The Fishbowl Party Game
If you’re looking for a party game that’s easy to set up, gets everyone laughing, and works for all ages, then you have to try the Fishbowl Party Game. Whether you’re hosting a holiday get-together, a family reunion, or just a casual weekend gathering with friends, Fishbowl is the perfect mix of creativity, memory, and silliness.
One of the best things about the Fishbowl game is that it’s simple to play, requires almost no prep, and can be adapted for any season or celebration. You can play it at Christmas with holiday-themed words, at Thanksgiving after the big meal, at fall parties with autumn-inspired prompts, or keep it classic for birthdays and game nights.
Here are ideas on how to play the Fishbowl party game, step-by-step instructions, plus some of my favorite holiday and seasonal variations to keep things fresh all year long.
What Is the Fishbowl Party Game?
The Fishbowl game is a team-based word-guessing game that combines three classic games into one:
- Taboo (describing without using the word)
- Charades (acting it out)
- Password (giving only one word as a clue)
Players take turns trying to get their teammates to guess as many words as possible before time runs out. Each round gets a little harder and a lot funnier as the same set of words is used throughout all three rounds.
The game is called “Fishbowl” because traditionally, all the word slips go into a large bowl, though a hat, basket, or even an empty mixing bowl will do the trick.
It’s an amazing game for ice-breaking, family bonding, and parties of all kinds. You’ll find that even shy players get into the spirit after the first round!
Why Everyone Loves Fishbowl
Fishbowl is a hit at gatherings because it’s:
- Inclusive: Suitable for mixed ages (kids, teens, and adults can all play).
- Hilarious: The charades round almost always brings the most laughter.
- Low Prep: All you need is paper, pens, and a bowl.
- Flexible: You can make it as short or as long as you like, depending on your group’s energy.
- Adaptable: Perfect for themed parties, think Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, birthdays, or fall festivals.
What You’ll Need to Play
You don’t need much to get started:
- A large bowl, hat, or basket (anything to hold the word slips)
- Paper or index cards
- Pens or pencils
- A timer (a phone timer works perfectly)
- A score sheet (optional but handy)
For holiday versions, you can make it extra fun by using themed paper slips (like red and green for Christmas, orange for fall, or gold and silver for New Year’s Eve).
How to Play the Classic Fishbowl Game
Here’s a step-by-step guide for playing the traditional version of the Fishbowl party game.
Step 1: Divide Into Teams
Split everyone into two teams (or more if you have a big group). Each team will take turns guessing and giving clues.
Step 2: Prepare the Words
Give each player several slips of paper (5–10 slips is a good start) and have them write down one word or short phrase on each slip.
These could be:
- Nouns (e.g., pumpkin, Santa Claus, dog)
- Famous people (e.g., Taylor Swift, Albert Einstein)
- Objects (e.g., umbrella, hot chocolate)
- Fun phrases (e.g., dance like a chicken, singing in the rain)
Fold the slips in half and place them into the bowl.
Tip: For themed versions, set some ground rules, like only Christmas-related words or Thanksgiving foods.
Step 3: Set the Timer
Decide how long each turn will last, usually 60 seconds per turn works well.
Step 4: The Three Rounds
The magic of Fishbowl lies in its three distinct rounds. All players use the same words for each round, which means the game gets sillier and more challenging as you go.
Round 1: Taboo-Style Descriptions
The first player grabs a word slip from the bowl and tries to describe it without using the actual word or rhyming with it.
For example, if the word is “snowman,” they might say:
“You build it in winter, it has a carrot nose and sometimes a scarf.”
Their team tries to guess as many words as possible before time runs out. Once all slips have been guessed, it’s time for round two.
Round 2: Charades
Put all the slips back in the bowl. This time, players can’t say a single word, they must act out the word silently while their team guesses.
For “snowman,” they might pretend to roll a ball of snow and stack it up.
Round 3: One-Word Clues
Once again, return all the slips to the bowl. This time, the clue-giver can only say one single word to help their team guess.
For “snowman,” they might say “carrot.”
Because the team has already seen the words in earlier rounds, they’ll rely on memory and association, making it a fun mental challenge.
