Play Over Facetime!

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Don’t let social distancing keep you from your fun. Here are some games and activities you can do over Facetime [or insert your favorite videoconferencing device here].

Guess Who? - There's a mystery person on your opponent's card. Can you find the matching face in the crowd? Ask the right questions to eliminate the wrong faces! 2 players, age 6+ 

Sing along – Bonus if someone has an instrument to play.

Battleship - A classic that can’t miss. You hit my battleship! 2 players, age 7+

Chess – Just keep up with your opponent’s moves on your board. 2 players, age 6ish+ 

Talent show – Host a Google hangout and let everyone share their talent! 

Charades – Use games like Kids on Stage for the littles or make up your own clues. Dance Charades is a fun option, too. (Just play your own music. The CD that comes with the game is the pits.)

Dungeons & Dragons – Use Google hangouts or Zoom for some virtual role playing. (Probably not a good time to learn how to play, though.)

Uno – Each player keeps your own discard pile. Simply play off the other person’s discard pile onto your own discard pile. 2-10 players, age 7+

Karuba – Each player leads an expedition team of four adventurers through the jungle. Hurry up and be the first to reach the temples to collect the most valuable treasures. You can play virtually because each player builds their own board. 2-4 players, age 8+ 

Rubik’s Race – One person takes charge of the scrambler and each person plays their own board. 2 players, age 6+

Mastermind – Use your logic skills to break the code! You could even try playing with just one board; one person would have to take instruction well. 2 players, age 8+

Painted rock hunt – Leave painted rocks around neighborhood and host a virtual scavenger hunt. Your neighbors can Facetime or take a photo when they find one! You can even leave them in place for good quarantine practices.

Concept – Guess words by association. To get others to guess “milk,” for example, place tokens on the icons for liquid, food/drink and white. Just make sure everyone has a good view of the board. 4-12 players, age 10+ for regular version, age 4+ for Concept Kids

Coup – In the not too distant future, the government is run for profit by multinational CEOs. This is your opportunity to manipulate, bribe and bluff your way into absolute power. Virtual lying. What could be better? 2-6 players, age 13+

Drawing challenge – Each person draws the same thing. Compare and discuss!

Pictionary – Even if you don’t have the board game, you can make up clues and play together virtually.

Scattergories – Team up in this fun, fast-paced game and rack your brain for items that fit the category. Can you think of articles of clothing, things you fold, or things at the beach that start with S? Unique items score points or play for fun with just two players. Ages 13+ 

You can also play a lot of great board games online with friends, like Splendor and Patchwork.

Share any ideas you have in the comments!