You found our list of fun texting games.
Texting games are informal games that involve sending messages back and forth between mobile devices. Examples include 20 Questions, Emoji Translation, and Kiss, Marry, Kill. The purpose of these games is to provide entertainment, deepen social interactions, and pass the time creatively. These texting games are also known as SMS games and games to play while texting.
These texting games are types of games to play with friends and coworkers, similar to group chat games, connection games and team building activities for conference calls.
This list includes:
- online texting games
- number texting games
- games to play while texting
- 2 person texting games
Let’s get to it!
List of games to play over text
From Emoji Decoder to Would You Rather, here is our list of the best texting games.
1. Emoji Decoder
Perfect for spicing up your text conversations, Emoji Decoder challenges players to interpret strings of emojis to uncover a hidden message or guess a movie, book, or phrase. The game starts by choosing one player to send a sequence of emojis representing a concept or object. The other player then attempts to crack the code. This activity brings laughs, improves communication, and gives you a chance to give those lesser-used emojis a workout.
Find more communication games.
2. 20 Questions
20 Questions is a classic guessing game that translates seamlessly into texting, providing endless entertainment and intrigue. One player thinks of an object, and the other has 20 chances to ask yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is. The game is a great way to test your deductive reasoning skills and learn more about how your friends think. For added fun, restrict the category to a topic like movies, historical figures, or even personal memories to keep the guesses challenging and engaging.
Here are random questions you can use.
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3. Movie Lines
Movie Lines is a group texting game where you and your friends challenge each other to guess movies based solely on famous lines. Simply send a recognizable quote from a movie. The first player who guesses the film correctly gets to send the next quote. You could also play by sending part of a quote and challenging the other texters to finish the phrase. Or, for an extra challenge, send a GIF of that movie scene and have other players successfully guess the line that matches the moment.
4. Name Game
One engaging game to play over text is the Name Game. This game is simple yet endlessly entertaining. The first player starts by texting a celebrity’s name, and the next participant has to respond with another celebrity whose first name begins with the last letter of the previous name. For example, if the first person says “Angelina Jolie,” the next could reply with “Edward Norton.” This game keeps text conversation flowing and also tests your knowledge of celebrities. For a personal twist, you can expand the game to fictional characters or mutual friends. Be sure to keep the chain going until players pause or stumble!
Here are more name games to play.
5. Story Builder
Story Builder is a creative texting game where players contribute a sentence to build a collaborative story. Players take turns adding to the plot, creating an engaging narrative together. This activity sparks imagination and storytelling skills, encouraging participant teamwork and communication. By weaving together ideas and perspectives, Story Builder offers a fun way to craft unique tales while fostering collaboration in a virtual setting. This exercise also makes one of the best online texting games.
6. Riddle Me
You can engage your friends with the classic game of riddles through text messages. We recommend starting simple and gradually increase the difficulty to keep the intrigue alive. As you send each riddle, your friends can reply with their guesses. You can keep a score to add a competitive element or simply enjoy the exchange of witty and challenging riddles.
Examples:
- The more of this there is, the less you see. What is it? (Answer: Darkness)
- What has keys but can’t open locks? (Answer: A piano)
- I’m tall when I’m young and short when I’m old. What am I? (Answer: A candle)
- What can travel around the world while staying in the same spot? (Answer: A stamp)
This game sharpens your mind and fosters fun and interactive communication, perfect for long-distance friendships!
See more icebreaker riddles.
7. Abbreviation Challenge
The Abbreviation Challenge is a texting game that tests your knowledge of shorthand language. Players take turns sending well-known or obscure abbreviations while others guess their meanings. From simple terms like “LOL” (laugh out loud) to more complex expressions like “OOTD” (outfit of the day), this game is a lively way to challenge your friends and learn new terms.
Here are more examples:
FWIW – For What It’s Worth
NRN – No Reply Necessary
IYKYK – If You Know, You Know
YMMV – Your Mileage May Vary
JOMO – Joy Of Missing Out
BTT – Back To Topic
You could also make up your own abbreviations and challenge friends to guess. This exercise is one of the most fun games to play while texting.
8. Friendship Tag
Friendship Tag is the perfect texting game for friends who think they know everything about each other. Each round starts by texting a question like “What’s my favorite ice cream flavor?” or “Which city did I think was the most beautiful on my Europe trip?” The friend receives the text and responds with their guess. To make the game more engaging, tally up scores to see who remembers the most.