Step 5: Scoring
Each correct guess earns the team a point. The team with the most points after all three rounds wins.
Fishbowl Party Game Tips for Success
- Keep the words simple if you have younger players.
- Mix it up with easy and tricky words for more fun.
- Make themed word lists ahead of time to save time during the party.
- Use a phone app for the timer to keep things moving smoothly.
- Keep the energy up by cheering and laughing, this game is all about having fun, not just winning.
Fun Variations for Every Season and Occasion
One of the best things about Fishbowl is how easy it is to customize for different celebrations. Themed versions add a festive touch and can get everyone in the holiday spirit.
Christmas Fishbowl Game
The Christmas Fishbowl Game is perfect for family gatherings, work parties, or classroom holiday celebrations.
Word ideas: Santa Claus, Christmas tree, stocking stuffers, snowflake, caroling, eggnog, gingerbread house, Frosty the Snowman.
Extra Twist: Use small ornaments or candy canes instead of paper slips to draw your words from a festive bowl.
50 Christmas Fishbowl Game Word Ideas
- Santa Claus
- Rudolph
- Snowflake
- Sleigh
- Christmas Tree
- Elf
- North Pole
- Candy Cane
- Mistletoe
- Stocking
- Gingerbread House
- Snowman
- Fireplace
- Hot Cocoa
- Reindeer
- Ornament
- Wrapping Paper
- Caroling
- Chimney
- Winter Wonderland
- Jingle Bells
- Star
- Presents
- Christmas Lights
- Poinsettia
- Snow Globe
- Frosty the Snowman
- Peppermint
- Grinch
- Sleigh Bells
- Holiday Wreath
- Christmas Morning
- Christmas Eve
- Eggnog
- Candy Cane Lane
- Yule Log
- Nativity
- Snow Angel
- Ugly Sweater
- Silent Night
- Santa’s Workshop
- Reindeer Games
- Gift Exchange
- Stocking Stuffer
- Winter Hat
- Hot Apple Cider
- Christmas Cookies
- Tinsel
- Holiday Parade
- North Star
Thanksgiving Fishbowl Game
Play this after your Thanksgiving meal to keep everyone entertained. It’s great for all ages and keeps the holiday mood going.
Word ideas: Turkey, cranberry sauce, cornucopia, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, gratitude, parade, football.
Extra Twist: Add a rule that players must say what they’re thankful for before starting their turn!
50 Thanksgiving Fishbowl Game Word Ideas
- Turkey
- Pumpkin Pie
- Cranberry Sauce
- Cornbread
- Feast
- Gravy
- Pilgrim
- Mayflower
- Harvest
- Cornucopia
- Mashed Potatoes
- Stuffing
- Football
- Parade
- Gratitude
- Autumn Leaves
- Tablecloth
- Apple Pie
- Family Gathering
- Corn on the Cob
- Turkey Leg
- Sweet Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Dinner Roll
- Roasted Veggies
- Fall Festival
- Scarecrow
- Pumpkin Patch
- Wagon Ride
- Pie Crust
- Casserole
- Candlelight
- Cozy Sweater
- Leftovers
- Apple Cider
- Pecan Pie
- Cranberries
- Thanksgiving Toast
- Fall Harvest
- Wheat Field
- Bonfire
- Pumpkin Spice
- Dinner Table
- Gratitude Jar
- Hayride
- Friendsgiving
- Farmhouse
- Acorns
- Golden Leaves
- Blessings
Fall Fishbowl Game
A cozy game for autumn get-togethers, harvest parties, or even Halloween night.
Word ideas: Pumpkin patch, hayride, apple pie, scarecrow, sweater weather, hot cider, falling leaves.
Extra Twist: Dim the lights and use a fall-themed bowl like a mini pumpkin basket for extra seasonal charm.
