If your family is anything like mine, we are missing our friends and family like crazy! Mommy meetups and play dates have been put on hold, but with technology today, there is a way to play free games for kids online. The following platforms/games provide a way to play online with friends and ways to host a virtual game night. 

All of these online multiplayer games should be downloaded or played with parent supervision. Online safety is important with all activities our kids are doing these days. Having a conversation with your children about chatting online and stranger danger is important to do before letting them play any games. Below are both websites to play games, and individual apps to download games. If you are looking for more educational games, check out these cool math games or these baby games for the younger kiddos. Need help with your kids’ classwork? Check out these education companies offering free online education subscriptions.

Websites to Play Games Online

Air Console 

1+ players; designed for ages 6+ Air Console is an online video game console where your smartphones are the game controllers. The only thing is you’re playing games together on one screen. To get around this, one person will have to stream the browser game over Zoom so everyone else can join. Or you can just play with your family instead. The starter pack is free and comes with 11 games such as:

• KartGo! Air!: like Mario Kart (1-4 players)
• Burnin’ Rubber 5: racing game (1-4 players)
• Smoots Summer Games: sports games with track and field events (1-6 players)
• Friends Quiz-find out if you know your friends’ secrets (2-10 players)
• Drawing Evolution: a visual game of telephone (2-10 players)

Playingcards.io

1+ players; ages vary Playingcards.io is a website that allows you to play classic card games with up to 6 friends on your browser. All you have to do is share the “room link” to your friends, and you’re good to go. The games include:

• Backgammon
• Checkers
• Escoba – similar to the Italian game Scopa
• Crazy Eights
• Euchre
• Go Fish
• Remote Insensitivity– by renaming it, they got around copyright issues. Same as Cards Against Humanity (Note-adult content).

Pogo

1+ players; ages 5+ This site has a bunch of games for both single users or for multiplayers. There are plenty of free online games such as:

• Monopoly- classic monopoly or variations are available.
• Pogo Bowl- classic multiplayer bowling.
• Yahtzee Party– classic multiplayer Yahtzee.
• Dominoes– classic dominoes with your friends.

Skribblo

This drawing game is fun for even the younger kids and a bit like an online version of Pictionary. Create a private room so your family can play together without distractions, then you’ll be given prompts to draw. The random word generator is fun, but if you have younger children you’ll want to control the content by creating your own customize-able word list.

• Ages: 3+
• Players: Up to 6
• How to get it: Play online here

Popular Games on the App Store

Houseparty

(1-8 ppl; ages 6+) Houseparty  Billed as a “face-to-face social network”, Houseparty is an app that’s gaining users rapidly because of its simple ability to host easy group video chat. It’s not a new app though – it’s actually been around since 2016 and in 2019 was bought by Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite. It’s appealing because it’s simple to use.  You can pop in and out of a “house” rather than having to make a call, plus the barrier to entry is low requiring only basic personal details (yet you can find your friends very easily).  Like a few of the other video calling apps, Houseparty is free to use. There are some in-app purchases, but they’re not a requirement to use. The app is available for iPhone/iOS and Android as well as macOS.  The games, which can be played by up to 8 people at the same time, include:

• Heads Up!
• Chips & Guac- similar to Apples to Apples
• Trivia 
• Quick Draw.

A note for parents: It is possible for people you may not know to join the “houseparty.” To keep this from happening, set the app to private mode before letting your kids play.

Bunch

2 to 8 people, depending on game Bunch is very similar to Houseparty so if you get bored, download Bunch from your app store (along with your friends) and try some of their games. The pre-installed games on Bunch include:

• Mars Dash- puts you and your friends in the shoes of a space-exploring astronaut in this simple, yet action-packed game.
• Pool- allows you to play the classic game of pool.
• Draw Party- brings the fun of Pictionary to your smartphones & tablets.
• Charades- a popular game on Bunch just like the normal Charades you would play in person.

Apps to play games:

Mario Kart Tour

Download this classic game for free from the app store or play store and challenge your kids to a race with Mario and the gang. In-game friends can be added to your account, or you can play against strangers. Just watch out for in-app optional purchases, and make sure that parental controls are in place to prevent unauthorized charges.

• Ages: 4+
• Players: 2-7
• How to get it: get on Google Play for Android or Apple store for iPhones

Heads Up

This game is based on the old party favorite where players hold up a piece of paper on their forehead and try to guess what is written on it by asking questions. With the online version, you can nix the pen and paper and use your phone to display a category and object for the other players to give you clues. This classic game is available for both Android & Apple users.

• Ages: 12+
• Players: 2 or more
• How to get it: get on Google Play for Android or Apple store for iPhones

Scattergories

THINK FAST! Name a fruit that starts with the letter “B”. What about an animal that starts with the letter “R”? The more creative your answers, the more points you score! This classic game is available for both Android & Apple users.

• Ages: 4+
• Players: 2+
• How to play: get on Google Play for Android or Apple store for iPhones

 Scrabble Go

The classic game of creating and spelling out words available for both Android & Apple users.

• Ages: 5+
• Players: 2+
• How to play: get on Google Play for Android or Apple store for iPhones.

Pokemon Go

Although most people associate this game with getting outside, it’s actually possible to play at home. Kids will love trying to find their favorite characters whether you do it indoors or in the backyard. Each player should add themselves to your friend list so that you can interact as you play. This classic game is available for both Android & Apple users.

• Ages: 9+
• Players: 1 or more
• How to get it: get on Google Play for Android or Apple store for iPhones

Avo is a fun app that tells the story of an avocado brought to life in this magical adventure. Only available for Apple devices.

• Ages: 4+
• Players: Up to 6
• How to play: Get on Apple store

FOR MORE STUCK AT HOME RESOURCES:

• Join one of your kids’ favorite authors or illustrators for online story time!
• Make a headband with button for mask. 
• Travel the world from your couch with this list of 40+ virtual field trips.
• A dozen moms shared how they are keeping sane with a schedule for school at home.
• Let kids explore this virtual Hogwarts escape room!
• Get kids off technology and back to basics with learning worksheets you can print at home!
• Make being stuck at home fun with our favorite indoor games for kids.
• Print out some Frozen 2 coloring pages.
• My kids are obsessed with these active indoor games.
• 5 minute crafts are saving my bacon right now — so easy!
• Impress your “students” with fun facts for kids!
• Make a quarantine time capsule. 
• Make bread!
• Use this hand washing trick for kids… it’s baby shark time!
• Check out tips for how to homeschool preschool. 
• Try these favorite halloween games.
• Have you seen these zoom activities for kids.
• Here’s how your kid can learn how to play chess!
• Next game night bust out this free printable escape room!
• Our favorite kids train videos touring the world…
• Check out this Bunco Party Box with printable score cards!

Make reading even more fun with this PB kid summer reading challenge.