Best Cranium Games

Updated January 2020
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Cranium Cranium
Cranium
Cranium
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Bottom Line

Named for the company that makes it, Cranium challenges teams to use a variety of skills to reach the end.

Pros

Great group game that gets every one involved. Uses art, trivia, and pop culture smarts to accomplish game tasks.

Cons

Comes in original and new versions. New version has a smaller board but not as many cards.

Cranium Brain Breaks Game
Cranium
Brain Breaks Game
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Bottom Line

Made up of short mini games, this one can be enjoyed by parents and kids together.

Pros

Each card has a one minute game. It keeps everyone guessing. Play as individuals or teams. Works as a quick break for kids.

Cons

It might not be challenging enough for adults without kids.

Cranium Cariboo
Cranium
Cariboo
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Bottom Line

A great game for young kids that helps them learn while they have fun. As educational as this game is, it might not be worth the high price.

Pros

Young kids learn shapes, colors, letters, and numbers while laughing along with the game. Teachers love using it in the classroom to improve cognitive skills.

Cons

Because it's no longer made, it's pricey no matter where you buy it.

Best Bang for the Buck
Cranium Conga
Cranium
Conga
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Bottom Line

With "guess what I'm thinking" as the basis, this game uses creative ways to get players to guess other players answers.

Pros

Simple game and can be completed in a short amount of time. Guess box plays fun music that builds suspense.

Cons

Players tend to shout answers before sculpting or drawing even gets started.

Cranium Cranium Dark
Cranium
Cranium Dark
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Bottom Line

Cranium Dark is the best variant of charades available, and trying to convey the concept of “invisible” as a zombie is a prime example of how wild this game is.

Pros

You have 60 seconds to guess a concept while expressing it in a weird, silly, or hilarious way. Includes 340 Cranium cards and 40 action cards, clay, paper pads, and timer.

Cons

Tame for an “after dark” game aimed at adults.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

27 Models Considered
1 Experts Interviewed
127 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Created as the ultimate party entertainment to involve your whole brain, Cranium games think outside the typical board game box. Tired of the same old games that only rely on one activity to win, the creator of the original Cranium wanted a game that was more challenging and more fun. The original Cranium won over adults and families alike with its variety of topics, challenges, and tested skills. Then, the family of Cranium games expanded to kids’ versions that continued to come up with new ways to get everyone in on the new way to play. Each version has its own rules and goals, but they all allow for heaps of silliness and playfulness. Whether it is drawing with your eyes closed, solving a puzzle, or dancing, Cranium games are now a game-night staple.

The team that worked on this review
  • Stacey
    Stacey
    Writer
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Cranium

Brain Breaks Game

Cranium

Brain Breaks Game

Made up of short mini games, this one can be enjoyed by parents and kids together.

$24
×

Cranium

Cariboo

Cranium

Cariboo

A great game for young kids that helps them learn while they have fun. As educational as this game is, it might not be worth the high price.

$193
×

Cranium

Conga

Cranium

Conga

With "guess what I'm thinking" as the basis, this game uses creative ways to get players to guess other players answers.
$19
×

Cranium

Cranium

Cranium

Cranium

Named for the company that makes it, Cranium challenges teams to use a variety of skills to reach the end.

$14
×

Cranium

Cranium Dark

Cranium

Cranium Dark

Cranium Dark is the best variant of charades available, and trying to convey the concept of “invisible” as a zombie is a prime example of how wild this game is.
$15

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