60 two truths and a lie ideas for kids
In two truths and a lie, each player says three things about themselves, two true and one made up, and the others guess the made-up one. These sixty ideas are for teachers and kids from kindergarten to 8th grade who get stuck on what to say. They are sorted into six themes, and each idea comes with a full example set and the answer, so a child can see how a good round sounds before writing their own.
Food and favorites
1. The food I will not eat
Write three things about food you like or do not like, two true and one made up. Example: I put ketchup on eggs. I have never tried a mango. I once ate a whole lemon. In this set the mango one is the lie.
Grades K–8You need Nothing
2. My best snack
Say three things about snacks you eat, two real and one invented. Example: I like popcorn with cinnamon on top. I eat apple slices with peanut butter. I have never eaten a pretzel. Here the pretzel one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need NothingUse 1 minute timer
3. Breakfast facts
Tell three things about breakfast, two true and one you made up. Example: I have had soup for breakfast. I can flip a pancake in the pan. I eat cereal without milk. In this example the pancake flip is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
4. Fruit I have tried
Name three fruits you have or have not tried, two true and one pretend. Example: I have tasted a kiwi. I have tasted a star fruit. I have never tasted a banana. The banana one is the lie in this set.
Grades K–2You need Nothing
5. My color
Say three things about colors you like, two real and one pretend, and hold up a crayon for each. Example: My best color is orange. I have a green water bottle. I do not like the color blue at all. Here the blue one is the lie.
Grades K–2You need Crayons
6. Pizza toppings
Share three things about pizza, two true and one made up. Example: I like pineapple on pizza. I have made a pizza from scratch. I eat the crust first. In this set the made from scratch one is the lie.
Grades 2–5You need Nothing
7. Drinks I like
Say three things about drinks, two true and one invented. Example: I drink warm milk before bed. I have tried coconut water. I drink eight glasses of juice a day. In this example the eight glasses one is the lie.
Grades 2–5You need Nothing
8. Spicy or sweet
Write three sentences about spicy and sweet foods, two true and one made up. Example: I like hot sauce on popcorn. I can eat a whole pepper without water. I put honey on toast. Here the whole pepper one is the lie.
Grades 3–8You need Nothing
9. A song I know by heart
Write three things about songs and music you like, two true and one made up, with no song or singer names. Example: I know every word of a song about the ocean. I hum while I read. I have never sung out loud. The never sung one is the lie.
Grades 3–8You need Scrap paper
10. A book I have read twice
Write three things about reading, two real and one invented, without naming a title. Example: I have read one book three times. I read with a flashlight. I have never read a book about dragons. In this set the flashlight one is the lie.
Grades 2–8You need Scrap paper
Animals and pets
11. An animal I have touched
Tell three animals you have touched or not, two true and one made up. Example: I have petted a goat. I have held a snake. I have touched a starfish. In this example the snake one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
12. Animals I have seen
Say three animals you have seen with your own eyes, two real and one pretend. Example: I saw a deer in a field. I saw a seal at the zoo. I saw a giraffe in my yard. Here the giraffe one is the lie.
Grades K–2You need NothingUse Getting to know you wheel
13. If I could be an animal
Share three things about animals you like, two true and one invented. Example: I can howl like a wolf. I have a stuffed owl. I am scared of butterflies. The butterflies one is the lie in this set.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
14. Bugs and me
Tell three things about bugs, two true and one made up. Example: I have caught a firefly in a jar and let it go. I like ladybugs. I once kept a spider as a pet for a year. In this example the spider one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
15. Animal sounds I can make
Make three claims about animal sounds you can do, two real and one pretend, then make the sounds. Example: I can quack like a duck. I can roar like a lion. I can sing like a whale. Here the whale one is the lie.
Grades K–2You need Nothing
16. Birds I know
Write three things about birds, two true and one made up. Example: I have fed ducks at a pond. I can name five birds by their song. I have seen a hawk in the sky. In this set the five birds one is the lie.
Grades 2–5You need Nothing
17. Ocean animals
Say three things about sea animals, two true and one invented. Example: I have seen a jellyfish on the sand. I have touched a crab shell. I have watched an octopus open a jar at an aquarium. The octopus one is the lie here.
Grades 2–5You need Nothing
18. A pet I would like
Tell three things about pets you would or would not like, two real and one made up. Example: I would like a pet turtle. I would not want a parrot. I would like a pet hedgehog. In this example the parrot one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
19. Farm visit facts
Share three things about farm animals, two true and one pretend. Example: I have milked a cow. I have fed a chicken. I have heard a pig snore. Here the milked a cow one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
20. Animal facts I know
Write three animal facts you know, two true and one made up, and let the class guess. Example: An octopus has three hearts. A snail can sleep for a long time. A penguin can fly short distances. The penguin one is the lie in this set.
Grades 3–8You need Nothing
Things I have done
21. I have ridden a horse
Say three small things you have done, two true and one made up. Example: I have ridden a horse. I have flown a kite. I have climbed a rock wall. In this example the rock wall one is the lie.
