12 fun board games to play on FaceTime/Skype

For those of us that love to play games, that love doesn’t stop even when we’re apart from those we enjoy playing with. The problem is that it gets much harder to play most games when you aren’t sitting around the same table and moving the game pieces yourselves. So many games have essential hidden elements, that each player must conceal cards or pieces from the others to gain advantage. These are especially difficult to play over video calls. Obviously some games have electronic versions that can be played online, but the majority don’t. So we decided to build a list of games that are fairly easy to play while on a video call—without losing the elements that make them fun.

What are the 12 fun board games you can play over FaceTime/Skype?

  1. Boggle
  2. Kingdomino
  3. Wits and Wagers
  4. Chess/Checkers
  5. Mastermind
  6. Qwirkle
  7. Codenames
  8. Say Anything
  9. Azul
  10. Hedbanz
  11. Tenzi
  12. Just One

This list is designed to help those that can’t be together to play the board games they love—whether it’s a spouse away on a business trip or a family member not able to make it back home for the holidays. We avoided (mostly) all the elements that would make it very difficult to include players not physically present. It should also be noted that not all games on this list are equally easy to play over a video call. So make sure to look through our thoughts on this list to see which ones are best for your situation.

1. Boggle

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
1-8+10 minutes8+WordVery easy$10

How Boggle Plays

Boggle has been around a while, which means that most of us have at least heard about it. This is a word game for any number of players. Each player has a piece of paper and pen. On go, one player reveals the 4×4 grid of letters printed on dice to everyone. Each player attempts to create words from the dice in starting and ending in any direction. They just can’t use a die more than once for any given word. Players score points through having words no other player found. In other words, if two players both find the same word, it is crossed out and not counted toward their scores. The player with the most points after a given number of rounds wins.

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

Boggle is perfect for playing over Facetime or Skype because there aren’t really any moving parts throughout game besides shuffling the dice after each round. What makes most games so difficult to play while not physically present is that there are lots of pieces, or at the very least, pieces that a player must move himself or herself. Boggle doesn’t really have any of that. All that is required is really to just shuffle the dice for a new assortment and reveal. Then players are using ordinary paper and pens to write the words they see.

Another very closely related point is that Boggle is a very simple game when evaluating the game as a whole. So not only does it not have lots of pieces that players have to manipulate; it also is just very simple to play. There isn’t much to it. And yet, it remains a very fun game to play. This is the perfect game to play with those who may not be there with you!

Best for which scenarios?

Boggle is a great game to play while on a video call, but the real question is what specific scenarios are the very best in which to play it? Truthfully, Boggle is a great game for most video call scenarios. It can easily be played by a couple, with one player on each side of the call. It can also be played by a party of people, with only one or two at a satellite location. The only scenario that wouldn’t work very well is if there’s a very large group wanting to play a game—which is a general problem with Boggle, not with Boggle over Skype. Getting many people close enough to see the letter can be a challenge. 

Most difficult element on FaceTime

When looking at the entire spectrum of board games that could be attempted over the phone, this one has nothing that would be considered “most difficult”. But if we were required to choose something, finding a way to position the camera in the perfect spot would be our choice. This may be the most difficult element of most games on this list, though, because almost every one would require some sort of camera view of what is going on wherever the board is physically located. With that said, it may be tricky to find the right angle with Boggle that gives the perfect view of all the dice and their associated letters.

2. Kingdomino

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
2-420-30 minutes8+Tile layingEasy$20

How Kingdomino Plays

Kingdomino is one of the most strategic, and therefore, most difficult games to play on this list. In Kingdomino, players take turns choosing tiles from the middle to build a grid of terrain tiles that is 5 terrain squares high and 5 wide. Each terrain tile is either plain or it has a certain number of crowns in it. Players seek to connect all matching terrain tiles together to earn points. Scoring points is fairly simple. Connected terrain tiles (of the same type) multiplied by the number of crowns on those terrain tiles gives each player the total for that specific terrain. By adding up all terrain totals, the player calculates the total points earned during that game. Player with the highest score wins.

