Jump on the bandwagon! We’re all stuck at home, but that’s no reason not to stay connected with our friends and families. Have a little fun playing these games on Zoom or any other videoconference system, like FaceTime, Google Hangout, or Skype – perfectly adaptable for any age players! All games can be played without owning any of the board games.
It could be so easy to go stir crazy at home – we all miss seeing those who we love most, going to school and work, shopping whenever we want, heck – right now I’d settle for waiting in the return line at Walmart if it meant I could see other people.
Lately, it seems like everyone is turning to Zoom to connect with others, whether it’s your kids chatting with their classmates or you enjoying happy hour with some friends.
These 15 games will add new excitement to your next Zoom call and can each be adapted to suit different age players. If you play another game that you think we should all add to our repertoires, let us know in the comments!
>> Check out 14 Fun & Free At-Home Indoor Activities for Kids for some additional ways to entertain your family at home!
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First Things First – Setting up Zoom
Zoom is super simple to set up and navigate either on your device or computer. If you’re choosing a different service, here are directions for how to set up and use FaceTime, Google Hangout, and Skype.
1. Create an account, or log in to your account.
2. If you are starting the call: Click “Host a Meeting” and share the Personal ID with your friends.
3. If a friend is starting the call: Click “Join a Meeting” and enter the Personal ID you were given.
4. Consult Zoom’s Help Center if you have any issues.
1. Pictionary
This classic has been widely loved since 1985, and it translates well to video conferencing. Zoom even has a whiteboard feature when you select “Share Screen,” making it super easy for everyone to see the drawings.
If you need a refresher, read the traditional directions for Pictionary.
Supplies: Timer, paper/pencil to track scores, drawing surface
Teams: 2 teams OR every man for himself (2+ players)
Online Play: One person will use the whiteboard feature of Zoom (or hold up paper and draw) while their teammates try to guess what they are drawing. (HINT: Each person can use an online word generator to come up with their assigned words.) Play goes back and forth between teams. Don’t forget to set the timer for each round and ask someone to track the scores.
2. Charades
This game has been played by folks much longer than game companies have been making it a boxed set. Dating all the way back to the early 19th century in France, people have been performing “acted charades” for fun.
If you need a refresher, read the traditional directions for Charades.
Supplies: Timer, paper/pencil to track scores
Teams: 2 teams OR every man for himself (2+ players)
Online Play: Your goal is to act out your given word using only gestures – no talking or sound effects. If you think you may be tempted, mute your microphone! To make play easier, use an online word generator to choose the word you must act out for your team.
3. Battleship
Since we’ve been talking classic games, it seems only right to include Battleship. This game is designed for two people and can be played the exact same way virtually as in person. If you have the physical game, go ahead and dust it off! If not, print out these Printable Battleship Boards.
Need a refresher? Read the directions for Battleship.
Supplies: 1 store-bought battleship board per person OR 1 Printable Battleship Board per person
Teams: No teams (2+ players – even numbers only)
Online Play: The easiest way to play this game is 1 vs. 1, whether you only have two people playing or any even number of people. For more than two players, simply number each person in the pairs a “1” or “2” and take turns. The “ones” each ask their partners about a battle coordinate and then all the “twos” do the same (multiple 1 vs. 1 games happening simultaneously).
4. 5 Second Rule
Can you name three things that fall in a given category? Easy! How about in just five seconds? Okay, there’s the challenge.
Read the directions for 5 Second Rule.
Supplies: 5 Second Rule board game OR a timer, paper/pencil to track scores, and pre-selected categories
Teams: Every man for himself (2+ players)
Online Play: Set your timer for 5 seconds (or use the one provided in the board game box) and name 3 things in the category that is listed on the card. Continue around the “circle” of people and through the deck of cards until someone gets ‘X” amont of cards answered successfully.
Examples: “Name 3 breeds of dog” or “Name 3 things that bounce”
>> Check out 14 Fun & Free At-Home Indoor Activities for Kids for some additional ways to entertain your family at home!
5. Bingo
Bingo isn’t just for senior citizens, folks! But on that note, this would be a great game for the kids to play with their grandparents on Zoom. Bingo is great for all ages and can be as fast or slow paced as you desire.
If you REALLY can’t remember how to play Bingo, watch this tutorial.
Supplies: Bingo cards (store-bought or printable), numbered balls (store-bought or use an online generator), markers (colored chips, goldfish, pennies, etc)
Teams: Every man for himself (2+ players)
Online Play: Consider different ways to get Bingo each round: inside corners, postage stamp, small diamond, outside corners, diagonal, horizontal, vertical, or the whole board!
6. Guess Who
This two-person game will be a hit virtually whether you have the board game or not. Each person simply sets up one board from the game box, or prints a set of character-themed Guess Who cards.
If only one person has the game, that person could take a picture of their second board and send it to their opponent. The opponent could then use the “edit” feature on their phone or computer to cross out the game pieces when appropriate. [It’s a stretch, but it would work if needed.]
