How to Play Scattergories Word Game

Scattergories is a classic game of fast thinking, matching words to categories. This game is for 2 – 6 players, ages 12 and up.

Scattergories has been around since 1988 and our family has been playing this game for just as long. I have fond memories of my extended family playing this game and the laughter we had, including the time that my mother tried to pass off “thand” as things at the beach for the letter T. No she didn’t get the points, but we did laugh and now I look back and remember her love of games and family. Now that our kids are older it has once again become a favorite game.

In fact we love this game so much that we have a Scattergories game for many seasons and holidays in our Fun Library. We even have birthday and Harry Potter ones!

This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

How to Play Scattergories

Scattergories starts with a list of 12 categories of random things –everything from fictional characters to things you replace; from restaurants to things at a circus; from hobbies to things that are cold. There are 12 lists of 12 categories. Next, there is a timer that has 3 minutes and 15 seconds on it—with lines for shorter and more challenging games. Last, there is a 20-sided die with most of the alphabet letters on it.

To start, all players choose the same list. Next, someone sets the timer up. Then, someone rolls the die to a letter. When everyone knows the letter and is ready, the timer is started. Now, you have three minutes to fill in the categories with words beginning with the rolled letter.

For example:
A boy’s name: Kyle
Cities: Kansas
Things that are cold: knives
School supplies: kit (lunch)

When the timer stops, everyone must stop writing. Next, everyone compares their answers. You score points by coming up with unique answers. If two players have the same answer, they cancel each other out. So, if two or more players wrote down “corn” for vegetables, no one gets a point. It is best to write down anything that fits because it is up to the players playing to decide if the word fits the category or not. For example, is a knife cold? I say yes, but someone else might not agree. The players have to decide as a group if the answer gets a point.

Players can also score extra points for coming up with answers that have two or more words that start with the letter. For example, Donald Duck would get a player two points. No adjectives are allowed.

Winning Scattergories

The Scattergories game comes with pads that have enough space for three rounds. The player who has the most points at the end of the three rounds is the winner. However, three rounds is rarely enough for our family so we either count each list as its own or play until we tire out or run out of time.

What we like

As I’ve said Scattergories is a long standing family favorite. We love the challenge and creativeness of finding an answer for every category, of scoring a point for answering a simple answer, of finding the answer that no one else thought of. We like that it is really a simple game to play. Anyone can play with only a pen and paper. When we teach someone new to play, the first round seems a little daunting but after the first round everyone gets the idea and the fun.

People who claim to be bad spellers are usually turned off at first, but as they are the only person who has to read what is written, it doesn’t matter how anything is spelled—as long as the person who wrote it knows what it says! It only needs to start with the right letter.

What we don’t like

There isn’t much, however, when only playing with two players arguments can crop up. Do you replace sugar in the sugar bowl? Also, there are a few categories that tend to stump us, especially the kids. (World cities don’t seem to be covered in school anymore.)

Online and Modified Scattergories

I have to say Scattergories is the best game that we have found to play online in a virtual gathering. As I said before, everyone can play. We’ve played it with many groups online and everyone ends up enjoying themselves.

Also, the fact that you can modify this game to suit any need is great. We’ve used it for a Girl Guide end of year game where we had categories like “pandemic” and “actives we did this year”. It was a great recap of the year. We have also modified this game for a birthday party with categories involving the birthday girl. Categories like “Julia’s favorite food” and “Julia wears” and “things that Julia says.” It made her virtual birthday party fun and personal. You can see the birthday game here. And for extra fun you can edit the PFF to customize it for your birthday person.

Holiday Themes

As I said, you can customize Scattergories for just about anything. But lucky for you, we’ve done the work for you. In our FREE Fun Library you can get Canada Day Scattergoires, Christmas, Cinco de Mayo, Easter, Fall and Halloween, Father’s Day, Moher’s Day, Graduation, St Patrick’s Day, Summer, Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day Scattergories. I know, all for free, just join our mailing list with the black box below. And you never know when we’ll add another new game!

Is Scattergories Worth Adding to your Family Game Shelf?

YES! Scattergories is a great game for the whole family. The box suggests 12 and up, but we’ve found that younger kids can play too—as long as they can read and write. This game is sure to have your mind in a whirl and your side in stiches as you laugh at some of the crazy, um creative, answers that are given. We highly recommend that Scattergories be added to everyone’s Family Game Shelf.

To get your own copy of Scattergories, shop here. Canadians can shop here. And if you already love Scattergories, check out our review of Scattergories Categories and see our Categories section of Family Game Shop.

Rating:

Pros: creative thinking, easy, little equipment, any number of players
Cons: some letters are hard, loud timer
Mom: vocabulary, creativity,

Looking for more game reviews? Read our game reviews here.
For dice games, check out our dice games.
And for card games, check out our card games.