Players: 4 or more, in two teams
Time: 20 minutes
You need: Paper or a whiteboard, pens, a timer
Ages: 7 and above
Type: Party games

Who it suits and when to play

Draw and Guess suits family parties, classrooms and office teams, for ages seven and up, in two teams. Nobody needs to draw well; bad drawings are the point of the game. It works on paper, a whiteboard or a slate. Choose words that can actually be drawn: things and actions rather than ideas.

How to play

Make two teams and prepare chits with words, or use the charades lists.
A player takes a chit and starts drawing. The team shouts guesses.
The drawer may nod or shake their head, but may not speak or write letters.
A word guessed within 60 seconds scores one point.
Teams take turns. Every player must draw at least once.

Tips and variations

On a video call, the drawer holds the paper to the camera, or shares a whiteboard screen.
Words that work well: festivals, household things, animals and sports.

Common problems and how to fix them

The artist writes letters or numbers. Writing is not allowed. The turn passes to the other team.
The artist talks or acts. Drawing only. The artist's free hand stays behind their back.
The words are impossible. Let a neutral person prepare the chits, and allow each team one "change the word" in a game.

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