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Catch Phrase Game Ideas

Catch Phrase is a word guessing game distributed by Hasbro. In the game, one player tries to help his teammates guess a specific word or phrase without saying any part of the target phrase, the letter it starts with or any word that rhymes with it. You can create your own variations if you like word guessing games but don't own Catch Phrase.

Dictionary Guessing
- Perhaps the most simple way to generate words for a homemade word guessing game is to pick words at random out of a pocket dictionary. Set a timer for a few minutes and seat players so that they alternate by team. When a player gets the dictionary, she should flip through it, pick a word, try to get her team to guess it and then pass it on when they do. The team not holding the dictionary when the timer rings receives one point.
Themed Words
- This variation works best for specific events like a Fourth of July party, baby shower, bachelor party or bachelorette party. Create a list of words that match the theme of the party. A Fourth of July party, for example, could have words and phrases like "flag," "red, white and blue," "Declaration of Independence" and "fireworks." To keep one player from knowing all of the answers in advance, have someone who won't play the game generate the list, or give all the players 10 minutes to privately generate words at the beginning of the game.
Low-Speed Variant
- Some people may prefer a more contemplative version of the game. In the low-speed variant, each player only has one attempt at picking the target word. Set a timer for five minutes, after which anyone who has not guessed forfeits her chance. Each player may ask up to three questions before guessing, and may make her guess at any time. A correct guess earns the describer one point and the guesser two points. Players submit their guesses privately on paper. For a more strategic variant, players guess out loud and a correct guess ends the round.
Word Chain
- The goal of this variation is to create a free-associative chain that ends with the target word. Each round has one guesser and one describer, with the other players forming the jury. The describer and the jury know the target word. Picking a random word to start with, the guesser and the describer alternate one-word free associations with the last word spoken. The describer's goal is to pick words that guide the guesser's chain of associations to the target word. The jury can veto any word that is too much of a leap from the word before.

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