Drawing Game Words for Kids and Families
Drawing games are one of the best things a family can play together: nobody needs to read fast or know trivia, and a wobbly cat drawn by a seven-year-old is just as funny as one drawn by grandpa. Here are easy word lists sorted by topic, and tips to keep the game fun for every age.
A note before we start: You Draw is for players aged 13 and older, so online play with an account is for teens and adults. The word lists below work perfectly for younger children too, on paper or a whiteboard at home, with a parent running the game, or in a private room on a parent's device with the family playing together.
What makes a good word for kids?
- They can see it in their head. Objects and animals they meet every day work best: a ball, a dog, a banana.
- It has a clear shape. “Snake” and “sun” are easy; “weather” and “energy” are not.
- It's one or two words. Short words are easier to guess and easier to spell when typing.
- It's fun. Funny animals, monsters and food always get a laugh.
Animals
ant, bat, bear, bee, bird, bunny, butterfly, cat, chicken, cow, crab, crocodile, dog, dolphin, duck, elephant, fish, fox, frog, giraffe, hedgehog, horse, kangaroo, ladybug, lion, monkey, mouse, octopus, owl, panda, parrot, penguin, pig, rabbit, shark, sheep, snail, snake, spider, tiger, turtle, whale, zebra
Food and drink
apple, banana, birthday cake, bread, burger, candy, carrot, cheese, cherry, cookie, corn, cupcake, donut, egg, grapes, ice cream, lemon, lollipop, milk, orange, pancake, pear, pineapple, pizza, popcorn, sandwich, strawberry, tomato, watermelon
Toys and games
ball, balloon, blocks, doll, drum, kite, puzzle, robot, rocking horse, skipping rope, slide, swing, teddy bear, toy car, train set, trampoline, yo-yo
Around the house
bath, bed, bucket, chair, clock, comb, cup, door, fork, fridge, key, lamp, mirror, pillow, plate, sofa, spoon, stairs, table, television, toothbrush, towel, umbrella, window
Outside and nature
beach, cloud, flower, grass, leaf, lightning, moon, mountain, puddle, rain, rainbow, river, rock, sand castle, snow, snowman, star, sun, tree, volcano, waves
Things that go
airplane, bicycle, boat, bus, car, fire truck, helicopter, hot air balloon, motorbike, police car, rocket, sailboat, scooter, submarine, tractor, train
Fantasy and fun
alien, castle, crown, dragon, fairy, ghost, giant, magic wand, mermaid, monster, pirate, princess, superhero, treasure chest, unicorn, witch, wizard
Actions
Actions are a step up: kids act them out with stick figures. Try these once the easy words feel too easy.
clap, climb, cry, dance, dig, eat, fly, jump, kick, laugh, read, run, sing, sleep, swim, throw, wave
Tips for a fun family game
- Let kids pick from two or three words. Choosing makes them feel in charge, and they'll pick a word they know how to draw.
- Give younger players more time. Online, set a longer drawing time (up to 120 seconds in You Draw). On paper, just don't use the timer for the little ones.
- Team up. Pair a young child with an older sibling or adult: one draws, the other helps with ideas.
- Celebrate the funny drawings. Some of the best moments are drawings that look nothing like the word. Laugh together, not at the artist.
- Keep scores light. For small kids, count “how many words did the family guess together” instead of individual points.
- Play short games. Two or three rounds is plenty for young children. Stop while everyone is still having fun.
Why drawing games are great for kids
Drawing and guessing games build skills without feeling like lessons. Kids practise vocabulary when they guess and spell words, creative thinking when they work out how to show an idea, and fine motor control when they draw. They also learn to take turns, to lose gracefully and to cheer for someone else's good drawing. For older kids, typing guesses quickly is good spelling practice, and forgiving games like You Draw still accept answers that are one letter off with a “So close!” hint.
Playing as a family online
For relatives who live far away, a drawing game is an easy way to play together on a video call. A parent creates a private room, pastes one of the lists above into the custom words box and shares the room code or invite link. Grandparents can join from a tablet, cousins from a laptop, and everyone draws on the same canvas.
Want bigger lists? Try 300 words to draw (the easy list is ideal for families), or the themed lists in custom word lists for drawing games, which include animals, holidays and food.