Family Charades

Scenes every generation at the table has lived: press Play a 1-minute round and hand the actor the phone.

Family Charades

Washing the car together

1 of 131

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How it works

Family charades works when the six-year-old and the grandparent know the same scenes. These 131 cards are family life itself: Looking for the other shoe, Passing the peas, Grandma's hug. There are no film or song titles. Press Play a 1-minute round.

Read the full guide

Nine corners of family life

Press Topic to pick one: The morning rush, In the car, Around the table, The family pet and five more. Everyone in the room has lived these, so nobody is shut out by a title they have not seen.

Easy for one, Hard for two

Easy cards are one action a young reader can act alone, such as Buckling up or Feeding the fish. Hard cards are small scenes, such as Teaching someone to ride a bike. They play best when the actor brings up a helper and the rest of the room guesses.

Tips
  • For a player who cannot read yet, whisper the card, then press Next card for the next actor.
  • Act it the way your own house does it: these family charades ideas get louder when the room recognizes who is being copied.

Questions and answers

What are good family charades ideas for mixed ages?

Scenes everyone has lived. From this deck: Waiting for the bathroom, Passing the peas, Walking the dog, Hide and seek, Blowing out birthday candles. A child can act them and a grandparent can guess them, which a film title cannot promise.

Is there a charades word list for family game night?

Yes, under the deck: all 131 cards in nine topics, each with a one-line acting hint. When a round ends, Print these and Copy the list appear.

Can young children play?

A child who cannot read yet plays with a whisper: an adult reads the card quietly and the child acts it. Start on Easy, 47 one-action cards such as Tucking someone in. For single words, see the charades generator for kids.

More tools

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All 131 family charades ideas

The morning rush 14

  • Braiding someone's hair Three strands, over and under, with a squirming head.
  • Everyone needs the mirror at once Duck, lean and comb around people who are not there.
  • Feeding the fish Pinch of flakes, tap the glass, make a fish face.
  • Finding matching socks Hold up one sock after another against the first.
  • Looking for the other shoe Hop on one foot and lift every cushion.
  • Making lunches in a row Spread, close, wrap, next, like a small factory.
  • Missing the school bus Run with a backpack, wave, and watch it turn the corner.
  • Packing a school bag Stuff in a book, a lunch box, and sit on it to close it.
  • Pouring cereal for everyone Shake the box over bowl after bowl down a line.
  • Signing a permission slip at the last second Get a paper and pen pushed at you in the doorway.
  • Waiting for the bathroom Knock, cross your legs, knock again.
  • Waking up a sleepyhead Shake a shoulder, pull back the covers, get a pillow thrown at you.
  • Waving goodbye at the door Wave, blow a kiss, wave again until they are gone.
  • Zipping up a coat for someone small Kneel, zip to the chin, pat the hood down.
Show all 131 family charades ideas (117 more)

In the car 14

  • A roadside picnic Spread a blanket, hold it down in the wind, hand out sandwiches.
  • Are we there yet Lean forward between the seats, ask, flop back.
  • Buckling up Pull the belt across, click, tug to check.
  • Counting heads before driving off Count, frown, count again, run back inside.
  • Driving with a cake on your lap Hold it level through every corner.
  • Falling asleep in the car Head nods, jerks up, nods, and rests on the window.
  • Looking for a parking spot Creep along, point, too late, creep on.
  • Packing the trunk like a puzzle Turn a suitcase three ways until it fits.
  • Playing I spy on the highway Peer out the window, point, shake your head, point again.
  • Reading the map for the driver Turn the map, point left, no, the other left.
  • Sharing the back seat Draw a line down the middle and guard your side.
  • Singing along in the back seat Belt out a chorus with an air microphone.
  • Washing the car together One soaps, one rinses, somebody gets sprayed.
  • Waving at a passing train Wave with both arms and pull an imaginary horn.

