Scattergories is a fast-paced word game that is perfect for a party or family game night. The object of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards. To play Scattegories, you will need a deck of Scattegories cards, a pencil or pen, and a timer. Once you have your supplies, you can start playing. To start the game, one player draws a card and reads the category aloud. The category will be something like “Things that are blue” or “Things that you eat.” Once the category has been read, all of the players start writing down as many things as they can that fit into the category. The first player to write down 12 things yells out “Stop!” and then all of the players stop writing. The players then take turns reading their lists aloud. For each item on their list that no one else has, the player gets a point. The first player to get rid of all of their cards wins the game.
There are a few different variations of Scattegories that you can play. One variation is to have the players write down their answers in secret. Once everyone has finished writing, the players then take turns reading their lists aloud. If two or more players have the same answer, neither player gets a point. Another variation is to have the players write down their answers on a whiteboard or piece of paper that everyone can see. This makes it easier to keep track of who has what answers and can lead to some funny results.
Scattergories is a great game for people of all ages. It is a fun and easy way to test your vocabulary and your ability to think quickly. If you are looking for a game to play at your next party or family game night, Scattegories is a great option.
Understanding the Basics of Scattegories
What is Scattegories?
Scattegories is a fast-paced, word-guessing game that tests your creativity and knowledge of diverse categories. The goal is to fill your grid with words that start with the same letter for each category within a time limit.
The Game Setup
The game is played with a list of categories (typically around 12-15) and a timer. Each player receives a grid with the categories printed across the top and empty spaces below for their answers. One player acts as the “judge” and keeps track of time and scores.
Gameplay
The judge selects a random letter and announces it to the players. All players then have a limited amount of time (usually 2-3 minutes) to fill in their grid with words that start with the announced letter and fit each category. For example, in the category “Animals,” you might write “aardvark,” “antelope,” or “alligator.”
Scoring
Once the time is up, the judge reads the categories aloud. Players earn points for each unique word they have written. However, if two or more players have the same word, no one scores for that category.
| Players | Unique Words | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Player 1 | 5 | 25 |
| Player 2 | 4 | 20 |
Preparing for a Game of Scattegories
Before you gather your friends and family for a rousing game of Scattegories, you’ll need to make some preparations. Here’s what you need to know:
Materials You’ll Need
First, you’ll need the following materials:
- A timer (optional)
- Pencils or pens
- A dictionary (also optional, but it can help resolve disputes)
- A list of categories (either pre-made or ones you create yourself)
- Score sheets (optional, but they can make it easier to keep track of the game)
Determining the Categories
The categories in Scattegories are essential to the gameplay. You can either use pre-made lists or create your own. If you’re creating your own, it’s important to choose categories that are broad enough to offer a variety of options, but not so broad that players can’t come up with answers.
Here’s a table with some suggested categories to get you started:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Animals | Any type of animal, from cats and dogs to elephants and zebras |
| Food | Any type of food, from sandwiches and pizza to soup and steak |
| Names | Any type of name, from first and last names to nicknames and stage names |
| Places | Any type of place, from countries and cities to parks and beaches |
| Things | Any type of object, from cars and houses to books and toys |
Once you’ve chosen your categories, it’s time to start playing!
Choosing the Right Letter Category
Selecting a letter category is a crucial step in Scattegories. The key is to pick a category that is challenging yet not impossible to fill in. Here are some factors to consider when making your choice:
Number of Items
Each category has a specific number of items to fill in. Consider the category’s scope and the time constraints to ensure that you can complete your list within the time limit.
Table of Category Sizes
| Category | Number of Items |
|---|---|
| Animals | 10 |
| Food | 12 |
| Occupations | 15 |
Familiarity and Variety
Choose a category that you are familiar with, as this will make it easier to generate items. However, you should also try to avoid categories that are too common, as your list may not stand out from the others.
Creativity and Imagination
Scattegories encourages creativity and imagination. Consider choosing categories that allow you to think outside the box and come up with unique and interesting items. The more inventive your list, the better your chances of scoring points.
Brainstorming Unique Answers
Categories that Are Tricky
Categories that ask for general concepts, like “actions” or “objects,” can be particularly challenging. For these, it’s helpful to think outside the box and come up with specific examples that fit the category. For instance, instead of simply writing “drink” for the “beverages” category, you could list a specific type of drink, such as “iced tea” or “pumpkin spice latte.”
