How to play Pictionary

The objective

Your goal is simple: draw clues while teammates guess before time expires. This guide uses the most common beginner-friendly rules. Families and groups may agree on variations before starting.

What you need

Paper or whiteboard, markers, word cards, and a timer.

How to set up

1. Prepare age-appropriate words and split into teams.
2. Agree on a drawing time, usually 60 seconds.

How to play: step by step

1. The artist secretly views a word.
2. Draw visual clues without letters, numbers, gestures, or speech.
3. Teammates call guesses until time expires.
4. Award points for correct answers and rotate artists.

Beginner strategies

• Draw the main object first, then add context.
• Use arrows and size differences when allowed.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Writing part of the answer.
• Using gestures or sound effects.

Frequently asked questions