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

Okay, Kindomino is more difficult than some of the others on this list to play over FaceTime or Skype, but it’s not so difficult that it is not worth it; however, because it is more difficult, it also has the potential to be more fun. There is more strategy in Kingdomino than the others. And because there is more strategy, it is more challenging. That’s what makes it great to play over FaceTime. It plays at a deeper level that most of the others we’ve listed.

The other reason, also closely related to the first, is that it’s a really fun game. It won game of the year in 2017, which usually means it’s one of the best out there, as far as the game community is concerned. It doesn’t take long playing the game to realize that it lives up to every bit of the award it earned. There aren’t many people that I’ve introduced this game to that don’t like playing it.

Best for which scenarios?

Kingdomino is best for just a few players—with only one at a satellite location. Obviously the game only allows for a total of 4 four players, so it would never be a huge party game anyway. But it’s best for only one player being away from the actual game because each player is building his or her own board. It would be hard to point the camera close enough to see the boards clearly for two or more people; though everyone has a smart phone these days and there could easily be two video calls going at the same time.

Most difficult element on FaceTime

As I already mentioned, Kingdomino is a bit more complicated to play over Skype than some of the other games on this list. Players select tiles from the middle to add to their kingdoms. After they are selected, the player must decide where to place each tile on his or her personal board. This is often a trial and error process. Testing one spot and then moving it to another before your next turn (once officially placed it can’t move). This process is definitely the most difficult to play over a video call. The satellite player has to tell the other players where to place the tile and in what orientation.

This is definitely the most difficult part of the game from a video call perspective but it’s probably not as bad as you might think. The group tends to get really good at communicating how and where to place tiles. So just give it a try. It’s worth it.

3. Wits and Wagers

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
3-730 minutes10+Trivia, PartyVery easy$25

How Wits and Wagers plays

Wits and Wagers is the perfect, laid back party game. In this game, players take turns reading trivia questions that always have a quantitative answer. Players then write down their answers on tiny dry-erase boards they each have. They place them face down in the middle and flip them up when all players have submitted their answers. The answers are placed from smallest to largest on the table; then the bets begin! Players place their bets on which answers they think are closest. Those that choose the answer closest to the real answer (without going over) win at the payout indicated on the board. The player with the most money at the end of seven round wins.

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

The most obvious reason that Wits and Wagers is so great to play with someone that is not with you physically is that it’s simple. There aren’t a lot of moving parts, and not much for most players to do. They need to be able to answer the questions and they need to be able to choose bets. Someone else can do the rest for them.

Wits and Wagers is best for a loved one missing a gathering, such as Christmas vacation. Because of its party-game nature, it requires more than just a few players to be really fun. So, if most of the players physically present, having one or two calling in is perfect. That way, the game still functions well with the players present, while allowing the satellite player to enjoy “being there” without actually being there. Having too many players call in would get burdensome on those that are present. 

Best for which scenarios?

The best scenarios to play Wits and Wagers on a video call is the same as any other—in the party game atmosphere. It wouldn’t really be fun for one person to call another to play a game, only to pull out Wits and Wagers. The fun enters the game when there are lots of people and lots of guesses. As far as how many satellite players is best—there really is no limit. I probably wouldn’t have more than a couple of the players not physically present, but having more than one away shouldn’t ruin the game. 

Most difficult element on FaceTime

There are two “difficult” elements when playing Wits and Wagers over a video call. First, one of the players that is physically with the game needs to write down the guesses of anyone on the other end of the call. Those away obviously can’t do it and must communicate their guesses to someone else. Each person needs to make a guess that isn’t influenced by the other players, so any players helping the satellite players should write their guesses down first.

The second “difficult” thing about Wits and Wagers is making bets. Again, satellite players can’t place their own chips in front of the guesses they think are the closest so someone will need to assist them in this task. This can be difficult because this player must also make his or her own bets at the same time. This obviously isn’t actually difficult in reality, but it is another task one of the players is going to have to complete throughout the game. 

Even with these “difficult” elements to Wits and Wagers, there really isn’t anything that is actually burdensome to anyone in the game. It’s a great option if you’re looking to include those that couldn’t make it back for Christmas.

