How old do kids need to be to play?

Children from around age four can join in and guess on the easiest words, while drawing itself usually works best once kids are comfortable holding a pencil, around five or six and up.

Can we play without splitting into teams?

Yes, you can play all against all, where whoever guesses correctly first gets to draw next, or let everyone work together against a shared timer with no points at all.

How long should the time limit be?

60 seconds works well for the easy words, while the compound ideas and phrases usually need 90 to 120 seconds since the artist has to sketch a whole small scene.

Is the artist allowed to talk or use letters?

No, the whole point is to draw without words, letters, or numbers, and without pointing at objects in the room. Nodding or shaking your head when someone is close is fine.

How do we adjust the words for younger siblings?

Let younger siblings draw only from the easy third of the list, or have a parent whisper the word and help them decide what to draw first before the timer starts.

Can we use this list at school or in a club?

Yes, the list works well in classrooms or after-school groups, especially if an adult reads the word aloud instead of having each child pick a slip, which keeps the round moving faster.

Drawing Game Words for Kids: 30 Prompts to Draw and Guess

Activity Workshop · Printables

Drawing Game Words for Kids: 30 Prompts to Draw and Guess

Draw and guess is a party-game classic that works from preschool age all the way to the tween years: one player draws a word without using letters or numbers, while everyone else calls out guesses before time runs out. This free list gives you 30 words split across three levels, so younger and older kids can play the same round without anyone getting bored or stuck. The words start with simple, concrete objects a four-year-old can draw and recognise, move through slightly trickier objects for early elementary kids, and finish with compound ideas and everyday phrases that need a bit more imagination from ten- to twelve-year-olds. Print the list, cut it into slips, and you have an activity ready for a rainy afternoon or a birthday party.

About this sheet

A drawing game asks kids to do two things at once: turn a word into shapes and lines, and read those shapes back into a guess. Younger children often manage with a rough circle or two lines for ears, while older kids start thinking in whole scenes rather than single objects.

The words on this list are split into three tiers. The first ten are concrete things a four-year-old can recognise and even attempt to draw themselves, like the sun, a cat, or a ball. The next ten need a little more, such as a fire truck or an astronaut. The final ten are compound ideas and everyday phrases best suited to ten- to twelve-year-olds, where the artist has to sketch a small scene instead of a single object.

If you have children of different ages playing together, let the youngest draw only from the easy pile while older kids pull from the full list. That way everyone feels capable without the game dragging for the kids who are further along with drawing and language.

The list is built to be printed and cut into slips that go into a bowl or hat. Keep a pad of paper and a few pencils or markers nearby, and you are ready the next time someone says they are bored on a rainy afternoon.

What you get

30 drawing prompts sorted into three difficulty levels
A category and a drawing tip for every word
A ready-to-print list you can cut into slips
Simple team and timer suggestions

How to use it

Split into teams. Split the group into two teams, or play together against the clock if there are only a few of you.
Draw a word. One player picks a slip and draws the word on paper or a whiteboard, without using letters, numbers, or speaking during the round.
Guess before time runs out. Set a time limit, such as 60 seconds, and let the rest of the team shout out guesses until someone gets it or time is up.
Swap artists and keep going. Pass the pencil to someone new each round so every player gets a turn at the board before the game ends.

Download free

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

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Frequently asked questions

How old do kids need to be to play?: Children from around age four can join in and guess on the easiest words, while drawing itself usually works best once kids are comfortable holding a pencil, around five or six and up.
Can we play without splitting into teams?: Yes, you can play all against all, where whoever guesses correctly first gets to draw next, or let everyone work together against a shared timer with no points at all.
How long should the time limit be?: 60 seconds works well for the easy words, while the compound ideas and phrases usually need 90 to 120 seconds since the artist has to sketch a whole small scene.
Is the artist allowed to talk or use letters?: No, the whole point is to draw without words, letters, or numbers, and without pointing at objects in the room. Nodding or shaking your head when someone is close is fine.
How do we adjust the words for younger siblings?: Let younger siblings draw only from the easy third of the list, or have a parent whisper the word and help them decide what to draw first before the timer starts.
Can we use this list at school or in a club?: Yes, the list works well in classrooms or after-school groups, especially if an adult reads the word aloud instead of having each child pick a slip, which keeps the round moving faster.