150+ Family Charades Ideas That Will Leave You Laughing Uncontrollably -

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

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

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.

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.