Telephone Pictionary is a group game that combines drawing and guessing, similar to the classic game of telephone. Players alternate between writing phrases and drawing pictures, passing their papers along as the meaning slowly changes. It is easy to set up, requires no special equipment, and works well for parties, classrooms, and family gatherings. Here is how to play.
Materials You Need
- Paper or small notebooks, one per player
- Pens, pencils, or markers
- A group of at least six players
Basic Setup
Each player receives a stack of paper or a notebook. Everyone writes a phrase or sentence on the first page. These can be silly, descriptive, or themed depending on the group.
Once everyone has written a phrase, players pass their papers to the person on their left.
How the Game Works
iStock – Nikolay Tsuguliev
Drawing Round
Players look at the phrase they received and draw a picture that represents it. No words or letters are allowed in the drawing.
When finished, players fold the paper so the phrase is hidden and pass it to the left.
Guessing Round
Players look only at the drawing and write a phrase describing what they think it represents.
Once written, players fold the paper so the drawing is hidden and pass it to the left.
Continue Alternating
Players continue alternating between drawing and guessing until the papers return to their original owners or until the pages are filled.
Revealing the Results
Once all rounds are complete, each player flips through their stack from start to finish. The group shares the results out loud, revealing how the original phrase changed along the way.
This is typically the funniest part of the game.
Important Rules to Remember
- No words or letters in drawings.
- Only look at the most recent page before adding your entry.
- Fold pages carefully so previous content stays hidden.
- Keep drawings simple so the game moves quickly.
Optional Variations
- Use a theme, such as movies, animals, or holidays.
- Set a time limit for each round.
- Use dry erase boards for faster play.
- Play until notebooks are full instead of returning to the original owner.
Tips for Playing Telephone Pictionary
- Encourage exaggerated drawings for better results.
- Avoid overly complex phrases.
- Remind players not to explain their drawings.
- Use markers for bold, clear images.
- Take photos of the finished pages to save the results.
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