How to Play Charades

A fun, step-by-step guide to playing the classic game of Charades with your friends and family using only your actions.

1. Write your clues. Think of simple things to act out, like 'brushing teeth,' 'playing basketball,' or 'a cat.' Write each idea on a separate slip of paper, fold them up, and drop them into your bowl.
2. Set the rules. Decide how much time the actor gets to perform, such as 60 seconds. Agree on hand signals, like holding up two fingers to show you are acting out a movie, or pretending to read to show it is a book.
3. Take your turn. Pick a slip of paper from the bowl without showing anyone. When your team says 'Go,' start acting out your clue using only your body and hands. Remember, no talking or making sound effects!
4. Guess the clue. While you act, your teammates shout out their guesses. If someone says the right word before the timer goes off, your team gets a point.