If you’ve ever run out of ideas mid‑game, this themed charades word list is your new favorite bookmark. We’ve organized prompts by audience and difficulty — so you can warm up with kid‑friendly actions, challenge teens with pop culture, and keep adults entertained with movies, sports, and office‑life scenes.

You can also skip the lists and start instantly in /play with built‑in categories and levels.

How to use this list

• Pick 1–2 themes per round to keep the energy focused.
• Start easy, then escalate difficulty each round.
• Mix physical categories (Animals, Sports) with cerebral ones (Movies & TV) for variety.
• Keep turns short (60–90 seconds) and score 1 point per correct guess.

Kids and families (easy)

Animals

Cat, Dog, Elephant, Giraffe, Penguin, Monkey, Lion, Dolphin, Kangaroo, Butterfly

Actions

Brushing teeth, Riding a bike, Baking cookies, Jumping rope, Planting a seed, Flying a kite, Watering plants, Reading a book

Places & objects

Playground, School bus, Supermarket, Tent, Airplane, Backpack, Beach day, Snowman, Treehouse

Food

Pizza, Ice cream, Pancakes, Popcorn, Sandwich, Apple, Birthday cake, Lemonade

Teens and mixed groups (easy → medium)

Pop culture & music

Music video, Air guitar, Rock concert, Headphones, DJ, Karaoke night, Selfie, Viral dance

Sports & fitness

Penalty kick, Slam dunk, Marathon, Yoga pose, Tennis serve, Home run, Skateboarding, Surfing

Movies & TV

The Lion King, Jurassic Park, Titanic, Frozen, The Avengers, The Matrix, The Office, Stranger Things

Adults and party nights (medium → hard)

Occupations & archetypes

Detective, Astronaut, Chef, Barista, Magician, Superhero, Pirate, Librarian, Meteorologist

Travel & experiences

Road trip, Airport security, Subway ride, Beach day, Camping, City skyline, Hotel check‑in, Souvenir shop

Abstract & phrases

Plot twist, Cliffhanger, Undercover agent, Fortune teller, Mind blown, Time machine

Office & remote teams

Work life

Daily stand‑up, Coffee break, Brainstorming, Zoom call, Whiteboard, Deadline, Water cooler, Lunch break

Tech & communication

Emoji, Screenshot, Password reset, Calendar invite, Muted microphone, Wi‑Fi signal

Build your own sets

To create custom word banks, start with people’s interests. For example, a travel‑loving group can play “Around the World,” with prompts like train station, passport control, street market, and mountain hike. Music lovers can pull from instruments (drums, violin), events (music festival), and roles (sound engineer).

Rotate the theme every round and let the current actor choose from two prompts if nerves kick in. The aim is momentum and laughter, not perfection.

Quick formats for any group

• Family night: Animals → Actions → Food (easy)
• Friends party: Pop culture → Sports → Movies (mixed)
• Remote team: Office life → Travel → Actions (inclusive)

End with a “Wildcard” round where actors can pick any theme. It’s the perfect finale.

Try it instantly

If you don’t want to manage lists, visit /play and choose a mode. PlayMime’s online charades game includes difficulty settings and timers so you can focus on acting, laughing, and winning.

Bookmark this page and come back whenever you need fresh charades words — your future game nights will thank you.

Quick FAQ

How many words should I prep per round?
8–12 prompts keep the pace brisk. Stack themed rounds rather than one long list.

Can I play this list online?
Yes — open /play and select a mode you and your friends prefer.