Printable Animal Charades for Kids: 24 Free Cards

Download 24 free printable animal charades cards for kids. Get simple rules, non-reader adaptations and cooperative ways to play at home or a party.

These printable animal charades cards turn a spare ten minutes into an easy group game. One player acts like an animal while everyone else guesses. Download the 24-card sheet below, cut it apart and choose a handful of familiar animals for the first round.

The cards use animal names rather than pictures, so an adult or reading partner can quietly read a card for a younger child. No special props are needed. Players can use seated gestures, standing movements or a partner performance.

Playful illustrated animals including an elephant, penguin, rabbit and butterfly

Download 24 animal charades cards (PDF, 1 page)

What animals are in the printable?

The set includes cat, dog, elephant, penguin, rabbit, frog, butterfly, snake, horse, duck, monkey, turtle, lion, bear, owl, fish, kangaroo, crab, giraffe, chicken, mouse, octopus, bee and crocodile. Set aside unfamiliar animals before you begin. There is no need to use every card.

The PDF is black and white and sized for US Letter paper. Print using ‘Fit’ for A4 paper or if your printer cuts off the margins. An adult should cut along the borders. Fold the cards once and place them in a bowl, envelope or small box.

How to play animal charades

  1. Clear enough space for comfortable gestures and agree that nobody needs to run or climb.
  2. Choose a first player and let them draw a card.
  3. Read the animal privately if the player needs help.
  4. The player acts without saying the animal’s name; for classic charades, leave out animal sounds too.
  5. Everyone guesses, then a new player takes a turn.

Begin without a timer. Give the actor time to try an idea and allow a new card whenever they want to pass. If nobody guesses, the actor can reveal the animal and show which movement they were trying. That keeps the game moving without making the turn feel like a failure.

Easy actions to help the first round

  • Elephant: use an arm as a long trunk.
  • Butterfly: open and close your arms like wings.
  • Penguin: hold your arms by your sides and make a small waddle.
  • Cat: pretend to wash your face with a paw.
  • Turtle: move slowly and pretend to tuck your head into a shell.
  • Fish: move your hands like fins or make a gentle swimming motion.

These are suggestions, not rules about how each animal must look. A child might show a cat stretching instead of washing. Let players invent their own movements and notice which clues helped the group guess.

Three ways to change the game

Cooperative family game

Put six cards in the bowl and work together to guess them all. Rotate actors in a predictable order so everyone knows when their turn is coming. Keep score only if the group enjoys it; completing the shared set can be the whole goal.

Partner charades

Two players look at the same card and decide on an action together. This can help a child who does not want to perform alone. Partners might be two penguins walking or a butterfly resting near a flower, with one player creating the setting.

A timed challenge for older players

Try a 45-second turn and award one point for a correct guess. Give each team the same number of turns. Allow passes and agree on the sound rule before starting. Remove the timer if it makes guessing less enjoyable.

Make the game welcoming for everyone

Offer a choice between two cards rather than a blind draw when that helps. Players can remain seated, use just their hands or work with a partner. Someone who prefers not to act can read clues, choose the next card or join the guessing group.

For preschoolers, start with familiar animals such as cat, dog and rabbit. You can allow sounds in this version, explaining that it is a relaxed animal-guessing game. Older children can try more unusual cards or combine two clues without using any sound.

Use the cards at a party or on a rainy day

At a party, keep the acting area separate from food and fragile decorations. Our art birthday party plan includes a short charades break between activities. For everyday play, choose a few cards after one of these rainy-day activities.

Can I use the cards in a classroom?

Yes. The original Creative Play Hub printable is free for personal and classroom use. You can play with a small group or let pairs rehearse before showing the class. Share this article link with colleagues so they can download the cards and adapt the rules for their own group.