4. Chess/Checkers

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
230-606+StrategyHard/Medium$30

How they play

Chess and Checkers have some obvious similarities and some striking differences. Chess is played by two players, and is a purely strategic game. Both players start with 16 pieces. Each piece can move in unique ways. Players take turns moving one piece at a time attempting to capture the other player’s king. They do this through maneuvering each piece, capturing opponent’s pieces. Eventually one player outmaneuvers the other and captures the king—and wins the game. 

In Checkers, two players face one another attempting to capture all of the other players pieces (or trap them). All pieces are the same and move one space diagonally toward the opponent. Players take turns moving their pieces and capturing their opponent’s pieces. They can capture pieces by jumping over the other player’s exposed piece and landing on the next free space behind. If the space behind the opponent’s space is occupied, it cannot be captured. The player to capture or trap all opponent pieces wins.

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

Chess and Checkers are very old, very classic games. For those of you that don’t like them, pass on to the next game on the list. For the rest of you, this is a fantastic game to play over a video call. Chess and checker boards are built with grids. So, when moving a piece, it makes it easy to move for a satellite player. All the satellite player has to do is mention where the piece is on the grid and where he or she wants to move it to. Then the other player can move it there quickly and without any ambiguity.

Checkers and Chess is best for a couple or for a pair of friends that aren’t close, but are still itching to play something. Unlike, Wits and Wagers, it just isn’t ideal for a large gathering attempting to play a game—which should be obvious by it’s two-player capacity. Insead, pulling it out and playing it as something to do while on a video call—other than just talking—can be a great option.  

Best for which scenarios?

Chess and Checkers fits really only one video-call scenario. They’re best for one person calling another. That should be more obvious than the others seeing as how these games are both for two players. 

Most difficult element on FaceTime

There are a few things that can be more challenging with Chess and Checkers. Obviously it is the most work for the player that actually has the game with them. We’ve mentioned this with other games already but with these games it’s another level. There are only two players participating, and they can move quickly. The player with the game will be constantly moving the pieces all over the board without a break. Turns can take a while, which makes this task less difficult.

There are also online ways to play Chess and Checkers where you don’t have to deal with these problems. We decided to list it anyway, though, because some of us like to set up the game and play on the board.

5. Mastermind

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
215-20 minutes8+DeductionEasy$20

How Mastermind Plays

Mastermind is a fun, two-player game that has been around for many years. In mastermind, one player creates a four-color sequence that the other player is tasked with solving. The player solving the sequence must try various color combinations; after each combination guess, the sequence creator gives clues to the solver. A red peg is placed on the board if the player got a color in the right place. A white peg is given when a player guesses a correct color, but in the wrong spot within the sequence. Eventually the guessing player collects enough information to correctly input the right sequence of colors.

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

Mastermind is a fun, strategic game for two players. Like Chess or Checkers, Mastermind is perfect for a couple or a few friends to pull out while on a video chat—when they want to stay on the call without just talking. It requires some brain power and critical thought, but is a great game that can be combined with interspersed conversation. It’s low key and it’s fun! 

Another reason that Mastermind is so great for video calls is that it has very simple game mechanics. One player inputs a sequence and the other player guesses. There aren’t many pieces and it can be replicated easily. 

Best for which scenarios?

Mastermind follows with Chess and Checkers. It is best when there is one person on each end of the call because it’s a two-player game. It does play quickly, though, so players can switch out after each game. Consequently, having more people present wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Most difficult element on FaceTime

By far, the most difficult element when playing mastermind is the satellite player’s inability to interact with the board—specifically when doing the guessing. It’s not as big of a problem when the satellite player is the sequence creator, because he or she doesn’t actually need to put the colored pegs into game board. That player simply needs to write the sequence down on a piece of paper and play as though they’d put the pegs in.

However, when the satellite player is guessing it becomes harder. He can’t put the pegs in the board himself. Like all the others, this has a simple remedy. The satellite player can just tell the other player which colors to put where. This is obviously more work for the player that is physically with the game, but it’s not overbearing.