50 Fall Fishbowl Game Word Ideas
- Falling Leaves
- Pumpkin
- Acorn
- Scarecrow
- Hay Bale
- Corn Maze
- Harvest Moon
- Sweater
- Hot Cider
- Apple Pie
- Campfire
- Bonfire
- Leaf Pile
- Cinnamon
- Apple Orchard
- Cozy Blanket
- Hiking
- Fall Foliage
- Caramel Apple
- Pinecone
- Rake
- Gourd
- Wagon Ride
- Woodland Animal
- Migration
- Flannel Shirt
- Pumpkin Patch
- Harvest Festival
- Apple Crisp
- S’mores
- Autumn Breeze
- Crisp Morning
- Hayride
- Scarf
- Autumn Sunset
- Full Moon
- Mushroom
- Golden Leaves
- Autumn Picnic
- Autumn Colors
- Warm Soup
- Forest Trail
- Seasonal Spices
- Beanie Hat
- Leaf Wreath
- Evening Chill
- Campfire Songs
- Falling Acorns
- Farmer’s Market
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
All-Year-Round Fishbowl Game
If you’re hosting a regular game night or birthday party, go for the classic version with a mix of fun, silly, and random words.
Word ideas: Rollercoaster, picnic, dance party, best friend, unicorn, pancake, homework, superhero.
Extra Twist: Let the birthday guest or host choose a bonus word worth double points.
Year Round Fishbowl Game Word Ideas
- Roller Coaster
- Backpack
- Sunglasses
- Bicycle
- Superhero
- Soccer Ball
- Birthday Cake
- Homework
- Picnic
- Best Friend
- Library
- Guitar
- Ice Cream
- Camping
- Telephone
- Headphones
- Party Hat
- Backpacking
- Sunglasses
- Airplane
- Unicorn
- Pajamas
- Swimming Pool
- Dance Party
- Rollerblades
- Candy
- Chalk
- Playground
- Balloon
- Beach
- Sunglasses
- Music Note
- Robot
- Train Station
- Pizza
- Flashlight
- Pencil Case
- Storybook
- Treasure Chest
- Zoo
- Soccer Cleats
- Starfish
- Ice Skates
- Magic Wand
- Tent
- Hiking Boots
- Rainbow
- Telescope
- Friend Hug
- Game Controller
New Year’s Eve Fishbowl Game
Ring in the new year with a hilarious round of Fishbowl. It’s a fantastic way to pass time before the countdown.
Word ideas: Resolution, fireworks, countdown, champagne, confetti, midnight kiss, party hat.
New Year’s Eve Fishbowl Game Word Ideas
- Countdown
- Fireworks
- Confetti
- Party Hat
- Balloon Drop
- Midnight
- Champagne
- Resolution
- Sparkler
- Glitter
- Horn Blower
- Times Square
- Clock Strike
- Calendar
- Champagne Toast
- Gold Streamers
- Big Ben
- Confetti Cannon
- Party Dress
- Dance Floor
- Cheers
- Disco Ball
- Noise Maker
- Celebration
- Party Favors
- Glitter Hat
- Festive Lights
- Toasting Glasses
- Party Mask
- Sparkling Cider
- Good Luck Charm
- Countdown Clock
- Ringing Bells
- Midnight Kiss
- Noisemakers
- New Beginnings
- Resolution List
- Glitter Ball
- Cheerful Crowd
- Dance Countdown
- Welcome 2025
- Party Playlist
- Festive Confetti
- Happy New Year Banner
- Streamer Toss
- Golden Horn
- Firecracker
- Midnight Snack
- Lucky Charm
- First Sunrise
Printable Word Lists
To make things easier, you can create or download printable word lists for each theme. This saves time and ensures you’ve got a good mix of words for all age groups.
You can even make this part of your party planning, print the words on colorful slips or cards that match your theme.
Why Fishbowl Is the Perfect Holiday Game
- Combines creativity, acting, and quick thinking
- Fits any party size or holiday theme
- Brings together mixed age groups
- Budget-friendly and requires little setup
Whether you’re playing in a living room, at a family reunion, or during a holiday break, the Fishbowl party game is guaranteed to bring laughs and create memories.
The Fishbowl Party Game is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Its mix of words, actions, and memory keeps everyone engaged, and it’s endlessly adaptable for holidays, seasons, and special occasions.
Whether you’re gathering for Christmas, Thanksgiving, a fall festival, or a birthday party, this game is sure to be a highlight of the night. So grab a bowl, write down some words, and get ready for a fun-filled game that your friends and family will ask to play again and again.
