Image: Shutterstock
If you’d like to connect to your relatives far away, then playing family games online is worth the effort. Unlike board games or games that need you to be in the same place, online games offer fun and excitement and foster social connections even when all of you are on different continents. They lighten the mood as efficiently as regular games. Moreover, the current technological advances push away the awkwardness and inhibitions and help every generation mingle effortlessly. Let distance not deter your family from spending a great time together and creating memories. Plunge into our list for some interesting family games.
Experts say12 Family Games To Play Online
No matter where your family is, technology has brought everyone closer. A FaceTime or Zoom call can bring your family right into your living room. Here are some online family games to bring your dear ones closer.
1. Scavenger hunt
Image: Shutterstock
Scavenger hunt is a classic game you can play both offline and online. It is an interesting game because it gets the players moving through their homes.
No. of players
Three or more
Age group:
Five years and above
How to play:
- Make a list of all the things you want the other players to hunt.
- You can screenshare and ask the players to get the items within a specified time limit.
- You can also announce each item one by one and see which player gets it first.
- You can also use an online scavenger hunt app to play the game.
- The player who wins the game gets to host the next scavenger hunt.
- Include quirky items such as “hand-me-down,” or “something blue and sparkly.”
2. Monopoly
You can play this popular board game online with your extended family and friends. There are detailed instructions provided on the website so that even new players can participate.
No. of players:
Two to six
Age group:
Seven years and above
How to play:
- Just as in the board game, each player gets to toss the dice and move their piece over the virtual board.
- As they go around, they can buy, sell, or rent a property.
- The aim of the game is to bankrupt other players.
- You can play this game online with family and friends, offline with robots, on one phone with friends, and over Bluetooth and Facebook.
3. Name that tune
Image: Shutterstock
This is a perfect game to lighten the mood. No matter how old the players are, everyone loves music. And this game will bring a lot of laughter.
No. of players:
Three or more
Age group:
Six years and above
How to play:
- Play the opening music of a song for a few seconds.
- The other players have to guess the song.
- Make sure you consider the ages of all the players before playing this game. For example, if there are young players, you can exclude older songs.
4. Charades
This is another classic game that will engage all players. Just like the offline game, it is super fun to play and bond with each other.
No. of players:
Four or more
Age group:
Six years and above
How to play:
- Divide the players into two teams.
- Announce a category.
- A player from each team has to enact something or somebody from the category.
- The other team has to guess the answer.
5. Two truths and a lie
This is a popular game that can be played online with your family. If all the players are adults, you could turn it into a drinking game too.
No. of players:
Three or more
Age group:
Eight years and above
How to play:
- Each player says three things about themselves out of which two things are truths and one is a lie.
- The other players have to guess which one is a lie.
- If other players do not guess the lie, the player gets another turn. If the lie is spotted, the next player gets their turn.
6. Trivia
Image: IStock
Online trivia is one of the easiest and exciting activities you can play with your family. It is a game where everyone will have fun and learn something new.
No. of players:
Three or more
Age group:
Six years and above
How to play:
- Divide the players into teams.
- Ask the trivia questions one by one and award points to the team who answers a question.
- You could also use breakout rooms in Zoom and assign a Google Form to each team.
7. Family bingo
Most of you already play bingo in your minds every time a particular family member starts recounting an old anecdote. This time, everyone gets to join in the fun.
Quick factNo. of players:
Four or more
Age group:
Eight years and above
How to play:
- Make a family bingo template with randomized options and share it with your family.
- Every player has to mark the squares when they see something written in the boxes.
- The person who crosses out the maximum boxes is the winner. If someone manages to cross out all boxes, they win the Full House.
8. Avo
Avo is an avocado who is all set to go out on an adventure. This is an interesting game, especially for kids. You can download this game on the App Store.
No. of players:
Two to Six players
Age group:
Four to eight years
How to play:
- Avo is the crime-fighting avocado who goes through different quests and solves puzzles.
- Each player gets to play with Avo and navigate the avocado through the game.
