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Photo: AsiaVision/Getty ImagesDigital connection has become an integral part of our everyday routine, whether it’s regular FaceTime calls with a close friend, family Zoom dinners, or engaging in virtual games. You can even join online art classes with friends from across the country.
When you're craving connection but don’t have much to say, try a bit of friendly competition instead. From digital versions of our favorite classic games to exciting online group activities, these virtual games will help bridge the distance between friends and family.
1. UNO!™
LetsPlayUno.comThe classic card game that you cherished during summer vacations has received a digital makeover. This online version allows you to select and draw cards through the UNO app, just like you would in person. The game introduces new rules, World Series tournaments, and various play modes you can’t experience with a regular deck of cards.
Family-friendly and rated G, you can play solo or in teams, either competitively or casually, for free. We recommend adding a video call to your game session so you can brag when you’re about to claim victory!
2. Jackbox.tv
JackboxGames.comJackbox has been delivering a wide variety of virtual gaming experiences since 2013. It all began with the launch of You Don't Know Jack, a game that merges trivia with humor.
The franchise has expanded to offer numerous games, each thoughtfully crafted and simple to play. Only one person in your group needs to buy a party pack or a single game (starting at $3.99), so the entire group doesn’t have to chip in.
To play, the host starts a game and everyone else visits Jackbox.tv to enter a four-letter code. Whether you're playing Drawful, a more grown-up version of Pictionary, or Fibbage, where you try to spot the lies, you can count on a fun and imaginative experience.
3. Monopoly
MarmaladeGameStudio.comThere’s something about Monopoly that remains timeless. But when you can't sit around the dinner table for hours, you can still enjoy bankrupting friends and family online.
This version costs $4.99, is ad-free, and offers three difficulty levels along with multiplayer video chat. We suggest using the video chat feature as you play to watch each other roll the dice, buy property, and try to avoid going to jail. With a four-player limit, be sure to choose your companions wisely.
4. Watson Adventures' Virtual Hunts
WatsonAdventures.comBoosting corporate morale from a distance can be challenging, but engaging in one of Watson Adventures' virtual team-building experiences might be just the solution. Your team can bond through trivia, solving a thrilling murder mystery, or exploring a museum for hidden treasures—all without leaving the comfort of your own space. Wondering if this is just for coworkers? Fear not! These adventures are just as fun for friends and family members of all ages, from 7 to 70.
The heart of these offerings lies in live scavenger hunts transformed into exciting virtual games. Participants log in from their own computers to embark on virtual tours of cities like Boston, Chicago, New York, or many others. Using Watson's web-based app, scavenger hunters answer trivia questions that lead them to online destinations of famous landmarks and museums. With a live host guiding the game, players may explore quirky artwork, peek into grand rooms, or virtually roam through iconic sites.
If you're eager to venture out, Watson also offers games for that, including public games available for anyone to join, starting at $45 per team. Simply assemble your team and select the adventure that suits you.
5. All Bad Cards
Bad.CardsGrab a drink and get ready for some playful mischief with Bad Cards. In a style reminiscent of the beloved Cards Against Humanity, Bad Cards is an online game that introduces four distinct game modes, each offering a unique twist on party games. They’ve even created a PG-rated version suitable for kids.
Unlike the 600-card versions available in stores, Bad Cards offers over 3000 cards in their free version (with ads), ensuring you'll never run out of fun, clever combinations to play. If you do, additional card packs can be purchased starting at $1.99, with themes like Bachelorette Party, 90s Pack, or the Disney Parody Pack. For $1.99 per month, you can remove ads and unlock over a dozen special card packs.
To start playing, simply click the PLAY NOW! button at the top right, enter your game name, invite players, and the fun begins. It’s a fantastic way to engage with friends, family, or even strangers from the comfort of your home or anywhere. No need to hold back—let the laughter flow.
6. Pictionary
RandomWordGenerator.comPut your artistic abilities to the test with this enjoyable activity that’s perfect for all ages, available on both your phone and desktop. The
The instructions are simple, making it easy for anyone to jump in: Choose the team to start, pick the person to draw, and the generator will randomly present a word for them to sketch. Your teammates will have one minute to guess it—hopefully your touchscreen drawing skills are on point.
