Social Distancing Archives

Phones and tablets are allowing connection to friends and family in an unexpected way. We are being asked to adhere to Social Distancing, but with technology we can still be social with friends and extended family. Since we are limited in who we can sit down across the table, the online space can begin to fill the void of being physical distant. There are free or inexpensive apps that allow you to connect to friends and play through the app. This may help to scratch that itch of wanting to play games with your friends and socialize, while still maintaining safe spacing.

Exploding Kittens

The Exploding Kittens takes the fun and ridiculousness of the card game and translated it to the digital space. The app allows you to play against two to five strangers, play a match with friends or play alone using the AI. The Exploding Kittens app contains exclusive cards too.

Rated: E 10+
Available on: iOS and Google Play
Cost: $1.99 (in app purchases)

Scrabble Go

Scrabble Go takes the classic game and taken it up a notch. In the app you can challenge and play with friends. Plus there are other competitive games modes to play including: Duels, Word Drop, Tumbler, and Rush.

Rated: E
Available on: iOS and Google Play
Cost: $0 (contains ads and in app purchases)

Words With Friends 2

The original Words With Friends was released in 2009 and was a game so many of us had on our phones. Words with Friends 2 is an updated version with new game modes, including word games, word puzzles, and more ways to challenge friends.

Rated: E
Available on: iOS and Google Play
Cost: $0 (contains ads and in app purchases)

Quiz Up

If you like trivia Quiz Up allows you to specialize by interest. For those with a wealth of knowledge you can also make own quizzes. The app also gives you the option to connect with friends or randomly connect with those who share a similar interest.

Rated: E
Available on: iOS and Google Play
Cost: $0 (contains ads and in app purchases)

Houseparty

Houseparty adds a unique element to the game apps, and it included video chat. There are a few games the can be played including: Heads up which is like the app of the same name, Chips and Guac which is like Apples to Apples, Trivia which has 18 different trivia decks, Quick draw which is like Pictionary

Rated: E
Available on: iOS and Android
Cost: $0 (in app purchases)

Mario Kart Tour

Mario Kart Tour is an app that will draw in experienced video gamers and casual phone gamers. Players can connect with up to seven other players in different locations. A Nintendo account is required to play. Players navigate the wide range of courses inspired by real world cities, with just their finger to steer and drift.

Rated: E
Available on: iOS and Google Play
Cost: $0 (in app purchases)

Scattergories

The classic game of Scattegories can be right at your fingertips. In Scattegories players are trying to come up with as many words beginning with a given letter on a category list. Players can challenge friends in a group or join with others randomly.

Rated: E
Available on: iOS and Google Play
Cost: $0

Catan Universe

For the gamers seeking a bit more strategy you can play Catan Universe. The game up to three players free of charge. There are so many different versions of Catan, and the app includes: the original board game, the card game and the expansions. A new feature added is ‘Catan – Rise of the Inkas‘!

Rated: E
Available on: iOS and Google Play
Cost: $0 (in app purchases)

Roll For It!

Roll for It! is a a simple game with bit of chance and a bit of strategy. Roll dice and match the cards to earn points, but choose carefully where you place your dice as you work towards a card. Once you put dice towards a card, you don’t get the dice back until someone wins the card. The app allows you to play locally with play and pass, online with friends, or against the AI.

Rated: E
Available on: iOS and Google Play
Cost: $1.99 (in app purchases)

What do you think? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

Make sure to keep your eyes on Engaged Family Gaming for all of the latest news and reviews you need to Get Your Family Game On!

Like us on Twitter!

Subscribe to our Newsletter!

Subscribe to our Podcast!

They say necessity is the mother of invention. Well, if that is true then quarantine is the mother of creative solutions. Social distancing has made it so we cannot get together and play board games with extended family and friends. However, with the technology available, friends can still hang out together while maintaining social distancing. For school and work many of us have been getting acquainted with different video conferencing forums. While those of you in the business world have been using platforms such as Webex for years, it is new to many of us.

There are a few ways to approach gaming via video conferencing: where all players have a copy of the game, where one player has a copy, or if there are common components players can scavenge from other games.

With One Copy

DIY Tripod to display the game board. (4 cans used)

To make it so all players can “share” the game components there needs to be all open information. It generally is not possible for each player to have a private hand of cards. Whomever has the game needs to have a way to display a view of the game. One option is to use their phone while logged into the video conference. Then putting it on a tripod or holding it is place with a stack of books or cans. I found a buffer is needed between the metal can and the phone. The height needed depends on the size of the game.

Cooperative Games

Forbidden Island is a cooperative game for two to four players. It pits a team of adventurers against an ever-sinking island in a quest to obtain four ancient artifacts and escape before the island sinks.

In Stop Thief player take on the roll of investigators trying to catch several thieves. They collect the reward money so they can retire. This game incorporates an app that provides sound clues to the location of the thief, different levels of difficulty in play as well as a cooperative mode.

Castle Panic places up to 6 players in a realm where all sorts of fantasy creatures are attempting to breach their castle. Players then work together to defend the castle from being taken by an army of orcs and trolls and goblins and their leaders. See the review here.

Competative Games:

Blurble is a game all about racing and talking. So many of us love to talk and this gives us the chance to put that talking to good use. In Blurble, players race to say a word first that starts with the same letter as the picture on the card. See the review here.

Sushi Roll takes the popular game Sushi Go and instead of card drafting players draft dice. There is no hidden information in this game. So if there is only one copy as long as the other players can see their choices they could make their choices on their turn. See the review here.

Each Location With a Copy

When each location has a copy of a game it opens up more options. Players can each draw from a deck or they can set up a simple game so the board at each location is identical. Some publisher have also created special rules to make their game playable over video conference.

Exploding Kittens is a family favorite that is just plain ridiculous. The team at Exploding Kittens has come up with a special set of rules for playing over video chat, which they are calling Quarantined Kittens. See the rules here,and our review of Exploding Kittens here.

Zombie Dice is a push your luck dice game where you want to roll (eat) brains before getting your turn ending by the shotgun blasts. These are custom dice, so they wouldn’t be able to be substituted with plain dice. See then review here.

Roll For It! is a simple and quick dice and card game. The object of the game is to be the first player to collect 40 points by managing dice and matching the appropriate dice to the cards in play. See the review here.

Apples to Apples and Apples to Apples Jr. are found on most family’s game shelf. This game has a rotating judge with silly words and phrases. With this each location can have their own draw decks.

Quixx is a roll and write where each roll also opens up an option to take a number for all players. In this game the color of the dice is significant, so if you have six sided dice of the appropriate color you could scavenge for dice if need be.

Dice Games using Standard Dice

Yatzee is a classic, and this may be the perfect time for an oldie but goodie. Most people have 6 sided dice around, even if they have to borrow from other games. If everyone can scrape together 5 dice, they can play! The score sheets can be found online and printed or just written on blank paper.

Farkle is a simple push your luck dice game that uses six standard six sided dice. Just like Yatzee if you can find six dice you can play. The score sheet can also be found online.