6. Qwirkle

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
2-445 minutes6+Tile layingEasy$25

How Qwirkle Plays

Qwirkle is a competitive, yet low-key game of wooden tiles. Players each draw 6 tiles, from which they play and replenish throughout the game. Each tile has a specific shape in a specific color. Players take turns adding their tiles to the middle attempting to score various points. Tactfully playing tiles earns more points, while foolish play can cost serious points. The player to have the most points when the tiles run out, wins the game.

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

Qwirkle is a great game to play on a video call but, admittedly, we’re pushing the boundaries with it. Regardless, it is a fantastic game to play over the phone because it is so simple. Though it does have more “moving parts” than some of the others, there still isn’t much going on. Players draw tiles and play them in the middle on their turn. It doesn’t require a ton of thinking or analyzing to play well. This helps when on  a video call because players can visit as they play without worrying too much about what they’ll do next. So many games aren’t this way.

Most difficult element on FaceTime

By far, the most difficult element in this game to execute over a video call is aiding the satellite player in completing his or her turn. Unlike most of the other games on this list, this one has a “secret” element. Each player can see their own tiles, while the other players can’t. So the satellite player needs to understand what play he or she wants to make and then communicate that move to the players present with the game. Those players must choose the correct tiles from the satellite player’s hand and play them in the correct area on the board. It can be confusing to know where to play them and in what orientation.

Obviously, this can be confusing and cumbersome for present players to have to complete for the player not present; but for most people, it’s not a big deal and can be done fairly easily.

7. Codenames

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
2-8+15-20 minutes10+Word, partyEasy$20

How Codenames plays

Codenames is an awesome team word game that is great for parties. In Codenames, players are split into two teams. Each team assigns a lead player that will give one word clues to the rest of the teammates. Twenty-five cards are placed in a 5×5 grid on the table, and each card has a random word on it. Certain words are assigned to each team, others to no teams and one word is the “automatic lose” card. The lead players take turns giving clues to their teammates to get them to choose their assigned words. The more words each team can guess during a single round, the faster they will find all their words and win the game.

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

Codenames is the perfect game to play on a video call because the entire game sits on the 25 cards in the middle. The player or players not physically present can keep up simply by having the words in view. Everything else in the game happens through players talking with one another and deciding which words they think the clue was meant to target. There is no real need to see the players, as long as the satellite player knows who is on his or her team.

Another reason Codenames is great is that it’s a team game. An entire team of players is working together to win. Any players not physically present don’t need to necessarily catch every minute detail as it happens during the game. Their teammates that are actually sitting around the table can repeat anything that was missed. This working together nature of the game makes it much less burdensome for everyone involved. 

Most difficult element on FaceTime

There really aren’t all that many difficult things about playing Codenames over a video call. The only thing that could be difficult is for the satellite player to decipher who is talking and whether or not that person is on the same team. Being at another physical location and only having a phone to hear everyone can make it really hard to understand what is going on. People can get loud and that noise can cause problems. Making sure everyone understands this can solve this problem easily.

8. Say Anything

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
3-830 minutes13+PartyVery easy$20

How Say Anything Plays

Say Anything is very similar to Wits and Wagers, which is why it’s so easy to include on this list. In Say Anything, players take turns reading a question from a card. All players then write their answers on tiny dry-erase boards. The question reader secretly chooses which answer he or she likes the best. After which, all players bet which answer they think the question reader will choose. They all score points based on how many players choose their answers. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

Just like Wits and Wagers, Say Anything is a great game to pull out at parties as you attempt to video call someone in. Like most of the others, it is very simple and doesn’t require too much work from each player. The mechanics aren’t complex. Each player listens to the question, makes a guess and bets on which they think will be chosen. There isn’t anything that a satellite player needs to be present to do besides what we’ll talk about later.

Similarly to being easy, and probably because of it, Say Anything is an extremely laid back game. At least whenever we play it, no one really cares who wins. Yes, we are all technically competing to win the game, but we are usually playing for the fun the game creates. It usually involves more joking and laughing than competition. Which are the exact types of games that are best for playing over a video call.

