Fishbowl is a crowd favorite because it combines several classic party games into a fast, chaotic experience. It works for families, friend groups, holiday gatherings, youth groups, or any situation where you have a room full of people ready to laugh. You only need a few supplies and a group willing to act silly for a while. Here is how the game works.
Materials You Need
- Small slips of paper
- Pens or pencils
- A bowl or container
- A timer
- A group of at least six players, eight or more recommended
Setup
- Give each player three to five slips of paper.
- Each player writes one clue per slip. Good clues include famous people, movies, TV characters, simple objects, or inside jokes your group will understand.
- Fold the slips and place them all in the bowl.
- Split players into two teams as evenly as possible.
- Choose which team goes first.
All slips remain in play for the entire game, so remembering clues from earlier rounds becomes part of the strategy.
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Round 1: Describe the Clue
The first player draws a slip and tries to get their team to guess it. The clue giver can talk freely and describe the clue, but cannot say the actual words written on the slip.
Once the team guesses correctly, the player draws again. Continue until the timer runs out.
Alternate teams until all slips have been guessed. When the bowl is empty, place all slips back inside for the next round.
Round 2: Charades
In the second round, the clue giver cannot speak at all. They must act out the clue using charades.
Because everyone has now heard the clues once, this round moves faster. Continue switching teams until all slips are guessed again. Return all clues to the bowl.
Round 3: One Word Only
For this round, the clue giver may only say one word. Choose it wisely. If someone blurts out a word that makes no sense, that is normal for Fishbowl.
Alternate turns as before until all slips are gone. Return the slips to the bowl.
Round 4: Charades Behind a Sheet
The final round works like charades but with one twist. The clue giver must perform while standing behind a sheet, blanket, or doorway. Their silhouette is all the team can see.
Once all clues are guessed, add up correct guesses for each team across all rounds. The team with the most points wins.
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Tips for Playing Fishbowl
- Keep clues simple so the game moves quickly.
- Avoid clues that only one person would know.
- Use a phone timer to keep turns consistent.
- Use fewer slips per person for very large groups.
- Encourage creativity and improvisation.
