Activity

Overview

Activity is a party board game published by Piatnik for 3 to 16 players, ages 12 and up. Teams compete to guess words and phrases communicated through three different methods: drawing, acting (pantomime), or verbal description. The board determines which communication method must be used on each turn, and teams race to be the first to reach the finish line.

Components

• Game board with colored spaces indicating communication methods
• 4 team playing pieces (chips)
• Sand timer (1 minute)
• 330 task cards with words/phrases at varying difficulty levels
• Rules booklet

Setup

Divide players into teams of at least 2 players each (up to 4 teams). Each team places their playing piece on the start space. Shuffle the task cards and place them face down in a draw pile. Determine which team goes first.

Turn Structure

Each turn:

1. Draw a card: The active player (clue-giver) draws a task card.
2. Determine method: Check the board space the team’s piece currently occupies to determine the communication method (draw, act, or describe).
3. Start the timer: Flip the sand timer (1 minute).
4. Give clues: The clue-giver attempts to communicate the word/phrase using only the allowed method.
5. Guess: Team members attempt to guess the correct word/phrase before time runs out.
6. Advance: If the team guesses correctly, they advance their piece on the board. If they fail, the word may be passed to the next team for a bonus guess.

Actions

Drawing

• The clue-giver draws pictures on paper to represent the word/phrase.
• No letters, numbers, or symbols may be used.
• No verbal communication or gestures while drawing.

Acting (Pantomime)

• The clue-giver acts out the word/phrase using body language, gestures, and facial expressions.
• No speaking, no sounds, no pointing at objects in the room.
• No lip-reading or mouthing words.

Describing (Verbal)

• The clue-giver describes the word/phrase using spoken words.
• The exact word or any part of it may not be spoken.
• No gestures or drawings; words only.
• Foreign language versions of the word are not allowed.

Difficulty Levels

• Task cards contain words at different difficulty levels.
• Harder words allow the team to advance more spaces on the board when guessed correctly.
• The board space determines both the method and the difficulty/reward.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The first team to move their playing piece across the finish line wins the game. Teams advance by successfully guessing words/phrases within the time limit. More difficult words/phrases allow teams to advance more spaces.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• If a team fails to guess the word in time, the opposing team(s) may get one guess attempt as a bonus opportunity.
• The clue-giver must not use any form of communication other than the specified method.
• If the clue-giver accidentally breaks the rules (e.g., speaks while drawing), the turn is forfeit.
• Teams should have relatively equal numbers of players for balance.
• Some versions include “open round” spaces where all teams participate simultaneously.
• The game works best with 4+ players per team but can be played with smaller groups.

Player Reference

Communication Methods

| Method | What’s Allowed | What’s Forbidden | |——–|—————|—————–| | Drawing | Pictures, shapes | Letters, numbers, symbols, speaking | | Acting | Gestures, body language, facial expressions | Speaking, sounds, pointing at objects | | Describing | Spoken words | The word itself, gestures, drawing |

Turn Summary

1. Draw a task card
2. Check board space for method
3. Start 1-minute timer
4. Communicate using allowed method only
5. Team guesses; advance if correct