Fun Games to Play on Video Chat With Strangers

Sometimes a random video chat starts well, then stalls. A quick game is one of the easiest ways to restart it. The best games to play on video call with a stranger need no app, no sign-up and almost no explaining. Here are word games, question games and drawing games that work well with someone you've just met, plus a few tips to keep things friendly.

How to suggest a game

Even the best games to play on video call only work if the other person is up for it.

Keep it casual and easy to say no to:

• "Want to play a quick game? It's called Would You Rather."
• "I've got a fun one if you're up for it. Two Truths and a Lie?"
• "Random idea: 20 Questions? I'll think of something first."

If they're not interested, no problem. Carry on chatting or move on.

No-setup word games

These need nothing but talking, so they also work on voice chat and, with a little patience, on text.

Word association

One person says a word, the other replies with the first word that comes to mind, and you keep going as fast as you can. It's silly, quick and often leads to funny tangents ("Why did 'banana' make you say 'grandmother'?").

The alphabet game

Choose a category, like foods, cities or animals. Take turns naming something for each letter: A for apple, B for banana, and so on. Whoever gets stuck for more than five seconds loses the round.

One-word story

Build a story together, one word each. It almost never makes sense, and that's the fun. Try a sentence-at-a-time version if one word feels too fast.

Categories

Pick a letter and a category, then both try to name as many things as you can in 30 seconds. Countries beginning with "M" is a great one for international chats.

Question games

Question games are perfect for random chat because they double as getting-to-know-you conversations.

Would You Rather

Each person asks a "Would you rather…?" question and the other has to choose and explain why. Keep them fun:

• "Would you rather only eat breakfast food or only eat dinner food forever?"
• "Would you rather be able to speak every language or play every instrument?"
• "Would you rather live by the sea or in the mountains?"

20 Questions

One person thinks of a thing, person or place. The other gets up to 20 yes-or-no questions to guess it. Using famous places or foods from your country can turn it into a mini cultural exchange.

Two Truths and a Lie

Say three facts about yourself, two true and one false, and the other person guesses which is the lie. It's a great way to share stories, but keep the facts general. There's no need to reveal your workplace, address or anything else that identifies you.

This or That

Rapid-fire choices: coffee or tea, beach or city, early bird or night owl, books or films. It's fast, low pressure and gives you plenty of follow-up questions.

Hot Takes (keep it mild)

Each person shares a harmless "unpopular opinion", like "pineapple belongs on pizza" or "cold weather is better than hot", and the other agrees or argues. Steer clear of politics and religion unless you both clearly want to go there.

Drawing and guessing games

These need video and something to draw with. Photo sharing is currently off on randomstrangers.chat, so the easiest method is a pen and paper held up to the camera.

Quick sketch guessing

One person draws something in 30 seconds while the other guesses. Animals, foods and everyday objects work best. Bad drawings are half the fun.

Draw each other's description

One person describes a simple scene ("a cat wearing a hat on a boat"), and the other draws it. Then swap. Compare results and laugh.

Charades

Act out a film, animal or activity without speaking. Make sure your whole upper body is in frame, and keep it simple.

Show and tell

Not exactly a game, but it works like one: each person shows an object near them and tells a short story about it. A mug, a plant or a souvenir is perfect. Just check that nothing personal, like letters, documents or a view that reveals your location, is in shot.

Keeping games friendly

Games should make the chat more relaxed, not less comfortable.

• Keep it clean. Sexual content isn't allowed (see the community guidelines), and it's best to skip dares or anything that pressures someone to do or show something.
• No personal-info games. Avoid questions that dig for full names, addresses, schools or social handles.
• Let either person stop. If the other person loses interest, switch back to normal chat.
• Mind language barriers. Fast word games can be hard in a second language. Slow down, or pick a question game instead.
• Know your controls. If someone turns a game into something inappropriate, leave straight away. Report and Block end the chat instantly, and you won't be matched with a blocked person again.

If you need an opener before the game, our list of conversation starters has plenty. And if a game leads to a chat you'd like to continue, our guide on how to make friends online explains how to keep in touch safely.

Play your first game

Pick two games to play on video call from this list, keep them in mind, and start a free random video chat on randomstrangers.chat. It's free, anonymous and runs in your browser on phone, tablet or desktop. Adults 18+ only.