonderfully silly, and these are some of the easiest, most reliable clues in the whole game.
Swimming, dancing, sleeping, cooking, driving, brushing teeth, painting, fishing, skiing, boxing, singing, laughing, crying, sneezing, juggling, typing, yawning, tiptoeing, climbing, jumping rope, riding a bike, playing guitar, taking a selfie, blowing a bubble, flying a kite, tying a shoe, building a sandcastle.
Job and occupation charades ideas
Everyone recognises a job by its signature actions and tools, which makes this category quick and satisfying to guess.
Doctor, teacher, chef, firefighter, police officer, astronaut, pilot, farmer, artist, dentist, nurse, plumber, mail carrier, scientist, waiter, hairdresser, magician, clown, DJ, lifeguard, referee, construction worker, photographer, veterinarian, barber.
Household and object charades ideas
One everyday item at a time — simple enough that even the most reluctant player can pull it off.
Toothbrush, umbrella, lawnmower, vacuum cleaner, alarm clock, hairdryer, frying pan, broom, ladder, scissors, telephone, camera, guitar, remote control, washing machine, mirror, key, candle, backpack, toaster, hammer, flashlight, pillow, shopping cart, fan.
Sports and games charades ideas
Get everyone moving — these are big, physical clues that read well from across the room.
Soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, swimming, boxing, bowling, skateboarding, surfing, ice skating, gymnastics, archery, baseball, football, volleyball, karate, cycling, fishing, chess, hula hooping, jump rope, ping pong, weightlifting, horseback riding, diving, fencing.
Places and nature charades ideas
A little more abstract, so these are a fun challenge for older players — think about how you would set the scene.
Beach, mountain, jungle, desert, volcano, waterfall, city, farm, castle, airport, zoo, library, hospital, restaurant, cave, island, forest, park, school, bridge, rainbow, tornado, lightning, campfire, rollercoaster, lighthouse.
Emotion charades ideas
Acting out a feeling is brilliant for little ones and for warming up any group, because it is all face and body.
Happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised, sleepy, excited, nervous, confused, shy, proud, bored, embarrassed, disgusted, in love, jealous, grumpy, cheerful, worried, silly, frustrated, curious.
Fictional character charades ideas
Classic make-believe types that everyone knows on sight, with a signature pose or movement built right in.
Superhero, wizard, pirate, robot, alien, ghost, vampire, mermaid, princess, knight, ninja, cowboy, fairy, dragon, giant, witch, genie, zombie, unicorn, dinosaur, caveman, angel, troll, werewolf, elf.
Funny charades ideas
Want the clues that guarantee laughter? The funniest ones are usually oddly specific everyday moments. Try acting out: waking up late and rushing out the door, a cat knocking something off a table, taking a selfie from ten different angles, a very slow zombie, someone trying not to sneeze, a dog chasing its tail, or losing your phone while holding it. The generator’s custom-word box is perfect for adding your own inside jokes.
Hard charades ideas for adults
Want a real challenge for a grown-up group? Reach for the trickier films and multi-word ideas: Forrest Gump, The Matrix, a peacock, a lighthouse, weightlifting, feeling frustrated, a mail carrier. Set the audience to “Adults” in the game and it automatically leans into the harder clues.
Easy charades ideas for kids
Playing with little ones? Stick to short, familiar and physical clues: dog, cat, elephant, monkey, swimming, dancing, sleeping, a superhero, a firefighter, happy, sad, and a dinosaur. Set the audience to “Kids” in the game and it filters to exactly this kind of easy, recognisable prompt.
Charades for big groups and parties
Charades is one of the best large-group games there is, because only one person acts at a time while everyone else watches and guesses, so nobody is ever left out or waiting to take a turn. For a big party, split into two or more teams, put a one-minute timer on each turn, and keep score — the competition and the between-rounds heckling are half the fun. It needs no equipment and works just as well at a birthday, a classroom, a work social or a family holiday.
Use the free charades generator
If you would rather not think up clues at all, the game on this page will do it for you. Choose which categories you want in the mix, pick an audience level, and it deals a random clue each turn without ever repeating one until it has worked through your list. You can add your own words too, so your group’s personal in-jokes land right alongside the classics.
Print your charades cards
Prefer paper? The game will generate a printable sheet of cut-out cards you can fold and drop into a bowl — no screens required. Tap “Print charades cards” in the game to download them.
Looking for a themed version for a holiday? We have a whole set — try our Christmas Charades, Halloween Charades and Thanksgiving Charades for seasonal clues and the same free game.
FAQ
What are good charades ideas?
The best charades ideas are things with a clear action or shape to act out: movies like The Lion King, animals like an elephant, actions like swimming, jobs like a firefighter, and fictional characters like a superhero. Mixing several categories keeps every round fresh and gives every player something they can act.
How do you play charades?
One player acts out a word or phrase in complete silence while everyone else guesses. No talking, no pointing at objects and no mouthing the word. When someone guesses correctly, the next player takes a turn. You can play in relaxed turns or split into teams and keep score, usually with a one to two minute timer per turn.
What are the hand signals in charades?
Draw a rectangle for a movie, turn your hands like a book for a book, or sing silently for a song to show the category. Hold up fingers for the number of words, then for which word you are acting. Tug your ear for “sounds like,” and give a thumbs up when a guess is getting close.
What are easy charades ideas for kids?
Stick to short, familiar and physical clues: dog, cat, elephant, swimming, dancing, sleeping, a superhero, a firefighter and happy or sad. Setting the audience to Kids in the online game filters the clues down to exactly this kind of easy prompt.
Is there a free charades generator?
Yes. The game on this page is a free charades generator that deals you a random clue each turn from the categories you choose, with no app or sign-up. It also keeps team scores, offers a timer and lets you print cut-out cards.
How many words do you need for a game of charades?
For a single game, twenty to thirty clues is usually plenty for a lively half hour. The list on this page has more than two hundred and fifty, and the generator never repeats a clue until it has worked through your chosen categories, so you will not run out.
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