Game night stalled?
Finding fresh, fun activities for family gatherings can be tough. The same old board games lose their magic after multiple plays, and screens often pull everyone in different directions instead of bringing them together.
Charades offers the perfect solution! This classic game needs no equipment, works for all ages, and creates moments of laughter that families remember for years.
The simple act of acting out words while others guess builds bonds and creates memories without complex rules or setup.
This list of 309 ideas for charades will help you host amazing family nights with zero preparation. From animals to movies, sports to everyday actions, you’ll find options that everyone from grandparents to little ones will enjoy.
What is Charades and How to Play Them?
Charades is a classic party game where players act out words or phrases without speaking while team members try to guess what’s being shown.
It’s a game of communication through gestures and body language that brings people together through laughter and creative expression.
Here’s how to play charades in five simple steps:
- Split your group into two teams and create a list of words or phrases for the opposing team to act out.
- Take turns sending one person from each team to act while their teammates guess.
- Set a timer (usually 1-3 minutes) for each round of guessing.
- The actor must use only movements, facial expressions, and gestures; no speaking, mouthing words, or pointing at objects in the room.
- Award one point for each correct guess, and the team with the most points at the end wins.
Easy Charades Ideas to Get Started
New to charades?
These simple ideas for charades are perfect for beginners and younger players. The words and phrases in this section are easy to act out and guess, making them ideal for a smooth start to your family game night.
1. Elephant
2. Kangaroo
3. Penguin
4. Snake
5. Cat
6. Dog
7. Lion
8. Tiger
9. Rabbit
10. Bear
11. Dolphin
12. Monkey
13. Chicken
14. Duck
15. Frog
16. Owl
17. Whale
18. Horse
19. Cow
20. Sheep
21. Pig
22. Bee
23. Ant
24. Crab
25. Doctor
26. Teacher
27. Police Officer
28. Chef
29. Firefighter
30. Nurse
31. Bus Driver
32. Actor
33. Singer
34. Dancer
35. Artist
36. Running
37. Sneezing
38. Dancing
39. Swimming
40. Sleeping
41. Reading
42. Jumping
43. Singing
44. Brushing Teeth
45. Shopping
46. Driving
47. Crying
48. Laughing
49. Eating
50. Painting
51. Umbrella
52. Cell Phone
53. Backpack
54. Pillow
55. Book
56. Ice Cream
57. Balloon
58. Chair
59. Hat
60. Sunglasses
61. Zoo
62. Beach
63. Library
64. School
65. Mall
66. Park
67. Cinderella
68. Little Red Riding Hood
69. The Three Little Pigs
70. Goldilocks
71. Playing Video Games
72. Taking a Selfie
73. Doing Yoga
74. Wrapping a Present
75. Blowing Bubbles
76. Friends
77. Paw Patrol
78. Peppa Pig
79. SpongeBob SquarePants
80. Frozen
Creative Ideas for Charades: Intermediate Level
Ready to add more fun to your charades sessions?
These medium-difficulty ideas for charades bring more challenge and excitement. Great for families with older kids and teens who want to step up their charades game.
81. Giraffe
82. Zebra
83. Octopus
84. Donkey
85. Fox
86. Parrot
87. Mouse
88. Bat
89. Deer
90. Turtle
91. Eagle
92. Rooster
93. Camel
94. Lifeguard
95. Pilot
96. Astronaut
97. Construction Worker
98. Mechanic
99. Dentist
100. Farmer
101. Plumber
102. Scientist
103. Waiter/Waitress
104. Magician
105. Soldier
106. Librarian
107. Photographer
108. Engineer
109. Zookeeper
110. Electrician
111. Writing
112. Flying
113. Fishing
114. Skiing
115. Typing
116. Washing Dishes
117. Shoveling
118. Walking Dog
119. Mopping
120. Yawning
121. Playing Guitar
122. Cooking
123. Biking
124. Climbing
125. Juggling
126. Frisbee
127. Guitar
128. Car
129. Cupcake
130. Mirror
131. Fan
132. Camera
133. Skateboard
134. Suitcase
135. Clock
136. Hammer
137. Water Bottle
138. Toothbrush
139. Laptop
140. Blanket
141. Soap
142. Bank
143. Hospital
144. Amusement Park
145. Airport
146. Mountain
147. Farm
148. Train Station
149. Post Office
150. Museum
151. Restaurant
152. Theater
153. Aquarium
154. Rapunzel
155. Jack and the Beanstalk
156. The Jungle Book
157. Peter Pan
158. Alice in Wonderland
159. Beauty and the Beast
160. The Little Mermaid
161. Getting a Tattoo
162. Camping
163. Sunbathing
164. Riding a Rollercoaster
165. Building a Snowman
166. Watching Fireworks
167. Acting in a Play
168. Winning a Race
169. Proposing Marriage
170. The Office
171. Stranger Things
172. The Simpsons
173. Seinfeld
174. The Big Bang Theory
175. Modern Family
176. The Crown
177. The Mandalorian
178. Parks and Recreation
179. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
180. Survivor
Tough and Clever Charades Inspiration
For charades experts and competitive families, these challenging ideas for charades will test your acting skills and creativity. These concepts require more thought but lead to bigger laughs and memorable moments.
