Games for Kids to Play on Video Chats

Video calls on platforms like Zoom, FaceTime and Skype have become part of our daily lives. A game will add some fun to your calls to family and friends – there are choices for all ages and interests.  Some are “low-tech” and don’t require any added electronics, some can be played online using the ‘share screen’ option, and others are played with mobile devices.

Letter Game or Rainbow Race
Pick a letter of the alphabet. The first player who brings back 3 items starting with that letter wins the round.  You can also play this game by picking a color; players have to find 3 items of that color.
Ages: all

Charades
Choose a theme, like movie titles or outdoor activities. Make sure it’s something all the players will know. One player acts out the item and the other players try to guess what it is. For inspiration, look for ideas and themes on sites like yourdictionary.com.
Ages: all

20 Questions
This game is best for a smaller group. One player thinks of a person, place or object. Other players take turns asking “yes” or “no” questions to guess what it is. The person who guesses correctly is “it” next. If  no one guesses the answer before 20 questions, the game is over and a new person is “it.”
Ages: all

Bingo
Players can print cards using an online source like activityconnection.com. You can find several apps, such as Bingo Number Generator, to call numbers for your group.  Or play the entire game virtually with a website like myfreebingocards.com. Create and share cards, then use the site’s automated bingo caller to play.
Ages: 5 and up

Pictionary
If you already have the board game, use the cards and play on regular paper. Divide the group into 2 teams and designate one person to draw. They get one minute to draw the item for their team to guess. If you don’t have the cards, this random word generator site is a good source. Older players can also use the whiteboard feature on Zoom to draw.
Ages 7 and up

Kahoot!
This fun multiple-choice trivia game can be played on your mobile device (the app is free) or directly on the Kahoot! website. Questions can be themed by topic – there are lots to choose from – or age range. The organizer signs up for an account and invites other players to join. Questions appear on the screen and the game keeps score for each player.
Ages: 8 and up

HeadsUp! and HeadsUp! Kids
This fast-paced guessing game always ends in laughter! Players need to download the HeadsUp! app on a mobile device to play. Player 1 holds their phone up to their forehead, and a word – person, thing, song, or other – will appear. Player 2 describes the item using clues, trying to get Player 1 to say the word before time runs out. HeadsUp! Kids uses photos and graphics as clues so pre-readers can play, too.
Ages: 4 and up (HeadsUp! Kids); 12 and up (HeadsUp!)

Word Scatter
Word Scatter is a fast and fun game that’s similar to Boggle. Players have 30 seconds to make words from a 25-letter grid. Words can read up, down or diagonally and players get points for the number of letters in their words. Invite players to join you on the website; each player clicks letters to form words and the game keeps score.
Ages: 8 and up

Scattergories
This popular game is now available online! Visit the Scattergories Online website, choose your topics, and invite players to join. Teams must come up with answers that fit a particular category, like “things at the beach.” The challenge: each item must begin with a particular letter.
Ages: 13 and up

Jackbox Games
Purchase and download a wide variety of games from the popular Jackbox Games website. Look for bundle pricing on several games, or buy single games. Each game description lists the number of players required and whether the game has a family-friendly setting option. Look for fun titles like Fibbage, Quiplash and Guesspionage.
Ages: 13 and up (10 and up for games with a family-friendly setting option.)