As there is no limit on how many players per team, Cranium can be fun to play in big groups. You could play with 4 groups of 3 to 4 players, for example, if you’re looking for a board game for a party night. However, you can play in small groups as well. As long as there are at least two teams, the game is still playable. Cranium is a versatile game, so you can adjust team size based on your personal game night needs.
Choose a playing piece. Your copy of Cranium should come with a variety of pieces. Different versions of Cranium will have different kinds of game pieces. Allow each team to choose the piece he or her wants to play Cranium. You will also make sure every team member has a paper and a pen or pencil. Cranium should come with some paper and pencils in the box. If you run out, you can use any kind of scrap paper you have lying around your house. Just make sure all players have materials to write with as you’ll need them for a variety of activities in Cranium. [2] X Research source Cranium boxes usually come with a small bit of clay, used in certain activities. If the clay is missing or dried out, you could replace it with a bit of play-dough purchased at the supermarket. You could also simply not play cards that require clay.
The creative cat card involves a creative activity. You may use the clay to make a sculpture and have another player guess what you’re sculpting. You may also do a Pictionary-type drawing activity. [5] X Research source Unless otherwise specified on the card, you can choose which team member performs the activity. When playing Creative Cat, it’s a good idea to pick a more artistically inclined player. If someone is good at drawing or sculpting, allowing that person to engage in the activity will give your team a better chance at winning.
Choose a player with a knack for trivia to complete this activity. If someone is good at something like bar trivia or Trivial Pursuit, they’ll be your best bet for this activity. If you’re chosen for a Data Head activity and you don’t know the answer, go with your gut response. Many times, trivia answers are things we’ve learned at some point but do not consciously remember. If you have a gut feeling one answer is right, take a shot. You should be especially willing to take this risk if the answer is multiple choice or True/False. You’ll have a 25-50% chance of being correct.
Pick a player with a good vocabulary for this card. People who read a lot or who write for a living might be better at defining or unscrambling words. If anyone on your team has a background in etymology or linguistics, choose them for this activity. Oftentimes, the roots used in words offer a hint to their meaning. Someone who’s studied words academically is more likely to pick up on these subtleties.
Humdinger cards involve humming the tune to a popular song. The other player has to guess what song you are humming. [8] X Research source If you have a Humdinger, you should pick someone that is able to carry. Also choose someone who knows popular music. Someone who’s a classically trained pianist could potentially be great at humming. However, if this person has spent his whole life playing Chopin he might not know the tune to a Bruce Springsteen song offhand. Copycat cards require you to act like a famous person. [9] X Research source Pick a team member who’s fun-loving, uninhibited, and somewhat dramatic. The more someone is willing to put themselves out there and perform, the better chance you have of guessing the answer. As with a humdinger card, make sure it’s someone well acquainted with pop culture so they’ll recognize the name on the card. Cameo cards are similar to charades in which you have to get the other player to guess a particular person, place, or thing by silently acting out clues. [10] X Research source Yet again, someone who is willing to put themselves out there and perform is your best choice.
Try to focus on your own team during the activity. Listening in on other players can cause stress, distracting you from your own players. Remember to have fun. Getting too competitive during board games can take away some of the entertainment value.
If you pass over a Planet Cranium Space as you move through the board, stop. This can be frustrating, as you’ll end up not moving across the board as quickly. However, don’t get discouraged. Take it in stride and wait for your next turn. Planet Cranium spaces can also help you. If your version of Cranium has Planet Cranium spaces, your dice will contain a purple space. If you roll purple, move to the next Planet Cranium space on the board. Sometimes, this can mean moving through the board much quicker and without needing to complete an activity. [12] X Research source
Keep in mind that Cranium is designed to be a fun group game for parties. The main goal of Cranium is to get everyone to lighten up and engage with their silly side. Therefore, try to have fun and not obsess over who’s moving quickest through the board.
Keep your strengths in mind when playing the final activities. Think back on the course of the game up until this point. Which team member seemed to do best on data head activities? Creative cat activities? Choose a player who has been successful in past activities. This will increase your chances of completing each activity the first time around. Often, there will be multiple teams in Cranium Central at once. As with the Club Cranium activities, try to remain calm and focus on your own team. Getting too competitive takes away from the fun of the game. It also lessens your chances of winning. When engaging in activity, focus only on yourself and your team in that moment. Tune out other distractions.
