As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Full details on our Affiliate Disclosure page.
Winter Pictionary words (2026): Pictionary is the perfect snowed-in game, because anyone can play and bad drawings are half the fun. Here are 36 winter Pictionary words sorted into easy, medium and hard lists, plus rules, scoring and a few festive twists. Write them on slips, grab a whiteboard and start sketching.
Best boxed drawing game: Pictionary
The classic Pictionary board game adds a board race, category cards and pens for two teams of any size. It costs about $19.
Price band: $10–$20 (about $19) · Check today’s price on Amazon
How to play winter Pictionary
- Split into two teams. Each team needs a pad or whiteboard.
- A player from one team draws a word and has 60 seconds to sketch it without letters, numbers or speaking.
- Their team shouts guesses. A correct guess scores a point.
- Alternate teams. First to 10 points wins, or play until the words run out.
For an “all play” round, both teams draw the same word at once and the first to guess it wins the point.
Easy winter Pictionary words
Simple shapes that young kids can draw in a few seconds.
- Snowman
- Mitten
- Sled
- Igloo
- Snowflake
- Penguin
- Icicle
- Hot cocoa
- Scarf
- Polar bear
- Earmuffs
- Fireplace
Medium winter Pictionary words
A little more detail, good for ages 8 and up.
- Ski lift
- Snowplow
- Ice skates
- Snow globe
- Frozen lake
- Hockey stick
- Snowball fight
- Pine tree
- Fur hat
- Toboggan
- Cabin
- Snowboard
Hard winter Pictionary words
Abstract ideas and tricky scenes for adults and competitive teens.
- Frostbite
- Avalanche
- Hibernation
- Northern lights
- Wind chill
- Cabin fever
- Snow day
- Ice fishing
- Black ice
- Winter solstice
- Blizzard
- Brain freeze
Winter Pictionary twists
- Mitten round: draw while wearing winter gloves.
- Eyes closed: the artist sketches with eyes shut for double points.
- Snow day relay: each teammate adds ten seconds to the same drawing.
- Steamy window: draw with a finger on a fogged window or a cold glass door.
Drawing tips for people who “can’t draw”
Pictionary is not an art contest. The fastest teams use shortcuts, and these work for every word on the lists above.
- Start with the big shape. A triangle on a rectangle reads as a cabin before you add a single detail.
- Point with arrows. Draw a whole snowman, then an arrow to its carrot nose if the word is “nose.”
- Break long words apart. For “snowboard,” draw a snowflake, a plus sign and a plank.
- Act with the pen. Shaky lines for shivering and speed lines for sledding add meaning fast.
- Never write letters. It is the one rule every group enforces, so practice pictures instead.
Make your own winter word cards
Want a longer game? Ask each guest to write three winter words on slips when they arrive, then mix them into the bowl with this list. Homemade words add inside jokes, like the sledding hill down the street or Grandpa’s famous chili.
Scoring options for mixed ages
Standard scoring gives one point per correct guess, but mixed groups often need a handicap so younger players stay in the game.
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | 1 point per correct guess | Groups of similar ages |
| Difficulty points | Easy 1, medium 2, hard 3 points | Letting teams choose their risk |
| Kid bonus | A kid’s drawing that is guessed scores double | Families with young children |
| Steal | If the drawing team fails, the other team gets one guess to steal | Competitive adults |
Pictionary for small groups
With only two or three players, skip teams. Everyone draws in turn and everyone else guesses; the first correct guesser and the artist both score a point. It keeps every player busy and works well for a quiet snow-day afternoon.
Set up a winter game night in ten minutes
- Print or copy the three word lists and cut them into slips, keeping each difficulty in its own bowl.
- Grab a whiteboard, a big pad of paper or a few printer sheets on clipboards.
- Set a phone timer to 60 seconds and pick a scorekeeper.
- Make hot cocoa for the break between rounds. A ten-minute halftime keeps little kids happy.
Drawing games for the next snow day
Three picks for families and parties.
- Best classic: Pictionary — two teams, board and category cards (about $19)
- Best tech twist: Pictionary Air 2 — draw in the air and cast to the TV (about $20)
- Best for laughs: Telestrations — the telephone game with drawings, up to 8 (about $32)
Looking for more? Try our Christmas Pictionary words, the winter would you rather questions or the best games like Telestrations.
Winter Pictionary FAQ
What are good winter Pictionary words for kids?
Snowman, mitten, sled, igloo and penguin are all simple shapes kids can draw quickly.
How long should each Pictionary turn be?
Sixty seconds is standard. Give younger kids 90 seconds.
Can you play Pictionary without the board game?
Yes. All you need is paper, pens, a timer and a word list like this one.
