a group of people sitting on a couch: The best funny, easy, and hard charades ideas and topics for all ages will make family game night a huge success. Playing games is a fun thing to do at home. © monkeybusinessimages - Getty Images The best funny, easy, and hard charades ideas and topics for all ages will make family game night a huge success. Playing games is a fun thing to do at home.

Every night is prime for game night! Yes, the closet is piled with the best family board games and games for kids, and you've got plenty of fun things to do at home. But sometimes a good old-fashioned game of charades is the just-right way to let loose. After all, charades is an entertaining game for all ages, plus it can be played any time, any place. You can even host a virtual game night with friends and family who live far away.

Before deciding on a charades theme or word list, consider the age and skill level of your players. For younger kids, pick easy charades subjects they'll be likely to guess. It will make for a much more enjoyable experience for them. Hard charades topics, like movie, book, and song titles, are a good choice for an older and wiser set. And when the mood is downright giddy, go with funny charades words and phrases—the sillier, the better.

The only true rule in playing charades is simple—no talking!—but feel free to let the laughs roar. Try these charades ideas for kids and adults to make your next game night epic.

Ideas for Charades for Kids

Think about topics that will be easy for kids to guess, like everyday activities, animals, sports themes, and food.

  1. Sleeping
  2. Waking up
  3. Brushing teeth
  4. Taking a bath/shower
  5. Combing/brushing hair
  6. Tying shoes
  7. Walking a dog
  8. Talking on the phone
  9. Reading a book
  10. Playing video games
  11. Eating
  12. Drinking

Charades Ideas for Kids: Animals

  1. Alligator
  2. Cat
  3. Dog
  4. Bee
  5. Snake
  6. Fish
  7. Cow
  8. Horse
  9. Rabbit
  10. Spider
  11. Bird
  12. Owl
  13. Monkey
  14. Penguin
  15. Elephant
  16. Giraffe
  17. Lion
  18. Tiger
  19. Squirrel
  20. Pig
  21. Chicken

Charades Ideas for Kids: Sports

  1. Running/jogging
  2. Playing baseball
  3. Playing basketball
  4. Playing tennis
  5. Throwing a football
  6. Throwing a frisbee
  7. Playing golf
  8. Swimming
  9. Skateboarding
  10. Riding a bike
  11. Riding a scooter
  12. Jumping rope

Charades Ideas for Kids: Food

  1. Banana
  2. Orange
  3. Ice cream
  4. Lollipop
  5. Bubblegum
  6. Spaghetti
  7. Sandwich
  8. French fries
  9. Hot dog
  10. Taco
  11. Milk and cookies
  12. Chips and dip

Charades for Kids: Musical Instruments

  1. Violin
  2. Guitar
  3. Drums
  4. Trumpet
  5. Flute
  6. Trombone
  7. Clarinet/recorder
  8. Saxophone
  9. Stand-up bass
  10. Tuba
  11. Piano

a woman sitting on a bed: Charades ideas can run the gamut, from everyday topics to pop culture references. © monkeybusinessimages - Getty Images Charades ideas can run the gamut, from everyday topics to pop culture references.

Ideas for Charades for Adults

In addition to the more everyday terms listed here, consider popular book, movie, and TV show titles to make charades for grown-ups even more challenging.

  1. Applying makeup
  2. Getting dressed/undressed
  3. Applying lotion
  4. Washing hair
  5. Buckling a belt
  6. Buttoning a shirt
  7. Feeding a baby a bottle
  8. Feeding a baby food
  9. Burping a baby
  10. Pushing a baby in a stroller
  11. Changing a diaper
  12. Cutting food with a knife
  13. Opening a can
  14. Putting dishes in the dishwasher
  15. Washing dishes in the sink
  16. Doing laundry
  17. Mopping floors
  18. Sweeping floors
  19. Vacuuming floors
  20. Dusting furniture
  21. Fluffing pillows
  22. Making a bed
  23. Cooking pancakes
  24. Icing a cake
  25. Driving a car
  26. Listening to music
  27. Singing
  28. Typing
  29. Writing
  30. Shopping for groceries
  31. Checking the mail
  32. Opening a letter
  33. Coughing
  34. Sneezing
  35. Scratching
  36. Mowing the lawn
  37. Raking leaves
  38. Picking flowers
  39. Shoveling snow
  40. Watering plants
  41. Smoking a cigarette
  42. Lighting candles
  43. Blowing out candles
  44. Sharpening a pencil
  45. Spray painting
  46. Painting with a brush
  47. Watching television
  48. Going to the movies
  49. Going on a picnic
  50. Opening a present
  51. Going to church/praying
  52. Going to the gym
  53. Going to school
  54. Going to the hospital/doctor

Charades Ideas for Adults: Sports & Leisure Activities

  1. Doing yoga
  2. Ballet dancing
  3. Tap dancing
  4. Salsa dancing
  5. Playing croquet
  6. Playing horseshoes
  7. Playing corn hole
  8. Surfing
  9. Water skiing
  10. Snow skiing
  11. Riding a motorcycle
  12. Playing hacky sack
  13. Playing pool/billiards
  14. Bowling
  15. Fishing
  16. Shooting a bow and arrow

Charades Ideas for Adults: Personalities

  1. Teacher
  2. Polce officer
  3. Doctor
  4. Pro wrestler
  5. Beauty queen
  6. Hair stylist
  7. President
  8. Firefighter
  9. Waiter/server
  10. Santa Claus
  11. Diva
  12. Music conductor

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