How to Create Your Own Taboo Cards

Ready-made cards are a good start, but your own cards make the game specific to your group. This guide explains how to create your own Taboo cards in 6 steps.

1. Define the goal

Who are the cards for: friends, an office, a class or a customer event? The audience decides the choice of words.

2. Choose the words

• Start with words everyone knows.
• Add in-jokes that fit your group: shared memories, company jargon.
• Avoid words that are too abstract or too little known.

3. Set the forbidden words

Choose 3 to 5 forbidden words for each word. A good rule is to forbid the first words that come to mind when describing it, for example “glass, teapot, hot” for “tea”.

4. Separate the levels

Group the cards into easy, medium and hard. Put fewer forbidden words on easy cards and more on hard cards. For sample lists see our 60 easy cards and harder words.

5. Make the cards digital

Instead of writing on paper, create, reuse and edit your cards with QuizModeOn Taboo. The describer sees the card and the scores are kept automatically.

6. Try it yourself first

Test a few cards with a small group. Remove cards that are too easy or too hard and update the forbidden words.

Checklist for a good card

• Is the word clear and unambiguous?
• Are the forbidden words really the first ones that come to mind?
• Does the card fit the audience?
• Is any word repeated on the same card?

Next step

When the cards are ready, start the game with the how to play Taboo guide. For a company event, see corporate Taboo ideas.

Forbidden word examples by category

The examples below show how to choose forbidden words:

• Food: For “pizza”: cheese, Italian, slice, oven.
• Animal: For “cat”: meow, pet, fur, mouse.
• Office: For “meeting”: agenda, presentation, calendar, invite.
• Sport: For “football”: ball, goal, pitch, team.

When choosing forbidden words, ask yourself: “If I tried to describe this word, which words would I use first?” Your answer is the forbidden word list.

Common mistakes

• Choosing words that are too easy or too hard.
• Using the same word as both the guess and a forbidden word.
• Focusing only on topics you know. Choose topics everyone in the group knows.
• Taking cards to the event without testing them.

Frequently asked questions

How many forbidden words are enough for a card?

Between 3 and 5. Fewer makes the game easier, more makes it harder.

Can I reuse the cards?

Yes. You can save digital cards and reuse them at different events.