Virtual games help us cope with boredom and exercise our minds, but they can also be a great way to connect with family members of all ages.
Especially during this pandemic, when we’ve learned how important it is to stay in touch with our loved ones through cameras and screens, although small talks can quickly turn bleak. However, it’s never late for a friendly competition instead. Virtual games can help us somewhat recreate the spirit of in-person interactions again.
From youngsters to elders, everyone can enjoy online games. People nowadays can jump into remote meetings with their friends and families in a matter of minutes. It’s equally easy to find massive catalogs of free virtual games that are one click away.
While older folks may have trouble participating in these online games first, it should be easy enough for them to learn. But it doesn’t mean if you’re older that you can’t be a tech-savvy person. ExpressVPN’s tech age quiz may give you an idea about your technological age.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the best virtual games for the whole family, including free ones you won’t even need to download, along with digital renditions of classic indoor games. With enough time and coordination, you can set up and play the following games with your family and have a good time.
Top Virtual Games For the Whole Family
Below we’ve listed a few virtual games suitable for every generation. Some require an app download, while others work in a browser environment. A few games may also cost you a dollar or two, but it certainly will be worth the fun.
1. Heads Up!
Heads Up is a fast-paced guessing game where players have to guess a person, thing, place, song, or word shown on the screen. It requires participants to install the Heads Up! app on their phone or tablet and be together in a video meeting.
Players can choose a card deck from a specific category like brand names, films, characters, accents, etc. One player holds their phone above their head at the beginning of each round, showing the answer to the audience but not to themself. Of course, they’ll also need to hide their own webcam feed for this.
Heads Up can be played individually or in teams. The real fun is in the audience coming up with hints to help the player guess the correct thing. On a correct guess, they flip down their phone and score points. The player’s objective is to guess as many things as possible in under 60 seconds.
If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can download the app from the App Store. Android users can get it from the Play Store. Note there are in-app transactions for exclusive categories.
2. Monopoly
Hasbro’s Monopoly board game is a timeless classic, now available to play online. It’s available for five bucks on the App Store for iPhone and iPad and the Play Store for Android. You can have up to four players in an online game of Monopoly and video chat with them at the same time.
There’s nothing new to elaborate upon the rules of Monopoly. Roll the dice, risk it all to buy lands and real estate, and become the richest property tycoon on the board. And even when you’re with your family in person, you can pass your device between four players for an offline multiplayer experience.
Check out Rento if you’re looking for a free alternative. Available on Android, iOS, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, you can play it with up to six players directly from the browser.
3. Pictionary
Pictionary is one of the most commonly-played virtual games. It’s a game where each player gets to pick a word and describe it with drawings. Others have to guess and type the word in the chat box before everyone else to get the most points. There’s also a time limit for describing and guessing the word.
You’ll find plenty of apps and websites for Pictionary-type online games. Skribbl, Sketchful, and Drawize are some of the popular choices. Give any of these a try, then send out the invites to your family for a game of Pictionary.
4. Scrabble
Scrabble is another classic word game in which up to four players score points by placing letters onto a 15×15 grid board to form words. It’s a game for all ages, and there are plenty of virtual versions of Scrabble to play with family.
The Scrabble GO app is free to download on iOS and Android. You can have up to four players per game and invite your family members through Facebook. Apart from the classic Scrabble game, you can also add some twists with the different game modes.
You may also try out Words with Friends 2, another Scrabble-esque game that allows for online multiplayer with up to five people. Those looking for a free web version can also check out the Internet Scrabble Club.
5. Quiplash
Quiplash by Jackbox Games is a “Mad Libs”-type game where players reply to “fill-in-the-blank” prompts with the most comical or bizarre answers. Others then vote on the best responses, with players getting points as rewards for winning each round. Up to eight players can play this game.
The easiest way to play it remotely is to buy it on a PC through Steam and share your screen on your preferred video meeting platform. Only the host needs to purchase it, while others join the game through a provided link and spectate the host’s screen. It’s worth noting that Jackbox Games also has released newer Quiplash games.
Honorable Mentions
Above are our top five picks for the best virtual games for families. If you’re looking for more, we recommend checking out the following options:
- UNO! – Classic Card Game [App Store / Play Store]
- Among Us – Space-themed Social Deduction Party Game [Web]
- Gartic Phone – Pictionary & Telephone Combined [Web]
- Picture Cards Online – Free Cards Against Humanity [Web]
- Playing Cards – Virtual Classic Board and Card Games [Web]
Finishing Up
These are our picks for the best virtual games for the whole family. The following online games will bring some fun to your online gatherings, even when you can’t physically meet and interact with your loved ones. Sometimes, a good-ol’ friendly competition is all you need to lighten the mood with family and friends.
