How to Host a Virtual Game Night

A virtual game night is a fun way for your family, small group, or church family to connect online while we’re all stuck at home.

To be clear, we’re not talking about online video games; we’re talking about board games and parlor games.

There are many ways to host a virtual game night.

First, you’ll need to decide which video conferencing platform your group will use to connect online. Check out Zoom, Webex, FreeConferenceCall, and Jitsi. 

Next, you’ll need to decide what game your group will play.

The easiest and likely most convenient way to host a virtual game night is to use a board game you already own.

One person will need to serve as the host, reading clues, and giving directions. Depending on the game, they might not be able to play but serve instead as the scorekeeper.

Think through:

1. Will people play individually or in teams?
2. Is this game better for a smaller group (10 or less) or a larger group?
3. Will teammates need to use text messaging to communicate with one another?
4. Is this a game a family could play together?

Here are a few board games I’d recommend trying to play virtually:

• Boggle (set up a camera over the letters)
• Scattergories
• Balderdash
• Blank Slate
• Pictionary
• Catchphrase

You could also use a whiteboard (Zoom has a whiteboard feature) to play:

• Hangman
• Pictionary
• DRACT

Side note: I found this word generator online that could be used to play Pictionary, charades, or Catchphrase. 

My favorite large group game to play virtually is bingo.

• Bingo needs little instruction, other than what squares qualify a win (5 in a row, 4 corners, full card).
• Participants can easily find free printable bingo cards online, like here and here, Or they can download a Bingo card app and play on their phone.
• Often someone in the group owns a bingo game, and they can call the numbers out.
• All but the youngest children can play too.

For those who want to take their bingo game up to the next level, there is a free interactive PowerPoint version of bingo you can stream. A click of the button randomly selects the numbers, and you can see at a glance which numbers have been called. It’s easy to use and lots of fun!

You can find this virtual bingo game at Rusnak Creative (poke around there are some other games you could stream too).

Another option is a quiz or trivia game such as My Quiz or Trivia Maker.

Virtual games can be played with:

• Extended family members
• Another couple – consider it a double-date!
• Your Bible study or small group
• Church-wide – create a sign-up form to manage group sizes and game preferences
• Your neighbors
• Your children and grandchildren

Maybe you’ll even decide you want to institute a virtual family game night and invite different people to join you each week!

If you discover other virtual games for groups to play, let us know in the comments below!

You may also want to read:
Virtual Women’s Ministry Resources
20 Virtual Ladies Night Out Ideas
3 Keys to Virtual Women’s Ministry
How to Create Social Media Graphics
How to Create a Women’s Ministry Social Media Plan
How to Host a Virtual Bible Study
How to Schedule Social Media Posts
How to Use Facebook Groups for Women’s Ministry
How to Support Your Women When You Can’t Meet Together
Isolation Icebreaker Questions
Social Distancing Random Acts of Kindness
Tips for Creating Live and Recorded Video
Women’s Ministry Email List Service Options