How To Play Scattergories
Scattergories Game Rules (PDF Instructions)
2 - 6
Players
12+
Ages
30 MIN
Play Time
$27
Price
The game of Scattergories will have you thinkiing quick as you try to come up with a flavor of ice cream, a sport, and something that you would find in an electronics store. But the catch - they all have to start with the same letter. Sounds easy right? Think again. Scattergories will have you searching your brain for words that you wouldn't normally think to use. Now you have 3 minutes or less to make sure your answers don't match anyone else's answers. The objective of Scattergories is to score points by writing down unique words that fit specific categories, all starting with the same randomly selected letter, within a time limit. Good luck.
Scattergories will have you being creative in order to find unique words and gain points. Be the player with the most unique words to win. Scattergories is a classic, fast-thinking game that will have the whole family laughing as they struggle to come up with the right words. Scattergories is a fun and fast-paced word game that challenges players to think quickly and creatively. It's a versatile game that can be adapted for different group sizes and variations. Feel free to adjust the rules as needed to suit your preferences and group dynamics. Try Scattergories today for a fun and fast-thinking game.
This game should come with the following components. These are based off of the original game and don't include components from any expansion packs or different editions. Depeding how when your game was released, it might contain slightly different items than those listed below.Scattergories will have you being creative in order to find unique words and gain points. Be the player with the most unique words to win. Scattergories is a classic, fast-thinking game that will have the whole family laughing as they struggle to come up with the right words. Scattergories is a fun and fast-paced word game that challenges players to think quickly and creatively. It's a versatile game that can be adapted for different group sizes and variations. Feel free to adjust the rules as needed to suit your preferences and group dynamics. Try Scattergories today for a fun and fast-thinking game.
- 5 Folders
- Six Clip Strips
- Answer Pad
- 20-sided Die
- Forty Category Cards
- Timer
- Die-rolling Board
- Six Pencils
- Official Scattergories Rules And Instructions
The object of Scattergories is to quickly fill out a category list with answers that begin with the appointed letter. You'll score points if other players haven't thought of the same answers. The player with the most points wins.
Perparation: Each player takes a piece of paper from the score pad. Place the Scattergories game board and alphabet die in the center of the table.
Game Play: Choose a designated "reader" who will roll the alphabet die and read aloud the corresponding letter. Once the letter is revealed, all players have a set amount of time (usually 3 minutes) to come up with words that fit each category on the game board, starting with the chosen letter. Players must try to come up with unique words for each category. If multiple players write down the same word for a category, those words cancel each other out, and no player earns a point for that category.
Players score one point for each unique word that fits the category and starts with the chosen letter. At the end of the round, players take turns reading their answers aloud. Any disputed answers can be voted on by the group. Score one point for each unique and valid word. The reader should keep track of scores for each player on their score sheet. Repeat steps 1-6 for a set number of rounds or until all players have had a turn as the designated reader. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Tips: Be creative and think outside the box to come up with unique words. Keep an eye on the timer and pace yourself to ensure you have enough time to fill in all the categories. Make sure everyone agrees on the validity of words before scoring. Have fun and enjoy the challenge of thinking quickly under pressure!
Please keep in mind that the official Scattergories PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the game version you have. These instructions are some of the exact directions that came in the original packaging and will teach you how to play. Download them to view now or print them for later use. No need to worry if you've lost your copy or if you need a quick refresher course.
Game Play: Choose a designated "reader" who will roll the alphabet die and read aloud the corresponding letter. Once the letter is revealed, all players have a set amount of time (usually 3 minutes) to come up with words that fit each category on the game board, starting with the chosen letter. Players must try to come up with unique words for each category. If multiple players write down the same word for a category, those words cancel each other out, and no player earns a point for that category.
Players score one point for each unique word that fits the category and starts with the chosen letter. At the end of the round, players take turns reading their answers aloud. Any disputed answers can be voted on by the group. Score one point for each unique and valid word. The reader should keep track of scores for each player on their score sheet. Repeat steps 1-6 for a set number of rounds or until all players have had a turn as the designated reader. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Tips: Be creative and think outside the box to come up with unique words. Keep an eye on the timer and pace yourself to ensure you have enough time to fill in all the categories. Make sure everyone agrees on the validity of words before scoring. Have fun and enjoy the challenge of thinking quickly under pressure!
