Imposter Game for Kids

Updated 14 October 2026

The imposter game for kids is a simple, giggly guessing game that works for birthday parties, rainy afternoons and car-free family evenings. Everyone gets a secret word except the imposter, who gets a slightly different one. Players take turns giving a clue, then everyone guesses who the imposter is. With the Kids (Easy) word pack and a grown-up helping with the phone, children as young as six or seven can join in.

What age is the imposter game for kids suitable for?

There is no fixed age, but here is a rough guide:

• Around 6–8: play with the Kids (Easy) pack and an adult running the phone. Keep rounds short.
• Around 8–11: most children can handle the phone themselves and enjoy packs like Animals, Food or Cartoons as well.
• 11 and up: most packs are fine; Movies, Video Games and Superheroes are popular.

The main skills are reading one or two words and thinking of a describing word. If a child can play "I spy", they can usually play this.

The Kids (Easy) word pack

The Kids (Easy) pack has 40 pairs of everyday words that young players know well. Some real pairs from the pack:

The words are short and easy to read, and every pair has a gentle hint (for example "At the playground" for Swing/Slide) that you can show in Classic mode. See the full list on the Kids word pack page.

Play the Kids pack

Simple rules for young players

1. Everyone looks at their secret word, one at a time. Don't say it out loud!
2. Take turns saying one clue about your word. The app tells you who goes first.
3. Talk about who might have a different word.
4. Point at (or vote for) the person you think is the imposter.
5. Reveal! If the imposter is caught, they get one guess at everyone else's word.

Example with Dog/Cat: the children with "Dog" might say "Woof", "Walkies" or "Fetch". The imposter has "Cat" and says "Whiskers". Hmm – dogs have whiskers too, but it sounds a little cat-ish! The group votes, the imposter is revealed, and everyone laughs.

The full rules, including scoring, are on the how to play page, but for little ones you can skip the points and just play for fun.

Adapting the game for children

• Let an adult run the phone. In pass-the-phone mode the adult can hand the phone to each child, help them tap "I'm <name>", and make sure they hold the card to read their word and let go to hide it.
• Use Undercover mode. It is the default and often easier for kids: nobody is told "you're the imposter", so nobody feels singled out, and everyone has a word to talk about.
• Turn the timer off. Younger children need time to think. Leave the discussion timer off or set it to 3 minutes.
• Use group vote. Children enjoy deciding together, and it is quicker than secret votes.
• Keep groups small. 4–6 players with one imposter is ideal. Quick Play sets this up in two taps.
• Praise good clues, not just winning. "Ooh, 'walkies' was a great clue!" keeps everyone keen.

Children who can't read yet can still play if an adult quietly whispers their word to them – just make sure the imposter's word is whispered the same way.

Safe for school and family

The Kids (Easy) pack, and most of the other packs, are suitable for classrooms and family gatherings. The only pack with grown-up content is "Party (18+)", which is hidden behind a toggle and never switched on by default. The game itself has no ads, no login and no chat, so there is nothing for children to click away to.

Teachers can find more ideas in the imposter game for classroom guide, and families with mixed ages should look at the family imposter game page.

FAQ

Can a 6-year-old play the imposter game?

Usually yes, with the Kids (Easy) pack and an adult helping with the phone and reading.

Is the game free for kids to use?

Yes. It is free, with no ads, no login and no download.

Can I add my own words for my children?

Yes. Use "My custom words" to add pairs your kids will know, such as their favourite characters or toys.

Does it work without Wi-Fi?

Pass-the-phone mode works offline after your first visit, which is handy on trips.