If you need a refresher, read the traditional directions for Guess Who.
Supplies: Guess Who board game OR printable character-themed Guess Who cards
Teams: Every man for himself (2 players)
Online Play: The online play of this game is the exact same as in person. Each player chooses a character that their opponent will try to guess. Ask only “yes” or “no” questions, like “Does your person have blonde hair?” or “Is your person wearing a hat?”
7. Scattergories
This is one of my all-time favorite games! If you don’t have the board game, use this online generator that displays for you the letter, categories, and a timer. It is very user-friendly and a great way to avoid buying the game.
If you need a refresher, read the traditional directions for Scattergories.
Supplies: Board game box OR timer (try this online version!), paper/pencil for each person, online generator
Teams: 2 teams OR every man for himself (2+ players)
Online Play: Whether you use the online generator (“Share Screen” so everyone can see it) or the supplies that came with your box, online play is exactly the same way as in person. Choose a letter, set the timer, and everyone works individually on writing down a word for each category that starts with the given letter.
8. Taboo
Can you keep a secret? That skill may just help you be successful in this game! To play this game virtually, either all players need to have the boxed set (access to the physical playing cards) or all players can use these online Taboo cards.
If you need a refresher, read the traditional directions for Taboo.
Supplies: Taboo box (physical cards for each video screen unit) OR online Taboo cards, timer, paper/pencil to track scores
Teams: 2 teams (2+ players)
Online Play: To play online, one player from Team 1 will verbally try to get their teammates to guess the word at the top of their card. HOWEVER, you can’t say any form of the word or any of the other related words listed on the card. Once the timer goes off, count how many cards your team guessed (points scored) and move to the next team. If someone else is physically next to you, they can “buzz” you if you say any of the “taboo” words!
9. Yahtzee
If you have the Yahtzee box, you are welcome to use the supplies from it. However, if you don’t own Yahtzee – no worries! All you need are 5 dice and a scoresheet for each person/video screen unit. Go ahead and steal dice from other games that you own if needed!
If you need a refresher, read the traditional directions for Yahtzee.
Supplies: 5 dice and one scoresheet per person/video screen unit
Teams: 2 teams OR every man for himself (2+ players)
Online Play: Play just as you would in person! Each person/group will take 13 turns, so you can decide whether you all take “Turn 1” at the same time or you wait for each person/group to take “Turn 1” one at a time. Repeat for all 13 rounds.
10. Truth or Dare
No supplies needed! Just cook up your best questions and most adventurous dares!
[Adult Versions: Do or Drink, Never Have I Ever, or the romantic Talk, Flirt, or Dare]
Supplies: None
Teams: Every man for himself (2+ players)
Online Play: Go back and forth asking your opponent “Truth or Dare.” Depending on their choice, pose a question to which they MUST answer with the absolute truth, or choose a clever dare! Check out 180 Fun and Silly Truth or Dare Questions for Kids if you need ideas.
11. Storyteller Pass-Along
This simple, interactive storytelling game involves the whole group in crafting a story. After one minute (use a timer), the person who started the story “passes” it to the next person, who picks up where they left off. The stories told by your group can take wild turns since every person has the opportunity to switch things up when the story gets to them. Who knows where the story will go?
12. Would You Rather?
Would you rather lick the bottom of your shoe or a trash can? (There are no passes!) Would you rather read people’s minds or be invisible? When it comes to this game, there aren’t any rules other than you must give your opponent two options in your ‘would you rather’ question. Go back and forth as many times as you like! Make your questions silly or thought-provoking.
Check out 100 Would You Rather Questions for Kids for ideas!
13. Simon Says
There’s really only one rule to this game – only do it if Simon Says. Choose one person to be Simon, and all the others will be the players. We’ve all heard “Simon says stand on one foot” and “Simon says rub your belly,” so if you need some fresh, silly ideas, check out 30 Funniest Simon Says Ideas.
14. Twenty Questions
Can it fly?
No.
Does it have gills?
Yes.
Is it bigger than my bed?
No.
Is it in our house?
Yes.
You have twenty questions to ask your opponent in order to correctly guess their word. All questions asked must be “yes” or “no” questions. Twenty questions sounds like a lot, but you’d be surprised how quickly they go!
15. Hangman
This is the perfect game for Zoom because of its whiteboard feature! Click “Share Screen” (or use paper and pencil) and draw your board. If you forget how to play Hangman, watch this one minute video.
One of the great features of Hangman is that it can be as simple (short, common words or phrases) or challenging (complex sentences) as the players like. Get creative with the words, phrases, or sentences you give your opponent(s).
>> Check out 14 Fun & Free At-Home Indoor Activities for Kids for some additional ways to entertain your family at home!
Comment below if you have played one of these games or if you have any other suggestions! Our list could be endless!
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Love these ideas! We’ve been so bored at home and needed something fun to do with our cousins virtually.
This is so fun! Such awesome ideas for social distancing! I love the battleship idea! I used to own one in the 90s lol.
These are great! I teach via Zoom and I can definitely use these!