We’re diving into games akin to Scattergories—each unique, yet fast-paced and family-friendly, ensuring fun for all ages from kids to grandparents.
While sharing common traits with Scattergories, these games stand out by offering varied enjoyment and skill development, and if you’re not familiar with Scattergories itself, don’t worry, we’ve got that covered too.
- The games:
- Scrabble;
- Taboo;
- Quiddler;
- Pun Intended;
- Just One;
- Boggle;
- The Game Of Things;
- Bananagrams;
- Pictionary;
- 25 Words Or Less;
- Cranium;
- Listography;
- Catch Phrase;
- Ka-Blab;
- Back & 4th;
- Summary;
1. Scrabble
Ages 8+ | 2 to 4 players
Both are word-based games and make you come up with ideas. Based on our experience, we conclude that playing Scrabble takes more effort since you’re a bit more limited on what words you can make (since the rows have to match), while in Scattergories it only has to have the correct letter and category.
2. Taboo
Ages 13+ | 4 and more players
You need to have a rich vocabulary in order to be successful in any of these two games. The main difference is that Scattergories is all individual, while Taboo only works if played in teams. In the last one, communication is important.
3. Quiddler
Ages 8+ | 1 to 8 players.
Both Scattergories & Quiddler are fast-paced games and require a dictionary. The first one is more into forming words, depending on categories, while Quiddler deals more with spelling.
4. Pun Intended
Ages 13+ | 4 to 12 players
In both games, you have to be concentrated, and your main goal is to find (or write) the missing/needed word. However, the Pun Intended is funnier and it’s easier to guess the missing words since you’ll work on teams.
5. Just One
Ages 8+ | 3 to 7 players
The more words you know, the better you will perform in each of these 2 games. On Scattergories you’re all on your own, while in Just One, your opponents will give you clues that most likely will help you out.
6. Boggle
Ages 8+ | 1 and more players
The idea behind both games is to deal with new words. Also, both of these games include letter dice to have a better game experience. In Scattergories however, you’re freer to use your creativity and find more words.
7. The Game Of Things
Ages 14+ | 4 and more players
There are different topics and categories in both Scattergories and The Game Of Things. The main difference is that in The Game Of Things you have more chances to express personal thoughts, and you also don’t have a specific letter your words should start with.
8. Bananagrams
Ages 7+ | 2 to 8 players
To perform well in any of these two games, you must have a rich vocabulary. Also, both Scattergories and Bananagrams help with your spelling skills. Anyhow, in Bananagrams, you don’t have specific categories. The words must make sense.
9. Pictionary
Ages 8+ | 4 or more players
The main point of both games is getting creative. That’s how you win. There are a lot of words from the dictionary in Scattergories, and in Pictionary. What sets them mostly apart is obviously that in Pictionary you will have to draw and use artistic skills to have a better performance.
10. 25 Words Or Less
Ages 10+ | 4 and more players
You have to guess words, get creative, and concentrate on Scattergories and 25 Words Or Less. The latter is more competitive, it is played in teams, and a bit more difficult to win.
11. Cranium
Ages 16+ | 4 or more players
We may say both include their own wordplay in them. Both have divided game categories to help organize the game. Nevertheless, Cranium is more about challenges, skills, and competition, and includes different topics.
12. Listography
Ages 12+ | 3 to 6 players
Scattergories & Listography, they’re both very specific. You precisely know what each question requests you. Also, both games have divided categories, so, words should belong to those categories only. In Listography, we think you have more ways to express yourself & POVs.
13. Catch Phrase
Ages 12+ | 4 or more players
In both games you’ll get to meet with new words, so, the more you know, the easier for you. Catch Phrase is more interactive and you get to work together with other players, while in Scattergories, you’re all on your own.
14. Ka-Blab
Ages 10+ | 2 to 6 players
These 2 games are divided into different categories. Both of them have a specific time when you can answer. Ka-Blab has some extra equipment and you don’t have to write things down. You simply just blurt out.
15. Back & 4th
Ages 13+ | 4 to 8 players
You have to think fast & answer as quickly as possible in each of these games. The main difference is that in Scattergories you have the category and should write words, while in Back & 4th, you have to guess the category.
Conclusion
We hope you find these top-rated Scattergories-like games as enjoyable as we did, carefully selected based on our own experiences and high ratings.
While we haven’t detailed every instruction—for brevity’s sake—we’ve highlighted the essentials to help you choose your favorite, so take your time and pick a game that promises fun you truly deserve.