This random word generator isn’t just for Pictionary—it’s great for many other games too. From the Game menu, select Charades for words to act out or Get To Know You for light or deep questions to ask your fellow players.
7. Psych!
WarnerBros.comWe all tell a few harmless lies now and then, don’t we? Sometimes stretching the truth is just part of the game, especially when you're playing Psych!, where deceit is encouraged.
Once you download the app, the game leader sets it up and invites others by sharing a code. Players then get asked a trivia question and must come up with a believable answer. Everyone votes on which response is the truth, and the player who tricks others into believing their lie—'psyching' them—earns points.
Created by comedian Ellen DeGeneres, this game supports up to 20 players and is free to play (with ads). It's a fun way to spend quality time together, whether in person or virtually, and can keep everyone entertained for hours.
8. Mario Kart Tour
MarioKartTour.comYes, you read that right—Mario Kart is back, and there's no need for a console or arcade token! While it might not offer the thrill of physically turning the wheel, the excitement of racing against Luigi or Princess Peach for that first-place finish will still keep your heart racing.
After downloading the app, you can invite up to seven friends to race, whether they're your in-game buddies, nearby, or scattered across the globe. The app also lets you personalize multiplayer races with different rules, such as solo or team races, kart speed, and item slots. Set your preferences, hit the pedal, and start racing!
9. Scattergories
Swellgarfo.comPut your creativity to the test and see who among your friends and family can come up with the wittiest wordplay in a virtual game of Scattergories. All you need is a video chat and either the classic board game or this free Scattergories word generator.
The online tool randomly selects letters and categories, but you can customize it by adding your own categories or removing ones that don't fit your style. There's even a Child-Friendly mode for younger players to join in on the fun.
To play, the host shares their screen, showing the selected letter. When everyone's ready, the host hits play, starting the 2-minute timer. As the clock ticks, players write down words in the chosen category that start with the featured letter.
After each round, simply reset the generator to start a new round with a different letter and category. You can customize the game length by adjusting the number of rounds to fit a shorter or longer tournament, depending on your preferences.
10. Bingo
MyFreeBingoCards.comForget about traveling to a Bingo hall or gathering in one place—thanks to the Bingo Game Manager, you can now host or join a game with anyone, no matter where they are in the world!
Up to 30 players can join in free Bingo games with numbers ranging from 1-75. (If you'd like to play with more participants, there's a fee.) The host, or caller, simply shares a link, allowing players to access their randomly generated bingo cards on any device, or they can print the card and play the traditional way.
11. Codenames
CodenameGames.comAnother classic board game that's made its way to the online world (and for free!) is Codenames. Instead of shadows and spies, this award-winning game relies on word associations, challenging players to decipher clues and lead their team to victory in this battle of wits.
To play, you’ll need four or more players, divided into two teams, with a spymaster chosen for each side. The remaining players are operatives. Both spymasters are privy to the true identities of 25 agents, while the operatives only know their codenames. The goal for each spymaster is to give clues that help their operatives guess which agents belong to their team, all while avoiding the deadly assassin.
To begin, simply open the browser version, create a game room, and set up your preferred video or audio chat. Once you share the room link with friends and family, prepare for a game of deception and strategy!
12. QuizWitz
QuizWitz.comIf you’re looking to bring the pub quiz experience to your home, even with distant family and friends, QuizWitz is the perfect game for you. Its online platform transforms any smart device into a set of answer sheets and a game buzzer. A free account supports up to six players, while a Premium (paid) account allows up to 100 participants.
Hosting a QuizWitz Live quiz is a breeze. Here’s what you need to get started:
- A PC or laptop to run the quiz, with a large display visible to all players (either in person or through screen-sharing)
- A tablet or smartphone for you, as the quizmaster, to present the questions and read them out loud
- A smartphone for every player or team participating
For individuals or teams to join the fun, they simply open a browser, visit QuizWitz.tv, and input their game code or team code. With their thinking caps on, let the trivia battle begin!
13. GeoGuessr
Geoguessr.comThis is the game that asks, "Where in the world...?" GeoGuessr immerses players in a geography challenge, placing them anywhere from a busy London street to a remote Tibetan mountaintop. The closer you pinpoint the location, the higher your score climbs.
For just $2.99 a month, you can host private parties for friends and family with unlimited play on both the web and app—no need for invitees to create their own accounts. Once you’ve mastered the game, challenge yourself by creating geography-themed quizzes or compete against top GeoGuessrs from across the globe.
