373 Pictionary Words and Ideas for Kids and Adults, by Difficulty and Theme (Plus a Dice Generator)

By The Rondovo team · Published October 7, 2026 · Updated October 11, 2026 · 12 min read

Good Pictionary words are things you can draw in under a minute but can't draw instantly: "lighthouse" beats "line", and "jet lag" is a fun challenge for adults while "sun" is perfect for a six year old. Below are 373 Pictionary words and ideas, sorted by difficulty and by theme (kids, adults, actions, food, animals, places, jobs, holidays, phrases), plus how to play with just paper and a pen and a two-dice word generator that needs no app.

The three main lists are laid out as 6 by 6 grids, so you can roll two dice to pick a word at random. Nobody can claim the drawer chose an easy one on purpose.

In short

• How to play: split into two teams. One player draws a secret word, their team guesses before a 60 second timer runs out. No letters, numbers or talking.
• Players: 4 or more for teams. With 2 or 3, everyone draws in turn and everyone else guesses.
• Kids: use the easy grid and the kids list. Adults: the hard grid, adult ideas and phrases.
• Random without an app: roll two dice, first die is the row, second is the column.
• Online: drawing games like skribbl.io and our own Scrawl handle the words, the timer and the scoring for you.

How to play Pictionary without the board

You don't need the boxed game. A pad of paper, a pen and a kitchen timer is enough.

1. Split into two teams of two or more. Sit so each team can see its own paper.
2. Choose a drawer. They get a word from the lists below without anyone else seeing it (roll the dice, or point at a word with eyes closed).
3. Start the timer. 60 seconds is the classic length. Use 90 for kids or hard words.
4. Draw, don't speak. The drawer sketches; their team shouts guesses. The drawer can nod, shake their head or point at part of the drawing.
5. Score a point if the team guesses the exact word before time runs out. Then the other team draws.
6. Rotate the drawer every turn. First team to 10 points wins, or play a fixed number of rounds.

Pictionary rules everyone argues about

Decide these before you start, and the game stays friendly:

• No letters or numbers in the drawing. A "3" next to a pig is not a drawing of three little pigs.
• No gestures or acting. Pointing at the paper is fine. Miming is charades.
• No talking at all from the drawer, not even "close!" Nodding is fine.
• Dashes and ears? The official rules ban both: no dashes to show the number of letters, and no ear to mean "sounds like". Breaking a word into syllables and drawing each part is allowed. Some families relax this for kids; decide before the first turn.
• Close enough? Agree on whether "puppy" counts for "dog". Most groups accept plurals and obvious synonyms; strict groups don't.

All play. A favourite rule from the boxed game: every so often, both teams' drawers get the same word at once and the first team to shout it wins the point. It wakes everyone up halfway through.

The official game

Pictionary is a board game made by Mattel. According to Mattel's instruction sheet (checked October 2026), the board game is for ages 8 and up and 2 to 4 teams. Each card has words in five categories, from objects to actions to "difficult", and the colour of the square your team lands on decides which one you draw. The sand timer, the "all play" squares and the race to the finish are what the box adds; the drawing and guessing work the same with a pad of paper. The official rules from Mattel are worth a read if you own the game.

How to pick random Pictionary words without an app

A word generator is only there to stop the drawer picking an easy one. You can do the same with things already in the house:

• Two dice (best). The easy, medium and hard lists below are 6 by 6 grids. Roll two dice: the first die is the row, the second die is the column. If the word has already come up, roll again.
• One die and a list. For the themed lists, roll to choose the theme, then let the other team point at a word with their eyes closed.
• Slips in a bowl. Before the party, cut up a printed list and fold each word into a bowl. Kids love being the one who draws a slip.
• The other team chooses. Each team writes ten words for the other team to draw. It's fair, it's free and it guarantees creative words.
• Clock method. Look at the seconds on a watch or clock. Count that far down the list (wrap round to the top if you run out).

Easy Pictionary words

Simple shapes, recognisable in a few lines. Good for children from about five, warm-up rounds and anyone who "can't draw". Roll two dice: row, then column.

Medium Pictionary words

Objects and scenes with a few parts to get right. The drawer has to think about which detail gives it away: the light on a lighthouse, the bars on a wheelbarrow. Ages 8 and up.

Hard Pictionary words

Ideas, feelings and two-word phrases you can't draw directly. The drawer has to build a little scene: a clock, a plane and a yawning face for "jet lag". Best for teens and adults.

Pictionary words for kids

Forty things children already love drawing. For under-sevens, let them choose between two words; for older kids, add a 60 second timer.

1. Ice lolly
2. Teddy bear
3. Dinosaur
4. Crown
5. Train
6. Butterfly
7. Caterpillar
8. Pumpkin
9. Frog
10. Balloon
11. Bicycle
12. Ladybird
13. Owl
14. Octopus
15. Castle
16. Shark
17. Penguin
18. Crocodile
19. Lollipop
20. Bucket and spade
21. Football
22. Unicorn
23. Snake
24. Bee
25. Whale
26. Giraffe
27. Cupcake
28. Robot
29. Pirate
30. Fairy
31. Bus
32. Tiger
33. Monkey
34. Starfish
35. Swing
36. Sandwich
37. Carrot
38. Elephant
39. Ghost
40. Puppy

Pictionary ideas for adults

Grown-up life, drawn badly. These get the biggest laughs at adult game nights because everyone recognises the situation even when the drawing is a mess.

