Scattergories Lists
The classic category game is simple: roll a letter, then race to think of something beginning with that letter for each category on your list before the timer runs out. These printable lists give you 16 fresh sets of 12 original categories, answer sheets for three rounds each, a score sheet and a cut-out letter picker — everything you need for family game night or a classroom.
Category Game Lists Pack
16 printable lists of 12 original categories, three-round answer sheets, a score sheet, a cut-out letter picker and a rules card.
- Lists 1–4 (PDF)
- Lists 5–8 (PDF)
- Lists 9–12 (PDF)
- Lists 13–16 (PDF)
- Answer sheet (PDF/DOCX)
- Score sheet (PDF/DOCX/XLSX)
- Letter picker (PDF)
- Rules card (PDF/DOCX)
Formats: PDF, DOCX, XLSX. Instant download after payment (link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). AI-assisted: the templates were drafted with AI help and reviewed and laid out by Kedop.
$5.00 USD, one-time
Secure card checkout by Stripe. Full refund within 7 days — see the refund policy and license.
How to play
- Give each player a list and an answer sheet; everyone uses the same list.
- Pick a letter — roll a letter die, draw a letter card or use the printable letter picker.
- Start a timer (usually 2–3 minutes).
- Write one answer for each category that starts with the letter.
- When time is up, read answers aloud in turn.
- Score one point for each valid answer no one else wrote; duplicate answers score zero.
- Play three rounds per list, then total the scores.
Scoring and house rules
- Adjectives are often allowed if the noun is valid: “Big Ben” counts for B under landmarks.
- Alliteration bonus: extra points for each word starting with the letter (“Purple Pineapple Pizza”).
- Players vote on doubtful answers; a tie means the answer stands.
- “A”, “an” and “the” at the start don’t count as the letter.
- Agree before starting whether proper nouns are allowed for every category.
Lists 1–4
| List 1 | List 2 | List 3 | List 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Things in space | Colours | Things that are hot | Car brands |
| Things at a birthday party | Things in a museum | Things you plug in | Rivers |
| Things that are sweet | Vegetables | Hobbies | Things with stripes |
| Superheroes | Things with buttons | Things in a zoo | Animals in water |
| Words that rhyme with “day” | Things you find in a wallet | Kitchen appliances | Animals |
| Cities | Sandwiches | Birds | Clothing |
| Things that are round | Cartoon characters | Things in a kitchen | Breakfast foods |
| School subjects | Holidays | Things you shout | TV shows |
| Tools | Units of measurement | Things in a toolbox | Things in a city |
| Musicians or bands | Book titles | Things that are soft | Reasons to celebrate |
| Things in a fridge | Things with a tail | Girls’ names | Desserts |
| Breeds of dog | Types of trees | Things that are sticky | Dances |
Lists 5–8
| List 5 | List 6 | List 7 | List 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excuses for being late | Items in a bathroom | Fictional places | Things you can climb |
| Things you do at a party | Words ending in -ing | Furniture | Things that are yellow |
| Things in a supermarket | Things that fly | Spices and herbs | Adjectives describing a person |
| Things in a hospital | Snacks | Things that make noise | Things in a garden |
| Weather words | Jobs | Things in the ocean | Things at the beach |
| Boys’ names | Sports | Insects | Board games |
| Drinks | Nicknames | Things in a garage | Things at a wedding |
| Farm animals | Things with wheels | Things that are green | Famous landmarks |
| Occupations in films | Words with double letters | Things in a school bag | Game show terms |
| Kinds of shoes | Things you take camping | Things that are cold | Card games |
| Countries | Pizza toppings | Things you can recycle | Mountains |
| Things in the sky | Flowers | Musical instruments | Things in a park |
Lists 9–16 are in the printable pack, along with answer sheets for every list.
Choosing letters
Some letters are much harder than others. Many printed letter dice leave out Q, U, V, X, Y and Z, or group them, because few categories have answers starting with them. The printable letter picker in the pack includes an easy set (common letters only) and a full alphabet for experienced players.
Worked example: one round
The letter is B and the list includes Fruits, Sports, Things in a kitchen and Cities. Player 1 writes banana, basketball, blender, Boston. Player 2 writes blueberry, basketball, bowl, Berlin. Basketball is written twice, so neither scores it; everyone else’s unique answers score one point each — 3 points to each player for those four categories.
Playing with kids, classes or online
- For younger children, give more time and allow drawings as answers.
- In class, use subject-themed categories to review vocabulary.
- Team play: pairs share one sheet and whisper answers.
- Online: share the list on screen, pick a letter at random, and use a shared timer; players reveal answers in the chat together.
About these lists
Scattergories is a trademark of Hasbro. These are original category lists written for the classic category-and-letter game format; they are not official game cards and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro.
Formats and printing
Lists and answer sheets print on US Letter and A4. Each answer sheet has three columns so one list lasts three rounds.
AI-assisted content
Category lists were written with AI assistance and reviewed by Kedop.
Frequently asked questions
How many categories are on each list?
Twelve.
How long is each round?
Usually 2–3 minutes; adjust for younger players.
Do duplicate answers score?
No — if two players write the same answer, neither scores.
Which letters are hardest?
Q, U, V, X, Y and Z are often left out or grouped.
Are these official Scattergories cards?
No, they are original lists for the same classic game format.
Is this a subscription?
No, it is a one-time download.