How to Play Telestrations

Rulebooks in my opinion are a pain to read. I’ve summarised the How to play Telestrations game rules to help you get your game started quick.

Players: 4 to 8 | Game duration from: 30 mins | Game Complexity: EASY
Click here if you are looking for the official Telestrations rules pdf / rulebook

How does the game Telestrations work?

In Telestrations, players roll a die for their secret word and sketch it within 60 seconds. Players pass their sketchbooks to the next player who guesses and writes down what they see. The book is then passed again to the next player who sketches what the previous person has written.

How long does it take to play Telestrations?

A game of Telestrations takes about 30 minutes.

Telestrations Game Setup

Put the card box, sand timer, clean-up cloths, and die in the middle
Together choose the cards you will be using – “This Side” or “That Side”
Players choose a sketchbook, a marker, and a card
Write down your name in your sketchbook and remember your coil’s colour

Step-by-Step How to Play Telstrations Game Rules

This section covers easy step-by-step rules on how to play Telestrations.

Total Time: 30 minutes

Each player gets a word

Choose a player to roll the die and start the round. Each player matches the number with the word from their card.secretly records the word. You are allowed to make up any word(s) you like if there is a blank space on your card matching the rolled number. Underlined categories, like “TV SHOW”, can be any word you want in that category.

Each player secretly records the word

Players secretly record their word in their sketchbook.

If EVEN number of players, go to Sketch It

Players go to “Sketch It” page 1 of the sketchbook and prepare to draw their word.

If ODD number of players, go to Sketch it and pass the book

Players to “Sketch It” page 1 of their sketchbook and then pass the book to the player on the left. Player receiving the book secretly sees the previous player’s word, and prepares to draw it on “Sketch It” page 1.

Sketching

Everyone should be on “Sketch It” page 1. Flip the timer. Draw the word in 60 seconds. After the time runs out, finish it up. Don’t leave it blank! Hide their sketch on page 2 and pass open the book to the left player.

Guessing

Everyone should now be on “Guess It” Page 2. Everyone takes a look at the sketch on the previous page and write their guess on page 2. Players flip forward to the next page and pass their book to their left.

Round and Round it goes

Flip the 60 seconds timer. Each player sketches, passes, and guesses until they get their own book back. Be sure to note the colour of your sketchbook coil so you know it’s yours.

The Big Reveal

Having received your books back, it’s time for the big reveal! Share your sketches and guessing outcomes in your book as you flip through it!

Do’s and Don’ts

Do not use letters or numbers.
Don’t put a question mark or leave the page blank.

Optional Scoring and Winning

You can just play for fun and have laughs or you can have scoring.
During each round, players will record their points on the score sheet at the front of their book. A game is played in 3 rounds. Total your points after 3 rounds. The player with the most points wins!

Friendly Scoring
After you reveal the outcomes in your own book:
Give 1 point to the player whose sketch was your favourite in your book
Give 1 point to the player whose guess was your favourite
Give yourself 1 point if the last guess matches the secret word.

Competitive Scoring
Each guesser earns 1 point if they match the secret word or previous guesses. The sketcher gets a point if the guesser matches the sketch
You get 1 point if the last guess matches your secret word.

Player with the highest score wins.