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Online Games to Play with Friends: Fun & Free Options for Virtual Hangouts

12 Online Games to Play with Friends. Illustration on the top of a woman with dark short hair looking at a computer screen and waving.

Are you looking for fun ways, like video calls and mobile games, to stay connected with friends and loved ones, no matter the distance? Perhaps you just want to hang out with your online friends. Well, get ready to level up your virtual game nights with some awesome online games that will have you laughing, strategizing, and making unforgettable memories together!

Hosting virtual game nights is a fantastic way to bond with your pals, whether you’re catching up with college buddies, celebrating a special occasion, or just looking for a fun way to spend a Saturday night. And the best part? You don’t even have to leave your couch! So, let’s dive into some of the best online games to play with friends that are sure to make your virtual gatherings a hit.

1. Catch Phrase

Get ready to have a blast playing Catchphrase online! It’s a fun word-guessing game that’s perfect for quick-thinking friends. You take turns giving clues while others try to guess. The best part? It’s free and you can play fun games with as many friends as you want. Here’s how to play: describe something without saying its name, and your team has to guess. Keep the game smooth by having only some players guess at once. Use gestures or words to pass turns between players. Have fun playing and keep score using paper or online tools.

2. Virtual Escape Room

Join Virtual Online Escape Rooms for a fun time with friends! Work together to solve puzzles and beat the clock in unique adventures. You can play for free or pay, and invite up to 24+ players. Choose themes like mystery, horror, or fantasy! To start, the host buys the game from the play store and shares it on a screen. Each player gets a special code to join. Then, the fun begins as you work together to solve puzzles before time runs out. Whether you want to have fun with friends or challenge your brain, Virtual Online Escape Rooms are a great way to have a blast for hours!

3. Jackbox Games

Jackbox lets you play a bunch of different games online with your friends using your phones. You can draw, guess lies, or be super witty in different games. Just buy a game, share a code, and start playing with up to 8 people. It’s easy for everyone to join, no matter how old you are. Jackbox makes virtual hangouts fun and exciting, so get ready to have a blast with your buddies!

Some of my favorite Jackbox games are Drawful2, Fibbage, and Quiplash.

4. Werewolf

Invite your friends try to figure out who the werewolves are. Everyone gets secret roles like werewolves or villagers, and you gotta use strategy and tricks to win. It’s like Mafia, but with its own twists that make it super fun! To play Werewolf, you need to download the app for free and assign roles to everyone.

Werewolves want to eat the villagers, while villagers want to catch the werewolves. Talk, accuse, and vote to win the game by making smart choices. Have a blast deceiving your friends in Werewolf as you try to find the werewolves or hide your identity.

5. Codenames

Codenames is a fun word game where you act like spies and give clues to find secret agents. It helps with teamwork and thinking skills. You can play online for free with friends all over the world. It’s great for 2 to 8 players and comes in different languages.

In the game, you guess words on a grid without picking the black one that makes you lose.

To play online, the host makes a room, players join as different roles and works together to decoding clues and discovering secret agents with your pals!

6. Monopoly

Yes, you can play monopoly online! It’s a fun game to dive into with. Friend while you catch up on life from anywhere..

7. Psych!

Get ready to have a blast playing Psych! It’s a fun game where you trick your friends with fake answers to silly questions. Playing Psych! is easy – just download the app and join using a code. The host runs the game, so it’s simple for everyone. Show off your creativity by making up funny lies to earn points and beat your friends.

8. Exploding Kittens

Get ready for a fun game called Exploding Kittens! The goal is simple: avoid drawing the exploding kittens card. It’s a mix of strategy and silliness that keeps you on your toes with surprises. It’s great for quick rounds with friends and perfect for virtual game nights. You can play with up to six friends at once. Just download the app, create a private game room, and get ready for some suspenseful fun!

9. Selfie Game

Get ready to have fun with The Selfie Game! It’s a hilarious party game where you use selfies to make funny captions and drawings. It’s like Pictionary, but with selfies instead of drawing on paper you draw on selfies of each other. You can play with 3 to 10 friends, and it’s super easy to set up – just buy the game and stream it on your TV or computer. So, grab your phone, take some goofy selfies, and get ready to laugh and show off your artistic side with The Selfie Game!

