Charades

Quick Pitch

Charades is a lively party game where teams compete to guess words, phrases, movies, or people through silent acting and pantomime.

Equipment Needed

None formally—though a way to write/display words is helpful. Paper and pen for writing clues, or simply deciding on words before play.

Setup

• Divide players into two or more teams (typically 2-4 teams)
• Teams should be relatively balanced in size
• Gather in a space where one person can act out words for all to see
• Establish a list of words/phrases/titles to act out, or decide on a system to randomly select them
• Choose a timekeeper (optional but helpful)
• Establish a time limit for each round (typically 1-5 minutes)
• Explain the categories and hand signals (see rules)

Rules

Objective

Teams earn points by correctly guessing the word/phrase that their teammate is acting out. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

Gameplay

Selecting a Word:

• One team's actor receives a word/phrase/title to act out
• The word is written, whispered, or agreed upon beforehand
• Common categories:
  • Movie/Film: Act out a movie title
  • Book: Act out a book title
  • Person: Act out a famous person or character
  • Phrase/Quote: Act out a common phrase
  • Thing/Object: Act out a physical object

Acting Rules:

• The actor CANNOT speak, hum, or mouth words
• The actor CANNOT use props (though hand gestures and body language are essential)
• The actor CAN:
  • Use hand signals to give hints (see below)
  • Point to themselves or objects in the room
  • Use exaggerated movements and gestures
  • Draw in the air or mime actions
• Timing typically starts when the actor begins acting

Hand Signals (Standard Charades):

• Tapping ears: "Sounds like..."
• Pinching fingers: "Small word"
• Spreading arms: "Large/big"
• Number of fingers: How many words in the phrase
• Tugging ear: "Sounds like the word..."
• Pointing to eyes: "Look at this"
• Making a square: "Movie/film" (like a movie screen)
• Opening hands like a book: "Book"
• Clapping hands: "Keep going, you're right"
• Waving hand: "No, wrong direction"

Guessing:

• Teammates shout out guesses while the actor acts
• The actor confirms with enthusiasm when correct
• When a correct guess is made, the team scores a point
• Alternatively, if a guess is partially correct, the actor can gesture to acknowledge progress

Time Limit:

• Set a time limit (usually 1-5 minutes per actor)
• If the team guesses correctly before time expires, they score
• If time expires without a correct guess, no points are scored (typically)
• Proceed to the next team's actor

Team Rotation:

• After one team's actor finishes, the next team provides an actor
• Teams alternate in a rotation
• Each team uses a different word/phrase for their actor

Game Duration:

• Games typically continue until:
  • A set number of rounds is played
  • A team reaches a set number of points
  • Players decide to end
  • Time limit is reached

Scoring

• 1 point for each correct guess
• Cumulative points across all rounds
• Team with most points at game end wins
• Optional: Bonus points for guessing before time limit