Charades Ideas for Teens

Give the actor the phone and press Play a 1-minute round: 194 scenes from school, sport, phones and first jobs.

Charades Ideas for Teens

Taking a quiz to find out what kind of bread you are

Next step More party games for teensThe big all-ages charades deck

All 194 charades ideas for teens

The school day 20

  • A fire drill in the rain File out, hunch your shoulders and hold a folder over your head.
  • A substitute teacher reading the class list Squint at a name, try three versions of it and look up hopefully.
  • Blinking in your school photo Pose, flash, blink. Pose, flash, blink.
  • Carrying a backpack that weighs more than you do Lean forward like a ski jumper and tip backward when you stop.
  • Dropping your lunch tray in front of everyone Freeze while the room turns, then take a small bow.
  • Falling asleep in first period Let your chin slide off your hand, jolt up and nod wisely.
  • Forgetting your locker combination Spin the dial, yank, spin again, then rest your forehead on the door.
  • Getting called on when you were not listening Freeze, look to a neighbor for help, and answer with a shrug in it.
  • The last class on a Friday Stare at the clock, look away for an age, look back: one minute has passed.
  • Looking for a seat in the cafeteria Hold the tray high and turn in slow circles.
  • Opening a milk carton from the wrong side Tear one side, then the other, then give up and poke a hole.
  • Passing a note without the teacher seeing Stretch, yawn and drop it behind you in one smooth move.
  • Presenting a poster that keeps rolling back up Pin one corner with an elbow and the other with your chin.
  • Pretending to take notes while drawing in the margins Glance up, nod, and go back to shading.
  • Raising your hand and then forgetting the answer Shoot the arm up, open your mouth, and slowly bring the arm down.
  • Reading aloud and losing your place Follow the line with a finger, stall, and start the same line again.
  • Sitting down in the wrong classroom Get comfortable, look around slowly, and back out as though nothing happened.
  • Sliding into class as the bell rings Skid through the doorway and sit as if you were there all along.
  • Squeezing through a crowded hallway Turn sideways, lift your bag over your head and get swept backward.
  • Your pen dying halfway through a test Scribble circles, shake it and look around in despair.

Homework, tests and projects 20

  • A science fair volcano that will not erupt Pour, step back, wait, lean in, and get it in the face.
  • Carrying a poster board to school in the wind Shield it with your whole body and get spun around.
  • Counting on your fingers under the desk Hide your hands, count, run out of fingers and glance at your shoes.
  • Cramming the night before a test Flip pages faster and faster while you hold your eyelids open.
  • The dog really did eat your homework Hold up the chewed scraps and point at the dog.
  • Doing the whole group project by yourself Play four people: three lounging, one typing with both hands.
  • Falling asleep on an open textbook Wake up and peel the page off your cheek.
  • Filling the board with math and getting it wrong Circle the answer proudly, check the book, and erase the lot.
  • Finishing your homework on the bus Write on your knee and bounce with every pothole.
  • Giving a speech with shaking note cards Hold the cards in both hands and they still rattle.
  • Guessing on a multiple-choice question Cover your eyes, circle a finger in the air and stab the page.
  • Learning a poem by walking in circles Pace and mutter, peek at the page, pace again.
  • Making flashcards and never looking at them Write them with great care, square the stack and push it away.
  • Making the font bigger to fill the page Tap a key, check the length, tap again and look pleased.
  • Peeking at the grade on a test you just got back Lift one corner, slam it flat, breathe, lift it again.
  • Pretending you did the reading Nod along, say something vague with your hands and pass the question on.
  • Printing an essay two minutes before class Hit print, stare at the printer, pat it gently, then beg.
  • Putting off studying by cleaning your whole room Sit down to work, spot some dust, and end up vacuuming.
  • Sharpening a pencil until nothing is left Keep grinding, then hold up a stub the size of a fingernail.
  • Writing an essay one sentence at a time Type a line, count the words, sigh, type another.

