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 classic acting and guessing game. One participant silently acts out a word or phrase while teammates attempt to guess the answer.
Here's how charades compares to other popular word-game formats for team building across key criteria:
| 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 zero cost and maximum engagement, while Codenames offers deeper strategic teamwork for smaller groups.
The core challenge: communicating ideas without speaking. Participants rely on gestures and body language to convey the concept, and acting skills vary widely—which often produces humorous moments that create genuine team energy.
How do you play Charades?
Divide participants into teams of 3 to 5 people. Prepare prompts such as movies, books, famous people, animals, or workplace concepts.
One participant selects a prompt and has 60 seconds to act it out while teammates guess. The actor cannot speak, write words, or point to objects in the room.
If the team guesses correctly within the time limit, they earn a point. Teams rotate actors until all prompts have been used.
Why it's great for a team
Charades forces quick interpretation of body language and collaboration to identify answers. The playful format helps teams relax and connect outside formal work roles.
Key benefits include:
- Improved nonverbal communication.
- Team collaboration during guessing.
- Shared laughter and positive energy.
- Inclusive participation regardless of skill level.
How to organize it effectively
Prepare prompts that are widely recognizable. Use a timer to keep rounds dynamic.
Encourage exaggerated gestures to make clues clearer. Divide your team into two balanced groups—mixed so people work with colleagues they don't interact with daily. This amplifies communication across departments.
Before the game begins, establish clear rules. Decide whether players can use sounds, props, or only physical gestures. Clarify how many guesses teams get per round and set a time limit (60–90 seconds works). Consider creating three difficulty levels so all skill levels feel challenged appropriately.
Use company-related terms, project names, or industry-specific concepts for prompts. This keeps content relevant and creates teachable moments about your organizational culture.
Focus on creating a psychologically safe environment where people feel comfortable being silly. Celebrate good guesses equally. Avoid pairing shy employees with overly critical teammates, and let people opt into acting roles rather than forcing participation. When charades feels inclusive and low-pressure, colleagues naturally relax and communicate more authentically.
How to Run Charades Successfully in Your Workplace
Running an effective session requires minimal preparation. Before the game, establish clear rules about whether players can use sounds, props, or only physical gestures. Clarify turn limits and time caps (we recommend 60–90 seconds per round).
Prompt quality matters. Generic phrases feel flat. Use company terminology, project names, or industry concepts instead—phrases like "quarterly business review," "remote collaboration," or "innovation sprint" keep things professional while maintaining fun.
Create psychological safety. Celebrate creative interpretations. Let people choose to act rather than forcing participation. When the environment feels low-pressure, colleagues relax and build genuine connections that extend beyond the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does charades improve team communication?
Charades strengthens communication by forcing team members to express ideas without words. Players interpret non-verbal cues and work together to guess correctly, building mutual understanding and trust that translates to better workplace communication.
What is the ideal team size for playing charades?
The ideal team size is 4 to 8 people per team, allowing everyone to participate actively while maintaining engagement. Larger groups can divide into multiple teams to ensure each person gets adequate opportunities to perform.
Can charades be used as a corporate team building activity?
Yes. Charades promotes collaboration, breaks down communication barriers, and creates a fun environment for employees to bond. It works particularly well for icebreakers and helping new team members integrate with colleagues.
What topics work best for charades team building games?
Topics work best when they're relatable to your workplace or group interests—company products, industry terms, famous movies, or office scenarios. Start with easier topics and increase difficulty gradually to keep all skill levels engaged.
How long should a charades team building session last?
A typical session should last 30 to 45 minutes to maintain enthusiasm without fatigue. This allows multiple rounds and gives each team member several turns to perform.