Synonyms and Obscure Words
Don’t be afraid to use synonyms or less common words to set your answers apart. For example, instead of writing “happy” for the “emotions” category, you could opt for “elated” or “jubilant.” Using a thesaurus or online dictionary can help you expand your vocabulary and come up with more unique answers.
Creativity and Imagination
Categories that require creativity or imagination, such as “colors” or “names,” offer ample opportunities to showcase your ingenuity. Instead of listing basic colors like “red” or “blue,” you could choose more vibrant or unusual hues, such as “cerulean” or “fuchsia.” Similarly, for names, you could delve into different cultures or fictional worlds to find unique and interesting options.
Table of Unique Answer Examples
| Category | Unique Answer |
|---|---|
| Animals | Armadillo |
| Countries | Bhutan |
| Emotions | Zenith |
| Foods | Quinoa |
| Numbers | Fibonacci |
Writing Complete and Correct Answers
Scattegories is a game that requires players to come up with as many unique, one-word answers that fit a given category in a limited time. To write complete and correct answers, players should adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Read the Category Carefully
Ensure you understand the category’s meaning and scope. For example, if the category is “Fruit,” you cannot list other edibles such as “ice cream” or “juice.”
2. Avoid Duplicates
Each player’s answer sheet should contain unique answers. If multiple players write the same answer, it will be disqualified, even if it is correct.
3. Be Specific
Provide precise answers that match the category’s specific requirements. For example, for the category “Animals,” “cat” is a more specific answer than “pet.”
4. Use Singular or Plural Forms
Ensure that your answer matches the required form of the category. If the category is “Things that Fly,” write “birds” instead of “bird.”
5. Common and Uncommon Answers
| Common Answer | Uncommon Answer |
|---|---|
| Apple | Mango |
| Cat | Tiger |
| Blue | Chartreuse |
It is beneficial to include a mix of common and uncommon answers to maximize your score. Common answers are easier to come up with, but they are less likely to give you a distinct advantage over other players. Uncommon answers are more challenging to generate, but they can potentially earn you more points if no one else writes the same answer.
Scoring and Adjudicating Answers
In Scattegories, each player’s score is based on the following criteria:
- Unique Answers: 1 point for each unique answer that no other player has written down.
- Common Answers: 0 points for answers that are shared with other players.
Adjudicating Answers
Disputes over answers should be handled fairly and impartially. Here are some guidelines for adjudicating answers:
- Ambiguous Answers: If an answer is ambiguous or open to interpretation, it should be disallowed.
- Homophones: Words that sound the same but have different spellings (e.g., “beat” and “beet”) are considered unique answers.
- Synonyms: Answers that are synonyms of each other (e.g., “happy” and “joyful”) are considered common answers.
Special Cases
Here are some special cases to consider when adjudicating answers:
| Case | Rule |
|---|---|
| Number Category | Answers can be any number, including negative numbers or decimals, as long as they fit the category (e.g., “Numbers less than 10” = “-5”). |
| Animal Names Category | Answers must be specific animals, not general terms (e.g., “monkey” is valid, but “primate” is not). |
| Parts of the Body Category | Answers must be specific body parts, not general terms (e.g., “finger” is valid, but “limb” is not). |
Engaging in Healthy Competition
Scattegories is a game that encourages healthy competition among players. Here are some tips to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all:
1. Set Clear Rules and Expectations
Before starting the game, establish the rules and scoring system with all players. This prevents confusion and ensures everyone is on the same page.
2. Encourage Cooperation and Collaboration
While competition is the objective, foster an atmosphere where players can collaborate and help each other find answers. This creates a more positive and inclusive environment.
3. Avoid Negative or Aggressive Behavior
Respect your opponents and refrain from making derogatory comments or gestures. Focus on enjoying the game rather than trying to belittle others.
4. Promote Sportsmanship
Win or lose, congratulate your fellow players and show appreciation for their effort. Sportsmanship helps build camaraderie and sets a good example for younger players.
5. Use Scoring to Monitor Progress
Keep track of scores to monitor individual and team performance. This adds an element of challenge and provides a tangible measure of success.
6. Adjust the Difficulty Level
To maintain a fair level of competition, adjust the difficulty of the categories based on the experience and skill level of the players.
7. Foster a Positive Team Environment
Create a team environment where players support and encourage each other. Celebrate individual successes as well as collective triumphs. This builds team spirit and camaraderie.
