Fun games to play over video calls
While we’re fresh into Alert Level 3 here in NZ, online video calling (on platforms such as Zoom) remains one of the few ways we can keep being social at this time. This resource is a list of some simple games that you can play with your youth over Zoom. Some are simple and free while some do cost. Hopefully there will be something here that you can use!
Jackbox Games
Paid Game(s)
https://www.jackboxgames.com/games/
Games that you buy and download either from the website above or the app store. Different games require different amounts of players (some are 2-4, others can do 16+. Anyone else can join the games in the ‘audience’ section.
Requires: Shared screen and a second device for each person
Scattergories
Free game
https://swellgarfo.com/scattergories
Online game of scattergories. Some websites, like the above, do all the work creating the categories for you, and some allow you to make your own. Search on google ‘scattergories online’ for more website options.
Requires: Shared screen and pen and paper for each participant
Skribbl.io (Pictionary)
Free Game
Online Pictionary - Drawing images on devices for others to guess.
Requires: Shared screen and a second device for each person
Kahoot
Free for up to 10 players, then Paid
Online multiplayer quizzes. Can create your own quizzes or use pre made ones.
Requires: Shared screen and a second device for each person
Various Card Games
Free
Go Fish, Crazy Eight, Match Up, Remote Insensitivity (a slight warning: this game is like cards agains humanity, so it might be more appropriate for more mature audiences such as leaders) Send the link given with others so they can join in.
Requires: One device per person
Karaoke
Free
Any Karaoke songs from www.youtube.com
Share your screen so people can see the lyrics. Requires: Shared screen
Netflix Party
Free
Google Chrome add on - https://www.netflixparty.com
Watch a movie on Netflix together online and share your comments throughout
Requires: A Netflix account for the host, google chrome add on for everyone else
Trivia
Freefor two teams, then paid
Online trivia games. Teams/Individuals message answers to host for host to then select the answer and give points
Requires: Shared screen
Hangman/Word guessing game
Free
Use the Zoom whiteboard or Google search jamboard to play the word game
Requires: Either of the above and shared screen for jamboard
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
Paid
Puzzle solving and communication game. Race to diffuse the bombs before time runs out. One person can’t see the ‘bomb’ the rest can only see the manual needed to diffuse it. Experts have to keep talking to explain how to diffuse the bomb before time runs out.
Requires: Shared screen and app download
Scavenger Hunt
Free
Create your own scavenger hunt list of common household items. Call out the name of the item and first person to find it gets points (or variations, winner gets to pick the next item for people to find, share a list of items to the screen for everyone to find then return)
Requires: Nothing, or shared screen
Werewolf (or Mafia)
Free
Game of deception and bluffing, you have to keep you intentions hidden while trying to find the culprit. One person assumes role of ‘Werewolf’ (host can privately message that individual in the Zoom chat). Then everyone has to try and guess the identity of the werewolf. If you guess wrong, the werewolf ‘gets you’ and you’re out of the game. Detailed instructions can be found here: https://anjuansimmons.com/blog/how-to-play-werewolf-over-zoom/
Requires: Nothing
Guess Who
Free
Each person submits 10 - 20 truths about themselves to the host. Host picks a truth at random whilst everyone else gets a single chance to guess who the person in question is. Each correct guess earns the player a point.
Requires: Nothing
Charades
Free
Host gives a player an action to act out (host can privately message that individual in the Zoom chat) or player chooses their own. Player acts out action whilst everyone else guesses. Correct guesser then acts out an action.
Requires: Nothing
Name, Place, Animal, and Thing
Free
Similar to scattergories. Everyone divides their piece of paper into four columns (Name, Place, Animal, and Thing). Host/Judge picks a letter at random, everyone else has to think of something beginning with that letter for each of the columns. Fastest person gets the points.
Requires: Pen and paper
Questions Only
Free
Host decides on the order (each Zoom screen has a different order displayed). The idea is to converse only in questions that make sense depending on the context. If someone cannot come up with a question in the first 3 seconds then it is the next persons turn.
Minute to Win it
Free
Game suggestions here: https://www.playpartyplan.com/minute-to-win-it-games-for-kids/ A challenge is selected, ideally with common household items or no items. Game is explained then a timer set. All or some participants complete the challenge. Host/Judge can choose a winner for points if wanted Requires: Timer, different games need different items
TikTok
Free
Find a TikTok video (from youtube or the TikTok app), show everyone through shared screen, then get people to recreate it.
Requires: Share screen for the beginning