For Spring Break, our family went to the Great Smoky Mountains with some family friends. At the rental, we found an old game, Telestrations, which became the obsession for the week. We literally played it every night. The biggest win was to get the two teenage boys to play and having them laugh hysterically as they did. My 16 year old son was the biggest surprise because he never wants to play board games. This game has been around for awhile so if you have played it before, feel free to drop a line and let me know if you like it just as much as us. If you haven’t played, I recommend you check it out.
Finding a game that everyone in the family enjoys—especially teenagers—is no small task. But if your family loves to laugh (and doesn’t mind a little harmless embarrassment), Telestrations might just be your new favorite game night go-to.
What Is Telestrations?
Think of it as a game of “telephone” but with drawings. Each player starts with a secret word, draws it, then passes their sketchbook to the next person who writes down what they think it is. That continues around the circle—alternating between guessing and drawing—until the sketchbook returns to its original owner.
The result? A hilarious chain of misunderstandings that usually ends in side-splitting laughter.
Here are some photos of one of the sketchbooks that had us laughing. How it went from tournament to sacrafice to jesus on the cross. lol
Why Families with Teens Love It
– No pressure to be perfect – Whether your teen’s a budding artist or only draws stick figures, everyone’s on the same (often terrible) artistic playing field.
– It’s pure comedy – Watching a simple word like “giraffe” turn into “alien dog eating spaghetti” is guaranteed to make even the most stoic teen crack a smile.
– All ages can play – From middle schoolers to grandparents, it’s easy to learn and fun for all.
– Screen-free connection – It’s a rare gem: something fun enough to pull teens away from their phones—and keep them engaged.
Parent Bonus: It’s Clean, Silly Fun
Unlike some popular party games that lean heavily on edgy humor, Telestrations is family-friendly by design. It keeps things light, goofy, and safe for all generations to enjoy around the table.
Tips for a Great Family Game Night
- Serve some snacks and let everyone get comfy.
- Use the 8-player or Party Pack version for bigger families or guests.
- Encourage outrageous guesses—the more off-the-wall, the better!
Where to Get It
Telestrations is available online (Amazon, Target, Walmart) and at many local toy and game shops.
Click here for a link for Telestrations.
Final Thought:
If you’ve been searching for a fun, screen-free way to connect as a family and actually get your teens laughing with you, Telestrations is an absolute win. It’s creative, chaotic, and 100% hilarious—and that’s exactly what family game night should be.
