How to Play 5 Second Rule
Set up the cards and timer within reach of all players. You’ll get a box of cards and a timer to play the game; place both on a table, in a spot where all players can easily reach them. Then, after setting up the game (it’s a quick setup, as you can see!), decide how many rounds you want to play before declaring a winner. Small groups may want to play more rounds—four or five, for example. Large groups may want to play fewer rounds—two or three, for example. Game variations are also an option! For example, you could choose to play in 2-person teams or just add more rounds than we’ve suggested to make gameplay last longer.
Start the game by drawing a card and reading it aloud. Typically, the owner of the game goes first (meaning they’re in the “Hot Seat”). However, they don’t draw the card—instead, the player to the left of the Hot Seat player must draw a card and read it out loud. It’ll begin with “Name 3…” followed by a prompt from a random category. This is the prompt that must be answered by the player in the Hot Seat! For example, a card could read something like, “Name 3 pasta shapes.”
The player in the Hot Seat has 5 seconds to give 3 answers. After the card is read, start the timer immediately (typically by flipping it, although some versions of the game come with an electric timer instead). As soon as the timer starts, the player in the Hot Seat must try to give 3 answers to the prompt—all within 5 seconds. If they successfully give 3 answers within that time, they get a point! To easily keep track of points, have players keep cards that they answer successfully in front of them. When using the timer: If you have a flip timer, keep in mind that time is up when the balls hit the bottom. There’s a “zoop” sound effect, too, but that isn’t part of the time-keeping!
If a player can’t give 3 answers, their card moves to the next player. Say the player in the Hot Seat can only give one or two answers (or none) before the timer is up. In that case, they get no points, and play moves to the right. The player to the right can try to answer the same card prompt—but they can’t use any answers given previously. Continue going around the group until a player can give 3 answers successfully. For example, if the prompt is “Name 3 pasta shapes,” and one player gives “penne, spaghetti,” the next player can’t use either of those answers. Instead, the player to the right could use answers like “fettuccine, farfalle, linguini.” Note: If play circles back to the original player in the Hot Seat with nobody able to give 3 answers in 5 seconds, the original player gets a point by default.
After a card is resolved, gameplay moves to the player to the right. From the first player in the Hot Seat, keep moving to the right; the player to the right of that first player is then in the Hot Seat and must take their turn with a different card. As always, the player to the left of the Hot Seat player must draw a card and read it out loud. After every player has taken a turn this way, that marks a complete round. Keep playing until you complete whatever number of rounds you agreed on before the game!
Collect the most points to win the game. Once you finish playing the agreed-upon number of rounds, stop the game and have every player count up their points (with each card in front of a player being worth one point). The player with the most points wins the game! If there’s a tie: Hold a tie-breaking round. Only the players who tied can play, and the winner of the round officially wins the game.
The 5 Second Rule Board Game
Players move pawns around a board in this version of the game. However, the goal of the game remains the same: the player in the Hot Seat must try to give 3 correct answers to a prompt card within 5 seconds. The rules are also very similar, even if you’re playing the board game version; the only major difference is the board itself, as well as a few special cards.
Set up the board game’s cards and pawns. To set up the board game, make sure all cards are in the card box (within reach of all players) and each player has a playing pawn on the board’s START space. Additionally, deal each player 1 PASS ON card and 1 SWITCH card.
The youngest player goes first, and gameplay moves to the left. When you begin the game, have the youngest player get in the “Hot Seat” first—meaning the player to the right of them must draw a card, read it, and start the timer. The player in the Hot Seat must try to give 3 correct answers in 5 seconds, then hit the buzzer. If the timer buzzes after 5 seconds, that means they’ve run out of time! If a player gives 3 correct answers within 5 seconds, they can move their pawn forward one space on the board. However, if they fail to answer a prompt correctly, they do not get to move forward any spaces. Just like the rules above state, if a player in the Hot Seat can’t give 3 answers, the next player can then try to do so with the same card—but they can’t use any answers that have already been given.
The player to reach the FINISH tile first wins the game. Essentially, instead of collecting points (like the version of 5 Second Rule above), players move forward one space on the board for every card successfully answered. Gameplay continues this way, and the player who gets to the FINISH tile on the board first is the winner!
The 5-Second Rule game also has special cards and board spaces. Special cards can be played when a player is in the Hot Seat. However, if a Hot Seat player wants to use a card, they must call out the name of the card right after hearing their question, before the timer is started. Additionally, they can only use one card per question. PASS ON cards: When a Hot Seat player uses this card, their question is instead asked of the player to the left. If that player gives 3 correct answers, they get to move forward, but if they fail, the original player moves forward instead. Once the player with the PASS ON question gives their answers, the turn ends, and they must proceed with their regular turn. Additionally, the PASS ON card must be discarded. SWITCH cards: When a Hot Seat player uses this card, they can switch out their question for a brand new one (and discard their SWITCH card after). DANGER ZONE spaces: If a player lands on a DANGER ZONE space, they have to give three correct answers the next time they’re called on to answer a question (whether that’s on their turn or another player’s). If they’re unsuccessful, they automatically miss their next opportunity to answer a question.
