How many players do you need for charades?

Charades works with three players or more, but it's usually most fun with at least four to six people split into two teams. With just two or three, you can act out cards for each other without keeping team scores.

What age are these cards suitable for?

The set is split into three levels: simple animal and action words for ages 4 to 6, slightly harder jobs and activities for ages 7 to 9, and abstract feelings and concepts for ages 10 to 12 and adults.

Can you point at things or make sounds during charades?

No, the whole point of charades is to get the word across using only your body and facial expressions. You can't speak, spell, point at objects in the room, or make sounds – everything has to come through movement.

How do you score charades?

The simplest way is one point for each word a team guesses correctly. You can also add a time limit per card, so the team that guesses the most words before time runs out wins the round.

Can the cards be used without teams?

Yes, they work fine as a relaxed activity without scorekeeping too, for example as a break-time game at a party or a calm rainy-day activity at home.

Charades for Kids – 30 Printable Cards

Activity Workshop · Printables

Charades for Kids – 30 Printable Cards

Charades is a classic at birthday parties, rainy afternoons, and quiet evenings around the table. With these 30 cards, nobody has to think up words on the spot – just print the sheet, cut along the lines, and sort the cards into three piles by difficulty. The cards work for the whole family: the easiest ones suit preschoolers just learning the game, while the hardest push older kids and adults to act out feelings and professions without saying a single word. Bring them out for a birthday party, an after-school afternoon, or any ordinary weeknight that needs a laugh.

About this sheet

Charades needs nothing more than the cards, a bit of floor space, and a willingness to be a little silly. It's one of those games that works just as well for a five-year-old as for grandpa, because everyone plays at their own level.

The easiest cards cover animals and everyday actions that are simple to act out with the body – a cat washing its paws, or someone falling asleep. They're a good fit for preschoolers who are just learning what charades is.

The middle cards raise the difficulty to jobs and activities that call for a bit more acting, like the firefighter or the hairdresser. Here players have to think through which movements tell the story best.

The hardest cards ask players to act out feelings and concepts like pride or freedom. This is a good exercise in body language, and it's often the round that gets the most laughs at the table.

What you get

30 ready-made charades cards, sized for standard letter or A4 paper
Ten easy cards for the youngest players (4–6), ten medium cards for grade-schoolers, and ten hard cards for tweens and adults
Every card includes a short acting tip to help the player who's up
A simple cutting layout – just trim along the straight lines

How to use it

Print and cut. Print the sheet on regular paper and cut the cards apart along the lines. Sorting them into three piles by difficulty makes setup faster.
Split into teams. Divide the family or party guests into two or more teams. Agree on a time limit for each turn, such as one minute per card.
Act it out silently. One player draws a card and acts out the word for their team – no talking, pointing at objects, or making sounds. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.

Download free

Pick an age, download the A4 PDF with answers, and print. No sign-up.

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Frequently asked questions

How many players do you need for charades?: Charades works with three players or more, but it's usually most fun with at least four to six people split into two teams. With just two or three, you can act out cards for each other without keeping team scores.
What age are these cards suitable for?: The set is split into three levels: simple animal and action words for ages 4 to 6, slightly harder jobs and activities for ages 7 to 9, and abstract feelings and concepts for ages 10 to 12 and adults.
Can you point at things or make sounds during charades?: No, the whole point of charades is to get the word across using only your body and facial expressions. You can't speak, spell, point at objects in the room, or make sounds – everything has to come through movement.
How do you score charades?: The simplest way is one point for each word a team guesses correctly. You can also add a time limit per card, so the team that guesses the most words before time runs out wins the round.
Can the cards be used without teams?: Yes, they work fine as a relaxed activity without scorekeeping too, for example as a break-time game at a party or a calm rainy-day activity at home.