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Set clear rules | Establish the game’s guidelines and scoring system before playing. |
| Encourage cooperation | Foster a collaborative atmosphere where players assist each other in finding answers. |
| Promote sportsmanship | Value good behavior and congratulate opponents regardless of the outcome. |
| Use scoring to track progress | Monitor individual and team performance through scoring. |
| Adjust difficulty level | Tailor the categories to match the players’ experience and skill. |
| Foster team environment | Create a supportive and encouraging atmosphere for players to work together. |
Playing Variations of Scattegories
In addition to the classic Scattegories rules, there are numerous variations that add challenges and excitement to the game:
8. Expanded Categories
Instead of the 12 traditional categories, players can expand the list to include 15, 18, or even 20 categories. This increases the difficulty and allows for more creative and varied answers.
| Expanded Categories |
|---|
| First name (m) |
| First name (f) |
| Last name |
| Occupation |
| Thing you can buy in a supermarket |
| Fruit |
| Vegetable |
| Animal |
| TV show |
| Movie |
| Book |
| Song |
| Singer |
| Band |
| Country |
| City |
| State |
| River |
| Mountain |
| Ocean |
Enhancing Your Vocabulary and Spelling
1. Expand Your Knowledge
Scattegories encourages you to think on your feet and recall words from various categories. This exercise strengthens your vocabulary and improves your ability to recall words in different contexts.
2. Sharpen Your Spelling Skills
Writing down the words forces you to pay attention to their spelling, improving your overall spelling accuracy and reducing common mistakes.
3. Practice Different Categories
The game requires you to generate words from a wide range of categories, such as animals, countries, and food items. This exposes you to diverse vocabulary and enhances your ability to think in different areas.
4. Foster Lateral Thinking
Scattegories challenges you to come up with words that fit specific criteria. This encourages lateral thinking and flexibility in problem-solving.
5. Improve Memory Recall
Trying to recall words within a short time frame sharpens your memory recall abilities and improves your overall cognitive function.
6. Develop Word Association Skills
The game encourages you to associate words based on categories, strengthening your word association skills and expanding your vocabulary.
7. Enhance Language Fluency
Generating words on the spot promotes language fluency and boosts your confidence in using English in a dynamic and interactive setting.
8. Increase Creative Thinking
Scattegories requires you to think outside the box and come up with unique words that fit the given criteria. This fosters creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
9. Improve Cognitive Function and Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s
Engaging in mentally stimulating activities like Scattegories has been linked to improved cognitive function in older adults, including reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that individuals who regularly participate in word games have better verbal memory, attention, and overall cognitive health.
Enjoying the Social Aspect of Scattegories
Scattegories is not just a game; it’s a social experience. Here are some tips to make the most of the social aspect of the game:
10. Banter and Laughter
Scattegories is a great opportunity to laugh and banter with your friends. Don’t take the game too seriously, and don’t be afraid to poke fun at each other. The more relaxed you are, the more fun you’ll have.
Here are some examples of banter and laughter that you might encounter during a game of Scattegories:
| Player 1: | “I’m so bad at this game. I can’t think of anything for the letter ‘X.'” |
|---|---|
| Player 2: | “Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. I’m struggling with the letter ‘Q.'” |
| Player 3: | “I’ve got one! Xylophone!” |
| Player 4: | “That’s a great one! I wish I had thought of that.” |
How to Play Scattegories
Scattegories is a word game that can be played with friends or family. It is a fast-paced game that tests your vocabulary and creativity. The goal of the game is to be the first player to complete all of the categories on their game board.
To play Scattegories, you will need a game board, a pen or pencil, and a timer. The game board is divided into 12 categories, such as “Animals,” “Food,” and “Things that are blue.” Each player will have their own game board.
To start the game, the first player will roll the timer. The timer will run for three minutes. During this time, the players will try to write down one word for each category on their game board. The words must start with the same letter that is rolled on the timer.
After three minutes, the timer will stop and the players will stop writing. The players will then take turns reading their words aloud. If two players have the same word for a category, neither player will receive a point for that category.
The first player to complete all of the categories on their game board wins the game.
People Also Ask
What is the best way to prepare for Scattegories?
The best way to prepare for Scattegories is to practice writing down words that start with different letters. You can also try playing the game with friends or family to get a feel for the rules.
What are some tips for winning Scattegories?
Here are some tips for winning Scattegories:
- Be creative. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when coming up with words.
- Be quick. The timer is short, so you need to be able to think quickly.
- Be strategic. Try to choose words that are not commonly used, as this will give you a better chance of getting points.
How can I make Scattegories more challenging?
If you find Scattegories to be too easy, you can make it more challenging by using different rules. For example, you could try using a smaller timer or only allowing players to use words that are at least five letters long.
