Picture Telephone Game

The Picture Telephone Game is a great activity for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing. It combines teamwork, creativity, and communication. Each player in the game takes turns interpreting and drawing phrases, which helps build listening and communication skills. This game encourages participants to understand and share ideas accurately, which are important skills in Scouting.

In Scouting programs, communication and teamwork are essential. Scouts often work in groups to complete tasks, from setting up camp to planning activities. The Picture Telephone Game is a fun way to practice these skills in a low-pressure setting. Scouts learn to share information clearly and work together, two skills they will use in many parts of Scouting.

This game also helps build problem-solving and creative thinking. Each Scout must decide how to turn words into pictures and pictures back into words. This process helps them think in new ways and improves their ability to adapt, both of which are valuable for Scouting and life.

The Picture Telephone Game works well in a group setting, making it ideal for a den or patrol meeting. It can be done indoors with simple materials, like pencils and paper. Because of this, it is an easy and fun choice for leaders looking to add variety to their meetings while teaching core Scouting skills.

Scouts of all ages can learn valuable skills from the Picture Telephone Game. First, it teaches clear communication. Scouts need to look at a picture or phrase and decide how to best explain it. Sometimes, simple ideas become tricky when turned into drawings or words. This activity shows Scouts the importance of expressing ideas clearly and paying attention to details. These skills are useful in many Scouting tasks, like giving instructions, reading maps, or setting up camp.

This game also encourages teamwork and patience. Scouts rely on each other to continue the message from start to finish. Since the message often changes along the way, the group ends up with funny or surprising results. This helps Scouts practice the Scout Law points of being Friendly and Cheerful, as they work together and enjoy the fun of miscommunication. By the end, everyone gets a good laugh, but they also realize how easy it is to make mistakes when messages aren’t clear.

Another benefit of Picture Telephone is that it boosts creativity. Turning a phrase into a picture, or a picture into a phrase, takes creative thinking. Scouts must decide what details are important to include and which ones to leave out. They also have to think about how other people will interpret what they drew or wrote. This skill helps with problem-solving and thinking on their feet, which are useful in both Scouting and everyday life.

The game can be played by all age groups, but it works best when adjusted for different skill levels. For Cub Scouts (ages 6-10), keeping phrases simple and easy to draw will help them enjoy the game without getting frustrated. For Scouts BSA (ages 11-17), longer or more complex phrases add a fun challenge, since they may have to think more about how to illustrate abstract ideas. Venturers (ages 14-20) can try even more complex phrases or add twists, like limiting drawing time or using only a few words.

The game also teaches Scouts to be Trustworthy and Kind. Each Scout has to trust the next person to make their best effort in drawing or describing the phrase accurately. They learn to respect each other’s work, even if the final outcome is silly or far from the original idea. This creates a safe environment where everyone feels comfortable trying, learning, and laughing together.

Picture Telephone is a simple game, but it reinforces key Scouting values in a fun way. Scouts walk away understanding that teamwork, communication, and creativity are important in both games and real-life challenges. It’s a perfect game for leaders looking to add laughter and learning to their meetings.

Equipment/Materials Needed:

• Pencils (one per player)
• Paper or index cards (enough so each player has as many pieces of paper as there are players)

Setup Instructions:

1. Seat all players in a circle.
2. Give each player a stack of paper or index cards equal to the number of players. For example, if there are 6 players, each person needs a stack of 6 sheets of paper.
3. Give each player a pencil.

Game Play Instructions:

1. Each player writes a simple phrase on the top sheet of their stack. This could be something like, “A cat chasing a mouse” or “Riding a bicycle.”
2. After writing the phrase, each player passes their entire stack to the person on their right.
3. The next player reads the phrase on the top sheet, moves that sheet to the bottom of the stack, and then draws a picture of the phrase on the next blank sheet.
4. Once they finish their drawing, they pass the stack to the right again.
5. The new player looks at the picture (but not the original phrase), moves the picture to the bottom of the stack, and writes a phrase that describes the drawing on the next blank sheet.
6. Continue passing, alternating between drawing and writing, until each stack has made it all the way around the circle and back to the original player.
7. When the stacks return to the original players, they take turns showing each page in their stack to see how the message changed from start to finish.

Notes:

• For younger players, use simple, clear phrases to avoid frustration.
• For older players, try more challenging or abstract phrases.
• To add a twist, limit drawing time to 30 seconds or use only a few words in each phrase.
• Safety Tip: Make sure pencils are used responsibly and not waved around while passing stacks to avoid accidental pokes.

Printable instructions for the Picture Telephone Game

Video about Picture Telephone

The Importance of Games in Scouting

More Games

Looking for more fun games for Scouts? The Picture Telephone Game is just one of many options that build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. You can find even more engaging activities for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturers on my site. From indoor challenges to outdoor games, these ideas will help your Scouts learn and have fun together. Visit my games page for a full list of games to keep your meetings lively and to help your Scouts grow.

How many people can play the Picture Telephone Game?

A: This game works best with 5 to 10 players, but you can adjust for a smaller or larger group. Just make sure everyone has enough paper for each round.

What phrases should we use?

Use simple phrases or actions, like “a dog catching a ball” or “fishing at a lake.” Younger Scouts might enjoy easier phrases, while older Scouts can try more complex or funny ones.

Can we play with different age groups?

Yes! For younger Scouts, keep phrases short and easy to draw. For older Scouts, use more challenging phrases or add twists, like shorter drawing times.

What if someone can’t draw well?

Drawing skill doesn’t matter! The fun comes from seeing how the message changes, no matter how simple or silly the drawings are.

Do we need special materials?

No, all you need is pencils and paper. Each person needs one pencil and a stack of paper, with one sheet for each player in the game.

How long does the Picture Telephone game take?

For most groups, the game takes about 10–20 minutes. Larger groups might take a bit longer.

Can we see the original phrase at the end?

Yes! When everyone shows their stack at the end, you can compare the final phrase or drawing with the original to see how much it changed.

The Picture Telephone Game is a fun way for Scouts to work on communication and teamwork skills. It’s easy to set up and works well for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturers. Each player writes a phrase, passes it along, and watches as the next person draws what they think the phrase means. With each round, the message changes as players alternate between drawings and written descriptions. By the end, the final phrase or picture is often wildly different from the original.

This game is great for building trust and patience. Each player must rely on the next person to try their best, even if the result is silly or confusing. The game also shows how small misunderstandings can change the whole message, which teaches Scouts the importance of clear communication. The results provide lots of laughs and remind Scouts that working together is both challenging and fun.

Another benefit of the Picture Telephone Game is how it brings out creativity in everyone. Each person must quickly decide how to express a phrase in a drawing or describe an image in words. It’s a simple activity, but it helps Scouts think critically and solve problems in new ways. Because it requires only paper and pencils, leaders can easily include it in meetings or campouts. The Picture Telephone Game is sure to add laughter and learning to any Scouting event.