Grades K–8You need Nothing
22. A night in a tent
Share three things about camping or the outdoors, two real and one invented. Example: I have slept in a tent. I have roasted a marshmallow. I have seen a shooting star. Here the shooting star one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
23. Lost a tooth at school
Tell three small things that have happened to you, two true and one pretend. Example: I lost a tooth at school. I found a four leaf clover. I have a sticker on my lunch box. The four leaf clover one is the lie in this set.
Grades K–2You need Nothing
24. Snow and rain
Say three things you have done in the weather, two true and one made up. Example: I have built a snowman. I have jumped in a puddle in boots. I have caught a snowflake on my tongue in summer. In this example the summer one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
25. At the playground
Share three things you can do at the playground, two real and one invented. Example: I can go down the big slide. I can swing all by myself. I can hang upside down for an hour. Here the hour one is the lie.
Grades K–2You need Nothing
26. A boat ride
Tell three things about rides you have taken, two true and one made up. Example: I have been on a boat. I have ridden a train. I have ridden in a hot air balloon. The hot air balloon one is the lie in this example.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
27. Something I planted
Say three things about plants and gardens, two true and one pretend. Example: I have planted a bean seed. I have picked a tomato. I have grown a pumpkin as big as a chair. In this set the pumpkin one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
28. A sandcastle I built
Share three things about sand, water or the park, two real and one invented. Example: I have built a sandcastle. I have found a shell with a hole in it. I have swum across a lake. Here the lake one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
29. I have been in a play
Tell three things you have tried on a stage or in front of people, two true and one made up. Example: I have been in a play. I have sung in a choir. I have juggled at a talent show. In this example the juggling one is the lie.
Grades 2–8You need Nothing
30. A museum visit
Say three things you have seen at a museum, library or show, two true and one invented. Example: I have seen a dinosaur skeleton. I have touched a real moon rock. I have watched a puppet show. The moon rock one is the lie in this set.
Grades 2–8You need Nothing
Skills and talents
31. I can whistle
Write three things your body or voice can do, two real and one made up. Example: I can whistle. I can wiggle my ears. I can snap with both hands. In this example the ear wiggle is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
32. Tricks with a ball
Say three things you can do with a ball, two true and one pretend. Example: I can bounce a ball twenty times. I can kick a ball over the fence. I can spin a ball on my finger. Here the spin one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
33. I can tie my shoes
Tell three things you have learned to do, two real and one invented. Example: I can tie my shoes. I can zip my coat. I can tie a bow behind my back. The behind my back one is the lie in this set.
Grades K–2You need Nothing
34. Counting tricks
Share three counting or number skills, two true and one made up. Example: I can count to one hundred. I can count backward from ten. I can count to a million in one minute. In this example the million one is the lie.
Grades K–2You need NothingUse 1 minute timer
35. Drawing skills
Say three things about drawing, two real and one pretend, and sketch one if you like. Example: I can draw a cat in ten seconds. I can draw with my eyes closed. I can draw a perfect circle every time. Here the perfect circle one is the lie.
Grades 2–5You need Paper and pencils
36. Something I can build
Tell three things you can build or fix, two true and one made up. Example: I can build a tower of cards. I can fold a paper airplane. I can build a robot that talks. In this set the robot one is the lie.
Grades 2–5You need Nothing
37. Languages and words
Write three things about words or languages you know, two true and one invented. Example: I can count to ten in Spanish. I can spell a very long word. I can say the alphabet backward in five seconds. The five seconds one is the lie here.
Grades 3–8You need Nothing
38. Kitchen skills
Share three things you can do in a kitchen with help, two real and one made up. Example: I can crack an egg with one hand. I can make a sandwich. I can bake bread with no recipe. In this example the bread one is the lie.
Grades 3–8You need Nothing
39. Music I can play
Say three things about music you can make, two true and one pretend. Example: I can play three notes on a recorder. I can keep a beat on a drum. I can play the violin with my feet. Here the violin one is the lie.
Grades 3–8You need Nothing
40. Moves I can do
Tell three moves you can do, two real and one invented, then show one. Example: I can do a cartwheel. I can hop on one foot for a minute. I can do a backflip on the grass. The backflip one is the lie in this set.
Grades K–5You need NothingUse Random group maker
School and learning
41. My best subject
Write three things about subjects you like at school, two true and one made up. Example: I like science best. I do my math homework first. I have never liked art class. In this example the art one is the lie.
Grades 2–8You need Nothing
42. A fact I learned this year
Share three facts you learned this year, two true and one invented. Example: A day on Venus is longer than its year. Sharks have no bones. The moon makes its own light. Here the moon one is the lie.
Grades 3–8You need Nothing
43. Where I sit to read
Say three things about how you like to read, two real and one pretend. Example: I like to read on a beanbag. I read best with music on. I read under my desk at school every day. The under my desk one is the lie in this set.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
44. Pencils and supplies
Tell three things about your school supplies, two true and one made up. Example: I have a pencil with a rocket on it. I keep my erasers in a box. I have one hundred markers in my desk. In this example the hundred markers one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
45. Recess games
Share three things about what you do at recess, two real and one invented. Example: I like to play tag. I like to jump rope. I have never played on the swings. Here the swings one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
46. A word I can spell
Write three claims about words you can spell, two true and one made up, then try one on the whiteboard. Example: I can spell elephant. I can spell rhinoceros. I can spell every word in the dictionary. The dictionary one is the lie in this set.
