Charades
Time for the charades team building activity: 30–40 minutes
Setup effort: Easy
Estimated cost: Free
Business value: Charades team building improves nonverbal communication, strengthens teamwork, and creates an engaging experience that brings colleagues together
What is Charades?
Charades is a timeless acting and guessing game. One person silently acts out a word or phrase while their teammates try to guess it.
Here's how charades compares to other popular word games for team building across key points:
| Activity Format | Ideal Group Size | Engagement Level | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charades | 8–30 people | Very High (physical, active participation) | 30–40 minutes | Free |
| Scattergories | 4–20 people | High (competitive, creative thinking) | 20–30 minutes | €5–€15 (board game) |
| Codenames | 4–8 people per team | Very High (strategic, collaborative) | 15–20 minutes | €15–€25 (board game) |
| 20 Questions | 6–40 people | Moderate (verbal reasoning focused) | 15–25 minutes | Free |
| Pictionary | 8–32 people | Very High (creative, visual, humorous) | 25–35 minutes | Free (paper/whiteboard only) |
Charades and Pictionary stand out for no cost and high engagement, while Codenames offers a more strategic approach for smaller groups.
The main challenge is sharing ideas without speaking. Players use gestures and body language to get their point across. Since acting skills vary, this often leads to funny moments that bring energy to the team.
How do you play Charades?
Split players into teams of 3 to 5. Prepare prompts like movies, books, famous people, animals, or work-related topics.
One person picks a prompt and has 60 seconds to act it out while their teammates guess. The actor can't talk, write words, or point to things in the room.
If the team guesses right before time runs out, they get a point. Teams take turns acting until all prompts are done.
Why it works well for a team
Charades encourages quick reading of body language and teamwork to find answers. The lighthearted style helps teams unwind and connect beyond everyday work roles.
Key benefits include:
- Better nonverbal communication.
- Collaboration during guessing.
- Shared laughter and positive energy.
- Participation that welcomes all skill levels.
How to set it up right
Choose prompts that most people will recognize. Use a timer to keep the pace lively.
Suggest using clear, exaggerated gestures to make clues easier. Split your team into two balanced groups, mix people who don't usually work together. This encourages communication across teams.
Set clear rules before starting. Decide if players can make sounds, use props, or only gestures. Define how many guesses each team gets and set a time limit (60 to 90 seconds fits well). You might want three difficulty levels so everyone feels challenged.
Include company terms, project names, or industry phrases for prompts. This keeps the game relevant and sparks learning about your workplace culture.
Make sure the space feels safe for everyone to be playful. Celebrate all good guesses. Avoid pairing shy people with overly critical teammates, and let people volunteer for acting roles instead of pushing them. When charades feels welcoming and relaxed, people open up and communicate more naturally.
Running Charades Smoothly at Work
It takes little prep to run a good session. Before starting, agree on rules about sounds, props, or only gestures. Set limits on turns and time (60 to 90 seconds per round works well).
Good prompts make a difference. Generic phrases fall flat. Use company language, project names, or industry terms like "quarterly business review," "remote collaboration," or "innovation sprint" to keep it professional yet fun.
Create a space where people feel safe to be creative. Celebrate clever guesses. Let people choose to act rather than forcing them. A low-pressure atmosphere helps colleagues relax and form real connections beyond the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does charades improve team communication?
Charades helps teams communicate by encouraging members to share ideas without speaking. Players pick up on body language and work together to guess the answers, which builds trust and understanding that carries over to everyday work conversations.
What is the ideal team size for playing charades?
Teams of 4 to 8 people work well, giving everyone a chance to take part without losing focus. If you have a larger group, splitting into smaller teams keeps the game moving and lets each player have their moment.
Can charades be used as a corporate team building activity?
Absolutely. Charades encourages teamwork, breaks down communication walls, and creates a relaxed setting for coworkers to connect. It's especially useful for icebreakers and helping new team members feel comfortable with the group.
What topics work well for charades team building games?
Choose topics that relate to your workplace or group interests, things like company products, industry terms, popular movies, or everyday office situations. Start with simple themes and gradually add more challenge to keep everyone involved.
How long should a charades team building session last?
Sessions typically run 30 to 45 minutes to keep energy high without wearing people out. This timeframe allows for several rounds and gives each participant multiple chances to act out clues.