Phone and social media habits 21

  • A parent typing a text with one finger Hold the phone at arm's length, tilt your head back and hunt for each letter.
  • A video call with the camera pointing up your chin Peer down at the screen and talk to your own forehead.
  • Arranging friends for a group photo Wave them left, then right, crouch, and count down on your fingers.
  • Being left on read Send it, watch the screen, put the phone face down, pick it straight back up.
  • Checking the screen after you drop your phone Pick it up with your eyes shut and peek with one eye.
  • Filming the same dance video for the twentieth time Hit record, do three moves, mess up, run back to the phone.
  • Getting caught texting under the desk Smile down at your lap, look up at the teacher, and slowly hand it over.
  • Hunting for a signal Hold the phone high, stand on tiptoe and lean toward the window.
  • Liking a photo from three years ago by accident Scroll, scroll, tap, freeze in horror, and fling the phone onto the bed.
  • Losing one wireless earbud Pat both ears, then crawl under the table after a tiny sound.
  • Photographing your food before anyone may eat Wave a hand away, stand on tiptoe and straighten the fork.
  • Saving a daily streak one minute before midnight Leap out of bed, tap wildly and collapse with relief.
  • Scrolling under the covers past your bedtime Squint at a tiny glow under the blanket and hide it at every footstep.
  • Sending a message to the wrong group chat Send, read it back, and watch your whole life flash past.
  • Sharing one pair of earphones on the bus Lean in shoulder to shoulder and get yanked sideways when the other one stands up.
  • Spending an hour on a one-word caption Type, delete, type, delete, and settle on a single dot.
  • Taking forty selfies and deleting every one Pose, check, frown, delete. Try again from a new angle.
  • Unboxing something for the camera Show the box to the lens and peel the tape very slowly.
  • Walking around the house to find better internet Hold the phone like a metal detector and stop in the oddest corner.
  • Watching your battery drop to one percent Dim everything, close everything and sprint for a charger.
  • Your phone ringing in a silent room Pat every pocket in a panic while everyone stares.

Gaming and screens 18

  • A dance game on the hardest level Stamp on the arrows and lose the rhythm entirely.
  • A victory dance after winning a match Slide to your knees with both fists in the air.
  • Being told to pause a game that cannot be paused Point at the screen, point at the door, and keep playing with one eye.
  • Blowing dust out of an old game cartridge Blow, slot it in, fail, and blow again with more faith.
  • Button mashing Hammer every button with your tongue out.
  • The controller dying in the middle of a boss fight Shake it, press harder and dive for the cable.
  • Fighting over the remote A tug of war with one hand each.
  • Giving advice to a player who did not ask for it Point over a shoulder and grab at the air where the controller is.
  • Hiding your screen when a parent walks in Swipe to homework and look deeply interested in it.
  • Lag at the worst possible moment Move in jerks, freeze mid-step, then snap forward.
  • Leaning your whole body in a racing game Steer the controller and tilt until you nearly slide off the couch.
  • Losing to a younger sibling at a video game Hand over the controller in disbelief and demand a rematch.
  • One more level at two in the morning Hold up one finger, play, hold up one finger again.
  • Rage quitting and coming back a minute later Set the controller down with great dignity, walk out, creep back.
  • Spending hours on a build and knocking it down Place the last block with pride, turn around and sweep it all away.
  • Swinging a motion controller and hitting a lamp Serve like a tennis pro and freeze at the crash.
  • Waiting for an update to download Stare at the bar, go and make a sandwich, come back: two percent.
  • Watching a whole season in one night Click next, and next, while the sun comes up behind you.

