The Category Game

Play The Category Game with friends — 2-8 players, 5 minutes. Play online party games with friends. Free in Pocket Party with 150+ IRL social games.

2-8 players, about 5 minutes, ages 8+.

Play online party games with friends.

Setup

Collectively decide on a category. For example ‘breakfast cereals’ or ‘countries’ or ‘kinds of birds’. The best categories will have hundreds of possible common-knowledge items in that category.

How to Play

Choose a player to start by saying one item in the chosen category. For example, if you chose ‘countries’ as your category then you could say ‘Australia’. Then the player to their left (in a clockwise direction) says another word in that category. If a player repeats something that has already been said or takes more than 10 seconds to say something they are eliminated. The game continues around like this until there is only one player remaining. That player wins the round and gets to choose the category for the next round.

Frequently asked questions

How many people do you need to play The Category Game?

The Category Game is designed for 2-8 players. It works best when everyone can hear each other and take turns quickly.

How long does The Category Game take?

A round of The Category Game usually takes about 5 minutes, depending on group size and how much discussion your players add.

Can you play The Category Game without extra props?

The Category Game is built to be lightweight. Check the on-page rules for any simple materials your group might need before you start.

Is The Category Game good for large groups?

Yes. The Category Game can work for larger groups up to about 8 players. For the smoothest round, keep turns short and make sure everyone understands the goal before starting.

Can kids play The Category Game?

The Category Game is recommended for ages 8+. For younger groups, read the rules first and choose categories or prompts that fit the room.