Who had the weirdest first job? ☼ Who survived the worst haircut? ☼ Who has bought something at 1am? ☼ Who has taken something from a hotel? ☼ Who has the best scar? ☼

A little competition. A lot of conversation.

It's an actual game, not a stack of questions.

1

Draw three cards, then pick one

Only you read them. The other two go to the bottom of the deck.

2

Read the card out loud

Then decide who tells the story.

Explain Someone else tells it. Everyone puts a hand in the middle, counts to three, and points at the person they most want to hear. Most fingers explains it.

or

Confess You tell it. Claim the card and tell your own story. You get one confession per game, so spend it well.

3

Thirty seconds, and it has to be true

Fill the time, keep the card. People can ask questions to help. Can't? The first person to slap a hand on it tells their story instead.

Most cards at the end of the rounds wins.

A sample of what you're in for...

Who has a strong opinion about how to load a dishwasher? Who has cheated at a game and gotten away with it? Who makes the one dish everyone requests? Who has been banned, blocked, or politely asked not to come back somewhere?

114 cards. Some you'll want. Some you'll dread.

Why I made this

No matter how well you know people, hanging out can get... awkward. A work thing, a family gathering, the holidays, a night with friends. You spend the evening on the weather, or you watch the quiet get filled with the kind of topic nobody wanted opened.

I wanted something that got past that without becoming its own kind of awkward. Not deep feelings, not an icebreaker. Just a reason for everyone to share a little about themselves and explain how their brain works.

It plays from a twelve-year-old to a grandmother. Built for the table after dinner, when nobody wants to get up yet.

My hope is that everyone walks away having laughed, and appreciating the people around the table a little more than when they sat down.

Now go explain yourselves,

 Zoe
Boone, North Carolina

Explain Yourself™ Party Card Game

$25.00
$25.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Frequently asked questions

When will my order ship?

All preorders ship by November 16, 2026. Ground shipping runs 2 to 5 business days (unless you opted for expedited), so your order should arrive in time for Thanksgiving. You'll get a tracking number by email when yours goes out. If anything changes that date, we'll email you before it passes, and you can take the new date or cancel for a full refund.

How much is shipping?

Orders over $50 ship free. We ship USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground within the United States. Full details in our shipping policy.

Is it appropriate for kids?

Ages 12 and up. It's warm, not raunchy. Nothing in the deck will make a grandparent put it down.

How many people do I need?

Four minimum, ten maximum. Six to eight is the sweet spot.

How long does a game take?

With six to eight people, three laps around the table usually runs 20 to 45 minutes, depending on how chatty everyone gets.

Do we have to play three laps?

No. Three laps is the standard because it guarantees everyone gets the same number of turns. But four to six players can stretch to four or five laps, and eight to ten can drop to two. Whoever went first calls the last lap, so you can fit the game to the time you have.

Do I need anything else to play?

Nope! The sand timer is in the box - no app, no batteries, no phone on the table.

What if someone can't think of a story?

The table can ask questions, and your answers count toward the time. Nobody fails alone.

Where can I find a copy of the instructions?

We got you! Just go to our How to Play page.

Can I cancel my preorder?

Yes, anytime before it ships, for a full refund. Just email hello@explainyourselfgame.com.

What if I change my mind after it arrives?

You have 30 days from delivery. Send it back in its original box with all the cards and the timer, and return shipping is on you. If it arrives damaged or something's missing, email me a photo within 14 days and I'll replace it, no return needed.