The Fishbowl Game is a fun-filled memory game that combines Charades, Password, and Taboo. It is easy to learn and perfect for large groups, which means children and adults can play it together during family get-togethers, school classroom activities, and team-building exercises.
Today, we will learn how to play the Fishbowl Game, focusing on its rules, regulations, and instructions. We will also insert some tips throughout this guideline.
How Many People Do You Need to Play the Fishbowl Game?
The Fishbowl Game is a party game for large groups. You can play the game with 6 people minimum, but the more the merrier! We think the sweet spot is 10 to 20 participants. It works well for a wide bunch of friends spending an afternoon together, as a newlywed after-party game with a host of guests, a bridal shower game, a crowd game for kids and teensat camp, and so on.
Fishbowl Game Rules
Divide players into two equal teams.
Each player writes three slips of paper, each with a single word or short phrase (e.g., Cheeseburger, Shakespeare, Under the weather).
Fold the slips and place them in a bowl (a hat or any container works).
The game has three rounds, each with different rules:
Taboo – Describe the word without saying it.
Password – Use only one word as a clue.
Charades – Act it out silently, no speaking.
Teams take turns with 1-minute timers.
A player may pass once per turn if a word is too difficult.
After each round, tally the number of correct guesses.
The team with the most total points after 3 rounds wins!
(Optional) Add a bonus round for extra fun (e.g., spooky version under a bedsheet).
How to Play Fishbowl
You will need a few objects to play The Fishbowl Game, so start by gathering them in one place.
Gather the following materials:
3-4 Pens
Paper
Scissors
A container to hold the paper (a fishbowl is ideal!)
A timer
Step 1: Populate the fishbowl
Cut the paper into strips and hand out three to every player. Each strip will have one word or phrase written on it.
Divide everyone into two equal teams. Each player writes a word or familiar phrase on each of their three slips. The words shouldn’t be too obscure, since teammates will need to guess them later.
Players fold their slips and place them into the fishbowl. Once all slips are inside, shake the bowl to mix them up. (This is why the game is sometimes called “Salad Bowl.”)
Tip: Choose a mix of easy and challenging words. You’ll be describing and acting these out later, so variety keeps it fun.
Step 2: Play the “Taboo” round
In this first round, players can talk freely to describe the word on their slip — but they cannot say the actual word or phrase, and no gestures are allowed.
How it works:
Team A chooses a player to start.
That player takes a slip and the 1-minute timer begins.
They describe the word using other words (e.g., for Cheeseburger, they might say: “You eat this at McDonald’s”).
If their team guesses correctly, they keep the slip for 1 point.
The player keeps drawing new slips until time runs out.
Teams take turns until the bowl is empty.
At the end of the round, tally the slips for each team, then return them to the bowl.
Step 3: Play the “Password” round
In the Password round, the rules change:
The describer can only say one single word as a clue.
Example: For Cheeseburger, you might say “McDonald’s.” Teams have to remember words from the first round to make the connection.
Play continues with 1-minute turns until the bowl is empty again. Then tally the scores and return the slip
Step 4: Play the “Charades” round
In the Charades round, no words are allowed at all.
The player must act out the word using only gestures.
Example: For Cheeseburger, you might pretend to hold and eat a burger.
Keep alternating 1-minute turns until the bowl is empty. Count the slips one final time.
Step 5: Bonus round
Want even more fun? Try the spooky version:
Put a bedsheet over the player giving clues.
Their team must guess the word while only seeing their movements under the sheet.
To spice things up, you can use questions instead of phrases during the first guessing round. It’s a far more challenging endeavor than merely explaining a word.
Think of it the same way you’d think about Jeopardy, except in reverse. Here are some ideas to get you started:
In what country are April Fool’s jokes climaxed with the saying “Doroughe sizdah”?
The concept of promoting and measuring an entire locality’s happiness level is known as what?
Which element, previously used in the production of felt, led to the expression “mad as a hatter”?
Donuts are traditionally sold in boxes containing how many pieces?
Why did the production team decide to fine anyone who showed up late in the movie “The Shawshank Redemption”?
Which Country won the 2015 Davis Cup?
What U.S. state is known as the “Land of Enchantment”?
Which labor standard were the striking workers out to achieve, which eventually led to the Haymarket Affair?
After his crucifixion, who took down the body of Jesus Christ from the cross of Calvary?
The Dingo is a free-range dog found mainly in which country?
Who trains Luke Skywalker to fight against the Galactic Empire?
The vernal equinox signifies the advent of which season in the Northern Hemisphere?
What substance is Han Solo frozen in during “The Empire Strikes Back”?
The first male African-American tennis player to win the U.S Open and the Wimbledon tournaments was?
What ingredient in bread causes it to rise?
“Life is Beautiful” has been named one of the top-five favorite films by which prominent figure.
In 2007, a major motion picture based on which television show was released?
Screenwriter Luc Besson and actor Jean Reno worked on another assassin movie before “Leon”. What is its name?
What cartoon character is popular in Sweden during Christmas?
Play the Fishbowl Game: Bottom Line
The Fishbowl game is easy to set up and enjoy with a large number of people. The more participants you have, the more and better the words will be. This game taps into people’s imagination (and vocabulary), leading to some hilarious moments.
The fact that this game mixes two of the best and most popular party games of all times – Taboo and Charades – means that you can come up with plenty of Fishbowl Game ideas of your own. Play as many bonus rounds you can concoct, keep the score, invent new challenges, and have tons of fun.
You don’t have to wait for a rainy day to play this game inside the house, either. If you have a backyard, the world is your oyster! Or fishbowl!
Need Word Ideas?
If you’re setting up your own game and need inspiration for the clue cards, check out our Fishbowl Words and Phrases List. It’s packed with 300+ printable ideas — from easy and funny prompts to themed categories for holidays and parties. It’s the perfect companion for your next Fishbowl night!
Related Fun: Games Like Fishbowl
Love the laughter and teamwork that Fishbowl brings? You’ll definitely enjoy our roundup of 25 Best Party Games Like Fishbowl. From Charades to Monikers and beyond, these games keep the same energy — fast rounds, creative clues, and lots of hilarious moments. Perfect for families, classrooms, or friendly competitions!
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