How many words can you come up with off the top of your head that start with the letter A? The board game Scattergories uses basic categories and the roll of a die for the ultimate challenge in a vintage-style word game that forces you to stretch your vocabulary limits in a short timeframe. However, if you played Scattergories all the time as a kid, you've probably exhausted every answer to all of the twelve lists the game comes with. When these categories like "Food at a Diner" and "European Destinations" no longer thrill you, it's time to pump some life back in the game by making your own Scattergories lists.
Revive Your Game With Homemade Scattergories Lists
Next time you play Scattergories, make up your own lists using some of these category suggestions. A typical Scattergories list features 12 different categories related to different topics, so you can pick and choose from the categories to make your own customized lists, or play a themed game using single categories. Keep these new lists handy by printing out a copy of them for each player.
Television and Movies
A 20th century staple, put yourself in the silver screen and see if you can remember anything about the thousands of shows and films that you've seen over the course of your life.
- Soap Opera Stars
- Classic Movies
- Video Game Characters
- Disney Characters
- Scary Movies
- Kids Movies
- Classic TV Characters
- Star Trek Characters
- Comedies
- Sitcom Characters
- Cable Networks
- A-List Celebrities
Music
Casey Kasem has nothing on you and your fellow burgeoning DJs when you play a round of this music-oriented category.
- 80s Glam Bands
- Teen Idols
- Popular Rappers
- Country Music Stars
- Famous Composers
- Rock Stars
- Divas
- Love Songs
- Music Genres
- Praise and Worship Songs
- Boy Bands
- Timeless Musicians
Education
You might have asked yourself once if you're smarter than a fifth grader, and now's the time to put that question to the test with these academic based categories.
- Classic Literature
- Children's Books
- Topics in Science
- College Names
- College Mascots
- College Degrees
- School Supplies
- School Subjects
- School Rooms
- Math Skills
- Famous People in History
- Kindergarten Activities
Food and Drink
You can work up a healthy appetite by figuring out answers to these food and drink categories.
- Cooking Shows
- Pies and Cakes
- Desserts
- International Foods
- Popular Restaurants
- Types of Pop/Soda
- Health Foods
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Unhealthy Foods
- Types of Ice Cream
- Spices
- Types of Cereal
Sports and Hobbies
Take your 'me time' to the next level with these sports and hobbies-related categories.
- Collectors' Items
- Team Sports
- Individual Sports
- Exercises
- Yoga Poses
- Outdoor Activities
- Party Games
- Kids' Games
- Football Players
- Basketball Players
- Olympic Athletes
- Olympic Sports
Animals
Enter the barnyard and take a look around to see if you can answer all of these animal-based category prompts.
- Animals at the Zoo
- Creatures at the Aquarium
- Park Animals
- Pets
- Types of Fish
- Types of Dogs
- Types of Cats
- Animals in Africa
- Creatures in the Desert
- Carnivores
- Herbivores
- Types of Birds
People and Places
If you're a fan of the classics in life, then this people and places list that could have stepped foot out of a 1950s trivia board game is perfect for you.
- Cities in the US
- Honeymoon Destinations
- Famous Landmarks
- Capital Cities
- Amusement Parks
- Fast-Food Restaurants
- National Parks
- Famous Authors
- Politicians
- Nobel Peace Prize Winners
- Famous Millionaires
- Supermodels
Daily Life
Let the mundane things in life shine through with this Scattergories category list.
- In the Bathroom
- In the Bedroom
- In the Kitchen
- In the Garden
- Things You Recycle
- Things in the Dairy Aisle
- Cleaning Products
- Kids' Toys
- Furniture
- Household Chores
- Household Appliances
- Items of Clothing
The Dessert World
Take a bite out of this sweet category revolving around all things desserts.
- Types of Spices
- Pie Fillings
- Cake Flavors
- Breakfast Pastries
- Kinds of Icing
- Types of Bread
- Baking Appliances
- Baking TV Shows
- Pastry Cookbooks
- Hot Pastries
- Types of Fruit Pastries
- Different Pastry Ingredients
Horror & True Crime
You'll have to become one of the things that goes bump in the night to give an answer for all of these spooky categories.
- Monsters
- Cryptids
- Serial Killers
- 1970s Horror Movies
- Urban Legends
- Names of Fears
- Unsolved Mysteries/Crimes
- Media Generated Names for Criminals
- True Crime Documentaries
- True Crime Podcasts
- Horror Movie Directors
- Names of Famous Gangsters
The Beauty Industry
Give your Scattergories board a makeover with these beauty industry categories.
- Different Nail Shapes
- Hair Dye Brands
- Names of Popular Hairstyles
- Makeup Brands
- Names of Skincare Products
- Names of Dermatological Services
- Beauty Influencers
- Makeup Equipment/Tools
- Makeup Fads
- Makeup Products
- Beauty Products Used in the Shower/Bath
- Historic Beauty Trends
Worst-Case Scenario
See how you'd handle the worst day of your life with these worst-case scenario categories.
- Natural Disasters
- Names of Insurance Agencies
- Deadly Snakes
- Names of Fears
- Home-Related Accidents
- Things to Steal in a House
- Things That Break on a Car
- Ways to Die in the Wilderness
- Celebrities Who've Gone Bankrupt
- Celebrities Who've Been Cancelled
- Dangerous Ways to Travel
- Names of Hurricanes
In The Newsroom
There's not an ounce of fake news to be had in these newsroom and news network-related categories.
- News Anchors
- Meteorological Terms
- Types of Crimes
- Names of Whistleblowers
- Morning News Shows
- Famous Newspapers
- Newspaper Comic Strip Titles
- News Network Abbreviations
- Names of Leaked Information
- Names of Tabloids
- Names of News Podcasts
- Famous 'Ripped From the Headlines' Stories
Bring Your Board Back to Life
Make Scattergories the main event again at your next party by using new personalized or themed lists. For example, if playing with family members, make a category of cousins or family members' names. With friends from school, you can play games with categories such as teachers' names as well. Use themes for bridal or baby showers, family reunions, or any other type of gathering to really get your competitive juices flowing, and these thirteen category lists can help you get off to a great start.