Most difficult element on FaceTime

Just like Wits and Wagers, the most difficult element to play with Say Anything is getting the guess written down on the board and submitted to the center. Even more than Wits and Wagers, though, is getting a guess submitted quickly. In Say Anything there can be no duplicate answers. So if there is, the player that gets the guess in first gets to stay. The other player must remove his or her board from the table this round. It would be difficult for the satellite player and the player writing answers for the satellite player to win this contest. The easiest way to remedy this problem is to not play with this rule or alter it to fit the group’s situation.

9. Azul

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
2-430-45 minutes8+StrategyMedium$30

How Azul Plays

Azul is an abstract strategy game made up of personal game boards and tiles. Players take turns selecting tiles with different designs from the middle. They then place them in temporary positions on their personal game boards, attempting to eventually move them to permanent spots that will actually earn points. Getting those tiles in specific permanent spots increases what a player can earn and moves that player toward victory. The player with the most points wins.

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

Azul is the most difficult game on this list to play over a video call. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth pulling out anyway. What makes it so great to play over FaceTime is that it is just fun! Lame reason, I know, but it’s true. Some games you just want to pull and out and play no matter the scenario, and this is one of those! I’ve never met someone that didn’t enjoy playing this game after a round or two. They probably exist, but I haven’t found one yet. It is more difficult to do, but not so much that renders it no longer worth it.

Azul is perfect to play on a video call with a small group. That should be obvious seeing as how it’s only meant to be played with 2-4 players, but that’s not the only reason. It’s a highly strategic game and requires thinking. Unlike some of the party games on this list, this game is much better for small groups that aren’t necessarily calling because they are missing a social gathering. This would be better for those that are away on business or some other trip and want to be near their loved ones without actually being physically near them.

Most difficult element on FaceTime

The most difficult thing about Azul is making sure to get all of the game into the frame for the satellite player. This game takes up more real estate than some of the others, so fitting it all in can be tricky. Getting it done though makes for a relatively smooth playing game. All the satellite player needs to be able to explain is which pieces he or she chooses and where they do on the personal board—though that will be fairly obvious to the helping player as soon as the tiles are chosen. 

10. Hedbanz

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
3-10+30-60 minutes8+PartyVery easy$20

How Hedbanz plays

Hedbanz is a great family, party game for any number of players (more than one obviously). Players take turns placing a card on their forehead with either a word or picture on it. The goal is to identify what object is on the card as fast as possible—by asking questions that help narrow it down. There is a timer so the faster a player guesses correctly, the quicker he or she can move on to the next card. The first player to do this three times wins the game.

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

Hedbanz is probably the least conventional game on this list because it is really geared toward younger audiences; however, that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a great game to play over a video call. No, it probably wouldn’t make a great game for a couple to play while one of the spouses is gone on a business trip. But it would be a good game if that couple had small kids at home that wanted to play too—though adults have a fun time playing this game as well.

The other great thing about this game for video calls is what we just mentioned. Though it’s technically a game geared for kids, most adults end up enjoying this game almost as much. So for those looking for a fun party game that they can use on a phone call with someone not present, they need not look any further than Hedbanz. It combines simplicity with fun that anyone can play without much explanation.

Most difficult element on FaceTime

11. Tenzi

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
2-415-20 minutes7+DiceVery easy$15

How Tenzi Plays

Tenzi is a very simple dice game. It can be played with as many players you want—as long as you have enough dice. You may not think that’s a big deal until you realize each player uses 10. Gameplay is very simple. One player flips an instruction card in the center that dictates what the goal of the round is. On go players usually race to be the first to get a “tenzi” of that number. For example, if the card says “get a tenzi of 6’s” then the first player to roll all sixes (once a six is rolled, it is kept), wins that round. The first player to win X number of rounds wins. 

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

Tenzi was a game I thought I wouldn’t enjoy in the slightest. A few of my friends were playing it one day; after looking at it, I gave it a hard pass. Eventually, though, they got me to play and I enjoyed it quite a bit. What I liked so much about it is it’s race-to-the-finish-yet-still-simple nature. There’s nothing to learn, it’s just rolling.

