Board games like Scattergories have been popular for decades for a reason — they keep you thinking on your feet while also ensuring that you have a blast while competing for glory with your friends.
Scattergories is just one of many different categorising word games that are out there on the market, however, and if you feel like you’ve played that game a few too many times, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of games similar to Scattergories out there to choose from.
Whether you’re looking for fun word games or matching games or anything in between, you’re sure to find something that suits your fancy in this list of games like Scattergories. So if you are bored of playing the same game over and over again and are looking for some inspiration in order to mix up your game nights, you’ve come to the right place! These 10 games similar to Scattergories are sure to result in lots of fun and competition!
10 Games like Scattergories
The Game of Things
Love all of the categorising that you have in games like Scattergories? Well, then you’re sure to absolutely love The Game of Things! This compact card game is perfect for adult and kids alike and is sure to be a great alternative to Scattergories for your fun game nights.
Billed as “humour in a box,” The Game of Things is a really easy game to play. As per the game itself, all you need to do is “pick a topic, write a response and guess who said what!”
The game comes with over 300 topic cards that players draw and then each player will respond to and then you must guess who said which thing! Hilarity will inevitably ensue and you’re sure to have a fantastic time playing The Game of Things.
So, if you’re looking for a fun new game that is similar to Scattergories, then you can’t go wrong with The Game of Things.
Love guessing games? Check out our list of more board games like Guess Who?!
Scrabble
No list of word games would be complete without including the mother of all word games: Scrabble. If you’re unfamiliar with this game, I don’t really know where you’ve been for the past 80+ years, however, if you need a refresher as to why this game is so fun and timeless, you’ve come to the right place.
Scrabble is essentially a crossword game where players draw seven tiles each turn with different letters on them and each letter has a different point value. The goal of the game is to build words from your tiles and to build upon the words that have already been laid out on the board.
Scrabble makes you use your brain and it’s not just about having a broad vocabulary, it is also about strategically placing your tiles to ensure that you can maximise your point value. Of course, at the end of the game, the player who has the most points wins!
Already know and love this classic game? Check out our list of games like Scrabble!
Taboo
If you love the timed pressure and thinking that Scattergories impresses upon you, then you’re sure to be a fan of Taboo and it’s going to be a welcome addition to your game cabinet. Another word game, this one also incorporates a timer and forbidden words, making or a fun and fast-paced game that is perfect for the whole family.
Taboo requires players to break into teams. Each turn, one player draws a card with a word printed on it that they must describe to their teammate so the teammate can guess what the word is.
Only thing is, there are certain “taboo” words also listed on the card that the player cannot use when describing the word! All of this must also be done in a limited amount of time.
Taboo is a great game to get you thinking on your feet and helps assist in thinking creatively. It’s perfect for kids and adults alike.
Already a fan of this game? Check out our list of more games like Taboo!
Bananagrams
If you’re looking for more fun word-building crossword games that are similar to Scattergories, then Bananagrams is a great option for you!
Especially good if you’re looking for an entertaining game to take with you on the go, this is the perfect word game for both kids and grown-ups alike to play and is sure to provide you with lots of entertainment.
Bananagrams is a lot like Scrabble in that it is a crossword game that uses letter-tiles to build words upon each other. But there is no board with Bananagrams and there is not a chance to get a “triple word score” either.
However, it is a great game to bring with you on a road trip or on holiday as all of the tiles fit into a cute banana-shaped carrier case and you can play it wherever, whenever.
So if you’re on the hunt to find more great word games like Scattergories, then make sure to check out Bananagrams — you’re sure to love it!
Pictionary
If you’re looking for another great classic board game like Scattergories that is fun and entertaining for the whole family, then you cannot go wrong with Pictionary. A fun and interactive that lets you show off your drawing skills (or lack thereof), this game is sure to be a welcome addition into your game collection.
If you’re unfamiliar with how to play Pictionary, here is a little overview. Players split into two teams and, with each turn, one player from each team will draw a card and they are tasked with drawing whatever is on the card on an easel in a limited amount of time. They can’t say anything and their teammates must guess what the drawing is before the other team does!
This game is fun and creative and is sure to entertain you just as much as Scattergories — even if you’re not a great artist. In fact, that’s where half the fun in Pictionary lies — laughing at your poor drawing skills!
