Looking for games you can play over the phone?When you’re on a call with a friend or partner you can’t meet in person, you’ve probably thought, “It would be fun if we could play something together.”In fact, there are plenty of games that can get you excited even over the phone—from word games that require no prep to physical games that make use of video calls!In this article, we’ll introduce games you can easily enjoy while talking on the phone.Use them as conversation starters or tools to deepen your connection—give them a try!
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- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Punishment game ideas using a phone
- [Personality Test] Fun phone games: Exciting diagnostic quizzes
- Perfect for killing time! Fun games you can easily play on LINE
- Perfect for killing time! Games you can play with two people.
- Brain-teasing game roundup
- A collection of questions to liven up phone calls with someone you like or are interested in
- Recommended games for two people that you can enjoy without any equipment
- Perfect for killing time! A roundup of games for three people to enjoy
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- Recreation activities that large groups can enjoy on Zoom
Games you can play over the phone: Fun activities to liven up calls with friends or a partner (1–10)
Animal Tower BattleNEW!
It’s a game where you take turns stacking cute animals, and the first person to make them fall loses.
Anyone with a smartphone can install it and play.
You can place the animals however you like—even upside down or vertically! It might feel a bit mean, but try to arrange them so they don’t fall.
Chatting while the tower grows taller is sure to get everyone excited! Set goals like “Aim for XX meters” and have fun challenging each other.
I love you game
The “I love you” game where you say “I love you” to the person you’re on the phone with.
It’s recommended for those looking for a way to deepen bonds during calls with friends or partners.
The rules are simple: you repeat the same phrase, but you mustn’t laugh or get embarrassed.
Some people may find it easier to try precisely because it’s over the phone.
Try showing off a range of variations—whisper it, or say it loudly.
Why not give this game a try as a way to affirm your love, even when you can’t meet in person?
relay novelNEW!
In a relay novel, each participant first decides on a novel title they’d like to read.
Once decided, tell your title to one of the other participants.
Decide in advance whom to pass to—clockwise, for example.
When you receive a title, write just one page of a story that fits it.
You can also specify by character count.
When you’re done, pass it to the next person and repeat.
The fun twist is that from the second person onward, each writer can read only the immediately preceding section.
What kind of novel will emerge in the end? Finally, have everyone present their parts and enjoy the excitement together!
Personality test
A psychological test that judges personality and ways of thinking by choosing from multiple illustrations or answering questions.
It’s a game used at various events, but you can also play it over the phone with someone you can’t meet in person.
Prepare in advance with psychology test books, websites, or apps, then read the prompts aloud and ask the questions over the phone.
If the other person can do a video call, it’s also great to give tests that use illustrations.
It’s a simple activity—just answering test questions—but it can be a chance to discover unexpected sides of the other person.
Tongue Twister Showdown
When it comes to games that can easily liven up a phone conversation, tongue twisters are a great choice.
You line up words and phrases that are easy to stumble over and compete to see if you can say them quickly.
Try a wide range of phrases, from famous Japanese tongue twisters to unique ones.
Besides the usual versions, tackling English tongue twisters is also recommended.
It’s a word game you can enjoy just by listening to each other’s pronunciation, even without meeting in person.
Start with easy ones and gradually increase the difficulty.
No loanwords written in the script used for foreign terms
When it comes to games you can enjoy with someone over the phone while making small talk, one classic is “no katakana words.” The rule is simple: you’re not allowed to use loanwords that are typically written in katakana in everyday conversation.
You can already imagine the awkward pauses and laughter as soon as the game starts with a set topic.
Be careful, though—things may be going smoothly and you’ll blurt one out without thinking.
Try to stick to kanji and hiragana, or spice up the call by using creative phrasing to keep the conversation lively.
Games of all ages and places
A classic word game where players quickly answer a set topic in time with a rhythm.
Among games you can play over the phone, it’s easy to jump into since you don’t need any props.
If you’re playing with friends or a partner, choosing a theme based on shared interests will let you keep the game going longer.
You could also try school-life clichés or topics only the two of you would understand.
Clap along or add background music on the other end of the line to amp up the fun! If someone gets stuck or makes a mistake, doing an impression or voice imitation as a forfeit can be a blast.
Prohibition of voiced and semi-voiced sounds
Surprisingly—or rather, quite—difficult is this “no voiced or semi-voiced sounds” game.
Voiced and semi-voiced sounds are those with the dots or circle, like ga-gi-gu-ge-go or pa-pi-pu-pe-po.
In everyday speech, you don’t consciously check whether your words include them, right? That’s why it’s so easy to get eliminated during normal conversation in this game.
You might think, “I can probably manage without them,” but once they’re off-limits, you’ll be unexpectedly confused about how to talk.
It’s also fun to set a penalty or a favor to ask from the person who slips up the most the next time you meet!
Answer checking game
The answer-matching game is perfect for phone calls with friends or a partner to spark new conversations.
It’s an easy way to share feelings and values, so it’s also great for playing with someone you want to get closer to.
Choose a questioner, and have them suggest prompts that everyone can answer the same way.
If you’re on a phone call, say your answers simultaneously on a countdown.
On a video call, you can write your answers on paper and reveal them at the same time.
It works well one-on-one or with a larger group.
When everyone’s answers line up, you get a real sense of accomplishment—so try it as a way to deepen communication.
Favorite-things shiritori
A game where you play shiritori while taking turns telling each other what you like about the other person.
It’s a playful way to express feelings for friends or a partner that you might usually be too shy to say.
First, pick a starting kana from the syllabary, then play shiritori while saying something you like at each turn.
It’s also fun to set a penalty for anyone who gets embarrassed or bursts out laughing.
If it’s just the two of you, you’ll alternate turns, making it perfect for deepening a couple’s bond.
Even if you can’t meet in person, try this game to reaffirm each other’s love or friendship.