Entertaining activities to enjoy during video calls
Video calls don't have to be limited to talking heads on screens. Adding games and structured activities transforms video chat from obligation into genuine entertainment. Whether you're looking to break the ice with a new acquaintance or want to add variety to ongoing conversations, games provide structure and fun that pure conversation might lack.
The best video chat games require no special equipment beyond what's already needed for video chat - just creativity and willingness to play. These games work equally well with established friends or new acquaintances, though some suit certain contexts better than others.
When meeting someone new, games can ease awkwardness and create conversation flow.
Each person shares three statements about themselves - two true and one false. The other player guesses which is the lie. This classic game reveals surprising information and often leads to unexpected conversations about the truths revealed.
Take turns posing "would you rather" scenarios. The sometimes absurd choices reveal preferences and values while generating laughter. Many versions exist online, or you can create your own based on conversation context.
Choose a category (foods, countries, movies) and take turns naming items in that category, each starting with the next letter of the alphabet. See how far you can get together. This game works especially well when you discover shared interests through the categories you choose.
One person thinks of something - an object, person, place, or animal. The other player asks up to twenty yes/no questions to guess what it is. This game creates playful interaction while revealing how the other person thinks.
These games go deeper than surface conversation, helping people discover each other.
Each person shares a favorite childhood memory, toy, or TV show. These nostalgic revelations often reveal values and formative experiences that shape who people became.
Share items from your bucket list - things you want to do before you die. This exercise reveals ambitions and dreams that casual conversation might never uncover.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want with you? The choices reveal priorities - practical versus sentimental, solitary versus social - that spark interesting discussion.
"If you could have any superpower, what would it be?" "If you could live anywhere, where would it be?" These "if you could" questions reveal desires and priorities while being fun to answer.
Laughter creates bonding and signals that interaction is going well. Games that generate genuine laughter - the kind that comes from unexpected revelations or playful competition - strengthen connection faster than conversation alone.
For those who enjoy competition, these games add stakes to video chat.
Take turns asking trivia questions. Getting them right feels satisfying; wrong answers lead to learning something new. Many free trivia resources exist online to fuel these challenges.
Rapid-fire word association - one person says a word, the other immediately says the first word that comes to mind, then the next. The chain reveals interesting connections between ideas and often generates laughter.
Take turns trying to solve riddles. The competition adds excitement while the puzzles themselves generate discussion about the surprisingly multiple ways to interpret riddles.
Many games - from Jackbox party games to online chess to multiplayer mobile games - can be played while video chatting. Coordinating games across platforms creates shared experience.
Creative games channel interaction into artistic or imaginative directions.
Build a story together, one sentence at a time. This collaborative creation reveals imagination and often produces hilarious or surprisingly meaningful results.
If you have tablets or drawing apps, take turns drawing something for the other to guess or react to. Even simple sketches create shared moments.
Start a story with one sentence, then alternate adding sentences. The unpredictable directions this takes creates adventure in conversation.
Not everything needs to be competitive. Cooperation creates different bonding dynamics.
Cook the same recipe while video chatting. The shared task provides natural conversation and the resulting meal gives tangible evidence of time spent together.
Synchronized viewing - same YouTube video, same movie on streaming services designed for shared viewing - creates shared experience with built-in conversation topics about what you're watching.
Follow the same workout video simultaneously. The mutual encouragement, shared effort, and resulting accomplishment create camaraderie that conversation alone cannot match.
Choose games appropriate to the relationship and context. Competitive games suit people who enjoy that dynamic; cooperative games often work better for more tentative connections. When unsure, start with lighter games and adjust based on response.
Some practical considerations help games succeed on video chat.
If using external devices, position them so you can see both the screen and your chat partner simultaneously. This requires some experimentation with camera angles.
Before starting, briefly explain game rules to ensure both players understand. Confusion mid-game disrupts flow and reduces fun.
Video chat can feel faster or slower than in-person interaction. Adjust pacing to ensure both players can follow and participate comfortably.
Have a backup plan if the game requires external resources that don't load. Simple games that require no special equipment avoid these issues entirely.
Video chat games transform obligation into entertainment, awkward encounters into fun experiences, and ongoing relationships into sources of continued joy. The variety of possible games ensures something for every personality and relationship type.
The keys to successful video chat gaming are appropriateness to context, willingness to be playful, and attention to whether the other person is enjoying the chosen activity. When games work, they create shared memories that strengthen connection and provide referents for future conversations.
Pick a game from this list and try it in your next video chat.