Charades

Act, mime, and guess before time runs out. Charades is the timeless party game that turns any room into a comedy show.

Also Known As:
  • Act It Out

Game Intro

Woman in red dress acting out heart gesture during Charades game rulesCharades is the original “no talking, just acting” game. Players mime words or phrases while their teammates guess before time runs out.

 

The Background

Charades began in 18th-century France as a riddle parlor game and evolved into the modern silent acting version.

Quick Facts

Best For
  • Couples / Friends
  • Holiday Parties
  • House Parties
  • Office Parties
  • Small Groups
  • Small-Medium Parties
Players
4+
Playtime
< 30 min
Setup Time
< 5 min
Difficulty
Easy

Supplies

  • timer

How to Play Charades

  1. Charades Setup

    • Prepare Prompts – Write words or phrases on slips of paper or use a Charades app. Good examples include: Man demonstrating Charades game rules with hand signals for one word, film, and final word in four panels

      • Movies: Titanic, The Lion King, Star Wars

      • Songs: Happy Birthday, Thriller, Let It Go

      • Celebrities: Taylor Swift, Dwayne Johnson, Beyoncé

      • Actions: Brushing teeth, Riding a bike, Flying a kite

    • Divide Into Teams – Split the group into at least two teams.

    • Choose an Actor – Each round, one player acts while their teammates guess.

    • Set a Timer – Use a phone or kitchen timer, usually 60–90 seconds per turn.

    • Explain the No-Talking Rule – Actors can only use gestures and movements. No words, sounds, or props unless allowed by house rules.

  2. Act It Out, No Talking Allowed

    Actor silently performs their clue using only gestures.

  3. Guess the Answer

    Teammates shout guesses within 60–90 seconds. Correct guess earns a point.

  4. Rotate the Spotlight

    Actor role rotates so everyone participates.

  5. End with a Winner

    Game ends when a set score is reached or all prompts are used. Team with the most points wins the Charades game.

House Rules

  • Category Rounds: Restrict clues to a single category for themed play.

Community Rules

No community-submitted rules for this game yet.

Submit a Community Rule

Tips & Strategies

Use big, exaggerated gestures.

Break long phrases into chunks.

Agree on universal signals (book, movie, song).

Safety Note

Acting can get rowdy — make sure there’s space to move safely.

FAQs

What are the standard Charades gestures?

Ear tug = “sounds like,” rectangle = “movie,” book flip = “book” — common Charades rules.

Can Charades be played with kids?

Yes. Use kid-friendly categories like animals, foods, or superheroes.

What are fun Charades categories?

Movies, songs, sports, and holidays are great Charades ideas.