Looking for how to play cranium? If so, you’re in the right place.
In this simple step-by-step guide, we will teach you how to play the cranium board game so you can best your friends and family at any party you find yourself.
Let’s dive in and learn together.
Cranium Board Game: How To Play
Components
- 4 player pieces
- 4 player pads and pencils
- A timer
- A tub of clay
- Cranium board
Setup
- First, set up the board and evenly divide up players into two equal teams. There must be at least two players per team.
- Give each team a pad of paper and pencil.
- Place each box of cards in their corresponding or matching section or corners on the board.
- Place the timer and dice at the center of the board.
- Each team will choose a playing piece.
- The team with the person whose birthday up next goes first.
The objective of the game
The aim of the game is to be the first team to complete all activities around the board and make their way into the cranium central space. When you get to the cranium circle, your team will get to collect one of each score character card and complete a final activity decided by the opposing team.
Gameplay
At every turn, your team gets the chance to move.
Each turn begins with a team attempting to complete an activity on the character card.
Remember the space you’re on determines the character card box you draw from first. Anytime you’re on a purple planet cranium space, your team will get the opportunity to choose which character box they will draw from.
The team to your right draws the next card from the deck that matches your spot on the board and reads it to you.
They only need to read the front of the card to you because the back of the card is where the answer is.
If your team successfully does the activity described on the card before the timer runs out, you will get to roll and move. If not, you stay where you’re and try again on the next turn.
Remember, your turn always ends after one card. The Player will then pass the card to the next team which is on their left.
Planet Cranium
On the first turn, you begin on the planet cranium.
There are four planet craniums on your way to planet central.
Planet craniums are wilds. You get to choose which deck of cards you draw from. The first time you’re on a planet cranium, you get one chance to take the fast track.
If you complete your first card successfully, roll and move clockwise along the inside fast track to the next color you roll. However, if unsuccessful, you stay put.
You must always stop on a planet cranium even if your roll will take you further.
Whenever you roll purple, lead ahead to the next planet cranium.
On a planet cranium, don’t count an unsuccessful club cranium as your first chance to move down the fast track.
Club Cranium Cards
When a specially marked club cranium card is drawn, all teams play at the same time and the first team to successfully complete an activity before the timer runs out gets an immediate bonus roll.
If it’s your turn when a club cranium is drawn, you get another card after the next club cranium is completed.
Cranium Central
When you reach the center from a roll. Enter the cranium circle and use the die rolled to indicate what starting point you take. If you roll a purple, you choose whichever you like.
At the start of each turn, engage in the activity of the category you’re on.
Each time you successfully complete a category from the cranium circle, you keep that card and move clockwise from that spot. If unsuccessful stay put.
Once your team has completed all cards, move to cranium central.
End of Game
On your next turn, the other team must agree on your deck for your final activity attempt. If you’re unsuccessful, you must try again on your next turn. If you’re successful or win a club cranium activity, you win the game.
Other Versions of Cranium
Here are other versions of the cranium board game that might interest you.
- Cranium Zigity
- Cranium Cadoo
- Cranium Cariboo
- Cranium Dark
- Cranium Hoopla
- Cranium Hullabaloo
- Cranium Matching Madness
- Cranium Bingo Bunch
- Cranium Zooreka
Over To You
Play the game of cranium and have fun. If you love the hobby of board games, then check our board game page for more ideas.
If you don’t own the game yet, buy it here on Amazon.
