Easy words for ages 4 and up

Charades for Kids: 124 Easy Words

Charades is one of the best games for kids. It needs no board and no batteries, it gets everyone moving and laughing, and children who can't read yet can play when a grown-up whispers the word.

These 124 words come from the decks in Chardz, picked for children. Lists for ages 4 and up use things kids see every day; lists for ages 7 and up add jobs, sports, movies and cartoons. Use them at parties, in the classroom or on a rainy afternoon.

Last updated: October 19, 2026

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Animal charades for kids

Ages 4+ 20 ideas

The easiest place to start. Kids can waddle, hop, roar and moo their way through these.

Dog
Cat
Chicken
Duck
Frog
Elephant
Monkey
Lion
Snake
Bunny
Horse
Penguin
Kangaroo
Bee
Cow
Pig
Owl
Bear
Butterfly
Giraffe

Animal charades ideas: all 163 words → Play Animals online →

Food charades for kids

Ages 4+ 16 ideas

Foods kids love (and a few they refuse to eat). Act out peeling, slurping or licking them.

Banana
Ice Cream
Pizza
Popcorn
Spaghetti
Hot Dog
Lollipop
Watermelon
Cookie
Pancakes
Carrot
Sandwich
Donut
Cake
Bubble Gum
Corn

Food charades ideas: all 137 words → Play Food online →

Toys and things at home

Ages 4+ 16 ideas

Everyday objects that are easy to show with your hands.

Teddy Bear
Toothbrush
Umbrella
Balloon
Kite
Bicycle
Scissors
Pillow
Drum
Guitar
Snowman
Rubber Duck
Water Gun
Skateboard
Clock
Ladder

Object charades ideas: all 182 words → Play Objects online →

Action charades for kids

Ages 4+ 18 ideas

Simple verbs to act out exactly as they are. Great for preschoolers.

Brushing Teeth
Clapping
Dancing
Sleeping
Crying
Laughing
Sneezing
Yawning
Waving
Climbing
Crawling
Cooking
Reading
Kicking
Hiding
Whistling
Painting
Taking a Selfie

Action charades ideas: all 121 words → Play Act It Out online →

Job charades for kids

Ages 7+ 16 ideas

Act out what the person does at work: putting out fires, flying a plane or baking bread.

Firefighter
Doctor
Police Officer
Teacher
Chef
Astronaut
Pilot
Farmer
Dentist
Magician
Clown
Pirate
Mail Carrier
Baker
Ballerina
Detective

Job charades ideas: all 116 words → Play Jobs online →

Sports charades for kids

Ages 7+ 14 ideas

Sports and moves kids know from school, the park or TV.

Football
Basketball
Swimming
Tennis
Skiing
Bowling
Cartwheel
Handstand
Surfing
Karate
Fishing
Baseball
Gymnastics
Tug of War

Sports charades ideas: all 113 words → Play Sports online →

Kids' movie charades

Ages 7+ 14 ideas

Animated favorites. Act out the main character or the most famous scene.

Frozen
Finding Nemo
Toy Story
The Lion King
Shrek
Moana
Minions
Cars
Up
Zootopia
Encanto
Kung Fu Panda
Madagascar
Paddington

Movie charades ideas: all 300 words → Play Movies online →

Cartoon charades

Ages 7+ 10 ideas

TV shows kids watch. Draw a screen in the air first to signal “TV show”.

SpongeBob SquarePants
Peppa Pig
PAW Patrol
Tom and Jerry
Scooby-Doo
Dora the Explorer
Masha and the Bear
Looney Tunes
Teletubbies
Sesame Street

TV Show charades ideas: all 130 words → Play TV Shows online →

How to play charades with kids

Pick a list that matches the youngest player. For kids who can't read yet, whisper the word in their ear.
Let kids use sounds. Barking, roaring and engine noises make it easier and much funnier.
Play in teams, or all together: whoever guesses right acts out the next word.
Skip strict timers for little ones. For older kids, one minute per turn keeps everyone involved.

How to Play Charades →

Tips for parents and teachers

In class, charades doubles as vocabulary practice. Pick a list that matches the lesson, like animals or jobs.
Pair a younger child with an older one: the little one acts while the big one helps.
Praise the acting, not just the guessing. Shy kids join in once they see how silly it gets.
Draw pictures on the slips instead of words for children who are still learning to read.

Charades for kids: frequently asked questions

What are easy charades words for kids?

Animals (dog, cat, elephant, frog), foods (banana, ice cream, pizza), toys (teddy bear, kite, balloon) and simple actions (brushing teeth, sleeping, clapping). Short, concrete words work best.

What age can kids play charades?

Kids as young as 4 can play with simple animals and actions, especially when they're allowed to make sounds. From about 7, they can handle jobs, sports and movie titles.

How do you play charades with kids who can't read?

Whisper the word in their ear, or draw a picture on the slip instead of writing the word. Let them use sounds, and skip the timer.

Is charades good for the classroom?

Yes. It's a quick, active way to practice vocabulary, especially animals, jobs, actions and emotions, and it works well in ESL lessons.

Is there a charades game kids can play on a phone?

Chardz is rated Everyone and has kid-friendly free decks like Animals, Food, Objects and Act It Out. Kids hold the phone to their forehead and tilt to answer. You can also play the free decks in your browser.