During these challenging times with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many of us find ourselves stuck at home, feeling worried and anxious. However, there are plenty of activities we can engage in to keep ourselves and our children entertained and uplifted. Playing games is a great way to pass the time and maintain our sanity.
Here are eight games that require little to no equipment—just a bit of creativity and participation. Let’s dive in!
Games to Strengthen Family Bonds During COVID-19
- Hangman
This classic word game is simple to set up. Choose a word and write it down with some missing letters. For example, if the word is “PANDEMIC,” you might write it as P_ _ D_ _ IC. Others take turns guessing the letters, and the first to guess the unscramblenow.com complete word wins points. Games like Hangman also provide a fun way to teach kids how to use online word tools like unscramblenow.com. - Find Words Within a Word
Pick a word with five to six letters and ask players to come up with as many smaller words as they can using the letters from the original word. Set a time limit to make it more challenging. The player who finds the most words wins. - The Name Game
Select a category, such as names, food, animals, or vegetables. The first player names an item, like “Emma” for names, and the next player must come up with a name starting with the last letter of the previous one—in this case, “A” (e.g., “Alice”). - Rhyme with Me
The first player says a one-syllable word, such as “pen,” and the next player must come up with a word that rhymes with it, like “hen.” Players are out if they repeat a word or fail to think of a new one within five seconds. Kids can prepare for this game using online word finders like instawordz.com. - What If…?
This game involves asking imaginative questions, such as “What would you do if the lockdown ended tomorrow?” or “What if you had a superpower to defeat the coronavirus?” This is a great way to spark creativity and understand how your children think. - Once Upon a Time
The first player starts a story with a single line, and each subsequent player adds a line to continue the narrative. The goal is to build a story together until it reaches a conclusion. - Amazing Recall
The first player says, “I went to the market and bought apples.” The next player repeats this and adds another item, like “bananas.” The game continues alphabetically, and players who forget the list or make a mistake are out. - Never Have I Ever…
Players take turns making statements like, “Never have I ever liked chocolates.” The others guess if the statement is true or false. This game can lead to funny and revealing conversations, helping everyone get to know each other better.
These are just a few examples of games that can bring your family closer together while keeping everyone entertained during lockdowns. Remember, staying cheerful and connected is one of the best things we can do during these times.