Know and love this game already? Check out our list of games like Pictionary!
Catch Phrase
Going away from typical board games like Scattergories, we’ve got the incredibly fun and interactive game of Catch Phrase — a handheld electronic game that is something of a mix between Scattergories and Taboo and a whole lot of fun to play with the whole family!
The game is played by players splitting into two teams. Each turn, the device will display a word or phrase in a particular category that players must describe to their team in a limited amount of time and, once it has been guessed, the player passes it to their teammate and the game continues.
The team that guesses the most amount of phrases in the time allotted wins the round, and the teams the wins the most rounds wins the game!
Catch Phrase is a lively and dynamic game that is sure to keep you on your toes and be entertaining for the whole family!
Telestrations
Remember the game of Telephone when you were a kid? Love the concept of Pictionary but wish there was a twist? Well, you sure to fall head over heels for Telestrations — a perfect addition to this list of games like Scattergories!
Telestrations is essentially the classic kids game of Telephone but instead of whispering a phrase around until you see what it’s changed to in the end, you have to draw the thing!
At the start of the game, one player draws a card with something to draw but does not share it with the other players. The player then draws that things and then, taking turns, the next player must draw what the player before them drew – all without knowing what the original picture was supposed to be!
Telestrations will ensure that you’re laughing and having a great time and it is the perfect game for those looking for something similar to Scattergories.
Cranium
If you’re looking for a family-friendly game like Scattergories that uses all aspects of your brain while ensuring that you and your friends have a fantastic time, then you’re sure to love playing Cranium. This inventive game takes elements of countless favourite games to make something that is truly unique and a whole lot of fun for all ages.
Cranium is a game that tries to make everyone’s talents shine and if one of your frustrations with Scattergories was that you’re just not super good with words, don’t worry!
Cranium has three other categories that have nothing to do with having an extensive vocabulary so it puts everyone on an even playing field. Players compete with four different categories: Creative Cat, Word Worm, Star Performer and Data Head so even if you’re good at one of these, you may not be with the others — same with everyone else!
Cranium is an excellent game for those looking for an interactive, family-centric game similar to Scattergories and it’s sure to get your creative juices flowing.
Already know and love this game already? Check out our list of games like Cranium!
Codenames
Codenames has been riotously popular since its inception in 2015 and it is also a fantastic categorising game to play if you’re looking for something similar to Scattergories. The game is simple to play, great fun, and perfect for players of all ages so it is a family-friendly game, as well.
The concept is pretty simple. Players split into two teams and each team will elect a “spymaster” amongst themselves. It is up to the spymaster to select a couple of words that match with the cards that have laid out, however, they are not allowed to tell their teammates what they have selected.
Instead, they must come up with a word or phrase that best describes all of the words they have selected, even if they seemingly have nothing to do with each other!
Codenames is a great game to play, makes the players think deeply and critically, and it is a lot of fun for the whole family! Perfect for those looking for more word games like Scattergories.
Have you played this game already? Check out our list of games like Codenames!
Dixit
And finally, on this list, we have another categorising and guessing game, however, it has to do with pictures and not with words! Dixit is a fantastic game to play if you’re looking for fun and inventive party games like Scattergories and it is great for players of all ages too, meaning that it is just as fun for kids as it is for adults!
Dixit is really easy to pick up, meaning that there is a very little learning curve and you can get right to having fun. Each player is dealt a hand of cards that has a beautiful albeit quite ambiguous and vague picture on it. Each turn, one alternating player chooses one of their cards and describes it using a word or phrase without revealing what the card is.
Then all of the other players select from their own hand the card that best describes the word or phrase, as well. All of the cards are shuffled and then players must vote which card they think was the original! The players that were correct win a point and the player with the most points at the end of the game, win!
Dixit is a fantastic game on its own and it is sure to delight all those who are looking for something similar to Scattergories.
Finding board games like Scattergories is not a difficult task, considering that there are so many different games to choose from. All of these great board games are sure to take your game nights to another level and ensure that you keep having fun with your family and friends!
Are you hunting for more games similar to Scattergories? Have any recommendations that didn’t make the list? Let us know in the comments!