Gym class and school sports 20

  • A cheerleader who forgot the routine Go left when everyone goes right and finish with a big smile anyway.
  • A coach pacing the sideline Arms folded, clipboard under one arm, pointing at three players at once.
  • A goalkeeper facing a penalty kick Bounce on the line, guess a side and dive the wrong way.
  • A relay runner dropping the baton Reach back, fumble, juggle it and chase it across the lanes.
  • A team photo where nobody can stand still Shuffle along the row, crouch, and get elbowed.
  • Climbing the rope in gym class Get one foot off the floor and hang there.
  • The last player standing in dodgeball Twist, duck, jump, and get hit from behind.
  • Learning to skateboard One push, arms out, and step off in a hurry.
  • Lifting a weight that is too heavy Get the bar as far as your knees and put it back with dignity.
  • Picking teams as the gym class captain Point, change your mind, and point at somebody else.
  • Push-ups while the teacher counts slowly Hold halfway down, arms trembling, waiting for the next number.
  • Putting on shin guards and socks in the wrong order Sock on, remember the guard, sock off, start again.
  • Running the mile in gym class Start strong, slow to a walk and clutch your side.
  • Scoring in your own goal Celebrate wildly, then notice that nobody else is.
  • Shooting a free throw with the whole gym watching Bounce three times, breathe, shoot, and watch it circle the rim.
  • Sitting on the bench hoping the coach looks your way Lean forward at every whistle, half stand, sit back down.
  • Stretching before the race and getting stuck Touch your toes and stay down there.
  • Swimming a lap in goggles that leak Stop every three strokes to tip the water out.
  • Taking a volleyball to the face Call for it, arms out, and take it on the nose.
  • Tryouts on wobbly legs Shake out your hands, step up and trip over the line.

Band, drama and clubs 18

  • A chess club player who takes ten minutes to move Reach for a piece, pull back, reach for another, pull back.
  • A choir member who only mouths the words Open wide on every note with nothing coming out.
  • A debater who runs out of time mid-sentence Build to the big point, hear the bell, and keep gesturing in silence.
  • A drummer who cannot stop tapping Tap the desk, your knees and the back of the chair in front.
  • A marching band member turning the wrong way March off proudly alone, notice, and scurry back into line.
  • A robotics club robot driving off the table Steer with the remote, watch it go, and dive to catch it.
  • A school play where the scenery falls over Keep acting while you hold up a wall with one hand.
  • A yearbook photographer trying to make everyone smile Wave a hand above the camera, pull a face, click at the wrong moment.
  • Auditioning for the school musical Jazz hands, a big finish and a hopeful look at the judges.
  • The first day with a new instrument Blow hard, get a squeak, and look down the end of it.
  • Forgetting your line on stage Open your mouth, freeze, and lean toward the wings with a hand to your ear.
  • Painting scenery and getting it all over yourself Wipe your brow and leave a stripe.
  • Playing the trombone in a crowded band room Push the slide out and poke the player in front.
  • Running a bake sale and eating the stock Arrange the cookies, look both ways, and arrange a smaller pile.
  • Running for class president Shake hands down a line, hand out badges and wave to a crowd of three.
  • Taking a bow and knocking over the microphone Bow low, clunk, and catch the stand.
  • Working the spotlight and losing the actor Swing the beam around the stage, searching.
  • Your voice cracking in a solo Reach for the high note and clutch your throat.

