Hangman is a beloved paper-and-pen game that has entertained people of all ages for many generations. A simple yet engaging word guessing game, Hangman combines vocabulary skills with strategy, making it perfect for family game nights, classroom activities, or casual entertainment.
Recently, its core concepts have inspired modern digital viral games like Wordle, showing how timeless the concept of word guessing truly is.
Jump to download the free print-and-play sheets.
How to Play
The game requires two or more players: one to think of the word (the “host”) and others to guess it. Here are the basic rules:
Setup
- The host thinks of a word and draws a dash for each letter.
- The host draws a gallow (a simple upside-down “L” shape).
- Players take turns guessing one letter at a time.
Game Rules
- If a player guesses a letter correctly:
- The host fills in that letter in all positions where it appears.
- The player can guess another letter.
- If a player guesses incorrectly:
- One part of the hanging man is drawn (head, body, left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg).
- The incorrect letter is written to the side (or crossed off on the alphabet list).
- The turn passes to the next player (if it’s only one player playing, they can continue with their next guess).
Winning & Losing
- Players win if they correctly guess all the letters in the word before the hanging man is complete.
- The game is lost if the hanging man drawing is completed – typically after 6 wrong guesses. You can increase the number of guesses to 9 by including the eyes and mouth of the hanging man.
Print-and-Play Sheets
We’ve created a couple of simple print-and-play sheets that have six games per sheet. One is the original, and one uses a flower instead of the gallow to better suit all ages. Download, print, and enjoy them below:
Tips for Hosts
- Choose words that are appropriate for the player’s age and vocabulary level
- Avoid proper nouns, unless agreed upon beforehand
- Consider using categories (animals, countries, food) to make the game more thematic
- For beginners, start with shorter words (4–6 letters)
- For advanced players, try longer words or phrases
- Consider using Wordle-style words (5 letters) for players familiar with both games
Educational Benefits
- Improves spelling skills
- Enhances vocabulary
- Develops logical thinking
- Teaches letter frequency in words
- Encourages strategic thinking
- Builds pattern recognition skills (especially when played alongside Wordle)
Hangman vs. Wordle: Two Sides of the Same Coin
While Hangman has been around for centuries, Wordle emerged around 2021 and took the world by storm. These games share fascinating similarities while maintaining unique characteristics:
Similarities
- Both are word-guessing games that test vocabulary and deduction skills
- Both games provide feedback on correct and incorrect guesses
- Both have a limited number of attempts (6 in Wordle, typically 6 in Hangman)
- Both games encourage strategic thinking about letter frequency
- Players must use process of elimination in both games
Key Differences
- Wordle shows letter position AND existence simultaneously
- Hangman reveals all instances of a correct letter at once
- Wordle requires full word guesses; Hangman works letter by letter
- Wordle has one daily word for everyone; Hangman is infinitely replayable
- Wordle uses colour-coding feedback; Hangman uses visual drawing
- Wordle is always 5 letters; Hangman can use words of any length
Modern Adaptations
The enduring popularity of Hangman is evident in how it has inspired modern games like Wordle. While Wordle adds its own twist with coloured feedback and full-word guesses, it maintains the core excitement of gradually uncovering a hidden word. This evolution shows how classic game mechanics can be reimagined for new generations while maintaining their fundamental appeal.
Remember, while Hangman is traditionally drawn with a hanging figure, some modern variations use alternative drawings like a flower losing petals or a snowman melting, making the game more inclusive and appropriate for all settings.
Happy playing!
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