What Are the Best Games to Play Over Zoom?
If you have social anxiety, the thought of joining a Zoom call can be daunting. You might be worried about saying the wrong thing, or not knowing what to say at all. But what if there was a way to ease into social interaction by playing games online?
Games are an excellent way to relieve boredom and stress and just have some fun. Zoom is a good way to play games with your friends without having to be in the same room. Social anxiety can make it hard to connect with others, but there are lots of games that can be played over Zoom that can help you feel more comfortable and break the ice.
One of the best things about playing games is that they can help you forget about your anxiety and focus on having fun. When you’re playing a game, you’re in the moment and your mind is occupied with strategizing and trying to win.
Games can also be a good way to connect with others, even if you don’t know them very well. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the best Zoom games for people with social anxiety. Whether you’re looking for something silly or competitive, there’s sure to be a game on this list that’s perfect for you.
1. Codenames
Codenames is played in two teams with a total of four or more players (it works well with larger groups). The game starts with 25 words on a board. Each time has either 8 or 9 words that belong to them depending on whether they go first. The “spymaster” on each team knows which words belong to which team and gives one-word clues to help their team guess which words belong to their team. The game can be learned quickly and lasts about 15 minutes so can be played multiple times in a row! You can play Codenames online or purchase the board game on Amazon.
2. Werewolf
Werewolf is a game of deception and social deduction that is played with two teams. In this case, the teams are made up of either “villagers” or “werewolves.” The villagers do not know who the werewolves are and the game is played over a series of days and nights. During the day, players vote out someone they think may be a werewolf. At night, werewolves choose a player to eliminate. Other roles include the “seer” and “healer” who have special abilities. You can play Werewolf online or purchase from Amazon.
3. Secret Hitler
Secret Hitler is another social deduction game. It can be played with a group of between 5 and 10 people. In the game, people are again divided into secret teams of liberals and fascists. The fascists know who each other are but are hidden from the rest of the group. The liberals must work together and trust each other in order to have enough votes and control the elections. At the same time, the fascists work against them and will say whatever it takes to get elected and win the game. You can play Secret Hitler online or purchase from Amazon.
4. Spyfall
Spyfall is a card game that involves more social deception. Players receive a secret card that tells them the location of the group (e.g., a casino, circus). However, one player instead receives the “SPY” card indicating that they are the spy but also that they do not know the location of the group. Their goal is to figure out the location without others figuring out that they are the spy. You can play Spyfall online or purchase from Amazon.
5. Taboo
Taboo is a classic party game that can be played with any number of players. The premise of the game is to get teammates to guess a word without saying any of the taboo words associated with that word. For example, if the word was “cat,” some of the taboo words might be “feline,” “kitten,” or “meow.” Taboo can be played online or you can purchase on Amazon.
6. Jackbox Games
Jackbox games are a great way to get people laughing and bonding over shared experiences. There are a ton of different games to choose from, so there’s bound to be something for everyone. My personal favorite is Fibbage, but Quiplash and Trivia Murder Party are also great options.
7. Cards Against Humanity
Cards Against Humanity is another great game for people who like to laugh. It’s a little edgier than Jackbox games, so it might not be suitable for everyone, but it’s definitely a lot of fun. Just make sure everyone is comfortable with the material before you start playing. You can purchase Cards Against Humanity from Amazon.
8. Pictionary
Pictionary is a classic game that’s perfect for Zoom. It’s easy to set up and play, and it doesn’t require any special equipment. Plus, it’s always entertaining to see how people interpret the clues. You can purchase Pictionary from Amazon.
9. Scattergories
Scattergories is another classic game that’s perfect for Zoom because it’s easy to play and doesn’t require any special equipment. It’s also a great way to get people to think outside the box and come up with creative answers. You can play Scattergories online or purchase Scattergories from Amazon.
10. Word Association
This game is a perfect icebreaker for when you need something low-key and brain-teasing. To play, one person starts by saying a word, any word. The next person then has to say a word that is somehow related to that first word. For example, if the first person says “table,” the next person could say “chair.” Then the next person could say “office” and so on. The goal is to see how long you can keep the chain going without anyone getting stumped. The rules for Word Association are summarized here.
11. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
This game is perfect for people who want to relax and take their mind off of things. In the game, you’re able to create your own little world on an island, decorate it however you want, and interact with adorable animals. You can also invite friends to come visit your island, which makes it a great game to play over Zoom. And, if you start to feel anxious while playing, you can always take a break and come back later.
