Collection of gesture game ideas and prompts
A classic, crowd-pleasing recreation that both kids and adults can’t help but get hooked on: the gesture game.
In this article, we’ll introduce a variety of gesture-game prompts, organized by category.
It’s packed with everything from easy prompts to tricky ones that make you think, “Huh? How am I supposed to act that out?”
It’s your time to shine!
Even if the message doesn’t get across in the end, putting in the effort to think and move is the key to making it fun!
Don’t be shy—move as much as you can and try whatever comes to mind.
For harder prompts, try offering hints or using other creative tweaks.
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Occupations (1–10)
Magician
Let’s express a magician who performs mysterious phenomena right before your eyes using gestures.
Rather than large-scale illusions, it’s recommended to portray close-up magic done with the hands.
Classic options include movements that skillfully manipulate cards or motions that look like casting spells with a wand.
Be sure to incorporate a surprised expression as if something inexplicable just happened—making it look like an actual magic trick is being performed is an important point.
Photographer
Use both thumbs and index fingers so that one thumb forms the vertical line of an L, then flip one hand and join them together—ta‑da, you’ve got a camera! Didn’t you ever make a camera shape like this when you were a kid? If you move around someone while saying things like “Nice, nice!” it’ll make you look like a real photographer.
For a little variation, make one hand into a ‘dish’ as if you’re holding a camera body, and use the other hand to mimic pressing the shutter—then it’ll look like you’re holding a big DSLR camera!
Sushi restaurant
Sushi, the food that represents Japan! These days, there are many foreigners who love sushi too, right? When we picture a sushi restaurant, we often imagine a strict sushi chef with a stern face and a furrowed brow.
He holds the rice and topping in one hand, then uses the index and middle fingers of the other hand to press and shape it.
Once it’s formed, he places it on the plate with the hand that was doing the pressing—and it’s done!
police officer
Police officers, often depicted in many TV dramas, manga, and anime like Aibou and Bayside Shakedown, are commonly represented with a salute gesture.
To mimic a police officer, the salute pose is definitely the best! First, raise your right elbow to shoulder height, bend the elbow, and without bending your wrist or fingers, bring your fingertips to your temple.
At that moment, keep your fingers together (not spread) and make sure your palm is not visible to the other person.
It’s said that using the right hand for the salute is specified by police etiquette.
Saluting styles may vary depending on the department or organization, but the pose you often see on TV is the familiar form introduced here, so this will surely get the message across!
salaryman
Let’s try expressing the daily life of an office worker through gestures.
Since remote work would depict someone at home, it’s best to focus on commuting and working at the office.
Even without firsthand experience, the classic image is someone in a suit swaying on a crowded train, so be sure to capture that hardworking vibe.
The word “work” can evoke different images, so it may be clearer to convey the idea of a salaryman through other elements.
Aquarium staff
Aquariums, where creatures from watersides like the sea and rivers are displayed, are a classic sightseeing spot.
Let’s focus on the staff who work at such aquariums and express each of their movements through gestures.
There are various roles, such as staff in charge of dolphin and sea lion shows and staff responsible for animal care, so it’s important to consider which aspects to emphasize.
Regardless of the job, affection for the animals is also a key point, so conveying how they interact with the creatures will make it easier to understand.
violinist
A violinist is indispensable to an orchestra.
Dressed in elegant attire, they captivate us as they perform everything from beautiful tones to intense pieces.
Becoming a violinist costs money and playing is difficult, but anyone can easily become one with gestures! First, hold the violin with your left hand.
Imagine tucking the lower part of the violin’s body between your chin and shoulder, and holding the slender neck with your left hand.
Then, hold the bow with your right hand and push and pull it over the violin.
Do that, and you might look like Taro Hakase or Chisako Takashima… maybe!