What makes it such a good game for a video call is that there’s really nothing that the satellite players need to see. Admittedly there are cards that require all players to copy a pattern printed on the card, but those can be easily avoided. All of the others only require an explanation to the satellite player on which “tenzi” they are attempting to complete. Then players can all roll their sets of dice wherever they are without referencing anyone or anything else.

Most difficult element on FaceTime

The most obviously difficult thing about playing Tenzi over a video call is that any players not physically present need to have a set of ten dice (for each player) wherever they are. Unlike other games listed, these players can’t just participate by giving directions to other players present with the game board. Each player needs to be able to roll and re-roll by themselves. Having someone stand in as their proxy makes no sense and is no fun. So if they have a random set of 10 dice available, rock on!

The other, less obvious difficult thing about Tenzi is that it can be loud. Depending on the surface being used, dozens of dice constantly hitting that surface can make it hard to hear anyone talking through the microphone on the call. So if it’s a race to roll all 6’s, it may be difficult to determine who is the winner. A satellite player might not even be heard through all the dice hitting the table. This is remedied easily in one of a few ways. 

The first way to fix this problem is to play on a much softer surface. Playing on something with a felt surface can reduce the noise enough to not only to hear everyone talking, but avoid a potential headache too. The second way to fix this problem is to mainly use the video feature—potentially even muting the call if needed. Whenever a player finishes rolling he or she can look at the camera to see if another player is already done. If so, then it will be obvious on the screen. If not, the satellite player will still be rolling. 

12. Just One

Specifics

PlayersDurationAgeTypeDifficultyPrice
3-720-30 minutes8+Word, partyVery easy$25

How Just One plays

Just One is a fairly new, cooperative party game that won the game of the year in 2019. In just one, players take turns drawing a card without looking at it and choosing a number 1-5. Whatever number is chosen indicates to all the other players which word they will be describing. They each write down a one-word clue that encapsulates the idea, without directly saying it. After duplicates are eliminated, the remaining words are left for the guessing player to decipher. This can sometimes be very obvious, while other times it’s virtually impossible. The game lasts for 13 rounds, after which, the group can evaluate how many they answered vs historical averages.

Why it’s great to play on FaceTime

Just One is the perfect game to play over a video call for many reasons we’ve stated already with other games. But that shouldn’t diminish the strength of the reasons that make it such a great fit. One of those reasons is that it has incredibly simple game mechanics. There is no game board and no tiny game pieces that need to be constantly manipulated throughout the game. Each player has a board they write on and a card to draw—each of which can be done by a player physically present. They aren’t things that are too cumbersome to be completed by someone else.

Just One is a great game to play over a video call in most party-game scenarios. While it can be played by just a few people, it definitely isn’t meant to be played by just two. The sweet spot is definitely on the higher range from 5-7 because it allows more clues to give players more context. So if you’re looking to buy this game to play over a video call, it’s best for party-type situations.

Most difficult element on FaceTime

The only “difficult” element to playing this game over a video call is writing clues without giving it away to the guessing player. The satellite player needs to communicate his or her guess to someone present so that person can write the clue on a dry-erase board. If the guessing player hears that word being communicated, it throws the game off of how it’s intended to be played. This shouldn’t be a big deal, though; They’re going to hear the word in a matter of seconds anyway—so it’s not like it’ll actually give anything away.

To avoid this problem the group can do one of a few things

  1.  Have the satellite player write his answer on a piece of paper out of view of the guessing player
  2. Have the satellite player give her guess as the boards are being shown to the guessing player—allowing for potential duplicates.
  3. Have the satellite player speak quietly so the guessing player can’t hear

Conclusion

There are so many games that have the potential to be played over a video call. Though this obviously isn’t an exhaustive list, it does point us in the right direction for a few games that are the easiest and most fun. You can check out our full list of games that we recommend by clicking here. Or you can navigate there yourself by going to the main menu and clicking on “resources page”.

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