Playing games over text includes activities like ’20 Questions,’ ‘Would You Rather,’ story-telling games, and simple number or word guessing challenges.
Ever find yourself bored with just plain texting? You’re not alone! Many of us are wondering what are games to play over text to add some fun to our conversations. It’s easy to feel stuck in the same old chat routine, but there’s a whole world of entertaining options.
These games can range from simple wordplay to collaborative story creation, perfect for killing time or just making a connection. They’re a great way to engage with friends and family without needing to be together in person. They can bring a dose of excitement and laughter right into your message threads.
What are Games to Play Over Text?
Have you ever been super bored, but you can’t hang out with your friends in person? Or maybe you’re just chilling at home and want something fun to do that doesn’t involve a screen that you need to stare at? That’s where text message games come in! They’re a fantastic way to pass the time, have a laugh, and connect with people using just your thumbs and a phone. We’re talking about games you can play using your regular text messages – no fancy apps needed.
Why Text Games are Awesome
Text games are more than just a way to avoid boredom; they offer several benefits:
- Convenience: You can play them anywhere, anytime. All you need is your phone and a cell signal. It is that easy.
- Simplicity: Most text games are easy to understand and require very little setup or preparation. This is the beauty of the text message games.
- Connection: They’re a fantastic way to build relationships, spark friendly competition, and simply have a fun interaction with someone. Connecting with your loved ones is more fun this way.
- Affordable fun: Games played by text message don’t cost you money. It’s already included in your phone plan. So you can enjoy this game without worrying about spending any money.
- Variety: You will find that there are many types of text-based games, ensuring there’s something for everyone. There are various kinds of games to choose from according to your own taste and choices.
Types of Text Message Games
Let’s dive into some of the different types of games you can play over text. There is a game for every mood and every situation.
Word Games
Word games are great for flexing your vocabulary muscles. They are simple, quick and fun games for playing on text message. These games are a way to have fun with your words.
20 Questions
One person thinks of something (a person, place, or thing), and the other person tries to guess it by asking up to 20 yes-or-no questions. This is a classic game that never goes out of style.
Example:
Person 1: I’m thinking of something.
Person 2: Is it an animal?
Person 1: No.
Person 2: Is it a place?
Person 1: Yes.
Story Time
One person starts a story with a sentence or two, then the other person adds to it, and so on, back and forth. It’s like creating a story together, and the results can be hilarious. You never know where the story is going to take you.
Example:
Person 1: The cat decided to take a trip to the moon.
Person 2: Once there, the cat met a friendly alien made of cheese.
Person 1: The cheese alien offered the cat a slice of moon pie.
Would You Rather
In this game, one person gives a “would you rather” question, and the other person has to choose between the two options. It is a simple and a very interesting way to know how others think and what preferences they have.
Example:
Person 1: Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?
Person 2: I would rather have the ability to fly.
Word Association
One person starts with a word, and the other person has to say the first word that comes to mind, and so on. This helps to find the creativity in yourself. It also lets you understand how another person thinks.
Example:
Person 1: Cat
Person 2: Dog
Person 1: Bark
Person 2: Tree
Hangman
One person thinks of a word, and the other person guesses the letters. For every wrong guess, you draw a part of the hangman. This is a good game to test vocabulary, too.
Example:
Person 1: _ _ _ _ _
Person 2: A
Person 1: _ A _ _ A
Person 2: E
Person 1: _ A _ E A
Name, Place, Animal, Thing
This is another very popular game. One person chooses a letter, and then both players need to quickly come up with a name, a place, an animal, and a thing that start with that letter. First person to complete it gets one point.
Example:
Person 1: Letter B
Person 2: Name: Ben, Place: Berlin, Animal: Bear, Thing: Book
Person 1: Name: Bob, Place: Boston, Animal: Bird, Thing: Ball
Rhyme Time
One person says a word, and the next person has to come up with a word that rhymes with it. Keep going to see how long you can make it. This game is good for building vocabulary and also a good way to have fun.
Example:
Person 1: Cat
Person 2: Bat
Person 1: Hat
Person 2: Mat
Number Games
These games are all about numbers, logic, and a little bit of math.
