Play these fun zoom games with kids when you need to take a break from learning. Host your own Virtual Recess!
Does your classroom or group of kids need a break from online learning? Why not host a virtual recess?! Your crew of kids will love playing these games on their video call.
Download my Free Virtual Recess PDF to have a hard copy of all of these fun online meeting games.
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Scattegories
Each child will need a piece of paper and pencil. In traditional Scattergories, a 20-sided die, with letters on each side, is rolled to determine the letter for the round. Then, each person uses that letter to complete a list of random categories like actors, colors, things you find on a zoo. Each answer needs to start with the designated letter. You get a point for each original answer. If someone else has the same word as you, neither of you get the point.
Swellgarfo has a fun online Scattergories experience. You will see a template with a random letter, a list of random categories, and a timer. Just share your screen and make sure all of the kids have a pencil and paper.
Once the host presses the “play” button, each person will have 120 seconds to record their answers. At the end of the round, add up the scores. Then press the “restart” button to the right to start the next round. It’s helpful to decide how many rounds to play before you start. Get those brains working and have some fun!
Scattegories Game Bundle
Name, Place, Animal, Thing
Similar to Scattegories, but no online tool or list required! Each child will need a pencil and piece of paper.
The host will pick a letter, then each player is challenged to choose a celebrity (name), place, animal, and thing that starts with that letter. The first player to type all four into the Zoom chat feature wins the round.
Bingo
To play virtual Bingo, each student will have to have their own Bingo card. You can have each child make their own (5×5 squares filled with numbers 1-75). Or you can tell them to go to ActivityConnection.com Bingo Cards and print a random page.
Then share your screen and use a Bingo Number Generator to call the game. Play a traditional game: horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line wins. If you really need to fill up the clock, let the kids play to fill their entire cards.
Pictionary
The child who is drawing will need a pencil and pad of paper or white board to hold up to the screen. The host will privately use a random word generator (do not share your screen). Make sure to use the drop-down box and select “Pictionary”. Then, click “New Word”. The host will then private message the word to a chosen student to draw.
The student should be able to hold a pad of paper to the screen and draw with the other hand so that all can see and guess. Or the student can share their screen and use a drawing program like Paint to draw (note, this is much harder).
Whoever guesses correctly first becomes the next drawer. Use a timer to add a competitive flair!
Pictionary
Charades
Get the kids up and moving with virtual charades. The host will privately use a random word generator (do not share your screen). Make sure to use the drop-down box and select “Charades”. Then, click “New Word”. The host will then private message the word to a chosen student to draw.
The student should can act out the word and everyone shouts out guesses. Whoever guesses correctly first becomes the next actor. Use a timer to add a competitive flair!
Charades for Kids
Virtual Field Trips
The host can share their screen and take the children on a virtual field trip. Explore our Earth, Theme Parks, Zoos, National Parks, Museums, Art Galleries, and more!
Rock, Paper, Scissor Tournament
Kids will love this epic tournament. Prior to the meeting, the host needs to create and print a bracket – Just leave everything as the default setting, scroll to the bottom of the page and enter the number of children that will be on the virtual call (under “Number of Teams”). Click “Create my bracket” and then print the free pdf.
Fill in the names of the children ahead of time or as you go. Have children go head-to-head in a game of Rock, Paper, Scissor. They must win two out of three games to move to the next round. Fill out the bracket and show it to the children as you go. Encourage the kids to cheer all the way to the championship!
Hangman
Share your screen and play Hangman online. Or use the Zoom whiteboard to select a word, phrase, or thing and start taking guesses! If you’re not using Zoom, just hold up a piece of paper or white board to the screen and play the old fashion way.
Hangman by Melissa & Doug
More…
Here’s a list of more simple ideas:
- Show and tell – Have kids take turns
- Tell jokes and riddles
- Read a story
- Show Yoga for Kids (select the 5-20 minute videos)
- Host a Dance Party (Kidz Bop has some)
- Play Simon Says
- Go Noodle has lots of Indoor Recess videos (all about 15 minutes)
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Kids Joke Book
I hope you enjoy playing these virtual games with your crew. Please let me know in the comments if you have any more ideas!
More Virtual Learning Resources
If you liked this activity, check out some of my other virtual learning resources:
- Creating a Distance Learning Workspace
- Free Educational & Inspirational Printouts for you Home Classroom
I also have a bunch of fun and easy crafts. Check out some of my Favorite Crafts!
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