Chores and life at home 19

  • A dog dragging you around the block Lean back on the leash, wrap around a lamppost and untangle yourself.
  • Asking a parent for a ride in your nicest voice Bring a cup of tea, fluff a cushion, and then clasp your hands.
  • Babysitting a toddler who will not go to bed Tuck them in, tiptoe out, and turn to find them behind you.
  • Being woken up for school Pull the blanket over your head and hold on while it is dragged away.
  • Cleaning your room by pushing it all under the bed Sweep with one foot, then sit on the bed to keep it down.
  • Cooking dinner for the family for the first time Read the recipe, flap a tea towel at the ceiling, and serve it with a flourish anyway.
  • Doing your own laundry for the first time Read the label, shrug, and pull out a tiny shrunken sweater.
  • Explaining your screen time to a parent Point at the phone, mime a book, mime homework, and get nowhere.
  • The middle seat on a family road trip Elbows in, knees together, and lean with every bend.
  • Mowing the lawn in zigzags Push, daydream, and look back at the wobbly stripes.
  • Outgrowing your jeans overnight Pull them on and look down at your ankles in surprise.
  • Sneaking a midnight snack Tiptoe, open the cupboard a hair at a time, and freeze when the hall light comes on.
  • Staring into the fridge Open it, stare, close it, and open it again in case something changed.
  • Taking out the trash at arm's length Pinch your nose and hold the bag as far away as you can.
  • Unloading the dishwasher as slowly as possible Carry one spoon at a time across the kitchen.
  • Vacuuming with headphones on Dance down the hall and never notice the plug came out.
  • Waiting for a sibling to leave the bathroom Knock, wait, knock, slide down the door and check your wrist.
  • Wearing the same hoodie all week Sniff the sleeve, shrug and pull the hood up.
  • Your parent dancing in front of your friends Play the parent dancing, then the teen hiding behind one hand.

Driving, first jobs and milestones 20

  • A bad haircut the day before picture day Look in the mirror, pull a hat down low and peek again.
  • A first driving lesson Hands at ten and two, lurch forward, stamp on the brake.
  • A graduation gown that does not fit Push the cap up off your eyes and trip on the hem.
  • Delivering a pizza to the wrong house Ring, present the box proudly, check the address and back away.
  • Eating after your braces are tightened Hold your jaw and try a very careful spoonful of soup.
  • The first day on a cash register Press a key, jump when the drawer opens, and count coins one by one.
  • Growing taller than your parents Stand back to back, measure with a flat hand, and pat them on the head.
  • Interviewing for your first summer job Wipe your palm, shake hands and perch on the edge of the chair.
  • Learning to tie a tie from a video Pause, loop, pause, and finish with a knot the size of a fist.
  • Opening a letter that decides your future Hold it to the light, hand it to someone else, and snatch it back.
  • Parallel parking with a parent in the passenger seat Play both: the driver inching back, the parent gripping the door handle.
  • Posing for your first ID photo Practice three smiles and get caught mid-blink.
  • Putting gas in the car for the first time Circle the car to find the cap, then wrestle the hose.
  • Scooping ice cream that is frozen solid Lean your whole weight on the scoop and bend it.
  • Shaving for the first time Far too much foam, then tiny careful strokes.
  • Showing everyone your new learner's permit Flash the card like a detective's badge.
  • Standing at the edge of a school dance Nod to the beat, sip your punch and step side to side an inch.
  • Throwing your cap at graduation and losing it Throw, watch it go, and search the crowd's hands for yours.
  • Walking in dress shoes for the first time Wobble like a newborn deer.
  • Washing dishes at a restaurant on a busy night The stack grows faster than you can scrub it.

Friends, sleepovers and hangouts 19

  • A blanket fort that collapses on you Prop up the roof, crawl in, and flail as it comes down.
  • A secret handshake with ten steps Slap, bump, spin, and forget step seven.
  • An inside joke that one person does not get Two people in stitches, one looking back and forth. Play all three.
  • Carrying snacks for six back from the counter Stack the cups, clamp a bag in your teeth and open the door with a hip.
  • Catching the giggles from a friend during a test Hold it in, catch their eye, and fold over the desk.
  • Getting out of a beanbag chair Sink in, try to stand, and roll out sideways.
  • Going for a high five and getting a fist bump Open hand meets closed fist. Swap, and miss again.
  • Keeping a surprise party secret Zip your lips, nearly burst, and clap a hand over your mouth.
  • Pretending to know a song everyone else is singing Mumble along, then shout the one word you know.
  • Showing off a card trick too early Fan the cards, pick the wrong one, and check up your sleeve.
  • Splitting a pizza fairly Measure the slices with your fingers and guard the biggest.
  • Spotting your teacher at the grocery store Freeze, duck behind a shelf and peek around the end.
  • Staying up all night at a sleepover Hold your eyelids open and fall asleep mid-sentence.
  • Taking a quiz to find out what kind of bread you are Answer each question with deep thought and nod at the result.
  • Taking an hour to choose a movie Scroll, shake your head, scroll, and fall asleep before you pick.
  • Trying not to laugh while you are being told off Bite your lip, stare at the floor and shake.
  • Trying to sleep beside a friend who snores Pillow over your ears, a gentle poke, then roll them over like a log.
  • Turning up in the same outfit as a friend Look at them, look at yourself, and slowly zip your jacket up.
  • Whispering to a friend in a movie theater Lean over, cup a hand, get shushed, and mime the rest.

