Alternatively, you could play a less competitive version of this game where players act out a word or phrase and anyone can answer. The person who gets it right first is usually the next to act things out. If you aren’t playing with teams, you can have the player act out a phrase they have picked out on their own. This can simplify the game by eliminating the need for slips of paper.
There are six common categories in traditional charades: book titles, movies, TV shows, song titles, plays, and well-known quotes or phrases. Generally, long phrases and foreign phrases are not allowed. When in doubt, poll your teammates. If half have heard it before, it should be fine. Avoid writing down a single proper name on the slip. Without context, if a player doesn’t know who the person is, they’ll have a difficult time. [2] X Research source
Baskets or hats are commonly used as containers for the slips, but in a pinch, you can get creative. Pull an empty drawer from a coffee table or use a pillowcase.
If you don’t mind rounds going on for a long time, you don’t have to use a time limit. In this situation, teams would try to guess until they gave up. At this point, you might want to agree upon a penalty for anyone who speaks when they should only be gesturing. For example, you might deduct a half point or forfeit the round.
If you have difficulty deciding who goes first, have the winner of a quick rock, paper, scissors tournament select a strip and get the game started.
Holding up a number of fingers at the start of a turn indicates the total number of words. Following this with another number of fingers indicates the word you’ll first act out. Laying a number of fingers on your arm indicates the number of syllables for the word. Sweeping your arms broadly through the air indicates “the entire concept. ”[4] X Research source
When your team guesses the answer, the round ends and your team gets a point. Then the other team repeats this process. If your team doesn’t guess the answer and time runs out, your team passes the turn without getting a point, then the other team tries.
Indicate book titles by unfolding your hands, as though opening a book. Gesture as though you are cranking old fashioned camera for movies. Draw a square or rectangle in front of you to signify TV shows. Pretend to sing (without actually singing) for song titles. Pull on a rope to raise a theatre curtain to indicate plays. Make air quotes with your fingers when your slip has a quote or phrase. [5] X Research source
If a teammate is on a roll and they seem like they might say the right word, use a beckoning “come here” gesture or roll your hands in a circle. Moving your hands farther apart usually means “more,” but in some cases, this can also mean the word is “bigger,” like when it has a prefix or suffix.
Link your little fingers together to indicate a word is plural. Wave your hand behind you in a “way back” gesture for past tense. Do the opposite of this for future tense. [6] X Research source
If you have difficulty clearly expressing yourself through gestures and you really want to get good, take an improv class or a mime class.
