How to Play 20 Questions Game | Rules, Steps & Variations

20 Questions is a classic parlor game of deduction and logic. One player thinks of a person, place, or thing, and the others have up to 20 yes-or-no questions to figure out the answer.

I love this game because it’s so simple — no materials needed, just creativity, reasoning, and a bit of strategy. It works with kids, families, classrooms, or friends at a party.

Objective

The goal is for the group to guess the word the thinker is holding in their head, using no more than 20 yes-or-no questions.

Age Range

Ages 6 and up. Younger kids can play if you simplify categories.

Game Length

10–20 minutes per round, depending on the difficulty of the word.

Why We Like It for Kids and Families

• No setup or supplies needed.
• Encourages logical thinking and questioning skills.
• Flexible — works with small groups, big groups, or even one-on-one.
• Kids love the challenge of stumping the group with clever choices.

What You Need

• Just a group of people.
• (Optional) A notepad to keep track of the question count.

How to Play 20 Questions (Step by Step)

Step 1: Gather players

You’ll need at least 2 players, but it works best with 3 or more.

Step 2: Set the categories

Default categories are person, place, or thing. For younger kids, you can add simpler categories like “animal,” “food,” or “toy.”

Step 3: Choose the first thinker

Pick one player to be the thinker (the person who secretly decides on the answer).

Step 4: Think of a person, place, or thing

The thinker chooses a word or idea from the chosen category and keeps it secret.

Step 5: Start asking yes/no questions

The other players take turns asking yes-or-no questions to narrow down possibilities. Example: “Is it alive?” “Is it something we use at home?”

Step 6: Keep count of the questions

Each question — and each guess — counts toward the limit of 20.

Step 7: Make a guess

Players may use their turn to guess the answer instead of asking a question. If they’re wrong, the game continues, but it still counts toward one of the 20 questions.

Step 8: Win the round

If someone guesses correctly within 20 questions, the group wins. If not, the thinker reveals the answer after the 20th question.

Step 9: Rotate roles

Choose a new thinker for the next round. Common ways to pick include:

• Rotate clockwise so everyone eventually gets a turn.
• Last correct guesser becomes the next thinker.
• Random selection for variety.

Rules of 20 Questions

• The thinker must stick to one answer throughout the round.
• All questions must be yes/no (though “maybe” or “sometimes” can be allowed for tricky answers).
• Every question or guess counts toward the 20-question total.
• The round ends immediately if the answer is guessed.

Strategies

• Start broad: Ask general questions first (“Is it alive?” “Is it bigger than a car?”).
• Narrow down categories: Use each answer to eliminate big groups of possibilities.
• Save guesses: Don’t guess too early — wait until you’ve ruled out enough options.
• Think like the thinker: What kind of clue would they pick for this group?

Variations

• 20 Questions Animal/Place Only: For younger kids, limit choices to easier categories.
• Yes/No/Maybe Version: Allow “maybe” for gray-area answers.
• Commercial Version: The game has been sold as electronic toys and apps that “think of” your word by asking questions.

Skills Built While Playing

• Logical reasoning
• Deductive thinking
• Creativity in questioning
• Communication skills
• Patience and focus

FAQ

What are the categories in 20 Questions?
The default categories are person, place, or thing. Some groups add animals, foods, or toys for younger kids.

Does every question count?
Yes — even if the answer is obvious or silly, every question and guess counts toward the total of 20.

How do you choose the next thinker?
You can rotate clockwise, let the last correct guesser become the thinker, or pick randomly.

Is there a way to play competitively?
Yes! Keep track of who guessed correctly, and award points for correct answers. The player with the most points after several rounds wins.

Are there official versions of 20 Questions?
Yes, the game has been sold as handheld electronic toys and apps that try to guess your word.