10. Read the Room

“Read the Room” is a fun game where you guess your friends’ traits by watching how they act. It’s perfect for 3-12 players and great for virtual hangouts or game nights. The game is like “Never-Have-I-Ever” and “Family Feud,” mixing personal stuff with survey questions to keep everyone entertained. To start, the host needs an iPad or Apple TV. Players download the game and log in with a code like Jackbox Games. It’s free to play and super fun!

11. Charades

Charades is simple and good for all ages. Whether with family or friends, it’s a fun game everyone can enjoy. It’s endless entertainment that will make you laugh and bond with your pals. Not only is Charades a classic party game, but it’s also great for team building. By working together to guess words, you’ll improve communication and teamwork skills. So why not play Charades online with your friends? It’s a classic game that will bring lots of laughter and memories to your virtual hangouts!

12. Risk

Risk is an intense strategy game where you try to take over the world — and you can play it online. Risk is great for friends who like a challenge. You can team up or fight each other. Every choice you make in the game is important and can decide if you win or lose.

13. Cardzmania

Cardzmania is a fun website where you can play card games with your friends. You can choose from many games like Poker, Solitaire, Rummy, and more. You can play with up to 7 friends, no matter where they are. Just make an account, invite your friends, and start playing! For extra fun, you can also video chat while playing.

14. Board Game Arena

Board Game Arena is a site where you can play popular board games like Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride and 7 Wonders with friends from all over the world. It’s like having a game night on your computer or tablet, making it easy to hang out and have a good time, even if you’re far apart.

15. Scattegories

Scattergories is a fun game where you have to think of words that fit different categories before time runs out. Jump online and play a game of categories with friends for a fun Friday night in.

16. Uno

You can play Uno play online with friends. You match colors and numbers and use special cards to mess with your friends. It’s fun and easy to play together, even if you’re far away. Uno allows anyone of any age to join in on the fun.

17. Settlers of Catan

Settlers of Catan is a well known strategy game, and you can play it online! If all your Catan friends moved away, never fear. You can fire up a virtual game.

18. Chess

Chess is a classic! Play with friends or family to stay connected and keep your brain sharp.

Final Thoughts

Wow, that was quite the lineup of online games to play with friends! Whether you’re in the mood for some fast-paced word guessing, immersive virtual adventures, or classic board games with a digital twist, there’s something for everyone on this list. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your crew, pick your favorite game, and let the virtual fun begin!

Before you go, don’t forget to check out our guide to the “Six Roles of Hosting” to make sure your virtual game night goes off without a hitch. And for even more tips, ideas, and platforms, head over to our blog post “Virtual Game Night: Tips, Ideas & Platforms.” Trust us, with these resources and your newfound arsenal of online games, your virtual hangouts will never be the same again. Happy gaming, friends!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play these online games for free?

Yes, many of the listed online games offer free versions or have options to play without purchasing. Some may include in-game purchases for additional features or content.

How many players can participate in these online games?

The number of players varies depending on the game. Some games are designed for smaller groups like 2-4 players, while others can accommodate larger groups with up to 10 or more players.

Are these online games suitable for all age groups?

Most of the listed online games are family-friendly and suitable for a wide range of age groups.

Can I play these online games on different devices?

Yes, many of the listed online games are cross-platform compatible, allowing you to play with friends using different devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.

Do I need to download any software to play these online games?

For most of the listed online games, you can simply access them through a web browser without requiring any downloads. However, some platforms may offer dedicated apps for a smoother gaming experience.

Profile Photo for Alex Alexander a blonde haired white woman smiling at the camera. She is in her 30s with her hair down and curled and wearing a grey sweater.

Hi! I'm Alex.

I am just a person who has spent an extraordinary amount of time trying to understand some of the relationships that I hold most dear. I invite you to join in on the conversation below in the comments section below.

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Hi. I'm Alex.

I'm just a gal who cares deeply about community + friendship. Why? Well, I didn't have a healthy support system growing up.

So I built one... out of friends. I believe a healthy support system is the ultimate self-care.

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