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All team quizzes & games

Party games

Charades and Pictionary

Teams act out or draw words and phrases for teammates to guess - fast, loud, and full of laughs.

Players: 8-40, in two to four teams
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Energy level: High
Works online: Yes

How to play - step by step

1
Prepare cards with words, film titles, and workplace phrases.
2
Divide into teams; each team sits together in a half circle.
3
A player from team A picks a card and acts out (charades) or draws (Pictionary) the word.
4
Their team has 60 seconds to guess; the player cannot speak or write letters.
5
Each correct guess earns a point; teams then alternate.
6
Rotate performers so everyone takes part; the top-scoring team wins after five rounds.

Benefits

Releases stress and lifts the mood of the whole group.
Brings out different sides of colleagues and builds friendships.
Great for celebrations, events, and energy after lunch.
Creates memories and photos that people enjoy sharing.

What you need

Word cards in two decks - easy and hard - or a list on a screen.
A whiteboard or flip chart with markers (for Pictionary).
A timer and a scoreboard.

Rules

Actors cannot speak, mouth words, or point at objects with the answer.
Drawers cannot use letters or numbers.
Teams may pass on a card once per round.

Scoring and winning

One point per correct guess; a bonus for guessing in under 20 seconds.
Mix easy and hard cards for fair scoring.

Word ideas

Workplace words: deadline, meeting, appraisal, brainstorm, pay day.
Film titles everyone knows.
Famous places and animals.
Everyday actions: brushing teeth, making tea, parking a car.

Variations

Gestures-only round and a sounds-only round.
Team charades: the whole team acts out a phrase together.
Speed round: one point for every word guessed in 90 seconds.

Playing it online

Use a shared whiteboard for drawing, and the chat for guesses.
Send the word privately to the performer in a direct message.

Tips for the host

Keep some easy cards in every deck.
Use a lively host who explains the rules with a demo.

Mistakes to avoid

All cards too hard - shy players freeze.
No timer, which makes rounds drag on.
Forgetting to rotate performers.

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