![[Rec] Interesting! A roundup of wordplay games](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LWlA78pKKgs/hqdefault.jpg)
[Rec] Interesting! A roundup of wordplay games
When you hear “word games,” do you mostly think of shiritori? It’s something everyone must have played as a child.
But if you take a look at this page, you’ll see there are actually quite a few types of word games.
In this article, we’ll introduce some fun word games and games that use language! They’re perfect for quick games with friends when you have some spare time, for recreation periods in preschools and elementary schools, and as icebreakers for working adults.
[Rec] Fun! Wordplay Game Compilation (1–10)
Opposites
This is a game where you respond to a word with another word that has the opposite meaning.
For example, if someone says “cold,” you reply with “hot.” It’s great for learning vocabulary, so it’s especially recommended for children! It’s even better if you can reply quickly when prompted.
Parents and teachers can quiz kids, or friends can play it like a game together.
As children move up in grade, try not only adjectives but also compound words or even English.
Try different prompts suited to the child’s age.
Communication game
A communication game where everyone answers one character at a time to produce a single answer that matches the prompt! For example, if the prompt is “a red fruit” and you want to align on “apple,” each person presents one character—“a,” “p,” “p,” “l,” “e”—and if you complete the word correctly, you succeed.
But if the characters don’t form a valid word, like “a,” “t,” “e,” it’s a failure.
The number of players determines the number of characters in the answer, so be careful.
It’s best with a small group of about 2–5 people.
Great fun with close friends, coworkers, or family.
No matter what you say, they just reply with “◯◯.”
In this game, no matter what is said to you, you must only respond with the word specified at the start.
For example, the prompt might be: “No matter what you’re asked, only reply ‘America.’” Once the game begins, the questioner will say various words.
Mix in words that might make the player slip up.
For instance, including “Africa” can be tricky because it sounds similar and might cause them to echo it by mistake.
The game proceeds like this: “Hot,” “America,” “Sports,” “America,” “Africa,” “America,” alternating back and forth for several rallies.
If you make it to the end without being led astray, you win! You’d be surprised how easy it is to trip up when you hear similar-sounding words.
Onomatopoeia Game
A word game that uses onomatopoeia like “kirakira” (sparkle) and “wanwan” (woof).
One person poses an item or situation, and the others quickly respond with the most fitting onomatopoeia.
For example, if the prompt is “stars,” you’d answer “kirakira.” It starts with the melody “O-onomatope, onomatope,” then alternates between prompts and responses in rhythm.
Before starting, the team decides how many rounds they need to clear; if they hit the target, they win! If someone breaks the rhythm, can’t answer, or gives an obviously mismatched response, they’re out.
Even small children can enjoy it, so give it a try!
Tahoiya
Tahoiya is a word game using a dictionary that was even featured on variety shows.
The rule is to determine whether the given definition of a word is the real one.
The quizmaster first prepares a dictionary and chooses a word for players to judge.
The key is to pick a word that people don’t hear very often.
After selecting the word, the quizmaster thinks up about three fake definitions in addition to the word’s true dictionary definition.
These fake definitions are presented together with the real one as multiple choices, and the respondent must answer which one is the word’s true meaning.
It’s a game that exercises the brains of both the quizmaster and the respondents—difficult, but also educational.
Who am I? game
The “Who am I?” game is where one person pretends to be something, and everyone else guesses what it is.
You can pretend to be not only a person or an animal, but also an object.
There are a few ways to play.
In one version, the group asks questions and the player answers until someone guesses correctly.
In another, the player gives a few hints while staying in character, and others try to guess.
There’s also a version where only the player doesn’t know the answer; they ask the group questions to figure out what they are pretending to be.
In any case, it’s a success when someone guesses the “thing” being portrayed! Try playing in different styles and have fun.
Word Wolf
Word Wolf is a game where you try to identify the single participant who has a different answer from everyone else.
At the start, no one knows who that person is—not even the one who has the odd answer.
Everyone talks to figure out who the odd one out is, and also whether they themselves might be that person.
If you realize during the conversation that you are the odd one, one strategy is to align your story with everyone else so they don’t notice.
In the end, if the group correctly identifies the odd one, everyone else wins.
If the odd one deceives everyone until the end, that person wins.
Enjoy the psychological battle as you probe each other!