How To Play 20 Questions With Kids (And the Best Questions To Ask)

Learn how to play with your kids, as well as some variations on the classic game. Fact checked by Elizabeth Brownfield Whether you're stuck inside on a rainy day or trying to pass time on a road trip, it's always helpful for parents to have a kid-friendly activity on hand—or, in this case, in your head! The classic guessing game 20 Questions is a simple yet effective way to keep kids engaged and having fun. The goal? To figure out what person, place, object, food, or animal the "it" player is thinking of. Although simple, 20 Questions is a great game for boosting a child's creativity and critical thinking as they channel their inner detective to solve the correct answer. Ready to play? Here, we'll explain how to play 20 Questions, the best strategy for asking effective questions, tips for a successful game, and fun variations to try. Directions for Playing 20 Questions Typically, a game of 20 Questions works best with two to 10 players. Older kids (around 6 years and up) may be better suited to play, but ultimately, the age range is up to you. (You know your kid best!) Here are the general rules for how to play 20 Questions: Designate one person to be "it." For example, have the youngest player go first or go alphabetically by name. The " it " player thinks of something specific, usually a person, place, animal, or object. Remember not to say it out loud! The rest of the players take turns asking one question at a time, trying to guess the answer. The questions should be yes/no questions only. (For example, "Is it a person?" or "Is it an animal?") Players continue taking turns until the group has reached 20 questions. A player can guess the answer at any time during the game, as long as it's their turn. (If you guess wrong, that counts as one of the 20 questions!) The winner is whoever guesses the correct answer. Then, it's the winner's turn to be "it." If no one is able to guess correctly, the "it" player reveals the answer, and someone new can volunteer to go next. How To Ask Effective Questions It can be tough to narrow down the mystery answer with just 20 questions! The best strategy is to start with general questions and make them more specific as you gather more information from the "it" player. Here is how a line of questioning might progress for an animal: Is it an animal? (Yes). Is it a house pet? (No.) Can it be found at the zoo? (Yes.) Is it a reptile? (No.) Is it a mammal? (Yes.) Does it have stripes? (No.) Does it have claws? (Yes.) Does it roar? (Yes.) Does it have a mane? (Yes.) Is it a lion? (Yes! That's the correct answer.) Need more question ideas? We've rounded up some helpful jumping-off questions for each category: Animals Is it a bird/reptile/mammal/etc.? Does it have wings/a beak/claws/etc.? Does it live in water/on land? Does it eat meat/grass/bugs? Is it big/small? Can you keep it as a pet? Places Is it a famous place? Is it a vacation spot? Have I been there before? Is it in America/Europe/Etc.? Is it a hot/cold/wet/dry/etc. place? Do you need a plane to get there? People Are they real/fictional/historical? Are they famous? Are they alive? Do I know them? Is it a movie/sports/TV star? Where do they live? Objects Is there one in the room right now? Can you use it to cook/play a sport/etc.? Is it electronic? Can I hold it in my hand? Do I know how to use it? Do I use it for school/fun/work? Food Do I like to eat it? Is it a breakfast/lunch/snack/dessert? Is it sweet/sour/spicy? Can I get it in a restaurant? Is it popular? Is it more for kids/grown-ups? The goal is to narrow down the questions as the game goes on. It helps to remember what questions other players asked, too! Tips for a Successful Game of 20 Questions To make the most out of 20 Questions, here are some tips to keep in mind when playing with your kids: Make sure everyone can guess the answer. All players should be familiar enough with the topic to ensure the game is fair. Help your kids phrase the questions if needed. For example, if they ask, "What color is it?" help them rephrase it to say, "Is it blue?" The questions should only require "yes" or "no" responses. Ensure everyone gets a turn. Keep the game going until everyone has a chance to be "it." Designate someone to keep track of questions. Depending on how many people are playing, it can be easy to lose count! If needed, stick to specific categories. Narrowing down topics instead of keeping them broad might help younger kids. For example, have them choose a farm animal or their favorite dessert. Take your time. Playing 20 Questions is a great way for kids to think critically and analyze information, which is best done at their own pace. Variations of 20 Questions If you want to switch it up a little bit, there are a few variations of 20 Questions to try, including: Botticelli: Players guess famous people and the "it" player gives the first initial of the person's name. Vermicelli: Players guess different foods, and the first initial is given. Vespucci: Players guess physical places, and the first initial is given. Heads Up: The "it" player picks up a card without looking at it and places it on their forehead. The card shows a picture or word for their team to see (such as an animal, object, person, etc.), and they shout out clues to help the "it" player guess what it is. There are Heads Up apps and board games available, or you can create your own clues using index cards. No matter which version you choose, 20 Questions is a surefire way to get the kids excited and laughing while doing what they do best—asking questions! Read the original article on Parents