A category game works best when the categories are specific enough to spark a quick answer but open enough that players do not all write the same thing. This page gives lists of categories by theme, then explains how to choose and adjust them for your group.
It suits games like Scattergories, Categories, Things and list-style rounds you improvise yourself.
What makes a good category?
- Specific but not narrow. “Things in a kitchen” works. “Things in a drawer to the left of the oven” does not.
- Several possible answers. Aim for categories where different players might reasonably pick different answers.
- Familiar to everyone. Pick topics your whole group knows something about.
- Clear to judge. Avoid categories where players would argue whether an answer counts.
Everyday categories
- Fruits and vegetables
- Things in a kitchen
- Clothing items
- Things you find in a bathroom
- Types of weather
- Things in a backpack
- Jobs
- Colours
- Things that are round
Food and drink categories
- Pizza toppings
- Breakfast foods
- Things you put on toast
- Ice cream flavours
- Soft drinks
- Foods that are green
- Snacks
Animals and nature
- Animals with four legs
- Birds
- Things in a garden
- Flowers
- Sea creatures
- Pets
Entertainment and pop culture
- Film titles
- Cartoon characters
- Famous singers
- Video game characters
- Superheroes
- Board games
- TV shows
- Things in a theme park
Places and travel
- Countries
- Cities
- Things you take on holiday
- Tourist attractions
- Modes of transport
- Things at the beach
Funny and silly categories
- Excuses for being late
- Things you should not say at a wedding
- Names for a pet goldfish
- Things that are hard to carry
- Reasons to call in sick
Categories for adults
- Things you would find in a pub
- Famous duos
- Things people do when stuck in traffic
- Jobs you would hate
- Things you pretend to understand
Adjust the tone to your group, and keep anything sensitive off the list. For a bar or after-work crowd, see happy hour games for ways to use them.
Categories for kids
- Animals
- Toys
- Things at school
- Things that are red
- Characters in cartoons
- Things you eat for lunch
Jeopardy-style categories for adults
For a quiz-style game, categories might be: decades of music, famous landmarks, kitchen science, film quotes, general trivia, sports, or “Before and After” puzzles. Pick six, with five questions each at rising difficulty.
Topics for the game Things
Things-style games use prompts that invite personal answers, such as “Things you would never lend a friend” or “Things that make a bad first date”. Players write answers and the group guesses who wrote what.
Ways to adjust difficulty
- Add a letter requirement, such as every answer must begin with the same letter.
- Shorten the timer for experienced groups.
- Make categories narrower for strong players (“Italian foods” instead of “foods”).
- Allow open categories for beginners.
Dealing with disputes
Decide beforehand how to judge doubtful answers. A simple method is to let the group vote, or give the host the final say. Duplicate answers are often cancelled so that creative answers score better.
Using categories in other games
Categories are also useful for slips in the hat game, for prompts in the drawing on your head game, or for starter ideas in impromptu party games. They fit mime games and acting games as well. They also make quick rounds at the dinner table; see table conversation games and family games at the dinner table.
Frequently asked questions
What are some interesting topics for a game?
Mix everyday, food, entertainment and silly topics to appeal to different people.
What kind of games are popular?
Word games, guessing games and trivia are common at parties because they need little equipment.
How many categories do I need?
Many versions use twelve per round, though shorter lists of six to eight work well for quick games. For other short options, see 5-minute games for adults.