While physical distancing measures have been put in place to keep us safe, it's also important to stay connected with loved ones, especially kids, who might be missing out on their usual social interactions. Video calling apps like Skype provide a great platform to keep kids engaged and entertained while staying in touch. Here are some fun games you can play over Skype with kids.
With a little creativity and preparation, you can transform these virtual playdates into exciting and memorable experiences for both you and the kids. Let's dive into some game ideas that are sure to keep them engaged.
Classic Party Games
Many classic party games can be adapted for virtual playdates. You'll just need to tweak the rules a bit to accommodate the online environment.
For example, in 'Simon Says', the person leading the game can give instructions remotely, and the kids can follow along. To make it more engaging, you can incorporate educational elements, like having the kids do actions related to topics they're learning at school, like animals or plants.
Charades
Charades is another classic game that works well over Skype. You can use an online charades word generator to pick words, and have the kids act them out in front of their webcams. To keep it fair, set a timer for each round, and remind the other players not to start guessing until time's up.
To make it more fun, you can category-based rounds, like movie characters, famous scientists, or types of food. You can also encourage the kids to dress up or use props to make the game more engaging.
Pictionary
Pictionary is another guessing game that's easy to adapt for Skype. Again, you can use an online word generator to pick words, and have the kids draw them on paper or a whiteboard held up to the camera. Alternatively, they can use online drawing tools to create their pictures.
To keep the game moving, set a timer for each round. And remember, the point of Pictionary is to guess the word, not to draw a perfect picture, so don't worry too much about your artistic skills!
Screen-based Games
There are also many games that you can play using the video call interface itself. These games often involve using features like shared screens or virtual backgrounds.
For instance, you can play a version of 'I Spy' where you have the kids look for something specific in your virtual background. Alternatively, you can play a game of 'Simon Says' using shapes or colors that you draw on a shared screen.
Virtual Treasure Hunt
if you're feeling more adventurous, you can organize a virtual treasure hunt. Before the call, hide some 'treasure' - this could be a favorite toy, a piece of candy, or a small drawing - in your virtual background. Then, give the kids clues to find it.
To make it more interesting, you can add challenges along the way. For example, to find the next clue, they might have to perform a silly dance or tell a joke. You can also make it a cooperative game, where the kids have to work together to find the treasure.
Story-building
For a more low-key activity, try story-building. Start the call by saying a sentences, then ask the kids to add to the story one sentence at a time. To keep it fun and unpredictable, encourage the kids to be creative and imaginative with their additions.
You can also use shared screens to illustrate the story as you go. Alternatively, you can ask the kids to draw pictures of their parts of the story and hold them up to the camera. This game encourages creativity and collaboration, and can be a great way to wind down after a busy day.
Staying connected with kids while physical distancing can be challenging, but with these fun Skype games, you can make it an enjoyable experience for both of you. So, get creative, get competitive, and most importantly, have fun!