9. The alphabet game
Whether the players are young or old, they will surely enjoy this game. This game gives players a chance to improve their vocabulary.
No. of players:
Four or more
Age group:
Six years and above
How to play:
- Make a list of categories. Write each alphabet on a slip of paper and drop them in a bowl.
- Read out the category during the game before picking out one slip of paper. Read out the alphabet on it.
- The players have to name things from the category starting from the selected alphabet.
- You can also announce a category and go round from A to Z, letting each player name something from that category.
10. Minute to win it
Minute to win it games require physical and mental exertion to win the challenge.
No. of players:
Three or more
Age group:
Five years and above
How to play:
- Make a list of different Minute to win It games. Use a combination of physical and mental exercises.
- Some examples of the games are Cookie Face, a game where the players have to place a cookie on their face and move it to their mouth without touching it or Fill the Bucket, a game where the players have to fill a bucket using plastic cups.
11. Pictionary
Pictionary is one of the easiest and most popular virtual games. You can play it with your family and extended family on game nights for endless fun.
No. of players:
Two or more
Age group:
Five years and above
How to play:
- Add all the players to a private room and start playing.
- Each player gets a turn to draw something.
- The others have to write their answers in the chatbox.
Trivia12. Most likely to
“Most likely to” is similar to bingo and is a great multiplayer game. It is often played as an offline game and can be played on online platforms too.
No. of players:
Four or more
Age group:
Five years and above
How to play:
- One player reads out a prompt that starts with “Most Likely To…”
- The other players name the family member who matches the description.
- Some examples of the “Most Likely To…” prompts are:
- Play a prank
- Go to sleep mid-conversation
- Take the last slice of pizza
- Call you by the wrong name
- Confuse you with your sibling
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which family games online can help improve critical thinking skills?
Online family games that may help in improving critical thinking skills include ”Defend the indefensible” and ”Argument Tennis”. These two popular fun games also help build speaking and listening skills.
2. What are some benefits of playing family games online?
Some benefits of online family games are that they help strengthen the bond, are relaxing and fun, promote teamwork, and build trust among players. It also teaches skills such as turn-taking and patience.
3. How can families balance screen time and other activities while playing games online together?
Families can balance screen time and other activities during online gaming by promoting regular breaks for physical activities or other hobbies, enforcing limits on screen time, and participating in offline activities that encourage bonding and create shared experiences.
4. What are some tips for families new to playing games together online?
Here are some tips for families new to playing games together online:
- Take an interest in your child’s game preferences and ensure age-appropriate choices.
- Establish clear limits for playtime duration and frequency.
- Set boundaries for online interactions and encourage responsible digital behavior.
- Foster critical thinking about sharing personal information and engaging in appropriate gameplay.
Family is the one entity that always has your back, and spending time with your family members and playing games with them is a great stress-buster. The online family games mentioned in this post can contribute to your recreation and entertainment and strengthen the bond between all of you. Games such as monopoly, scavenger hunt, trivia, family bingo, and minute to win add spice and fun to your virtual digital gatherings. So, choose a game topic that caters to everyone’s interests and one that all family members are comfortable playing; this will make your virtual gathering even more memorable.
Infographic: Organizing Your Very Own Online Family Game
The advent of the internet and related technologies have brought together families scattered in different parts of the world. If you are planning a virtual family get-together, this infographic will help you organize online family games and have unlimited fun. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
Key Pointers
- Virtual or online games let you play with your family and friends through a smartphone or computer with an internet connection.
- Switch on your webcams and go on a laughing riot with the classic acting game “Charades.”
- Have some fun time with “Pictionary” as they draw funny pictures to help you guess the name of the object or thing.
- Monopoly, Minute To Win, and Scavenger hunt are some other interactive online games to play with family and friends.
Gather your family for some fun online activities! Check out this video for 10 unique virtual games that anyone can enjoy
References:
- A Little Play Goes a Long Way: The Importance of Playing with Your Child
https://extension.usu.edu/relationships/faq/the-importance-of-playing-with-your-child
