Are you looking for family charades ideas to mix up your game night? These are the best themed word lists suitable for all ages.
It can be such a struggle trying to find a game that is fun for all ages, especially when you have young children and most games are 6+. As a mom to three children 6 and under, I understand the struggle and am giving you the best family charades ideas that will have your whole family laughing.
You are going to get free printables with spring, summer, fall, and winter themes that also include cards with pictures so even children unable to read can still play
After learning about these family charades ideas, you are sure to throw an epic family game night your whole family will love.
This post is all about family charades ideas your family needs to try.
Family Charades Ideas
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Why Is Charades The Perfect Game?
The number one reason charades is the perfect game for families is because it is enjoyable for all ages. From grandparents down to toddlers, it is both challenging and entertaining.
Another reason this game is so great is because it can be completely free. Yes, there are charades games you can buy, such as Charades for Kids but they are not necessary to play. All you really need is a pen, paper, timer, and hat or jar to draw from.
Because it is suitable for all ages, this game is perfect for family game night, holiday gatherings, or even family reunions. Charades can even be done over FaceTime so you can play with relatives from afar.
Regardless of when you play or who you play with, this game is sure to bring on loads of laughter.
How to Play
- Come up with a list of words to act out (or download my free printables below). It can be fun to decide on a theme such as, movies, animals, seasons, sports, foods, professions, etc. and then think up words that fit into that theme. Write these ideas on paper, fold them up and place them into a hat or jar.
- Break up into two teams (try to make it as fair as possible).
- Decide how the winner will be determined. Will you play until each team has had x amount of turns or will the winner be the team who gets x amount of cards first? Trust me, if your family is at all competitive you will definitely want to decide this BEFORE the game starts.
- Flip a coin to see which team will start first.
- That team will have one player draw out a card.
- Set a timer for 3 minutes. When the timer starts, the player then acts out the phrase using body gestures and motions for their teammates to guess. No vocal sounds are allowed.
- If their team guesses correctly before the timer runs out then the round is over and that team gets a point. If the timer runs out before the team guesses correctly, the round is over but the team does not get a point. The other team is allowed one guess to try and steal the point.
- Play until a winner has been determined (however you established BEFORE starting).
Playing Charades With Young Children
Although this game can be played by all ages, there is a reading barrier because this game requires the ability to read when you draw your card, thus making it difficult for younger children to play.
Depending on your team size you can either have someone partner up with the younger kid(s) to read them what is on the slip when it is their turn to act.
Otherwise, you can buy a game like Charades for Kids or download my free printables below. These have pictures instead of words so reading is not necessary.
If you download my printables, each theme includes 12 cards with pictures instead of words so that if you have any non reading children they can play too!
In this case, the answer is whatever the child portrays the picture to be.
Helpful Tips
- Hold up fingers to indicate the number of words and which word you are going to act out. For example if you draw “watching football,” you would hold up 2 fingers to let your teammates know you have a two word card. Then hold up one finger to start acting out the word “watching”. After your teammates guess the word “watching” hold up two fingers and then act out “football”.
- If your phrase is a book title let your teammates know by first placing your hands together and then opening your hands as if you are opening a book.
- To let your teammates know you are going to act out a song pretend to sing in a microphone.
- If you draw a movie title let your teammates know by pretending to crank an old-fashioned movie camera. Do this by holding the camera with one hand and cranking with the other.
- When a player guesses something correctly touch your nose and then point at the player who said the correct answer.
Family Charades Themes
Fall Theme Family Charades Ideas
Try this charades theme during the fall as a family night idea or try playing it at your Thanksgiving gathering.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
1. Raking leaves
2. Jumping in a leaf pile
3. Chopping wood
4. Picking apples
5. Family
6. Watching football
7. Eating corn on the cob
8. Carving a pumpkin
9. Building a fire
10. Picking up sticks
11. Playing football
12. Going on a hay ride
{RELATED POST: Halloween Charades Card Game (Free Printable)}
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
13. Watching a scary movie
14. Trick-or-treating
15. Eating soup
16. Going through a corn maze
17. Baking pie
18. Eating Thanksgiving dinner
19. Scarecrow
20. Turkey
21. Ghost
22. Eating a caramel apple
23. Skeleton
24. Spider web
{RELATED POST: 100 Printable Thanksgiving Charades Cards}
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
25. Drinking apple cider
26. Witch
27. Eating candy
28. Acorn
29. Pinecone
30. Breaking the wishbone
I included some blank fall charades boxes so feel free to add some of your own.