Moods and school-year moments 19

  • A free period you forgot you had Pack up for class, check the schedule twice, and put your feet up.
  • A pop quiz The teacher says two words and the whole room slumps. Play the slump.
  • An awkward silence Look at the ceiling, tap your knees, and start to speak just as someone else does.
  • Beginner's luck First throw, bullseye, shrug. Second throw, nowhere near.
  • Being grounded Hand over the phone like a sacred treasure and press your face to the window.
  • Being hangry Snap at everyone, eat something, and turn into sunshine.
  • Curfew Check the time, sprint home and slide through the door on the last second.
  • Detention Arms folded, eyes on the clock, writing the same line over and over.
  • Extra credit Finish the work, hold it out, and then pull a second, bigger stack from behind your back.
  • Fear of missing out See the photos on your phone, look out of the window and sigh.
  • Finding out that school is closed for snow Look out of the window, check the phone, and dance back into bed.
  • The first morning back after summer Drag your feet with your bag trailing on the floor and squint at the daylight.
  • The five-minute warning before you leave the house One shoe on, toast in your mouth, hopping to the door.
  • The last day of school Watch the clock, count down on your fingers and burst through the door.
  • Pajama day at school Shuffle down the hall in slippers, hugging a pillow.
  • Second-hand embarrassment Watch through your fingers and sink down in your seat.
  • Sibling rivalry Two people racing for the front seat. Play both and call it a tie.
  • Spirit week in the wrong costume Walk in dressed up, look around at everyone else, and check the calendar.
  • Summer boredom by week two Lie upside down on the couch and sigh at the ceiling.

How it works

Charades ideas for teens, 13 to 17: 194 scenes from their own life: forgetting your locker combination, being left on read, parallel parking with a parent in the passenger seat. No film titles, app names or dating cards.

Read the full guide

Why teenagers need their own cards

Hand a fifteen-year-old Elephant and you get an eye roll. Hand over a film from before they were born and you get a shrug. A self-conscious actor needs a card the whole room has lived through. Nobody laughs at the actor in Sitting down in the wrong classroom. They laugh because it happened to them last week.

Choosing topics and levels for ages 13 to 17

Warm up a quiet group on Easy cards from The school day. Pick Gym class and school sports for a team party, or Band, drama and clubs for a cast party. Moods and school-year moments is the hard end: 13 of its 19 cards are Hard, such as Curfew and Beginner's luck.

  • Let shy players act in pairs first. Your parent dancing in front of your friends is built for two.
  • Say before the first card that passing costs nothing and needs no reason.
  • Stack every phone but one in the middle of the floor, then pick Phone and social media habits.

Questions and answers

Are these charades ideas for teens safe for a youth group?

Yes. The deck has no dating or crush cards, no alcohol, and no app, game or brand names. Every card is printed under the tool with its staging hint, so a leader can read all 194 first. Under-tens have the charades generator for kids.

Does a guess have to match the card word for word?

No, and with slang it cannot. Agree one house rule first: a guess wins when it names the situation. For Being left on read, accept no reply or ignored. For Saving a daily streak one minute before midnight, streak is enough.

Can teens play against their parents with this deck?

Yes. Parents know the Chores and life at home cards from the other side, and teens see their own habits acted back in Gaming and screens. A house rule that works: each team picks the topic the other must act.

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