Recreation activities that large groups can enjoy on Zoom
When you spend more time at home, it can feel like your fun is limited, but with the right ideas you can actually enjoy it far more than you’d expect.
In this article, we’ll introduce recreational activities you can enjoy with large groups at home using Zoom.
From “I didn’t know you could do that on Zoom” activities to classic Zoom-specific staples, we’ve compiled a variety of ideas.
Whether you turn your video on or off or move your body in front of the camera, these ideas can revolutionize those often-boring hours at home and make them genuinely fun—so be sure to give them a try.
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Recreation Activities for Large Groups on Zoom (11–20)
Werewolf game
The Werewolf Game has become a classic for playing with large groups.
You can, of course, use Zoom to play with friends who are far away! In Werewolf, players are divided into two teams—Villagers and Werewolves—and it’s a psychological game where you use discussion and deduction to find the werewolves.
The game is split into Day and Night phases, with different actions in each.
During the Day, players discuss and deduce who might be a werewolf.
Then everyone votes on the most suspicious person, and the selected player is executed.
This ends the Day and switches to the Night phase.
At Night, the Werewolves attack a Villager.
The Villager who is attacked is eliminated and announced when the next Day begins.
Once you actually play it, you’ll find it’s a surprisingly deep game!
Chronological picture-story show
This is the game “Perfect Chronology Kamishibai,” which became popular after top idols took on the challenge on a TV show.
Here’s how it works: using a well-known fairy tale, participants are assigned an order and must complete the story by imagining the correct sequence of events.
Once everyone has their turn assigned, each person visualizes the scene they’re responsible for and draws an illustration of that moment.
After all drawings are done, the kamishibai begins from the first person.
As they show their illustrations, they narrate the story—but since not everyone remembers the tale accurately, or they misjudge the pacing, they end up forcing connections, which can accidentally produce a totally wild and unexpected storyline.
It’s a game that guarantees lots of laughs!
Yubi-suma game
You probably played it at least once when you were a kid, right? This game is known by different names depending on the region, such as the “Yubi-suma game.” In some places, it’s also called “Sessen” or “Issei no se.” Here’s how to play: Each participant makes fists with both hands so that the thumbs are on top and holds them out in front where everyone can see.
Then, one person calls out a number along with a cue.
At that moment, each participant chooses either to raise their thumb or keep it down.
If the total number of raised thumbs matches the number that was called, the caller can pull back one hand.
Players take turns like this, and the first person to pull out both hands wins!
Shiritori with things found at home
Here’s a game you can play precisely because you’re at home: “Household Items Shiritori.” It’s a twist on the classic shiritori word game, played as a word-based association game that both kids and adults can enjoy.
The rules are basically the same as regular shiritori.
However, in Household Items Shiritori, you must actually show the item on camera.
Once you know which letter your item has to start with, you must find it within the time limit.
Since you use things you have at home, it also becomes a chance to learn about each person’s hobbies and favorite things!
Bamboo Shoot Gnocchi
Let’s try playing the familiar childhood game “Takenoko Nyokki” over Zoom! Here’s how to play: First, everyone puts their hands together in front of their chest to make the shape of a bamboo shoot.
Then say, “Takenoko, takenoko, nyokki-kki,” while moving your hands up and down.
That’s the signal to start the game.
After saying it, players, as fast as they can and one at a time, call out numbers in order like “1 nyokki,” “2 nyokki,” and so on.
If two people say the same number at the same time, or if you end up being the last one remaining, you lose.
Word Wolf
If you’re looking for a game that’s a bit more thrilling than usual, we recommend “Word Wolf.” In Word Wolf, the goal is to find the person in the group who was given a different prompt.
Here’s how to play: first, give each member a prompt.
At this time, only a small number of people in the group receive a different prompt.
You won’t know at this point whether your prompt is the same as everyone else’s.
Then everyone discusses the prompt, and you use your wits to figure out who is talking about a different one.
It’s a game that really makes you think!
riddle
One game that many people can enjoy over Zoom is riddles.
In recent years, brain-teasing activities like deduction and puzzle-solving—similar to escape rooms—have become popular among adults too.
With riddles, you can freely choose the prompts and difficulty, and you can even have fun with original riddles you create yourselves.
Also, instead of just solving riddles, switching to a tournament format or competing for points makes it even more exciting! Prepare penalties or prizes as well, and enjoy a full-fledged riddle competition!
Clumsy Paint
Games where you draw pictures—like Picture Shiritori or drawing games—are a lot of fun because they bring out each participant’s individuality.
They’re enjoyable regardless of drawing skill, but some people really struggle with drawing and feel embarrassed about others seeing their work.
A game that even those people can enjoy without worry is PonKotsu Paint.
It’s a game published by Hobby Japan, and amazingly, the rule is that you can only use circles and straight lines to draw.
With just circles and lines, even if you’re not good at drawing, everyone is on the same footing, so it should be easier to draw than usual!
Bingo game
Bingo is a staple of large year-end and New Year’s parties.
Some companies even prepare lavish prizes, and even if people don’t say it out loud, many secretly look forward to it, right? Let’s try hosting that ever-popular bingo game on Zoom! All you need are bingo sheets and a bingo app.
Distribute the bingo sheets to participants in advance.
Only the organizer needs to download a bingo app.
Any app will do.
That’s all the prep! After that, just gather on Zoom with your bingo sheets in hand, and you can enjoy the bingo game just like at a regular party!
Self-introduction Shiritori
If you want to make your usual self-introduction more fun and engaging, we recommend “Self-Intro Shiritori.” It’s a game that combines self-introductions with the Japanese word game shiritori, so you can enjoy yourselves while getting to know each other better! How to play: within a set time limit, compete to see how many facts about yourself you can say, following the shiritori rule (each entry starts with the last syllable of the previous one).
The key rule is that you may only say true information.
With the time pressure, you might be tempted to make something up to keep the chain going, but that means you’re out! The more you’re pressed, the more niche facts tend to come out, so it’s a great game to try even with people you’re already close to!
In conclusion
We introduced ideas for recreational activities that can be enjoyed by large groups on Zoom. Even online, you can have fun being active, and with a bit of creativity you can play all kinds of games, turning boring time at home into something instantly enjoyable. Find your perfect Zoom recreation and have fun!