Classroom Charades

Press Next card and one student acts the lesson word while the class guesses.

Classroom Charades

A lighthouse keeper at night

1 of 164

Next step The full deck of charades ideas

How it works

This charades classroom game deals lesson words to act out: Evaporation, Right angle, A river delta, The plot twist. Language class holds adverbs and whole sentences, so the guess has to include the grammar.

Read the full guide

Pick the subject you are teaching

Before the first card, press Subject and choose Science in motion, Math with your body, Geography and weather, History and community or Story words. One student acts and the class calls out the word. Hard cards are terms to review, such as Photosynthesis or Vertex. The full list gives a way to act each card.

A charades sentence generator for a language class

Language class starts with a verb and an adverb, such as Walk slowly, and the class must name both. Then come sentences: She is tying her shoes. On Hard the tense is the point: She was reading when the phone rang. As an ESL charades generator, start on Easy.

Tips
  • Agree first whether melting is enough for An ice cube melting, or the class must say the phrase.
  • For a quiet room, guessers write the word on a mini whiteboard and hold it up.

Questions and answers

What are good charades ideas for students?

Words they have just learned, with a motion in them: Magnets repelling, Hopping along a number line, A tornado crossing a field, The villain's entrance. Each is acted with the whole body and none needs a prop.

Does it work as a vocabulary review?

Yes. Pick the subject and Hard, and each card is a term to act and then define, such as Erosion, Diameter or Foreshadowing. In the full list, hints that begin Meaning follow Wiktionary's definitions.

Can I print cards from the classroom charades generator?

Yes. When a round ends, Print these prints the cards of the subject and level you chose as slips to cut apart.

More tools

Browse Acting and Drawing

All 164 classroom charades cards

Science in motion 27

  • A bear in hibernation Meaning: a state of inactivity in some animals during winter. Yawn, curl up in a den and sleep through the snow.
  • A food chain Meaning: the feeding relationships between species. Be a plant, then the rabbit that eats it, then a fox that spots the rabbit.
  • A kettle about to boil Wiggle your fingers upward as bubbles, slow at first, then fast.
  • A pendulum swinging Meaning: something hung from a fixed point so that it swings back and forth. Swing one stiff arm, tick, tock.
  • A pond freezing over Move slower and slower, then stop stiff with a shiver.
  • A seed sprouting Germination is the start of growth from a seed. Curl up small, then push one arm up as a shoot.
  • An echo coming back Meaning: a reflected sound heard again. Shout across a valley, cup your ear and mouth it back smaller.
  • An eclipse of the sun Meaning: one object in the sky coming in front of another. Hold up a sun and slide your other hand across it.
  • An ice cube melting Stand stiff as ice, then sag slowly toward the floor.
Show all 164 classroom charades cards (155 more)

Science in motion, continued

  • Camouflage Meaning: a disguise or covering up. Freeze against a wall and try to match it.
  • Completing a circuit A circuit is the closed path of an electric current. Trace a loop with one finger and, as it closes, switch on a bulb.
  • Condensation Meaning: a gas turning into a liquid. Float about, gather into a drop and slide down a window.
  • Erosion Meaning: wearing away, as the sea wears a cliff. Stand as a cliff and crumble a little with each wave.
  • Evaporation Meaning: a liquid turning into a gas. Crouch as a puddle, then rise on your toes and drift away.
  • Friction Meaning: a force that resists one surface sliding on another. Push a heavy box that will not slide.
  • Geese on migration Meaning: the seasonal moving of animals. Flap in a line, look at the sky and point far away.
  • Gravity Meaning: the force that draws bodies toward each other. Jump, and get pulled straight back down.
  • Lifting with a pulley A pulley is a wheel with a rope that lifts a load. Pull a rope down hand over hand while your eyes follow the load up.
  • Magnets attracting To attract is to pull toward without touching. One hand drags the other through the air until they snap together.
  • Magnets repelling To repel is to force away. Bring two fists together and let them spring apart.
  • Metamorphosis Meaning: a change of form as an animal develops, such as caterpillar to butterfly. Crawl, wrap up, then unfold wings.
  • Orbit Meaning: the curved path of one object around another. Walk a steady circle around a chair.
  • Photosynthesis Meaning: how plants turn light energy into chemical energy. Be a leaf, soak up the sun and grow.
  • Pollination Meaning: the transfer of pollen, often by insects. Be a bee carrying dust from one flower to the next.
  • Static electricity Meaning: an electric charge built up by friction. Rub a balloon on your sleeve and stick it to a wall.
  • Sugar dissolving Meaning: breaking down into a solution in a liquid. Stir a cup, then be the sugar that swirls and vanishes.
  • Using a lever A lever is a rigid bar that turns about one point. Push one end of a long bar down to lift a rock at the other.