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12. Tabletop Simulator
Tabletop Simulator is a good option for people who want to be able to play all their favorite board games without having to leave the house. It’s perfect for people with social anxiety because it gives you the ability to play with friends without having to be in the same room together. Plus, there are tons of different games available on Tabletop Simulator, so you’re sure to find something that everyone will enjoy.
13. Drawful
Drawful is a game where players have to draw prompts and then guess what the other players are drawing. It’s a good way to get everyone interacting and guessing, and it’s also bound to generate some laughs. And if you’re worried about your drawing skills, don’t worry – the prompts are intentionally vague, so even the worst artists can do well.
14. Skribbl.io
Skribbl.io is an online version of the classic party game Pictionary. One player draws a word, and the other players have to guess what it is. It’s a great way to test your drawing skills and have some laughs with your friends at the same time.
15. Kahoot!
Kahoot! is a quiz-based game that lets you compete against your friends to see who knows more about random topics. With millions of user-generated quizzes available, there’s sure to be a topic for everyone. So dust off those old trivia skills and see who comes out on top. You can download Kahoot! from Amazon.
16. Quiplash
Quiplash is a trivia-based game that can be played with 3-8 players. To set up the game, each player will need their own device so they can enter their answers into the game’s website. Once everyone has joined the game, the host will start the rounds and players will have 60 seconds to answer each question. The goal is to come up with the funniest answer possible—the other players will vote on which answer they think is funniest, and the answer with the most votes wins! You can order Quiplash from Jackbox Games on Amazon.
17. Hangman
This classic game is perfect for a Zoom call because it can be played with any number of people and requires no special equipment beyond a piece of paper and a pen. To set up the game, simply write out a series of blanks (one for each letter in the word or phrase you’re using) on a piece of paper and share it with your Zoom buddies. Then, take turns guessing letters until someone is able to correctly guess the word or phrase.
18. Charades
Charades is another great game that can be played with any number of people and requires no special equipment. To set up the game, each player thinks of a movie, TV show, book, etc. that they can act out without speaking. Then, one player starts acting out their choice while the others try to guess what it is. Keep going until everyone has had a chance to act out their choice. You can play Charades online or purchase on Amazon.
19. 20 Questions
This game is perfect if you want to exercise those detective skills (or just show off how well you know your friends). To play, one person thinks of an object, animal, celebrity, etc., while everyone else takes turns asking up to 20 yes-or-no questions until they can figure out what it is the other person is thinking of.
20. Two Truths and a Lie
This one’s great for getting to know people better or just sharing some funny stories. To play, each person takes a turn telling three stories about themselves—two of which are true and one of which is a lie. Everyone else then tries to guess which story is the lie. You can also mix things up by having everyone vote on which story they think is the lie instead of having just one person try to figure it out.
21. Categories
Categories is a great game for when you need something fast-paced and lively. To play, choose a category (animals, countries, brands, etc.) and then take turns naming items that fit into that category as quickly as possible. The first person to name 10 items wins!
22. Among Us
Among Us has exploded in popularity over the last while, and it’s easy to see why. This online multiplayer game tasks players with completing missions while avoiding being eliminated by impostors who are trying to sabotage the ship. It’s a great blend of strategy and deception, and it’s tons of fun if you’re looking for something a little more competitive than most party games. You can play Among Us online.
23. UNO/Skip-Bo/other classic card games
These classic card games are always a good time, no matter how many times you’ve played them before. They’re quick and easy to learn, which makes them perfect for playing on Zoom (no one wants to spend an hour trying to explain complicated rules). Plus, they’re just really fun games that are perfect for killing some time with friends.
24. Truth or Dare / I Have Never / Would You Rather?
These classic party games are perfect for playing on Zoom because they don’t require any props or materials – all you need is your imagination (and maybe a shot of liquid courage). They’re guaranteed to get some laughs out of your friends, and they might even help you get to know them better too.
Social anxiety can make it difficult to interact with others, but Zoom provides a great way to connect with loved ones from the comfort of your own home. And with these zoom games, you can have fun and bond with your friends without ever having to leave your couch. So go ahead and give one (or all) of them a try!
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Thanks for reading! I hope you found some helpful tips. Since this site is about social anxiety, I wanted to also share some tools I use that I hope you’ll find helpful. Some of these are affiliate links, so if you decide to try them, I’ll earn a commission. However, I only recommend things I have used myself and would recommend to a friend or family member.
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