Codenames

Codenames

Party Game
2-8 players
About 15 Minutes
Grade 4 and Up
Game Schooler Recommendation

Often billed as a party game, Codenames is a puzzle of a game that forces players to be creative and find connections between words. We also love the teamwork nature of this game, which allows weaker players to fit in and enjoy highs of victory while minimizing the sting of defeat. In addition to enhancing spatial perception, young players must give clues to lead their team to the right words, sometimes with hilarious consequences. Sure, reading is a requirement for this game, but the speedy playtime and large player count make this one an easy recommendation.

Game Overview

The two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their CODENAMES. The teams compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first. Spymasters give one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the board. Their teammates try to guess words of the right color while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team. And everyone wants to avoid the assassin.

Skills
  • Competition Competition
    Develops healthy competitive habits as two or more parties compete for a goal that cannot be shared.
  • Persuasion Persuasion
    Players are encouraged to convince others through reasoning.
  • Spatial Perception Spatial Perception
    Strengthens a player’s understanding of the spatial relationships with the objects in their environment as well as themselves.
  • Resilience Resilience
    Teaches players how to quickly recover from and cope with difficulties.
Game Details
  • Type: Family Game
  • Category: Party Game
  • Designer(s): Vlaada Chvátil
  • Published: 2015
  • Game Length: About 15 Minutes
  • Players: 2-8 players
Awards
  • 2016 - Spiel des Jahres Winner
  • 2015 - Golden Geek Best Family Board Game Winner
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