Please keep in mind that the official Scattergories PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the game version you have. These instructions are some of the exact directions that came in the original packaging and will teach you how to play. Download them to view now or print them for later use. No need to worry if you've lost your copy or if you need a quick refresher course.
Share with us your comments, funny stories, tips, advice, strategies, creative ways to play, questions about playing, problems with the directions or anything you want about Scattergories. All submissions will be reviewed within 24 hours.
Tim says:
Can you name a specific person if category is squeezable
07-18-2021
Can you name a specific person if category is squeezable
Jaccob says:
If the letter is a and you need a fruit would A Apple count as 2 points or just one?
07-01-2021
If the letter is a and you need a fruit would A Apple count as 2 points or just one?
Brandi says:
Hello. When answering a question, such as, "things you can squeeze" and the chosen letter is "M" can the answer be "my hand"?
12-26-2020
Hello. When answering a question, such as, "things you can squeeze" and the chosen letter is "M" can the answer be "my hand"?
Jay says:
Letter F. Question was states. I answer frenzy Acceptable?
07-05-2020
Letter F. Question was states. I answer frenzy Acceptable?
Tori says:
Let's say we have the letter "d" and the category is color, could someone put down, "Derek's favorite color, black"? I don't think it should be allowed because then they could put names in front of every answer and get away with it
12-19-2019
Let's say we have the letter "d" and the category is color, could someone put down, "Derek's favorite color, black"? I don't think it should be allowed because then they could put names in front of every answer and get away with it
Pamela says:
Elizabeth: Not about who is right. Majority rules.👎👍👎👍👎👎 Example: the challenge is Name a place that starts with B. You name Baltimore. Another player says "no such place." A vote is taken and majority rules. There is not even a Scrabble rule: A player can look up a challenged word, and whoever is wrong loses a turn. This happened to me. I got voted down for Northern Pine. Was not allowed to google & sacrifice a turn if wrong. Also, easy to cheat if you lie: Just make up a name for a small park, then claim it's a small town in Wyoming (or wherever). My nephew says he does it all the time. Set some new ground rules for your friends. Maybe a trivia geek for a referee.
12-19-2019
Elizabeth: Not about who is right. Majority rules.👎👍👎👍👎👎 Example: the challenge is Name a place that starts with B. You name Baltimore. Another player says "no such place." A vote is taken and majority rules. There is not even a Scrabble rule: A player can look up a challenged word, and whoever is wrong loses a turn. This happened to me. I got voted down for Northern Pine. Was not allowed to google & sacrifice a turn if wrong. Also, easy to cheat if you lie: Just make up a name for a small park, then claim it's a small town in Wyoming (or wherever). My nephew says he does it all the time. Set some new ground rules for your friends. Maybe a trivia geek for a referee.
Elizabeth says:
Tonight we had a big argument. The question was "Kitchen appliance" and the letter was "t". Two people wrote"Toaster" and one person wrote "Toaster Oven." The argument was that a Toaster oven is different from a toaster and therefore should be allowed and some of us said that the word"Toaster" was the first word and therefore should be eliminated along with the two other people who had just written "Toaster." Who is right?
09-27-2019
Tonight we had a big argument. The question was "Kitchen appliance" and the letter was "t". Two people wrote"Toaster" and one person wrote "Toaster Oven." The argument was that a Toaster oven is different from a toaster and therefore should be allowed and some of us said that the word"Toaster" was the first word and therefore should be eliminated along with the two other people who had just written "Toaster." Who is right?
Anthony says:
The letter was G and the question was "titles people have" I put general and someone put Gardner does that count. Does Gardner counts as a title?
06-12-2019
The letter was G and the question was "titles people have" I put general and someone put Gardner does that count. Does Gardner counts as a title?
maya says:
CariLynne - you are right you can not use adjectives for the answer the article or clothing or the dress is the answer and it has to start with f.
