27 Games to Play On Zoom With Kids Any Time

Alexandra F.:  This is one of my preschooler's all-time favorites, and since it is essentially just a guessing game it is a super easy game to play on Zoom. The goal is to have players guess which animal, food or object is pictured on a card they place on their forehead. If one of the players doesn't have the game, just write a bunch of possible subjects on post-it notes instead. But no cheating - make sure to hide your own image from the computer screen before you take your turn!

Alexandra F.:  This is a Zoom game that is easier to play when both sides have the board, and makes for an awesome virtual playdate between younger kids and grandparents! If only one side has the game, try taking a picture of the open board for the other side, who can use their phone's edit function to cross off characters in the absence of a game board.

Alexandra F.:  There are lots of free printable bingo cards online that you can use to play the game over Zoom or FaceTime if you don't have one at home. Just have each side print as many cards as they'll need, and use a random number generator (type "number generator" into Google or use one made for Bingo) to select the numbers.

Brooke C.:  Sky Magic is a super fun cooperative game. This is one of the games my kiddos love to play with friends and family virtually. It works even if just one person has the game. Personally, I like the message of weathering the storm together.

Alexandra F.:  Both players will need to have this classic strategy game to play on Zoom together, but if they do it's perfectly suited for a virtual battle!

Shila:  This is a word search game appropriate for all ages, including early readers as best as they can. Tilt your screen to adequately show the game board when you're playing over video chat. Then, shake the letters up, turn the timer over, and you have 3 minutes to write down as many words as you each can find.

Kelly R.:  Codenames is a great game to play over Facetime and appeals to a wide variety of ages! A grid of 25 cards, each containing one word, is laid out onto a table. Players divide into two teams, and one player from each team gives clues to try to get his teammates to guess certain words on the grid. As long as everyone has a clear view of the board, one person can handle marking the cards as right or wrong after each guess.

Alexandra F.:  Even if only one player has it, Taboo is an easy game to play on FaceTime with friends or family. Just hold the card up for the player(s) on the other side of the video chat to see, and they can either write down or take a screenshot of the word that needs to be guessed and the words that cannot be used as clues. Teammates who will be guessing the word just need to close their eyes to avoid the temptation to look!

Shila:  Each player has the choice to reveal a “truth” or take on a “dare” at will. Will you choose to honestly answer any question thrown at you? Or, will you take on task? You only get 3 passes! Be sure to encourage rather silly and strange truths and dares to make the game most enjoyable, safe, and age appropriate over Facetime.

Alexandra F.:  Trivia games are great games to play on FaceTime with kids as they don't require use of a board and can easily be adapted to players' ages and interests. We are huge Harry Potter fans in our family so this game is one of our favorites, but you can make up your own questions or use any other trivia game you love. Bonus - your computer or smartphone will be right there to help you look up fun trivia facts!

Alexandra F.:  Use pre-made cards like these or make your own and play a rousing FaceTime game of Charades! What can be more fun than watching Grandma act out "chicken" or dad try his hand at the "Floss"?

Alexandra F.:  This is one of our go-to family games since we usually have our phone on hand and it is quick and easy enough that we can play for as long or little as we want. Simply choose a category, place your phone on your forehead, and try to guess the word on there from clues other players give you. When playing over video chat, just be sure to hide your own feed from view so you don't accidentally see the word on your forehead! The game is made for older kids and adults but there are plenty of categories appropriate for younger players.

Available for iOS and Android.

Alexandra F.:  Simon Says is a great activity for younger kids that will help direct some of that wiggly energy! Simon can have them jump, turn, stretch and run in place, and since all you need is for one person to give directions ("Simon says, touch your nose") and one person to follow them (only if the directions include the words "Simon says"!), it's a perfect game to play on Zoom with kids.

Alexandra F.:  You can use any whiteboard, poster board or large piece of paper to create your own version of this classic quick-draw party game - or buy the board game for simplicity! A larger drawing area will make it easier for players on both sides of the call to see the images. You can also use the drawing function when playing the game over Zoom! If you have younger kids just choose easier subjects to include them in the fun.

Alexandra F.:  This is a fun game for FaceTime with or without the actual board, as the concept is simple and easily adapted to fit your family's ages and interests. Simply decide on a category (like "movies" or "candy") and pick a letter. Then, decide on a time limit and have each player write down as many words as they can think of within that category that begin with the chosen letter. Play as many rounds as you wish for shorter or longer play! You can find free versions of the game online, too.