Number Guessing Game
One person thinks of a number within a certain range, and the other person tries to guess it. The person who chooses the number provides clues like “higher” or “lower” to guide the guesser. It is a simple game that you can play over and over again.
Example:
Person 1: I’m thinking of a number between 1 and 100.
Person 2: 50
Person 1: Lower
Person 2: 25
Person 1: Higher
Math Puzzles
Send math problems or brain teasers to challenge each other. It can be anything from simple addition to trickier math problems. These types of games are a great way to keep your brain active.
Example:
Person 1: What is 12 x 7 + 5?
Person 2: 89
Counting Game
One person starts with a number, and then the other person continues to count. They can choose to count by 1s, 2s, 5s, or any other number. This game tests the calculation speed of each other.
Example:
Person 1: 10
Person 2: 15
Person 1: 20
Person 2: 25
Creative & Role-Playing Games
Time to let your imaginations run wild.
Role-Playing
Pick a setting and characters, then act out scenarios through text. You can be anything you want to be in this game, this is how creative this game is. This game encourages you to be very creative and build your imagination.
Example:
Person 1: I’m a knight, what are you?
Person 2: I am a wizard. Let’s go on an adventure.
Mad Libs
One person asks for parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.), then uses those words to fill in a story template. The results are always funny. This is a fun and interesting way to add laughter to your day.
Example:
Person 1: Give me a noun, a verb, and an adjective.
Person 2: Cat, Jump, Happy
Person 1: My cat jumped happily into the pool.
Emoji Stories
Tell a story using only emojis. It is an interesting way to test how the other person interprets your story. It tests the imagination and communication skills of both people.
Example:
Person 1: ☀️➡️🚶♀️➡️🌳➡️🍎➡️😋
Truth & Fun Games
Time for some honesty and lighthearted fun.
Truth or Dare
A classic game adapted for text. One person asks “Truth or Dare?” If the other person chooses truth, they have to answer a question honestly. If they choose dare, they have to do what is being asked. The dares could be simple, like sing a song.
Never Have I Ever
One person says “Never have I ever…” and the other person responds if they have done it. This is another way to know more about each other. It helps in building trust between two friends.
Example:
Person 1: Never have I ever gone camping.
Person 2: I have!
Other Fun Text Games
Here are some more games that are different and fun!
Spot the Difference
One person sends two similar messages with a small difference. The other person has to spot it. This is a game that tests your observation skills. It is a fun way to be attentive.
Example:
Person 1: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Person 1: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy cat.
I Spy
One person says “I spy with my little eye something that is…” and provides a clue about something around them, and the other person has to guess what it is. It is a great way to see things from a new perspective.
Song Lyrics
One person starts a song by typing one line, and then the other person needs to continue the song. This game is especially fun for music lovers. You can sing the song out loud as you type the lyrics to have extra fun.
Example:
Person 1: Twinkle twinkle little star
Person 2: How I wonder what you are
The Alphabet Game
One person starts with a word that starts with ‘A’, the other person needs to come up with a word that starts with ‘B’ and so on. This is a good way to test your vocabulary.
Example:
Person 1: Apple
Person 2: Ball
Person 1: Cat
Tips for Playing Text Games
- Be clear: Make sure your rules are easy to understand. When you are starting a game, make sure both people playing understand the rules clearly.
- Be patient: Text games are about having fun. Take your time with your replies.
- Be creative: Don’t be afraid to come up with your own variations. Try combining different games or create completely new ones.
- Stay respectful: Even if it is a competition, keep it friendly. There is no point in playing when you are not having fun.
- Don’t overdo it: Text games are great in moderation. Don’t let them get in the way of your other activities.
Text games are a great way to have some fun, connect with friends, and make time fly by! Whether you’re a fan of word puzzles, number challenges, or creative storytelling, there are text message games for everyone to enjoy.
28 Online Texting Games to Play With Your Friends
Final Thoughts
To quickly answer, what are games to play over text, consider simple word games like 20 questions or categories. You can also try story prompts, where you each add a sentence to build a narrative. These games offer fun ways to connect without video or voice calls.
Another idea is pictionary, describe the picture via text, or simple would you rather scenarios. This is a great way to pass the time and enjoy some lighthearted fun with friends. Playing these games is an easy method to stay connected.