Math with your body 27

  • Acute angle Meaning: an angle of less than 90 degrees. Open your arms just a little, like scissors.
  • Building a bar graph Meaning: a graph that compares values with bars. Hold one hand at three heights, side by side.
  • Clockwise Meaning: the way the hands of a clock move. Circle one arm like a clock hand.
  • Counterclockwise Meaning: the opposite direction from clockwise. Circle one arm, stop, and send it back the other way.
  • Counting by fives Flash five fingers again and again, nodding each time.
  • Cutting something in half Hold an apple, slice it down the middle and hand one piece away.
  • Diameter Meaning: a straight line across a circle through its center. Stretch both arms out, edge to edge.
  • The equals sign Hold two forearms flat, one above the other, then balance both hands like scales.
  • Flipping a shape Hold a flat shape in both hands and turn it over like a pancake.
  • Greater than Make an alligator mouth with your arms and open it toward a big pile.
  • Hopping along a number line Meaning: a line that shows numbers as points in order. Hop along a line, counting on your fingers.
  • Infinity Meaning: having no end or limit. Count on your fingers, run out, shrug and keep going.
  • Less than Hold up a tiny pinch in one hand and a big armful in the other, and point the open mouth away from the pinch.
  • Making tally marks Meaning: marks made for counting. Draw four strokes in the air and slash a fifth across them.
  • Obtuse angle Meaning: an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180. Open your arms wide, but not flat.
  • Pairing up to find odd or even Pair your fingers off two by two, then hold up the one left over.
  • Parallel lines Meaning: lines the same distance apart at every point. Hold both arms straight out in front, side by side.
  • Perpendicular lines Meaning: lines that meet at a right angle. Cross your forearms like a plus sign.
  • Radius Meaning: a line from the center of a circle to its edge. Stand in the middle and reach one arm to the rim.
  • Right angle Meaning: an angle of 90 degrees. One arm straight up, the other straight out to the side.
  • Sharing equally Deal invisible cookies one at a time onto three plates, then check they match.
  • Sliding a shape Hold a flat shape and move it sideways without turning it.
  • Symmetry Meaning: an exact match on either side of a dividing line. Draw a line down your middle and mirror both hands.
  • Turning a shape A rotation is a turn around a center. Plant one foot and turn the rest of you around it.
  • Vertex Meaning: a corner point of a shape. Draw a triangle in the air and tap each corner.
  • Walking the perimeter Meaning: the distance around the sides of a shape. Walk the edge of a rug, counting your steps.
  • What comes next in the pattern Clap, stomp, clap, stomp, then point at the class with a question on your face.

Geography and weather 26

  • A field in a drought Meaning: a long time of unusually low rainfall. Look up for rain, hold out a dry hand and tip an empty watering can.
  • A glacier creeping downhill Meaning: a large body of ice that flows slowly downhill. Creep forward very slowly, pushing rocks ahead of you.
  • A hurricane coming ashore Lean hard into the wind, hold your hat and circle one arm slowly overhead.
  • A peninsula Meaning: land that sticks out into water from a larger piece of land. Stretch one arm out and ripple water on three sides of it.
  • A rainbow arching over a field Feel for drops, see the sun come out, then draw a big arch.
  • A river delta Meaning: land at the mouth of a river, where it empties into the sea. Flow as one river, then split your fingers into many streams.
  • A river meeting the sea Wind along as a river, then spread your arms wide into waves.
  • A spinning globe Spin a ball on a stand with one finger and stop it on one spot.
  • A street in a flood Watch water rise past your ankles and knees and lift a box up high.
  • A tornado crossing a field Spin with one arm up as a funnel and travel across the room.
  • A volcano waking up Crouch and rumble, then throw your arms up and let the lava run down.
  • A year of four seasons Shiver, sniff a flower, fan yourself, then catch a falling leaf.
  • An avalanche starting Meaning: a mass of snow sliding fast down a mountain. Roll your arms downhill and jump clear.
  • Climbing a mountain range Make peak after peak with your hands, then climb one.
  • Counting the seconds after lightning Zigzag one arm down, count on your fingers, then cover your ears.
  • Crossing a desert Trudge over hot sand, wipe your brow and shake an empty canteen.
  • Crossing the equator Meaning: an imaginary circle around the middle of the Earth. Draw a belt around a globe, then fan yourself.
  • Fog rolling in Walk slowly with your hands out, peering and waving the air away.
  • The ground shaking in an earthquake Stand still, then shake from the feet up and steady a table.
  • North, south, east and west Turn a compass in your palm, then point up the map, down, right and left.
  • Standing at the rim of a canyon Meaning: a long, narrow, steep valley cut by a river. Stand at the edge, look far down and call for an echo.
  • Standing on a tiny island Stand on one spot and show water all around with wavy hands.
  • The tide coming in The tide is the daily rise and fall of the sea. Step forward a little with each wave, then rescue your towel.
  • Tracing a route with one finger Unfold a big map, turn it around twice and follow a road with a fingertip.
  • Walking through a blizzard Meaning: a big snowstorm with strong wind. Trudge bent over with one arm shielding your eyes.
  • Water going over a waterfall Flow along, drop both hands straight down and splash.

