On a Scale of One to T-Rex: How to Play This Party Game
By Exploding Kittens | Party card games, puzzles, greeting cards ... | Published: 2026-10-29
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to play On a Scale of One to T-Rex, the card game for people who are bad at charades. Includes setup, rules, and winning tips.
Quick Answer
On a Scale of One to T-Rex is a party card game where players act out a phrase on a scale from one (boring) to T-Rex (over-the-top). You'll take turns drawing cards, acting, and guessing to score points.
Why This Game Works for Bad Actors
On a Scale of One to T-Rex is designed for people who are bad at charades. You don't need to be a great actor—you just need to be willing to be silly. The scale gives you permission to start small and ramp up the drama, so even the shyest player can join in.
The game shines with a mix of personalities. If you're playing with kids, they'll love the dinosaur theme. If you're playing with adults, the absurdity of acting out 'walking a dog' at T-Rex level will have everyone laughing.
What You Need to Play
The game includes a deck of cards with phrases and a scoring system. You'll also need a way to keep score—pen and paper or the included scorepad. The game is designed for 3 or more players, so it works for small groups or big parties.
No special equipment is required. Just clear a little space to act out your moves, and you're ready to go.
Step-by-Step Rules for On a Scale of One to T-Rex
- Set Up the Game: Shuffle the deck of phrase cards and place it in the center. Each player takes a turn being the 'actor'. Choose a scorekeeper or use a scorepad to track points. Check that everyone agrees on the scoring rules before starting to avoid confusion mid-game.
- Draw a Card and Choose Your Scale: The actor draws a card and reads the phrase silently. Then they announce a number from 1 to T-Rex—this is the intensity level they will act out. For example, 1 might be a subtle eyebrow raise, while T-Rex means full-body theatrics. Don't overthink your scale choice; a random number can be just as funny as a deliberate one.
- Act Out the Phrase: The actor performs the phrase at the chosen intensity level. They cannot speak or make sounds—only physical actions. Other players shout out guesses. The actor can nod or shake their head to guide them. If you're stuck, exaggerate your movements—it's better to be too big than too subtle.
- Score Points: If someone guesses correctly, both the guesser and the actor score a point. If no one guesses, the actor gets no points, and the next player becomes the actor. Play continues for a set number of rounds or until a player reaches a target score. Set a target score before you start, like 10 points, to keep the game from dragging on.
- Win the Game: The player with the most points after the agreed number of rounds wins. For a quicker game, you can declare the first to reach 10 points the winner. Remember, the goal is fun, not perfection—celebrate the silly moments.
Game Details
- On a Scale of One to T-Rex: A card game for people who are bad at charades. This means the game lowers the barrier to entry, so you can focus on having fun rather than being a great performer.
On a Scale of One to T-Rex
