How to Play Cranium
Fast to learn easy to read how to play Cranium rules.
Players: 4 to 16 | Game duration from: 55 mins | Game Complexity: EASY How to play Cranium rules in simple steps Cranium rules pdf / rulebook
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What is the goal?
You and your team can sculpt, act, puzzle, and even spell backwards to win this fun party game for four or more players!
Game setup
- Divide the players into two teams of two or more. When you have a large group, you can divide into four teams, as long as each team has at least two players
- Teams pick a mover to place on the purple START space
- Set out the four card boxes: Creative Cat®, Word Worm®, Star Performer®, and Data Head®
- Set out the die, timer, and tub of Cranium Clay
- Give each team a notepad and pencil.
- The team with the player whose birthday is coming up next goes first.
Choose how long to play
Fold the board to pick the game length you want.
Step by Step How to Play Cranium Rules
Learn how to play Cranium. You and your team can sculpt, act, puzzle, and even spell backwards to win this fun party game for four or more players!
Choose 1 of 4 character card boxes
When on a purple or Planet Cranium space (including the first turn), choose 1 of 4 character card boxes.
Team to the right reads your card aloud
The team to your right draws your card, reads it aloud to you and when ready, starts the timer.
Attempt to complete the activity
Before time runs out, your team must successfully complete the activity. If successful, roll die and move to the next color indicated. If playing a full-sized or mid-sized game, stop at every Planet Cranium, even if your roll would otherwise take you past it. If unsuccessful, don’t roll or move. The turn is over and play moves to the left.
Winning Cranium
Enter Cranium Central. In your next turn, the other teams choose your final activity from the card box.
If you are unsuccessful, you can try again on your next turn.
The team that is the first to successfully complete an activity in Cranium Central (all-play cards count, too), wins Cranium!
All-Play Cards
A Cranium all-play card pauses the game and allows teams to compete at the same time.
- The first team to shout the correct answer before the time runs out wins an instant bonus roll.
- After an all-play card is played, the winner takes one bonus roll and moves.
- Then the team whose turn it was when the card was drawn takes its regular turn.
Drawing an all-play card while you’re on a Planet Cranium
If your team wins the all-play card and it was your first activity while on a Planet Cranium, roll and move onto the fast track.
If your team doesn’t win the all-play card and it was your first activity while on a Planet Cranium, you can still to get on the fast track on your regular turn.
Fast Track
When playing the full-sized game, every Planet Cranium gives the team a chance to get on the fast track.
If your team is successful on the first activity you do on a Planet Cranium, hop on the inner fast track. Otherwise, take the scenic route – the outer path.
You must stop at every Planet Cranium – even if your roll would otherwise take you past it. If you’re on the fast track and you roll purple, zoom straight ahead to the next Planet Cranium.
Related Links
How to Play Cranium and Review Videos