History and community 27

  • A blacksmith at the anvil Meaning: a person who forges iron. Hammer a glowing bar on an anvil and dunk it in water.
  • A cartographer Meaning: one who makes maps. Look out across the land, then draw a coastline with care.
  • A crossing guard at the corner Hold up a stop sign and wave the children across.
  • A farmer plowing Walk behind a plow with both hands on the handles.
  • A firefighter at a hydrant Pull on a helmet, grab a hose and aim it up high.
  • A judge hearing both sides Sit up tall, listen to one side and then the other, and tap a gavel.
  • A knight putting on armor Walk stiffly, lower a visor and raise a shield.
  • A librarian shelving books Stamp a book, shelve it up high and put a finger to your lips.
  • A lighthouse keeper at night A lighthouse shows a light to guide sailors. Climb a spiral stair and turn a big lamp.
  • A mail carrier on the route Walk a route with a shoulder bag and slide letters into boxes.
  • A mayor cutting a ribbon Hold giant scissors, cut and wave to the crowd.
  • A miner panning for gold Swirl a pan in a stream, pick out one speck and hold it up.
  • A pioneer Meaning: one who goes first and prepares the way for others. Drive a wagon, shade your eyes and point ahead.
  • A reporter at an interview Hold a microphone out, nod and scribble notes.
  • A scribe Meaning: someone who writes for others. Dip a pen and copy slowly from one scroll to another.
  • A telegraph operator A telegraph sent messages over a long distance in code. Tap a key in short and long taps, listening hard.
  • A town crier with a bell Meaning: a person who makes public announcements in the streets. Ring a hand bell, unroll a scroll and call out.
  • A volunteer at a food drive Pack cans into a box, tape it shut and pass it down a line.
  • A weaver at a loom A loom is a frame for weaving thread into cloth. Pass a shuttle from side to side and pull a bar toward you.
  • An archaeologist digging An archaeologist studies archaeology. Kneel, brush the dirt from a find and lift it gently.
  • An astronaut planting a flag Bounce slowly, push a pole into the ground and salute.
  • An explorer with a spyglass Pull a spyglass open, scan the horizon and point.
  • Building a pyramid Haul a huge block on a rope, set it down and look up at the point.
  • Casting a vote Mark a paper behind a screen, fold it and drop it in a box.
  • The printing press Meaning: a machine for printing text again and again. Ink the letters, pull a big lever and peel off a page.
  • Signing with a quill Dip a feather pen, sign with a flourish and blow the ink dry.
  • Taking a census A census is an official count of a population. Knock on doors with a clipboard and count on your fingers.

Story words 27

  • A cliffhanger ending Meaning: an ending that leaves the story unresolved. Hang from an edge by your fingers, then snap the book shut.
  • A fable Meaning: a short tale that teaches a truth, usually with animals. Be a slow tortoise passing a sleeping hare.
  • A flashback scene Meaning: an earlier event put into the middle of a story. Freeze, wind time back with both hands and replay a memory.
  • A mystery to solve Peer through a magnifying glass, follow footprints and scratch your head.
  • A simile Meaning: a comparison that uses like or as. Act quiet as a mouse: write the word as in the air, then tiptoe.
  • An author at a desk Type, crumple a page, type again, then sign a book.
  • An illustrator at work Meaning: a person who draws pictures for a book. Read a line, then sketch it on the page beside.
  • Beginning, middle and end Open a book at the front, the middle and the back, counting one, two, three.
  • The conflict Meaning: opposing forces in a story. Pull hard on a rope, then run round and pull from the other end.
  • Dialogue Meaning: conversation between two or more characters. Turn left and speak silently, turn right and answer.
  • Exaggeration Hyperbole is extreme overstatement. Show a fish this big, then this big, then too big for the room.
  • Foreshadowing Meaning: hints of what will come later in a story. Point at dark clouds, tap your temple and look at the audience.
  • The happy ending Everyone waves, the sun sets, and you close the book with a smile.
  • The hero arriving just in time Hands on hips, chin up, then rush off to help.
  • The last line of a chapter Read to the bottom, gasp, turn the page and settle in.
  • The moral at the end Meaning: the practical lesson of a story. Close a book, raise one finger and nod.
  • The narrator Meaning: the voice that tells the story. Stand to one side, open a big book and gesture at the scene.
  • Onomatopoeia Meaning: a word that sounds like what it names. Mime a bee, a clock and a splash, pointing at your ear each time.
  • The plot twist Meaning: a change in the expected direction of a story. Walk one way with confidence, gasp and spin the other way.
  • Point of view Meaning: the position a story is told from. Look through one window, step aside and look through another.
  • Rhyming words Tap one ear, then act a cat and a hat.
  • The setting Meaning: the time and place of a story. Look around: point at a clock, the sky and the ground.
  • The sidekick Meaning: a helper to the main character. Walk one step behind, carry the bags and give a thumbs up.
  • Suspense Meaning: excited waiting to learn what happens. Creep to a door and reach for the handle very, very slowly.
  • Telling a legend Meaning: a traditional story about past events. Tell a tale by a fire, your arms growing wider.
  • The title Hold up a book and underline the top of its cover with a finger.
  • The villain's entrance Meaning: the character who plays the bad part. Rub your hands, narrow your eyes and creep.