Around the table 15

  • A picnic in the living room Spread a blanket on the floor and unpack a basket.
  • Blowing on hot soup Blow, sip, fan your mouth.
  • Carrying in the birthday cake Walk slowly with candles lit, shield them with a hand.
  • Clearing up after dinner Stack, carry, wipe, and flick someone with the towel.
  • Decorating cookies Pipe, sprinkle, eat one when nobody is looking.
  • Drying the dishes Take a wet plate, rub it in circles, stack it.
  • Guessing what is for dinner Sniff the air, lift a lid, get your hand tapped away.
  • Hiding the broccoli in a napkin Look away, fold the napkin over, smile.
  • Licking the spoon Scrape the bowl and lick it like a prize.
  • Making pizza as a team One rolls, one spreads, one sprinkles, all along a line.
  • Pancakes on a Saturday Pour, wait, flip, stack them high.
  • Passing the peas Pass a bowl along, scoop, pass it on.
  • Reaching for the last roll Two hands reach at once, stop, and both pull back.
  • Setting the table Lay plates around a circle, then a fork beside each.
  • Shucking corn on the porch Peel the husk down and pick off the silk.

Jobs we share 15

  • Building a bookshelf from a box Hold two boards while someone reads the paper.
  • Carrying in the groceries Bags up both arms, door opened with a foot.
  • Folding laundry Hold a shirt by the shoulders, fold, pat the pile.
  • Hanging a bird feeder Reach up on tiptoe while someone steadies the chair.
  • Making a bunk bed Climb up, tuck the far corner on your knees.
  • Matching lids to containers Try lid after lid on one box.
  • Planting a vegetable patch Poke a hole, drop a seed, pat, step along.
  • Raking leaves into a pile Rake, rake, then jump in.
  • Shoveling the driveway Push, lift, toss over your shoulder, stop to breathe.
  • Sorting the recycling Hold each thing up, decide, toss it in one of three bins.
  • Sweeping the porch Long strokes toward the steps, then off the edge.
  • Taking out the trash Tie the bag, hold it away from you, march out.
  • Tidying up before guests arrive Scoop everything up and hide it behind a door.
  • Washing the windows One sprays inside, one wipes outside, faces pulled through the glass.
  • Watering the plants Tip a can over each pot along the sill.

The family pet 13

  • A cat asleep on the newspaper Try to turn a page around a lump that will not move.
  • Brushing the cat Long strokes, then pull fur from the brush.
  • Catching a hamster that got out Crawl along the wall with cupped hands.
  • Choosing a puppy Kneel, get licked, point at the one that chose you.
  • Cleaning out the hamster cage Lift the wheel, scoop, sprinkle fresh bedding.
  • Feeding the ducks at the pond Toss crumbs and step back as they crowd in.
  • Filling the bird feeder Pour seed in, hang it, stand very still to watch.
  • Filling the water bowl Carry a full bowl slowly and set it down.
  • Giving the dog a bath Scrub, get shaken on, wipe your face.
  • Taking the cat to the vet Coax it toward the carrier; it braces all four legs.
  • Teaching the dog to sit Hold a treat high, point down, wait.
  • Throwing a ball for the dog Throw, wait, take back something slobbery.
  • Walking the dog Get pulled along by a leash, arm straight out.

Games and the backyard 17

  • A pillow fight Swing, duck, feathers everywhere.
  • A three-legged race Tie ankles together and hop along out of step.
  • A water balloon toss Catch gently, step back, catch, splat.
  • Arguing over the rules of a board game Point at the box, shake your head, point at the box again.
  • Blowing up a paddling pool Puff, rest, puff, press to check.
  • Board game night Roll, count spaces, groan, slide back down.
  • Building a blanket fort Drape, clip, crawl inside, hold up the roof.
  • Camping in the living room Zip into a sleeping bag and shine a flashlight at the ceiling.
  • Flying a paper airplane Fold, crease, launch, watch it loop.
  • Hide and seek Cover your eyes, count on fingers, look behind the curtain.
  • Jumping rope Turn the rope and skip, faster and faster.
  • Playing catch Throw, catch, shake out your hand.
  • Pushing someone on a swing Push, step back, push, step back.
  • Putting on a living room play Pull a curtain, bow, announce, bow again.
  • Setting up a tent in the backyard Thread a pole, the other end pops out, start again.
  • Teaching someone to ride a bike Run alongside holding the seat, let go, keep running.
  • Tug of war Lean back, dig in your heels, inch backward.

