The group chooses a common word that nobody is allowed to say during conversation; catching it earns a point.
- Players
- 4–20
- Ages
- 12+
- Play time
- 15–30 min
- Supplies
- None
- Where
- Indoors / Outdoors
- Energy
- Medium
READY IN 2 MINUTES
Get set up
No equipment is required. Gather the group where everyone can hear the explanation and demonstrate one sample turn before starting.
LET’S PLAY
Here’s how it works.
- Choose one everyday forbidden word such as yes, really or like.
- Agree on a fixed play period.
- Talk normally or play another simple activity.
- Whenever someone says the forbidden word, the first person to notice gets a point.
- Choose a new word for the next round.
A few ground rules
Keep the agreed turn order, boundaries and timing consistent for everyone. Players may pass or use an accessibility adaptation without penalty.
Mix it up
Use two forbidden words, team scoring or a holiday-themed banned word.
Make it a great round
Choose a word that is common enough to be tricky but not so common that conversation becomes impossible.
Keep everyone comfortable
Invite players to pass or adapt the activity. Keep walkways clear and choose a seated version when movement is unsuitable.