14. Let's Roam
LetsRoam.comKick off a weekly virtual game night or give yours a refreshing twist with Let's Roam. This platform offers an exciting array of trivia and other creative games, with new challenges added every week. You can start with a 7-day free trial, then continue for $19.99 per month. This gives you unlimited access to games, all without needing to download software or install apps.
One of their standout features is the Roam From Home scavenger hunts, designed to bring the thrill of adventure right to your living room. Plus, they offer virtual escape rooms, murder mystery games, and even kid-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained.
15. Clue
MarmaladeGameStudio.comThe classic murder mystery board game, where the question may be, "Was it Colonel Mustard with the rope in the drawing room?", has made its way into the digital world. Once you purchase the Clue app for $4.99, you'll be free from ads or pop-ups, and you can enjoy endless multiplayer fun, solving mysteries without limits.
You, along with friends and family (ages 8 and up), can figure out who committed the crime, whether you're using mobile devices, a PC, or a Nintendo Switch. Play together in the same room or from different corners of the world. Ready for a new setting? You can leave the old mansion behind and solve mysteries in the Tropics, Wild West, Hollywood, or other thrilling crime scenes.
16. Golf Battle
Miniclip.comFigure out who the ultimate mini golf champion is among your family and friends! With this exciting and user-friendly free app, you can challenge up to 6 players at a time and choose from more than 120 unique mini-golf courses. In addition to Golf Battle, Miniclip, the app's creator, also offers a variety of other competitive multiplayer games, including soccer, football, pool, basketball, and darts.
17. Broken Picturephone
BrokenPicturephone.comThink of it as a fun blend of the classic telephone game and Pictionary, and you get Broken Picturephone. In this interactive, live online game, you and your friends collaborate to create a book full of drawings and phrases, passing the book along page by page, until you reveal the absurd results in real-time.
After naming your team and inviting players to your "room," start the game by either writing a phrase or drawing an image. Once done, the book is passed to the next player, who either draws a picture to represent the phrase or adds a caption to the drawing, and then passes it on. The twist? Each player can only see the page that came before theirs.
When every player has contributed their page, a chime rings, signaling it's time to share the book! The outcome is guaranteed to be funny, with no need for scoring or points—everyone is a winner in this game!
18. Heads Up!
WarnerBros.comIf you’ve seen The Ellen Show, you're likely familiar with the uproarious word-guessing game. Now, Heads Up! is a free, entertaining app that lets up to 100 people play together from anywhere. To play, select a card (without peeking) and rely on your team to give clues so you can guess the word before the timer runs out. Tilt your phone to get a new card from 18 themed categories like celebrities, animals, accents, and movies—guaranteeing endless fun. Be sure to check out the Heads Up! Kids version as well!
19. Playing Cards
PlayingCards.ioCraving some classic games for your virtual game night? Try Playing Cards.io and share a deck online for free with anyone, anywhere! You can play games like hearts, Go Fish, or rummy, or dive into board games like checkers, chess, backgammon, or mahjong. There’s a huge selection of classic games, or you can even create your own custom game.
To get started, visit the Games Page, pick a game, and click Start. Then, share the code with anyone you want to join (there's no limit), creating a private room to play in. As you move cards (or pieces), everything syncs live across all players' screens. Keep in mind that Playing Cards doesn’t offer a chat function, so you might want to use your phone or another service to communicate while you play.
20. Town of Salem
BlankMediaGames.comTown of Salem is a free, browser-based role-playing game that doesn't require an app. It rewards players for being convincing liars, as well as for spotting liars in a spooky, mysterious setting. Up to 15 players are secretly assigned one of 48 different roles, which fall under five categories: Town (the good guys), Mafia, Serial Killers, Arsonists, or Neutrals.
Players start by learning about their role through an in-game role card that is kept secret. From there, it’s a game of strategy involving deception, murder, lying, and even mob hysteria as players try to outsmart one another.
As a Serial Killer, your goal is to quietly eliminate Town members during the night while avoiding detection. Meanwhile, Town members are on the hunt to uncover the Mafia and other villains before they fall victim themselves. The game ends when either the good or bad guys are successfully identified by the players who survive the chaos.