1. Parallel parking
2. Self-checkout
3. Working from home
4. Group chat
5. Tax return
6. Flat-pack furniture
7. Speed dating
8. Reply all
9. Book club
10. Office party
11. Road rage
12. Mortgage
13. Retirement
14. Pub quiz
15. Wedding speech
16. Gym membership
17. Jury duty
18. Power cut
19. Online shopping
20. Spa day
21. Car boot sale
22. Dad joke
23. Small talk
24. Snooze button
25. Influencer
26. Podcast
27. Password reset
28. Sunday roast
29. Leftovers
30. Housewarming
31. Noisy neighbours
32. Burnt toast
33. Holiday photos
34. Lost remote
35. Queue jumping
36. Escape room
37. Delayed train
38. Family tree
39. Packing a suitcase
40. Out of office

Action words

Verbs are harder than nouns because you have to show movement on a still page. Speed lines, sweat drops and little arrows are your friends.

1. Juggling
2. Sneezing
3. Skipping
4. Yawning
5. Knitting
6. Surfing
7. Whispering
8. Ice skating
9. Fishing
10. Snoring
11. Painting a wall
12. Bowling
13. Rock climbing
14. Tiptoeing
15. Waving goodbye
16. Brushing teeth
17. Diving
18. Gardening
19. Ironing
20. Hula hooping
21. Sledging
22. Rowing
23. Shivering
24. Baking
25. Tickling
26. Proposing
27. Sunbathing
28. Skydiving
29. Limbo dancing
30. Blowing bubbles

Food Pictionary words

1. Spaghetti
2. Pancakes
3. Taco
4. Sushi
5. Popcorn
6. Doughnut
7. Pineapple
8. Watermelon
9. Burger
10. Hot dog
11. Corn on the cob
12. Fried egg
13. Pretzel
14. Cheese
15. Broccoli
16. Strawberry
17. Croissant
18. Noodles
19. Samosa
20. Birthday cake
21. Milkshake
22. Chips
23. Grapes
24. Lemon
25. Avocado

Animal Pictionary words

1. Kangaroo
2. Flamingo
3. Zebra
4. Bat
5. Panda
6. Parrot
7. Squirrel
8. Camel
9. Horse
10. Polar bear
11. Koala
12. Seal
13. Turtle
14. Lobster
15. Sloth
16. Hippo
17. Hamster
18. Worm
19. Fox
20. Deer
21. Rabbit
22. Mouse
23. Goat
24. Swan
25. Chameleon

Places to draw

Places are a good middle ground: easy to start, tricky to make specific. A rectangle with windows could be anything; add a runway and it's an airport.

1. Beach
2. Airport
3. Hospital
4. Library
5. Zoo
6. Farm
7. Desert island
8. Cinema
9. Supermarket
10. Mountain
11. Campsite
12. Funfair
13. Train station
14. Classroom
15. Space station
16. Jungle
17. Bakery
18. Museum
19. Stadium
20. Car wash
21. Post office
22. Playground
23. Restaurant
24. Garden shed
25. Hairdresser's

Around the house

1. Toaster
2. Sofa
3. Bath
4. Fridge
5. Kettle
6. Lamp
7. Washing machine
8. Pillow
9. Mirror
10. Doorbell
11. Light switch
12. Remote control
13. Vacuum cleaner
14. Plug
15. Bin
16. Curtains
17. Stairs
18. Radiator
19. Coat hanger
20. Fork

Jobs

1. Firefighter
2. Doctor
3. Chef
4. Astronaut
5. Police officer
6. Farmer
7. Dentist
8. Pilot
9. Teacher
10. Builder
11. Plumber
12. Lifeguard
13. Vet
14. Postal worker
15. Magician
16. Referee
17. Photographer
18. Scientist
19. Detective
20. Ballet dancer

Holidays and celebrations

Swap these in for a themed night: a Christmas party, Diwali, Halloween or a birthday. Our Christmas party games and Diwali party games guides have more for each.

1. Christmas tree
2. Fireworks
3. Easter egg
4. Diya
5. Jack-o'-lantern
6. Snowflake
7. Sleigh
8. Birthday party
9. Valentine's card
10. Rangoli
11. Autumn leaves
12. Summer holiday
13. New Year countdown
14. Bonfire
15. Advent calendar
16. Mistletoe
17. Wedding cake
18. Graduation cap
19. Paper lantern
20. Witch's hat

Idioms and phrases

The hardest list, and the funniest. Draw the phrase literally (actual cats and dogs falling from clouds) and let the team work it out. Best with adults and confident teens.

