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Party Game Generator

Charades Ideas for Kids

Simple things young kids know and can act out without words. Hide the word, start the timer, and let them go. For under-fives, skip the timer.

50 words ready

Press the button to get your first word.

1:00

Tip: press the space bar for the next one.

The full list: 50 words

Prefer to read them all? Every word in the generator is below.

Easy / kids (50)

  • Brushing your teeth
  • Riding a bike
  • Swimming
  • Sleeping
  • Eating spaghetti
  • Jumping rope
  • Flying a kite
  • Playing the drums
  • Monkey
  • Elephant
  • Snake
  • Kangaroo
  • Penguin
  • Frog
  • Chicken
  • Dog
  • Cat
  • Fish
  • Bird
  • Bunny
  • Crying baby
  • Robot
  • Superhero
  • Ballerina
  • Pirate
  • Kicking a ball
  • Building a sandcastle
  • Washing your hands
  • Blowing bubbles
  • Climbing a ladder
  • Throwing a snowball
  • Opening a present
  • Eating ice cream
  • Taking a photo
  • Reading a book
  • Playing guitar
  • Driving a car
  • Baking a cake
  • Painting a picture
  • Hula hooping
  • Butterfly
  • Dinosaur
  • Lion
  • Bear
  • Duck
  • Brushing hair
  • Putting on shoes
  • Yawning
  • Sneezing
  • Tickling

How to play charades

  1. Split into two teams. One player from the first team takes the phone.
  2. Press the button, then 'Hide word' so only the actor sees it.
  3. Start the 60-second timer. The actor acts the word out without speaking, pointing at letters or mouthing words.
  4. Use the standard signs: hold up fingers for the number of words, tap your arm for syllables, cup your ear for 'sounds like'.
  5. If the team guesses before the timer ends, they score a point. Then the other team takes a turn.

Playing offline? Card games we like

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    Picture cards for kids who can't read yet, so the little ones can play too.

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  • Heads Up style party game

    The forehead-guessing cousin of charades. Great for big groups.

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  • Sand timers for games

    If you'd rather not hand round a phone, a one-minute sand timer does the job.

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These are Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Questions people ask

What are the rules of charades?

One person acts out a word or phrase without speaking while their team guesses. No talking, no pointing at objects in the room, and no mouthing words. The team scores if they guess within the time limit, usually one minute.

What are good charades ideas for kids?

Animals and everyday actions work best for young kids: brushing teeth, swimming, a monkey, a robot. Pick the 'Easy / kids' category in the generator.

What are the hand signals in charades?

Hold up fingers to show the number of words. Then hold up fingers again for which word you are acting. Lay fingers on your forearm to show the number of syllables. Cup your ear for 'sounds like'. Crank an imaginary camera for a movie, open your palms like a book for a book title, and pretend to sing for a song.

How long should each charades turn be?

One minute is standard. Use 90 seconds for hard words and phrases, and skip the timer entirely for very young kids.