This activity is a fun, light-hearted game that deepens understanding and rekindles memories among pals.
9. Truth or Dare
Truth or Dare, a classic party game, easily transitions into a texting format, becoming a compelling way to learn secrets and challenge friends. The game starts by asking your friend to choose either ‘truth’ or ‘dare’. If your friend selects ‘truth,’ send a probing question about their life or opinions. For ‘dare,’ the player must perform a task and text photo proof. Just be sure the challenges are safe and appropriate for maintaining a fun, respectful atmosphere. This game can keep the conversation lively and full of surprises, providing insights and laughter.
Check out this truth or dare generator.
10. Unscramble Words
Unscramble Words is a well-liked texting game where players decipher mixed-up words. The challenge includes rearranging letters to create the right word within a set time. This activity assesses vocabulary and critical thinking skills and provides an entertaining method to interact with friends or family via text messages. Taking part in Unscramble Words can boost cognitive skills, promote communication among participants, and function as a brain workout to improve language abilities. Playing these games adds fun and mental stimulation to daily routines and can be a great way to pass the time if you are waiting in line or in a lobby.
11. Hangman Text
In Hangman Text, players guess letters to reveal a hidden word within a set number of tries. The player who guesses the word correctly wins, while wrong guesses result in adding parts to a stick figure for “hanging.” This classic game is an enjoyable and interactive method to test your vocabulary and interact with friends via text.
12. Song Lyrics
You can liven up your texting routine with the Song Lyrics game, a delightful way to challenge your friends to a duel of musical knowledge and creativity. Simply start by sending a line from a well-known song to your friend. Your friend then has to reply with the next line of the lyrics. The game continues with players texting back and forth until one of you stumbles. You can increase the difficulty by choosing more obscure songs or even switching genres. This game is entertaining and also a fantastic way to discover new music and reminisce about old favorites.
13. Finish the Sentence
This engaging game is perfect for those who love to get creative with words. To start the game, text a part of a sentence to your friend, such as “On my way to the store, I saw…” or “If I could have any superpower, it would be…” Then, your friend completes the sentence with an imaginative twist. The game can be endlessly amusing as you both explore different scenarios and ideas, making every round unpredictable and entertaining.
14. Would You Rather
Perfect for sparking creative and hilarious conversations, the “Would You Rather” game has players choosing between two unique scenarios.
For example:
- Would you rather always feel like you’re forgetting something or always feel like you’re being watched?
- Would you rather live in a place with no seasons or extreme seasons?
- Would you rather always have the same meal every day or never eat the same meal twice?
- Would you rather be famous for something embarrassing or completely unknown your entire life?
The game helps folks delve into each other’s preferences and thought processes. Players must justify their choice, often leading to unexpected revelations and laughs. The game is a great way to pass the time and offers fascinating insights into the minds of your texting buddies.
Would You Rather can also be one of the easiest number texting games, because you can use 1 or 2 to answer.
Learn more about would you rather questions.
15. Word Association
Word Association is a well-known game where participants promptly reply with the initial word that comes to mind upon seeing a word from another participant. This game can establish surprising links between words, demonstrating distinctive associations individuals form. In addition to being entertaining, Word Association can boost brainpower and language skills. As a texting game, you can play battle-royale-style with one other player in a group text, where all players respond to a prompt, and then the group votes on the best answer.
Check out more word games.
16. Mystery Sound
Mystery Sound involves sharing audio recordings of various sounds to prompt friends to guess what they hear. This activity helps test listening skills and creativity, fostering playful interactions among participants. By choosing distinct sounds to record, players can increase the engagement and challenge of the game. Mystery Sound provides a fun way to connect with others through technology, introducing an element of surprise and curiosity to text chats.
17. Guess the Character
The texting game involves guessing a character by taking turns describing a famous person or fictional character. Players provide clues related to physical appearances and personality traits. The game tests knowledge and deduction skills as players unravel the mystery of each character. “Guess the Character” is an entertaining way to challenge friends’ pop culture knowledge and keep conversations engaging. This activity also makes one of the best 2 person texting games.
Here are more guessing games.
Final Thoughts
Exploring various texting games offers a unique way to connect with colleagues and friends remotely. These games not only serve as a break from routine but also help in building stronger communication ties. They are easy to initiate and can adapt to different group sizes or individual preferences. Engaging in these activities can improve problem-solving skills and enhance team creativity.
Next, check out our posts on Werewolf game rules, this or that questions, and online drinking games.
