The Chameleon Picture Edition review: if you like The Traitors, you’ll love this game of bluff

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Our verdict

If you love The Traitors (or just revel in deceiving your nearest and dearest) then The Chameleon will be right up your street.

Another Mumsnet favourite from the team at Big Potato Games, this clever Traitors-esque game sees one player chosen as the titular chameleon, who must attempt to blend in with the crowd and not be caught out by the other players. 

The original Chameleon is suitable for teens aged 14 and up, but this Picture Edition of the game means that tweens can get in on the action too. Just be aware that children under the recommended age of 10 may struggle to think on their feet and give the game away.

It’s easy to set up and play, plus there’s no large board, so the game can be played in a relatively small space. Although The Chameleon Picture Edition can be played with three players, it’s much more fun in larger groups, making it perfect for whipping out of the cupboard on your next family games night.

Read next: Check out our guides to the best toys for four-year-olds, five-year-olds, six-year-olds, seven-year-olds, eight-year-olds, nine-year-olds and 10-year-olds.

How we tested

I tested The Chameleon Picture Edition with family members aged between seven and 50. The game was rated on how easy it was to set up and play, its replayability and whether it represented good value for money.

Read next: Find out which came out on top of our list of the best tablet for kids as rated by Mumsnetters.

What’s in the box?

• 20 picture cards (double-sided)

• 12 symbol cards

• 7 reveal sleeves

• 1 chameleon sleeve

Is The Chameleon Picture Edition easy to set up?

Yes, The Chameleon Picture Edition is easy to set up. There are eight cardboard sleeves, seven with cut-out windows and one bearing a picture of a chameleon. These are shuffled and dealt out to players face down. The symbol cards are shuffled, and the top card is given to any player who, without turning the card over, slots it into their sleeve to see the symbol printed on the other side. If that player is the Chameleon, the sleeve will only show them an image of the Chameleon. Keeping the symbol secret, the card is slid out of the sleeve and carefully passed around the other players who will repeat this until all the players know the symbol - except for The Chameleon, of course. 

Read next: Best iPad for kids, tried and tested by parents

How do you play The Chameleon Picture Edition?

Once the symbol card has been passed around, a picture card is flipped over. Each picture has a symbol next to it that corresponds with the shapes on the symbol card. All the players, except the Chameleon, will know which symbol to look for, so they will all know the identity of the secret picture. Each player will have to say a word associated with the picture, but nothing too obvious that risks giving the game away. The Chameleon has to think of a word that won’t raise suspicion. Then the finger-pointing and accusations begin as the players try to weed out the elusive Chameleon.

I suggest avoiding playing the game with very young children as they may struggle to think on their feet and risk giving the secret picture away. For example, the picture card was ‘At a restaurant’ and the secret picture was a toilet - my seven-year-old yelled out ‘wee’ and that was the game over.

Related: Best robot toys to make STEM learning come alive, as recommended by Mumsnetters

Is The Chameleon a good family game?

The Chameleon Pictures Edition is a good, wholesome family game, suitable for kids aged 10 and up. It’s great fun and takes no time to set up and play. However if your kids are slightly older, I would skip this and go straight on to the original version instead.

Looking for some more family board game fun? Check out our review of the udderly-addictive Herd Mentality and Chicken Vs Hotdog.

About the author

Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, with a special focus on child’s play, outdoor play and toddler play content.

Laura started writing Swears By articles for Mumsnet in 2021, writing buyers guides and product reviews to help Mumsnetters make informed choices when it comes to parting with their pennies.

Laura is also a freelance journalist and has written articles for publications including the Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, Stylist and Happiful magazine.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.