07-08-2018
CariLynne - you are right you can not use adjectives for the answer the article or clothing or the dress is the answer and it has to start with f.
Jodie says:
Can you use "tea, iced" as an answer for "Something that is cold?"
04-20-2018
Can you use "tea, iced" as an answer for "Something that is cold?"
Gary says:
If the question is "Name a thing you save up to buy" and someone says LeBron James is that allowed? I challenged it because a human is not a thing.
02-10-2018
If the question is "Name a thing you save up to buy" and someone says LeBron James is that allowed? I challenged it because a human is not a thing.
Emily says:
Erin- we are living in a parallel universe. My family played tonight and had ‘A' and category was sweet things. We got in a heated arguement over apple, apple pie, and apple juice! We finally decided that everyone got points because they were three distinct things...but who really knows?!
11-25-2017
Erin- we are living in a parallel universe. My family played tonight and had ‘A' and category was sweet things. We got in a heated arguement over apple, apple pie, and apple juice! We finally decided that everyone got points because they were three distinct things...but who really knows?!
Erin says:
If the letter is "A", can points be taken for apple pie, apple cider and apple core? We are having huge disagreement!
11-25-2017
If the letter is "A", can points be taken for apple pie, apple cider and apple core? We are having huge disagreement!
Bob says:
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Does that count for 2 points?
11-23-2017
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Does that count for 2 points?
Kris says:
If one person has "Minnesota Twins" and another person has "Minnesota Wilds", do they both get the point or neither?
04-23-2017
If one person has "Minnesota Twins" and another person has "Minnesota Wilds", do they both get the point or neither?
Jade says:
In ur own answers could u put "king" and "kingfishers"
01-14-2017
In ur own answers could u put "king" and "kingfishers"
Joy says:
Can you use maple syrup and maple ice cream as two different answers in the same round?
02-27-2016
Can you use maple syrup and maple ice cream as two different answers in the same round?
Jami says:
I lost the official scattergories game rules that came with the game and was relieved that I could print them out again.
08-10-2015
I lost the official scattergories game rules that came with the game and was relieved that I could print them out again.
Kenny says:
Can you use pronouns?
07-14-2015
Can you use pronouns?
Judy says:
I say no, it has to be an article of clothing .
01-01-2015
I say no, it has to be an article of clothing .
Thomas says:
I agree with you. I may be a lot like your friend, as I like to win (or to do well) but my brain checks out under pressure.
12-13-2013
I agree with you. I may be a lot like your friend, as I like to win (or to do well) but my brain checks out under pressure.
Troy says:
In the rules it has a way to determine if an answer is acceptable. All those playing would vote to on it. It's listed in the fifth section of "Rules for Acceptable Answers". If the group accepts it - it counts, if not - then it doesn't. You can read the rules here (or click on the "Game Rules" tab at the top of this section): http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/Scattergories_%282003%29.pdf
11-09-2012
In the rules it has a way to determine if an answer is acceptable. All those playing would vote to on it. It's listed in the fifth section of "Rules for Acceptable Answers". If the group accepts it - it counts, if not - then it doesn't. You can read the rules here (or click on the "Game Rules" tab at the top of this section): http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/Scattergories_%282003%29.pdf
CariLynne says:
A friend of mine is convinced that you can use adjectives as the main letter. For example, the category is Articles of Clothing, and you have F as your letter, and he chooses Frumpy Dress. I argued that the article of clothing was the dress, not the frumpy. He says he's right. What's your opinion?
05-01-2011
A friend of mine is convinced that you can use adjectives as the main letter. For example, the category is Articles of Clothing, and you have F as your letter, and he chooses Frumpy Dress. I argued that the article of clothing was the dress, not the frumpy. He says he's right. What's your opinion?
Here are some other games you might like to play at your next get together. Learning how to play new games can feel daunting at first but once you get the hang of it, it can be really fun to try out new games. You can also use our search feature at the top of the page to search for a specific criteria that might interest you. Who knows - you might just find your next favorite game.
Mancala
Doodle Mash
Taboo
Reverse Charades
Mancala
Doodle Mash
Taboo
Reverse Charades