Days out 16

  • A picnic with ants Spread the food, then brush things off your legs.
  • Building a sandcastle Pack a bucket, flip it, tap, lift slowly.
  • Carrying a tired child on your shoulders Lift, hold the ankles, duck under a branch.
  • Eating an ice cream that is melting Lick around the cone faster and faster.
  • Feeding a giraffe at the zoo Hold a leaf up as high as you can reach.
  • Finding seats for six at the movies Count along a row, shuffle everyone down by one.
  • Flying a kite at the beach Run backward, let the string out, watch it climb.
  • Getting lost in a corn maze Turn left, dead end, turn back, peer over the top.
  • Looking through a telescope Squint into it, turn the ring, gasp.
  • Paddling a canoe in step Two paddlers, same side, going in a circle.
  • Picking strawberries Bend, pick, one in the basket, one in your mouth.
  • Riding a carousel Rise and fall on a horse and wave each time around.
  • Riding a roller coaster Click up the hill, arms up, scream silently.
  • Skipping stones Pick a flat one, flick it low, count the hops.
  • Taking a family photo at a landmark Wave everyone closer, step back, wave again.
  • Watching a parade Wave a small flag and lift someone up to see.

Birthdays and get-togethers 15

  • A family video call Lean in too close, wave, turn the phone the right way up.
  • Blowing out birthday candles Deep breath, puff out your cheeks, blow.
  • Carving a pumpkin together Scoop out the inside and flick the seeds off your hand.
  • Decorating the tree Reach high with an ornament while someone holds the ladder.
  • Grandma's hug Arms wide, squeeze, rock from side to side.
  • Hanging streamers Twist, tape high, watch one end fall.
  • Hiding a surprise gift Carry a big box on tiptoe and look for a closet.
  • Hitting a piñata Blindfold, swing, miss, swing again.
  • Looking through an old photo album Turn a page, point, laugh, show the next person.
  • Measuring everyone against the door frame Book on a head, pencil mark, step back to compare.
  • Opening a present Shake it, tear the paper, hold it up.
  • Pinning the tail on the donkey Blindfold on, spin, walk with one arm out.
  • Singing happy birthday Conduct the room and point at the star of the day.
  • Toasting marshmallows Hold a stick out, turn it, blow out the flames.
  • Wrapping a gift together One holds the paper down, one fights the tape.

Evenings and bedtime 12

  • A bedtime shadow puppet show Hook your thumbs, flap a bird across the wall.
  • Asking for a glass of water Pad out in pajamas holding up one finger.
  • Brushing teeth side by side Brush, make a foam face at the mirror, spit.
  • Checking for monsters under the bed Kneel, lift the blanket, shine a light, thumbs up.
  • Movie night on the couch Squeeze in, pass the popcorn, pull the blanket your way.
  • One more story Close the book, get tugged, open it again.
  • Reading under the covers Pull a blanket over your head and shine a flashlight on a book.
  • Sneaking downstairs for a snack Tiptoe, freeze on the creaky step, open the fridge slowly.
  • Tucking someone in Pull the blanket to the chin and pat it down on both sides.
  • Turning off the light Reach for the switch, look back once, click.
  • Waiting up with the porch light on Peek through the curtain, check the clock, sit back down.
  • Watching the stars from the yard Lie back, point, trace a shape in the sky.

How this list was compiled: Written by the Game Night Generator editors for this page on 2026-09-30. Every card is a moment from family life that a person can act without props or speech: the morning rush, the car, the dinner table, shared chores, the family pet, games, days out, birthdays and bedtime. It is one list for a mixed table and holds no separate children's set. The deck keeps to the site's family-safe rule: nothing sexual, no alcohol, nothing about bodies, no real people, no brand names and no film, show, book or song titles. Difficulty is an editor's judgment: Easy is one action a young reader can act alone, Medium takes two or three beats, Hard is a small scene that plays best with a helper. The line under each card is the editors' acting hint, not a rule. Overlap with the rest of this site was counted on 2026-09-30 with a leading a, an or the dropped: 12 of the 131 cards (9%) have the same text as a card in the site's main charades deck, such as Hide and seek and Walking the dog, and no other list shares more than 5. Licence: own work