We are probably all becoming more experienced than ever at video chatting! Time to spice things up! There are lots of fun things to do while video chatting. Below are some great video chatting games and activities for families with kids of all ages!
Talking Games
One Word Stories- Everyone takes turns saying one word at a time in order to create an often outrageous story. This is great for people of all ages to do together!
Word Association Game- Participants take turns saying a word relating to the previous word without repeating the word that was said right before it. Everyone thinks differently, so it is funny to see how quickly a game can go from bow tie to snot.
Would You Rather?- There is an official board game, but feel free to create your own to discuss and laugh about.
2 Truths and a Lie- This is especially fun for a group of new friends. Each player says 2 truths and a lie about themselves and the others guess which is the lie.
Never Have I Ever- Each player puts up 10 fingers. One by one, each player says “Never have I ever (something they’ve never done)”. Then, anyone who has done (whatever was said) puts down a finger. The last player with at least one finger up is the winner.
Chat Rings- Discover lots more about each other using SimplyFun’s chat rings. There are many versions and perfect for all (talking) ages. I got mine from Kristina Provencher Independent Consultant for SimplyFun.
Going on a Picnic- The first person says “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing (something that starts with “A”)”. Taking turns, each person repeats the previous sentence by memory, then adds a word corresponding with the next letter. Eventually, it should sound something like “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing an apple, a blanket, a chair, a dog, an egg salad sandwich, a frisbee...”
20 Questions- One player thinks of a person (or thing, but we've always done people including fictional). The others ask up to 20 questions in hopes of narrowing it down and correctly guessing the right one.
Other Games
Guess Who- This is a classic game that would be great IF people on both sides of the video call have the same game.
Battleship- Do you and your friend both have the game Battleship? It’s a perfect game to play while video chatting! Plus, no one can “accidentally” see your ships when they get up to grab some chips!
Mad Libs- Ever since my mom introduced me to Mad Libs when I was like 8, I have been crazy about them! It was one of our favorite things to do on the 7 hour trip to camp. Choose a Mad Lib. They are also available online. One person asks the other(s) for certain words (verb, number, exclamation, etc.). When all blanks are filled in, read the hilarious story. My family sometimes even chooses a theme or letter that all the words need to begin with.
ABC Categories- I also LOVE word games! If you need someone to play ABC Catergories/Scategories with, hit me up (seriously)! Both/all participants should have the game in order to have the same categories. Otherwise, use this free printable or go over the catergories before each round so that those without the games can write down the necessary list.
Charades- If you do a group on Zoom, one person can create the word list and secretly let each player know their word when it's time. Otherwise, players can just choose words they want to act out or use Pictionary cards. Players must get the others to guess by only acting, no words. It is best done with teams.
Guess the Animal- This is like charades with only animals, but noises are allowed. It's a great one for preschoolers! If more than 2 are playing, I like to allow the one who guesses correctly to be the one that acts like an animal next.
Pictionary- Just like charades, but with drawing. Zoom has a whiteboard feature that is ideal when playing Pictionary virtually.
Improv
Remember the show Whose Line is It Anyway? You can do some of the improv games right From home and on video chat! Some of my favorites are the Dating Game, Words From a Hat, and Props. It is easiest to play with creative older children (teens) and adults.
The Dating Game- All participants except one decides on a quirk or unique identity. The other individual asks each participant questions as if they are trying to learn about and choose who to date. After asking each person a few questions, the individual guesses the others’ identities/quirks.
Words From a Hat- The participants decide on a scenario and write words or phrases to be randomly chosen from their pockets. Then act out the story together, improvising as you go, while randomly reading the phrases from your pocket. Try to incorporate all you say into the story line.
Props- Find random items around your home. Each individual should improvise to create new uses for the item. You may want be creative such as stating ways to make good use of it during the quarantine or something.
Other Activities
Story Time- My mother-in-law has been able to read to my boys before bed sometimes thanks to Facetime! Why hadn't we thought of that before the pandemic! They can enjoy totally different books when Grammie reads the ones from her house.
Show and Tell- Another fun and educational activity for little ones! Show and Tell can help vocabulary, speech, and foster social interaction! Encourage children to use adjectives to describe the item they are showing to their friends/family.
Scavenger Hunt- This is great for a group so that there is some competition. One person should have the list of items and will read them off one at a time. When one item is read, the others will race to get that item faster than the others. They receive one point for each item they find before the others.
Talent Show- Do you have a group of friends meeting? Show off your unique talents during a virtual talent show! You never know who can do the human pretzel, show their voice box, or put string up their nose and out their mouth! Oh summer camp...good times...
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