Telephone Pictionary

Name and Purpose

Telephone Pictionary is a creative storytelling game where messages transform hilariously through writing and drawing.
Players practise creative expression, interpretation, and the joy of seeing a story evolve unexpectedly.

a.k.a.

Picture Telephone, Broken Telephone Drawings (Note: the commonly used alternate name “Eat Poop You Cat” is excluded here due to content.)

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 5-15 players, best with 8-12 | 20-35 minutes | Quiet seated space with a flat writing surface

Materials

One stack of index cards or small paper squares per player (stack size equals the number of players)
One pen or pencil per player
Optional: a clipboard or tray per player for a firm writing surface

Quick-Run Card

Hand each player a stack of cards matching the group size, plus a pen.
Round 1: everyone writes a sentence on the top card. Pass the whole stack clockwise.
Read the sentence on top, put it on the bottom, draw a picture of it on the new top card. Pass again.
Alternate writing (describe the drawing) and drawing (illustrate the sentence) until stacks return to their owner.
Each person reads their stack aloud from first card to last, like a picture story.

Setup and Boundaries

Arrange players in a circle or around a table so passing is easy
Signal: one raised hand to pause; call “Pencils down” when time is up for a round
Set a gentle time limit per round (2-3 minutes) to keep energy up
Remind players: drawing skill does not matter; stick figures are perfect

How to Play

Each player receives a stack of cards equal to the number of players, plus a pen.
Round 1 (Sentence): everyone writes a fun, descriptive sentence on their top card. Keep it imaginative.
Each player passes their entire stack clockwise to the next person. The sentence stays on top.
Round 2 (Drawing): the new player reads the sentence, places it at the bottom of the stack, and draws a picture of the sentence on the new top card.
Pass the stack again. Each player now sees only the drawing on top.
Round 3 (Sentence again): write a sentence describing the drawing, place the drawing at the bottom, and pass again.
Continue alternating drawing and writing until each player receives their own original stack back.
One at a time, players reveal their stack: start with the first sentence and show each card in sequence. The group watches as the story transforms. Celebrate the most surprising changes.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Write, draw, and share your stack with the full group
S (Support): Help a younger or newer player understand the sequence; celebrate others’ reveals warmly
Q (Quiet): Participate fully in writing and drawing without sharing aloud if preferred; passing the stack to the next person is all that is required
O (Observer): Watch a round before joining; a new player can enter at any writing round by starting their own stack

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who prefer not to draw can write a very detailed description instead of drawing; the game still works
Players who find writing difficult can dictate their sentence to a trusted peer or staff member who writes it for them

Stewardship Moment

Finished card stacks make a great keepsake; encourage players to take them home or add them to a cabin memory board
Scrap paper works just as well as new index cards; use leftovers from other activities

Consent

Pre-brief: “You’ll be sharing your drawings and sentences with the group at the end. For those not comfortable sharing aloud, passing your stack to a friend to read is another option.”
Mid-game check: after a few rounds, check that the pacing feels okay; anyone who wants a longer drawing time can raise a hand
Opt-out and re-entry: a player can choose not to reveal their stack; they can still watch and enjoy everyone else’s

Risks and Mitigation

Players rushing drawings, making later interpretations difficult: set a minimum time per round (90 seconds) and keep it consistent
Inappropriate sentences or drawings: brief players beforehand that content should be something they’d be happy for a teacher to see; redirect gently if needed
Unequal stack sizes if someone joins late: pair a late-joiner with an existing player and they share a stack

Warm-Up Suggestions

“One-Word Story”: go around the circle with each person adding one word to build a silly sentence
“Quick Draw”: staff calls a simple object; players have 20 seconds to draw it; no showing until time is up

Debrief Questions

What? “How did your original sentence change by the end? What surprised you most?”
So What? “What does this tell us about how messages change as they pass from person to person?”
Now What? “What’s a situation in real life where a message might get “translated” differently? How can you make your communication clearer?”

Cleanup and Reset