Sometimes, the best nights are the ones that cost nothing, involve no planning, and end in side-splitting laughter. That’s what happened when I made up a little game called Trivial Charades—a mash-up of two classics that shouldn’t work together, but absolutely do.
The idea is simple: take an old box of Trivial Pursuit cards (you know, the ones gathering dust on your shelf or sitting unloved at a thrift store) and ignore the questions. Yep. You’re not testing anyone’s trivia knowledge here. Instead, you’ll be using the answers—and acting them out like it’s a round of charades.
And somehow, it's magic.
What Is Trivial Charades?
At its core, Trivial Charades is a no-cost game that uses what you already have: people, your imagination, and a deck of Trivial Pursuit cards (any edition will do—Genus, 90s, Pop Culture, even one from 1986 if that's what you've got).
Here's how it works:
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One person picks a Trivial Pursuit card and chooses an answer from any of the categories.
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Without saying anything aloud (just like regular charades), they act out the answer while the group tries to guess.
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No one needs to keep score unless you want to. The joy is in the chaos.
What makes it hilarious is that the answers are often wildly uncharade-able—things like Treaty of Versailles, Photosynthesis, Fluoride, or The Louisiana Purchase. But what happens next is where the magic lives.
People try anyway. They mime. They sweat. They act out countries, historical events, scientific concepts, and 90s TV shows using only their hands and facial expressions and sheer will. And weirdly? Sometimes the group gets it. You’ll find yourself yelling “Magna Carta!” with full confidence after someone mimes a crown, a scroll, and a very stern finger-wag.
It becomes clear pretty quickly: you're not just guessing—you're tapping into some shared collective consciousness. And it is so much fun.
Why It Works
1. It’s Ridiculous, Which Means It’s Memorable
There’s something deeply bonding about laughing so hard your face hurts. When you watch your best friend try to act out The Berlin Wall, only to be mistaken for The Great British Bake Off, you create the kind of memories that stick.
2. It’s Collaborative, Not Competitive
You can play in teams or just all shout guesses together. Either way, it builds a group dynamic that says: “We’re in this together.” You’re rooting for each other, not against each other.
3. It Costs Nothing
This game doesn’t ask you to buy anything new, download anything, or schedule a whole event. All you need is a stack of Trivial Pursuit cards and a group of humans. You could even play it at a picnic, a family gathering, or during a power outage.
4. It’s Unexpectedly Heartwarming
This may sound over the top for a game that involves miming The Periodic Table, but honestly? It reminds people how much fun it is just to be together. There’s no pressure to perform, be interesting, or have the right answer. Just the freedom to play.
How to Play Trivial Charades
You’ll Need:
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A deck of Trivial Pursuit cards (any edition, even an incomplete set)
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At least 3 people (but more is merrier!)
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A space where everyone can see the person acting
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A timer if you want to keep things moving (we often don’t—it’s more fun without pressure)
Rules:
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The actor picks a card and chooses any of the answers on it.
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Without speaking or using props, they act out the answer while others guess.
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If someone guesses it, celebrate! If not… well, the attempt is usually just as entertaining.
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Take turns acting and guessing.
Optional tweaks:
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Let people pass if they pull a truly impossible answer.
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Add a “double points” round with two people acting together.
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Set a category for each round (only history answers! Only entertainment!)
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Play in teams and keep loose score if your group likes competition.
Tips to Make It Even Better
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Use Old Cards: Older Trivial Pursuit editions have weirder and more obscure references, which makes it even funnier.
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Add Snacks: Everything is better with popcorn or cookies.
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Play Outside: Bring the game to your backyard for an impromptu game night under the stars.
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Include All Ages: Older kids, teens, and adults all bring different strengths—kids tend to be fearless actors, and adults love the nostalgia of weird trivia.
Why This Matters
We live in a world where we’re encouraged to consume connection—buy the experience, sign up for the app, go out to the show. But sometimes the richest moments come when we make something out of nothing.
Trivial Charades is a perfect example of that. It takes a dusty deck of cards and turns it into an hour (or more) of collective silliness. It gives us an excuse to laugh together, think together, and remember how fun it is just to be in the same room.
And in a time when connection can feel hard to come by, laughter is one of the quickest, strongest bridges we have.
So Go Ahead—Play
Dig out those Trivial Pursuit cards. Call a few friends over. Clear a little space in the living room. And don’t be surprised when someone nails Sputnik or Jane Austen or The Panama Canal with nothing but dramatic pointing and interpretive dance.
That’s the beauty of it. It’s completely ridiculous—and totally wonderful.
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