Overview

Kaleidos is a word-finding party game where players race to identify as many objects as possible in detailed illustrated picture boards, all beginning with a randomly drawn letter. Unique finds score more points than shared ones. The game is played over 10 turns, and the player with the most points wins.

Components

• 20 double-sided picture boards (40 unique pictures, numbered 1-10 on each side)
• 4 easels
• 26 letter cards
• 1 hourglass (sand timer)
• 1 pad of paper
• 4 pencils
• 1 rulebook

Setup

1. Assemble the cardboard easels and give one to each player (or group if more than 4 players – split into groups of 2-3 per easel).
2. Split the 20 picture boards into four groups of 5 boards (pictures numbered 1-10). Put one group on each easel.
3. Shuffle the letter cards and place face-down in the middle of the table next to the hourglass.
4. Give each player a pencil and a sheet of paper.

Turn Structure

Each turn follows these steps:

1. Choose a picture: All players as a group choose one picture to use and place their copy on their easels.
2. Reveal letter and start timer: Flip the top letter card and the hourglass simultaneously.
3. Find and write: Players secretly write down words for items found in the picture that begin with the revealed letter. Do not look at other players’ notes.
4. Time runs out: The turn ends when the hourglass empties.
5. Score: Each player reads aloud all their words and compares with other players.

Actions

There is one main action each turn: scanning the picture and writing down words for items that start with the current letter. All players do this simultaneously during the timed round.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

After each turn:

• 3 points for each acceptable word that you alone wrote down (unique word).
• 1 point for each acceptable word that you AND at least one other player also wrote down (shared word).

One player keeps track of all scores on a separate sheet. After 10 turns, the player with the most total points wins.

Acceptable Words

• Must be clearly identifiable in the picture (specific words and generalizations both count).
• Example: A “car” could be described as a “convertible” or “4x4.”
• If challenged, you must show exactly where in the picture the contested word appears.
• Each word can only be used once (no singular AND plural versions).
• If the same word can identify different objects (e.g., “Earth” the planet vs. “earth” the ground), it may be written more than once.
• Copying words from text or inscriptions visible in the pictures is NOT permitted.
• Ambiguous words are accepted if the majority of players agree. Ties = word is invalid.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Team Version (4-12 players): Form teams (2 teams of 2 up to 4 teams of 3). Team members’ scores are added together at the end of each turn.
• Game length: Can be modified by agreeing on a different number of turns before starting.
• Beginner adjustment: Flip the hourglass again to give more time, or remove the most difficult letter cards.
• No repetitions allowed, including different forms of the same word.

Player Reference

Scoring	Points
Unique word (only you found it)	3 points
Shared word (you and at least one other)	1 point

Game Structure	Detail
Total turns	10
Players supported	2-12 (solo or teams at easels)
Pictures available	40 (20 boards, double-sided)
Letter cards	26