Charades is a classic game that kids love. It’s active, screen-free, and easy to set up—no special equipment needed. Whether you're at home, in a classroom, or planning a party, here’s a quick and simple guide on how to play charades with kids.

What You’ll Need

To get started, all you need is:

• A timer (your phone works great)
• A list of easy, kid-friendly words or picture clues
• Two or more players

If you want to save time, try Playmime.com. It’s a quick tool that gives you ready-to-go charades prompts.

How to Play Charades with Kids

1. Pick a Word or Clue

Choose a simple word or phrase. For younger children, you can whisper the word or show a picture instead of using written prompts.

You can prepare your own word cards or use Playmime to generate ideas instantly.

2. Act It Out—Without Talking

The child acts out the word using body movements and facial expressions. No speaking, mouthing words, or pointing at objects.

3. Make a Guess

The other players try to guess what the word is. Give about one to two minutes per turn. If no one guesses it, offer a hint or move on to the next player.

4. Take Turns

Once the round ends, switch roles. Keep the pace quick and let everyone have a turn to act and guess.

Easy Charades Ideas for Kids

Here are some kid-friendly categories to start with:

• Animals: cat, dog, elephant, bird
• Everyday Actions: brushing teeth, jumping, eating, waving
• Objects: backpack, ball, book, umbrella
• Characters: robot, pirate, superhero, teacher

Need more ideas? Playmime.com has a “Kids Mode” with ready-made clues for fast and easy gameplay.

Helpful Tips

• Use picture prompts for early readers
• Keep the game short and high-energy
• Focus on fun, not competition
• Celebrate every effort, not just correct answers

Start Playing

Now that you know the rules of charades, you're ready to jump in.