Grades 2–5You need A whiteboard
47. Math I like
Say three things about math, two true and one pretend. Example: I like word problems. I know my nines facts. I can multiply big numbers in my head faster than a calculator. In this example the calculator one is the lie.
Grades 3–8You need Nothing
48. A class job I have had
Tell three class jobs you have or have not had, two real and one made up. Example: I have been line leader. I have fed the class fish. I have been the teacher for a whole week. Here the whole week one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need NothingUse Random name picker
49. Science experiments
Share three science things you have tried, two true and one invented. Example: I have made a volcano with baking soda. I have grown crystals in a jar. I have looked at a cell under a microscope at home. The microscope one is the lie in this set.
Grades 3–8You need Nothing
50. Something I want to learn
Write three things you want to learn or already learned, two true and one made up. Example: I want to learn to knit. I already know how to type with all ten fingers. I want to learn to code a game. In this example the typing one is the lie.
Grades 2–8You need Scrap paper
Silly and surprising
51. My sock drawer
Say three silly things about your clothes, two true and one pretend. Example: I own socks with tacos on them. I have worn two different shoes by mistake. I have a hat with a propeller on top. Here the propeller one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
52. A strange thing I collect
Tell three things you collect or have collected, two real and one made up. Example: I collect smooth rocks. I keep a jar of bottle caps. I collect old keys from around the world. In this set the keys one is the lie.
Grades 2–8You need Nothing
53. I can touch my nose with my tongue
Share three odd things you can or cannot do, two true and one invented. Example: I can touch my nose with my tongue. I can raise one eyebrow. I can sneeze with my eyes open. The sneeze one is the lie in this example.
Grades 3–8You need Nothing
54. Funny names for things
Say three silly names you have given to things, two real and one made up. Example: I named my bike Rocket. I call my pillow Mr. Fluff. I named a rock in my yard Steve. Here the rock one is the lie.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
55. A dream I had
Tell three funny dreams you have had, two true and one pretend, and keep them happy. Example: I dreamed I could fly over a city. I dreamed my cat could talk. I dreamed I lived inside a cake. In this set the cake one is the lie.
Grades 2–5You need Nothing
56. Upside down habits
Share three odd habits, two real and one invented. Example: I eat the frosting off a cupcake first. I put my left sock on before my right. I read books from the last page to the first. The last page one is the lie in this example.
Grades 3–8You need Nothing
57. Weird world records
Say three silly records you hold at home, two true and one made up. Example: I can hold my breath for thirty seconds. I can stack ten cups. I have the record for the most hiccups in a row. Here the hiccups one is the lie.
Grades 3–8You need NothingUse 1 minute timer
58. Things I am afraid of that are silly
Write three small, funny dislikes, two real and one invented. Example: I do not like the sound of a balloon squeaking. I cannot stand wet socks. I am scared of cotton balls. In this set the cotton balls one is the lie.
Grades 6–8You need Nothing
59. If I had a robot
Tell three silly things you would or would not do with a robot, two true to you and one pretend. Example: I would teach my robot to dance. I would not let my robot near water. I would let my robot do my homework. The homework one is the lie in this example.
Grades K–5You need Nothing
60. The most surprising thing about me
Write three surprising but small facts about yourself, two true and one made up. Example: I can solve a puzzle cube. I can name every planet in order. I once read a whole book in one day. Here the puzzle cube one is the lie.
Grades 6–8You need Scrap paper
Making it work
- Model one round yourself first, with your own three statements, so students hear how it sounds and how small the facts can be.
- Let students write their three statements on scrap paper before anyone speaks. A quiet minute helps the shy ones.
- Make the lie ordinary and the truths surprising. A lie that sounds normal is the hardest one to spot.
- Pass is always allowed. A student can skip a turn or just guess, and nobody has to share anything they do not want to.
Questions teachers ask
- How do you play two truths and a lie?
- Each player thinks of three statements about themselves. Two are true and one is made up. They say all three in any order, and the group votes on which one is the lie before the player tells the answer.
- What are good lies for two truths and a lie?
- The best lies sound ordinary, like a food you have never tried or a small thing you can do. Then make the two truths a little surprising, so the class guesses one of them instead.
- Is two truths and a lie good for young children?
- Yes, from about 2nd grade most children can keep a made-up fact straight. For kindergarten and 1st grade, call it two real and one pretend, and use simple facts about animals, food and play.
- How do I keep it safe and kind?
- Keep every fact small and happy. Nobody shares their full name, address, phone number, birthday, home, family money or health, and nobody talks about where they are going on a trip. Leave out scary things, injuries and breaking rules, and let anyone pass.
Written for teachers by Peabody Teach. No ads, no affiliate links. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.