181. Skunk
182. Raccoon
183. Lizard
184. Judge
185. Lawyer
186. The Cat in the Hat
187. The Wizard of Oz
188. Titanic
189. Mulan
190. Avatar
191. The Lion King
192. The Avengers
193. Spider-Man
194. Jurassic Park
195. Finding Nemo
196. Toy Story
197. Home Alone
198. Jaws
199. Rocky
200. The Matrix
201. Black Panther
202. Despicable Me
203. Moana
204. Aladdin
205. The Incredibles
206. Star Wars
207. Up
208. Inside Out
209. Batman
210. Shrek
211. Monsters, Inc.
212. Ghostbusters
213. The Godfather
214. Forrest Gump
215. Mean Girls
216. The Notebook
217. The Hunger Games
218. Encanto
219. Minions
220. Brave
221. Coco
222. Cars
223. Harry Potter
224. Avatar: The Last Airbender
225. Game of Thrones
226. Breaking Bad
227. House of the Dragon
228. The Witcher
229. The Voice
230. America’s Got Talent
231. Wheel of Fortune
232. Jeopardy!
233. Dancing with the Stars
234. Law & Order
235. Criminal Minds
236. Rick and Morty
237. Michael Jackson
238. Taylor Swift
239. Beyoncé
240. Elvis Presley
241. Albert Einstein
242. Oprah Winfrey
243. Barack Obama
244. Donald Trump
245. Serena Williams
246. Usain Bolt
247. Steve Jobs
248. Elon Musk
249. Marilyn Monroe
250. Tom Cruise
251. Justin Bieber
252. Rihanna
253. Adele
254. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
255. Lady Gaga
256. Drake
257. Leonardo DiCaprio
258. Keanu Reeves
259. Will Smith
260. Johnny Depp
261. Prince
262. Emma Watson
263. Morgan Freeman
264. Billie Eilish
265. Angelina Jolie
266. City
267. Village
268. Candle
269. Remote Control
270. Newspaper
271. Skating
272. Mixing a Potion
273. Mime Performance
274. Clown at a Circus
275. Escaping from Prison
276. Underwater Basket Weaving
277. Solving a Mystery
278. Acting in a Musical
279. Hosting a Talk Show
Bonus: Songs and Broadway Ideas for Charades
Music lovers will appreciate this special collection of song titles and Broadway hits. These theatrical ideas for charades add a melodic twist to your game and work especially well for families who enjoy performing arts.
280. Let It Go – Frozen
281. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
282. Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
283. Rolling in the Deep – Adele
284. Uptown Funk – Bruno Mars
285. Bad Guy – Billie Eilish
286. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
287. Thriller – Michael Jackson
288. Single Ladies – Beyoncé
289. Happy – Pharrell Williams
290. All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor
291. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
292. Old Town Road – Lil Nas X
293. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
294. Can’t Stop the Feeling! – Justin Timberlake
295. A Whole New World – Aladdin
296. Defying Gravity – Wicked
297. Memory – Cats
298. The Phantom of the Opera – The Phantom of the Opera
299. Seasons of Love – Rent
300. You’re the One That I Want – Grease
301. Circle of Life – The Lion King
302. The Schuyler Sisters – Hamilton
303. This Is Me – The Greatest Showman
304. Do-Re-Mi – The Sound of Music
305. My Shot – Hamilton
306. Tomorrow – Annie
307. Mamma Mia – ABBA / Mamma Mia!
308. The Room Where It Happens – Hamilton
309. If I Were a Rich Man – Fiddler on the Roof
Charades Apps and Online Tools for Better Gameplay
Technology can make charades even more fun!
These digital helpers generate random ideas for charades, keep score, and add structure to your game. They are perfect for families looking to mix traditional play with modern convenience.
| Platform | Features | Best For | Platform Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heads Up! (Free Version) | – Timer-based guessing game – Categories like movies, animals, accents – Tilt-to-reveal mechanism – Fun sound effects | Party play, kids and adults, in-person groups | Android, iOS |
| Charades! by FatChicken Studios | – 45+ themed decks – Multiplayer support – Motion-based controls – No account needed | Family game nights, kids, quick rounds | Android, iOS |
| GetCharadesIdeas.com | – Web-based generator – Custom categories – Random word selector – No login or app required | Teachers, virtual meetings, DIY card games | Web (all browsers) |
| Skribbl.io (charades-style) | – Online multiplayer – Drawing and guessing (Pictionary style) – Custom word lists – Private room creation | Virtual play with friends, remote classrooms | Web (works on Android & iOS browsers) |
| Charades App – Guess the Word | – 100+ decks – Voice and motion input – Custom deck creation – Fast-paced play | Big group events, diverse categories | Android, iOS |
The Bottom Line
Charades continues to be a family favorite for good reasons. It brings people together, creates shared moments, and requires nothing but imagination and energy to play.
From beginner-friendly words to challenging concepts, you now have 309 ideas for charades to fuel countless evenings of entertainment.
The beauty of charades lies in its simplicity no fancy equipment needed, just willing participants and these suggestions.
What makes this game special isn’t perfect acting or guessing every word correctly. It’s the laughter when grandpa tries to act out “surfing” or when your youngest suddenly nails a difficult phrase no one else could guess.
Why not try a round tonight? Pick a few ideas from each category, gather your family, and start creating those special memories.
The best moments often come from the simplest activities.
