How to play the categories game
- Everyone grabs paper and a pen. Choose how many categories you want and how long the timer runs.
- Press New round. A random letter appears with a fresh list of categories, and the timer starts.
- Write one answer for each category that starts with the letter. With the letter B and the category Animals, you could write Bear.
- When time’s up, take turns reading your answers. You score a point for each answer nobody else wrote.
Rules that keep it fun
- One answer per category. Each answer must start with the round’s letter. “The” and “A” at the start don’t count, so “The Beatles” works for B, not T.
- No repeats. If two players write the same answer, neither scores it. Original answers win.
- Bonus points for alliteration. Some groups give an extra point for each extra word that starts with the letter, like “Big Brown Bear.”
- Table vote. If an answer is a stretch, the group votes on whether it counts.
Great for classrooms and team calls
Teachers use the categories game for vocabulary practice and quick brain breaks: choose six categories and a one-minute timer for younger students. On a team call, it’s a five-minute icebreaker that gets everyone laughing at each other’s answers.
Letters don’t repeat until every letter has come up, and categories don’t repeat until you’ve played through the whole list.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as Scattergories?
It’s the same idea as Scattergories and other classic list games: one letter, a list of categories, and a time limit. This version is free, works on any device, and has its own list of nearly 200 categories.
Why are some letters left out?
Q, U, V, X, Y, and Z are hard to play, so they’re off by default, as they are on the 20-sided letter die used in many list games. Check Include hard letters if you want a challenge.
How do you score the game?
After each round, players read their answers aloud. An answer scores one point if it fits the category, starts with the letter, and nobody else wrote the same thing. Play three rounds and add up the points.
Can we play over video calls?
Yes. One person shares their screen and runs the game, and everyone writes their answers on paper or in a private note.
Can I print answer sheets?
Yes. Press Print answer sheet to print the current letter and categories with lines to write on.