20 Questions is a classic guessing game: one player thinks of something, and everyone else has up to 20 yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is. No device or app needed — just a group of people and a bit of patience.
How to play
One player secretly thinks of a person, place, or thing.
They tell the group which broad category it falls into (usually "animal, vegetable, or mineral" — a traditional way of saying living thing, plant-based thing, or object).
The other players take turns asking yes-or-no questions to narrow it down.
If a player correctly guesses the answer within 20 questions, they win — and usually take the next turn thinking of something.
If nobody guesses correctly within 20 questions, the thinker reveals the answer.
Good starter questions
Is it a living thing?
Is it bigger than a car?
Would I find it in my house?
Is it something you can hold in your hand?
Is it man-made?
Is it something most people have used or seen before?
Strategy tips
Start broad (category, size, common vs. rare) before narrowing to specific guesses — a specific guess too early wastes a question if it's wrong.
Pay attention to what other players' questions and answers reveal, not just your own.
Save direct "Is it a ___?" guesses for when you've narrowed the possibilities down to just a few.