1. Raining cats and dogs
2. Piece of cake
3. Couch potato
4. Butterflies in your stomach
5. Break the ice
6. Elephant in the room
7. Cold feet
8. Hit the hay
9. Head in the clouds
10. Spill the beans
11. Over the moon
12. Cat nap
13. Top dog
14. Bookworm
15. Night owl
16. Hot potato
17. Cool as a cucumber
18. Let the cat out of the bag
19. Under the weather
20. Early bird

Playing Pictionary with 2 or 3 people

Teams need four players, but the game still works with fewer:

• With 2: take turns drawing for each other. Count how many words the guesser gets in two minutes, then swap. Highest count after three rounds wins.
• With 3: one person draws, the other two race to guess. First correct guess scores a point for the guesser and the drawer, so the drawer wants to be clear. Rotate the drawer.
• Co-op mode: play against the clock instead of each other. How many words can the whole group get in five minutes? Try to beat it next time.

Hosting tips for a great Pictionary night

• Use big paper or a whiteboard. Everyone needs to see the drawing. A small notepad held at an angle kills the game.
• Start easy, finish hard. One round from each grid, in order. Nobody feels stupid in round one, and the hard words at the end are where the best laughs are.
• Mix the teams. Put a confident drawer and a nervous one on each team. Parents and kids on the same team works well.
• Keep the timer honest. Give the timer to someone on the guessing team's opponents, not the drawer's team.
• Celebrate bad drawings. The funniest moment is usually a terrible sketch that somebody somehow guesses. Pin the best ones on the fridge.
• Play for about 30 minutes. Then switch to something else. Our guide to charades ideas is the natural follow-up, since it uses a lot of the same words.

Pictionary online and on a TV

If you're apart, or you'd rather not fiddle with paper, there are good free drawing games that handle the words, timer and scoring.

• skribbl.io is a free browser game. As of October 2026, a private room takes 2 to 20 players, draw time can be set from 15 to 240 seconds, and you can paste in your own custom words. That makes it the easiest way to play with the lists on this page. Our skribbl.io word lists are ready to paste.
• Gartic Phone is a free browser game that mixes drawing with the telephone game: your sentence becomes someone's drawing, which becomes someone else's sentence.
• Our own Scrawl is free and works in one room or on a video call. Everyone joins on their own screen with a four letter code, no download and no account. On your turn you pick one of three words and draw it on your screen while the drawing appears live on everyone else's (and on a TV, if you add one), and they type guesses on theirs. On a call, nobody needs to share a screen. Faster correct guesses score more (10, 8, 6, then 4 points, and 3 for later ones), and the drawer earns 10 for each player who gets it, so a clear drawing beats a pretty one. It plays with 3 to 16 people, the host sets 30 to 120 seconds a turn and 1 to 5 rounds, and there are 328 built-in words in easy, medium and hard. One honest limit: unlike skribbl.io, you can't type in your own words yet.

Spindoodle is the same game with a twist: the round sheet of paper spins under your pen, slowly at first, then faster as the clock runs down. When the answer is revealed it stops the right way up, so everyone finally sees what the wobbly drawing was. It is our silliest drawing game, and it levels the field between good and bad artists.

Chain Sketch is our take on the draw, guess, pass format, and Doodle Recall has everyone draw the same words against the clock, then try to name their own drawings from memory. There's a full comparison in our online drawing games guide, and more ideas for the whole evening in party games.

Questions people ask

What are good Pictionary words?

Words you can draw in under a minute but not in two seconds: "lighthouse", "scarecrow", "hammock", "jellyfish". For adults, situations like "self-checkout" or "jet lag" are funnier. Avoid words that rely on letters or numbers, like "alphabet" or "nineteen".

What are easy Pictionary words for kids?

Simple shapes children already draw: apple, sun, house, fish, snowman, rainbow, teddy bear, dinosaur. The easy grid and the 40-word kids list above are written for ages 5 and up.

How do you play Pictionary without the board game?

Split into two teams, pick a word from a list without showing anyone, and draw it for your team while a 60 second timer runs. No letters, numbers or talking. A correct guess scores a point, then the other team draws. First to 10 wins.

Is there a free Pictionary word generator?

You can make one with two dice: the easy, medium and hard lists on this page are 6 by 6 grids, so the first die picks the row and the second the column. Online, skribbl.io and other drawing games pick words for you, and skribbl.io accepts your own custom list.

How many people do you need for Pictionary?

Four or more for two teams of two. With 2 or 3 players, drop the teams: everyone takes turns drawing and the others race to guess. Online drawing games like Scrawl and skribbl.io take bigger groups, up to 16 and 20 respectively.

Can you play Pictionary online with friends?

Yes. skribbl.io and Gartic Phone are free in a browser, and Scrawl and Spindoodle are our own versions, with everyone drawing and guessing on their own screens and a TV as an optional extra. On any video call you can also play the paper way by holding drawings up to the camera.

Pictionary, Mattel, skribbl.io and Gartic Phone are trademarks of their owners. Rondovo is not affiliated with them.