What is an acceptable answer for 5 Second Rule?
Ultimately, it’s up to the group to decide if an answer is acceptable. Answers must (obviously) fit into the category on the card drawn, but if there’s any grey area to an answer, the entire group can talk it over and decide if that answer should be considered acceptable or not. You can also look things up online as needed—if you aren’t really sure “ditalini” is a pasta shape (it is!), for example, or you need to verify a more obscure answer.
Example Questions for the 5 Second Rule Game
Animal questions How much do you know about animals—and can you access your animal knowledge on the fly? Test yourself with these animal-themed prompts for 5 Second Rule: Name 3 animals that hibernate Name 3 animals you’d find on a farm Name 3 animals that lay eggs Name 3 animals you’d find in a zoo Name 3 animals that can be pets Name 3 flying insects Name 3 animals with fur Name 3 animals that are carnivores Name 3 animals that are herbivores Name 3 animals that are omnivores
Food questions Whether or not you’re a “foodie,” you can definitely have some fun answering food-based prompts in 5 Second Rule! Take a look: Name 3 desserts Name 3 breakfast cereals Name 3 ice cream flavors Name 3 green vegetables Name 3 pasta shapes Name 3 pizza toppings Name 3 round fruits Name 3 popular sushi varieties Name 3 popular Mexican dishes Name 3 types of soup Name 3 flavors of chips Name 3 common Thanksgiving dishes Name 3 movie theater snacks
Game and sports questions If you run out of regular 5 Second Rule questions and have some sports fans in the group, continue the fun with a few sports-themed prompts—like these: Name 3 sports in the summer Olympics Name 3 sports played with a ball Name 3 card games Name 3 sports that use a net Name 3 sports played with a bat or stick Name 3 indoor sports Name 3 sports that use a racket Name 3 water sports Name 3 team sports Name 3 sports in the winter Olympics
Movies and music questions Between the group’s movie buffs and music fans, you’re sure to find some questions in this category that are fun to answer. Take a look: Name 3 musical instruments with strings Name 3 percussion instruments Name 3 famous singers Name 3 Disney villains Name 3 Star Wars characters Name 3 Halloween movies Name 3 classic rock bands Name 3 Christmas movies Name 3 holiday songs Name 3 movies that were books first
People and character questions Are you up-to-date on your historical figures, as well as the movers and shakers of culture today? Or maybe you prefer fiction—and you want to answer questions touching on different characters in pop culture. Either way, we’ve got you covered: Name 3 superhero characters Name 3 cartoon characters Name 3 Presidents of the United States Name 3 famous artists Name 3 famous movie directors Name 3 famous inventors Name 3 significant historical figures Name 3 historical kings, queens, or monarchs Name 3 famous athletes Name 3 characters from a video game
Location and geography questions Find out who knows their geography and who might need to do some more studying with these questions! We’ve also thrown in a few location-based prompts about houses, schools, and other, more subjective questions. Take a look: Name 3 countries Name 3 continents Name 3 countries you’ve traveled to Name 3 states in the United States Name 3 famous landmarks Name 3 Wonders of the World (New or Ancient) Name 3 countries you want to visit Name 3 cities in your state or region Name 3 rooms you’d find in a house Name 3 places you’d find in a school Name 3 islands
Season and holiday questions Try a few 5 Second Rule prompts that address various holidays (and the seasons surrounding them). You can also tailor these questions to the players in your group, if you know the players celebrate certain holidays (or don’t celebrate, depending). Name 3 types of Halloween candy Name 3 gifts you’ve received for Christmas Name 3 foods you’d eat at Hanukkah Name 3 potential Halloween costumes Name 3 common Christmas decorations Name 3 holidays often celebrated with parades Name 3 things you’d do on your birthday Name 3 common summer activities Name 3 common winter activities Name 3 places to hide an Easter egg
Random questions There’s also nothing wrong with a totally random question! After all, those are the ones most likely to take players by surprise. Try adding some of these prompts to your game: Name 3 things that start with “a” Name 3 dinosaur species Name 3 types of vehicles Name 3 colors in the rainbow Name 3 organs in the human body Name 3 objects you’d find in the bathroom Name 3 types of footwear Name 3 objects used to cook dinner Name 3 things you think are disgusting Name 3 foods you’d eat with a spoon
Questions for adults These questions might be a little tricky for kids to answer—but there’s no age limit on 5 Second Rule. If you’re playing in a group of adults, you might want some more grown-up questions to tackle! If that’s the case, take a look at the questions below: Name 3 types of coffee Name 3 famous museums Name 3 authors of classic literature Name 3 NFL teams Name 3 movie sequels Name 3 Queen songs Name 3 boy bands Name 3 Greek gods Name 3 types of flowers Name 3 famous people with the first name “Chris” Name 3 elements on the periodic table
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