Virtual Game Night (10 Potential Ideas To Consider)

Written by:
Collin Waldoch
Updated:
June 3, 2021

Have you hosted a virtual game night for your friends? Before the COVID-19 pandemic, taking part in a virtual game night with a group of friends would have been rather unusual. As we’ve collectively embraced tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, people have become more open to communicating with close friends and family from afar. Virtual game nights have the potential to be incredibly fun and rewarding.

The question is, what does a typical virtual game night look like? How do you get it started? In this guide, we’ll share 10 ideas to consider for your next game night. Utilizing the power of Zoom and other video conferencing tools, these virtual activities can be easily played from a distance. We’ll explore...

  • What is a virtual game night?
  • Why is hosting a virtual game night important?
  • How do you host a virtual game night on Zoom?
Virtual game nights don't look like this. This is a physical work afternoon.

What is a virtual game night?

A virtual game night is an evening of fun with family or friends. From trivia quizzes to digital versions of classic board games, the possibilities for your game night are endless. As the host, you can set up games those around you are most likely to enjoy playing.

With the support of tools like Zoom, you can enable face-to-face communication throughout the night. While some of the games may require additional applications to be integrated into the video call, many can be played without other applications. 

Why is hosting a virtual game night important?

Hosting virtual game nights should help family and friends to stay connected and maintain strong relationships from a distance. Whether we’re dealing with a global pandemic or simply have friends and family living across the globe, these game nights can spark conversations and create opportunities for communication that wouldn’t have otherwise occurred.

How do you host a virtual game night on Zoom?

It couldn’t be easier to host a game night on Zoom. A range of third-party apps can be quickly integrated into Zoom to transform the experience. At the same time, there are plenty of games that you could play that only require your imagination. 

This is Zoom. Don't even pretend you don't know what it is at this point.


What are the best games to play virtually?

There’s certainly no shortage of games you could play, so we’ve taken the time to compile a list of the 10 best virtual games to play. From quick trivia quizzes to murder mystery adventures, there is something for everyone on this list of intriguing game night activities.

1 - Water Cooler Trivia

Do your friends and family have a passion for trivia? With Water Cooler Trivia, you can get handwritten trivia quizzes delivered to everyone’s inboxes. These can be customized around the interests of those participating to ensure relevancy. The trivia questions and answers will undoubtedly spark plenty of conversations on your video call.

Show off your knowledge and climb to the top of the trivia charts.

2 - Virtual Clue Murder Mystery

If your friends and family would like to take part in an immersive experience, they can try to solve a murder mystery using Outback Team Building’s new application. This game combines video conferencing with an engaging application to make solving the mystery fun.

3 - Virtual Escape Room

Are you ready to put your team building skills to the test? The virtual escape room game exceeds all expectations, offering an engaging and immersive experience. If your friends or family are feeling rather adventurous, this is the perfect game to play.

4 - Scrabble (Mobile Version)

Who doesn’t love this classic board game? Scrabble is adored by millions of people across the globe. If you’re looking for some familiarity on your first virtual game night, this could be the ideal game to play.

5 - Heads Up! (Mobile App)

Heads Up! by Ellen DeGeneres brings a modern twist to the traditional guessing game format. With the power of video conferencing, this game has the potential to be hilarious.

6 - Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Virtual scavenger hunts are online competitions where participants race to complete certain challenges or find specific items.

7 - Laughter On Call

Laughter On Call is a unique concept that involves professional comics running a series of virtual games. When you sign up for Laughter On Call, you will be assigned a professional comic that leads a series of game night activities for your group.

I spy laughter. And it's most definitely "on call".

8 - Monopoly (Mobile App)

Are there any aspiring real estate tycoons in your group? Monopoly is another classic board game that can be easily played on Zoom with the support of the mobile app. 

9 - Catan Digital

If you cannot get enough of Catan, you need to check out this game in a digital format. This game has the potential to immerse friends and family in a world that feels engaging.

10 - Evil Apples: You Against Humanity!

The endless possibilities of fill-in-the-blank games can generate plenty of laughs. This game is no exception with its ability to encourage creativity and leave people in hysterics.

Are you looking for the best virtual game night activity? Get started with Water Cooler Trivia today!