
- BGG rank
- BGG #8,334
- BGG rating
- 5.9
Codenames: Back to Hogwarts
- 4–8 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2025

Rules assistance for Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack is an expansion for Codenames XXL released in 2026 for 4–8 players, 15 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Vlaada Chvátil and its main mechanics are Deduction, Team-Based Game, and Communication Limits.
Once upon a time, Red Riding Hood and Captain Hook wandered into Oz… Find out how the story continues in the Codenames Fairy Tales pack! Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack features a thematic set of 50 words, carefully chosen to spice up your game of Codenames or Codenames: Duet. Simply mix the new cards into the basic set of words, randomly or in whatever ratio you like, or even play two full games using only the 25 cards in this pack. Aside from new words, the pack also includes 3 new agent tiles (2 for Codenames and 1 for Duet), and 4 fairy-tale-themed pictures for Codenames: Pictures to customize your games even more. Codenames Expansion Packs are bite-sized mini expansions that let you customize your Codenames experience with new thematic words or images. A copy of Codenames or Codenames: Duet is required to play this Expansion Pack. —description from the publisher
Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack supports 4–8 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack is 15 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fantasy, and Party Game. Its main mechanics are Deduction, Team-Based Game, and Communication Limits. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack are: Vlaada Chvátil. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack as an expansion for Codenames XXL. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Codenames XXL to use it. Check that your edition of Codenames XXL is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.