Language class 30

  • The baby is sleeping. Rock a baby, lay it down and tiptoe away.
  • Clap proudly Chest out, chin up, clap slowly toward someone.
  • Dance clumsily Dance, step on your own foot and keep going.
  • The dog is hiding a bone. Dig with two paws, drop a bone in and nose the dirt back.
  • Eat messily Big bites, crumbs everywhere, wipe your chin with your sleeve.
  • He is closing a wet umbrella. Step indoors, pull an umbrella shut and shake off the rain.
  • He is looking out of the window. Pull a curtain aside, press your nose to the glass and look left and right.
  • He will open the present after dinner. Point at a wrapped box, shake your head, eat first, then point at the box again.
  • I am drying the plates. Take a wet plate, rub it with a towel and stack it.
  • I am zipping my coat. Pull a zipper up to your chin, pointing at yourself for I.
  • I have lost my glasses. Squint, feel along a table and find them on your head.
  • Jump joyfully Jump with both arms up and a huge grin.
  • Knock impatiently Knock, tap a foot, check a watch and knock again, faster.
  • Laugh nervously A small laugh, a look around, a tug at your collar.
  • Read sleepily Hold a book, let your head nod and jerk awake.
  • Run silently Run on the spot on tiptoe with a finger to your lips.
  • She is feeding the hens. Scatter grain in a wide arc and step around the pecking. The guess needs she and is.
  • She is tying her shoes. Kneel, make two loops and pull them tight.
  • She was reading when the phone rang. Read calmly, jump at a ring and pick up. The guess needs was and when.
  • Sing quietly Open your mouth wide to sing, then shrink it with one finger to your lips.
  • Stretch lazily A slow stretch, a yawn, and flop.
  • They are moving a long table. Pull in a partner, take one end each and shuffle sideways.
  • They are painting a door. Two painters, one high and one low, brushes going up and down.
  • Tiptoe quickly Fast tiny steps on your toes, arms out for balance.
  • Walk slowly One long step at a time, checking a watch.
  • Wave politely A small wave, a nod and a smile.
  • We are counting the steps. Climb with a partner, pointing at each step and holding up fingers.
  • We sang until the lights went out. Sing with a partner, arms wide, then freeze and look up at the dark.
  • Whisper loudly Cup a hand to your mouth and whisper with huge lips and big arms.
  • Write carefully Tongue out, one letter at a time, then check it.

How this list was compiled: Written by the Game Night Generator editors on 2026-09-30; the cards and every acting hint are our own work. Five subjects hold lesson words, jobs and events from school units; Language class holds a verb with an adverb, then whole sentences, where the guess needs the grammar. A hint that begins Meaning gives the school sense of the word as Wiktionary, the free dictionary, defines it (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gravity is the entry for Gravity; each other word has its own entry there), read on 2026-09-30, in our own shorter words. A hint that names what a job or a machine does (a telegraph, a census, a loom, an archaeologist) follows the same dictionary. Levels are an editor's judgment: easy is one thing a room names at once, medium takes two or three beats, and hard is a small scene, a quiet clue or a harder word. On this deck easy is a word from the early grades and hard is a term to review; the bands are our estimate, not a published grade list. Lesson words are shared with this site's drawing lists for the classroom, because both follow the same school subjects; fewer than a quarter of the cards match any one other list. Licence: own work