There is also a page that has 12 picture only cards so that if you have any members of your family who cannot read yet, they will still be able to play too.
{RELATED POST: Top 35 Things That Belong On Your Family’s Fall Bucket List Ideas}
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
Winter Theme Family Charades Ideas
When it is too cold to go outside, this winter theme charades makes for the perfect indoor activity. Try it on a snow day, family night, or at your family’s Christmas gathering, it is sure to be a hit!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
1. Skiing
2. Making a snow angel
3. Snowball fight
4. Ice skating
5. Shoveling
6. Rudolph
7. Snowboarding
8. Drinking hot cocoa
9. Ice hockey
10. Ice fishing
11. Slipping on ice
12. Dog sledding
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
13. Blizzard
14. Sleigh ride
15. Icicles
16. Scraping your windshield
17. Ear muffs
18. Knitting a scarf
19. The North Pole
20. Wrapping presents
21. Decorating the tree
22. Mistletoe
23. Christmas caroling
24. Catching snowflakes on your tongue
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
25. Sledding
26. Baking cookies
27. Hanging lights
28. Opening presents
29. The Grinch
30. Mailing Christmas cards
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
Spring Theme Family Charades Ideas
When the snow is melting and the weather is warming it makes for the perfect time to play this Spring themed charades. Make it a tradition to play on Easter or play it when your kids are on Spring Break. It will be so much fun watching them act things out like “raining cats and dogs” or “chicks hatching.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
1. Raining cats and dogs
2. Watering the garden
3. Jumping in puddles
4. Spring cleaning
5. Dying eggs
6. Flying a kite
7. March Madness
8. Jelly beans
9. Feeding ducks
10. Easter basket
11. Smelling flowers
12. Chocolate bunny
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
13. Egg hunt
14. Birds chirping
15. Fresh air
16. Allergies
17. Eating Peeps
18. Baby animals
19. Planting seeds
20. Chicks hatching
21. Hello, Spring
22. Bunny ears
23. Fake grass
24. Rain jacket
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
25. Thunder storm
26. Sunshine
27. Snow melting
28. Bird watching
29. Sunday
30. Easter dinner
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
Summer Theme Family Charades Ideas
When the kids are out of school and looking for things to do, this summer themed charades is sure to keep them entertained. Not only will they be laughing and having a great time, they will be improving their critical thinking skills as well.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
1. Water skiing
2. Surfing
3. Swimming
4. Riding a bike
5. Climbing a tree
6. Watching fireworks
7. Catching fireflies
8. Putting on sunscreen
9. Playing baseball
10. Picking strawberries
11. Paddleboarding
12. Driving to the beach
{RELATED POST: 33 Beach Day Essentials Your Family Does Not Want To Forget}
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
13. Having a picnic
14. Lemonade stand
15. Rootbeer floats
16. Popsicles
17. Camping
18. Water balloon fight
19. Playing frisbee
20. Water slide
21. Building a sand castle
22. Stargazing
23. Fishing
24. Riding in a boat
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
25. Seagull
26. Beach volleyball
27. Kayaking
28. Coconut tree
29. Playing golf
30. Cook out
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
Sand Timer
Other Charade Games You May Enjoy
- Halloween Charades – This game makes the best Halloween party game!
- Thanksgiving Charades – Don’t forget to bring this to your family’s Thanksgiving gathering!
- Animal Charades – Perfect game for toddlers learning their animals.
- 4th of July Charades – Such a fun game at your backyard barbecue.
This Post Was All About The Best Family Charades Ideas Sure To Leave Everyone Laughing.
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