35 Fun Games To Play With Friends Over Text

35 Exciting Games To Play With Friends Over Text

Texting isn’t just for quick hellos or status updates—it’s also a gateway to fun! Whether your friends live far away, you’re passing time between meetings, or you want to add excitement to routine chats, games played over text are a fantastic way to bond, laugh, and create new memories. Here’s a roundup of the best games you can play with friends over text, guaranteed to spark lively conversation and plenty of smiles.

Table of Contents

• Truth Or Dare
• 20 Questions
• Would You Rather
• Song Lyrics
• Hangman
• Abbreviations
• Two Truths & A Lie
• Never Have I Ever
• Unscramble Words
• Finish The Sentence
• I Spy
• Compliment Battle
• May the Best Caption Win
• Texting Trivia
• Lightning Round
• Memory of the Moment
• Texting Roulette
• Choose-Your-Own-Adventure
• FAQs

Truth Or Dare

One of the most classic party games, Truth or Dare easily adapts to texting. Ask your friend whether they want “truth” or “dare.” If they choose “truth,” send a probing or funny question they must answer honestly. For “dare,” challenge them with a task, like sending a silly selfie or texting another friend a specific phrase. Make sure the dares remain safe and respectful to maintain fun vibes for all involved.

• Great for learning secrets and sparking laughter.
• Encourages both honesty and creativity.
• Share photo proof through texts for extra fun!

20 Questions

This guessing game sharpens your deduction skills and brings a competitive edge to texting. One person thinks of an object, person, or place, and the other has 20 yes/no questions to figure out what it is. The fewer questions needed, the more impressive the win!

• Encourages strategic questioning and active listening.
• Can be tailored to themes, like movies or celebrities.

Would You Rather

A game that sparks creative and hilarious conversations, Would You Rather presents two unique scenarios. Each player must pick their preference and justify their answer, leading to laughter and sometimes deep revelations.

• Would you rather always feel like you’re forgetting something or always feel like you’re being watched?
• Would you rather eat the same meal every day or never repeat a meal?
• Would you rather be famous for something embarrassing or remain completely unknown?

This is also one of the easiest number-based texting games, as players can reply with “1” or “2.”

Song Lyrics

For music lovers, the Song Lyrics game is a delightful way to test your knowledge of your favorite tunes. Text a line from a song, and your friend has to reply with the next lyric. Continue until someone messes up! Make it harder by delving into obscure songs or switching up genres. This game not only entertains but introduces both players to new music.

Hangman

Revisit this classic vocabulary game in a digital format by texting underscores that represent the letters in a mystery word. Friends guess letters, and for every wrong answer, you draw another part of the stick figure. The goal is to guess the word before the “hangman” is completed.

• Improves spelling and guessing skills.
• Quick setup; all you need is a word!

Abbreviations

This quick-thinking game hones both your knowledge and wit. Choose a topic and send an abbreviation or acronym. Your friend has to guess its full meaning. Keep score and see who comes out on top!

• Fun for trivia buffs and word game lovers.
• Can branch out into popular internet slang or professional jargon.

Two Truths & A Lie

Challenge your friends’ detective instincts! Send two true facts and one made-up “lie” about yourself. They have to guess which is the lie. This is a fantastic way to share fun facts and test how well your friends know you.

Never Have I Ever

Adapted from the classic drinking game, Never Have I Ever reveals surprising personal stories. Players take turns texting something they’ve never done. Others must state if they’ve done it themselves. Choose a point system or just enjoy the confessions!

• Ideal for sharing life experiences and learning new things about your friends.
• Play with “lives” or points to up the stakes.

Unscramble Words

A perfect vocabulary builder, this brain-teasing game is excellent for fans of Wordle or Scrabble. Mix up the letters of a word and text them to your friend, who must guess the original word. Add a timer for extra challenge!

Finish The Sentence

Let your imagination run wild! Start a sentence (“If I could teleport anywhere, I’d…”), and have your friend finish it in the most creative, funny, or unexpected way. You can keep passing the sentence back and forth for longer stories and lots of laughs.

I Spy

Play this childhood favorite over text by describing something you “spy” (in your room, online, or elsewhere). Begin with a clue: “I spy with my little eye, something that is blue.” Your friend guesses, and you provide more clues as needed. Respond “hot” or “cold” to help out.

Compliment Battle

Boost each other’s confidence and mood with a Compliment Battle. Take turns sending compliments. See who can be the most creative, sincere, or hilarious. You’ll finish the game feeling uplifted and closer than ever!

May The Best Caption Win

Compete for laughs in this creative game. One person sends a funny or random photo, and everyone submits their best caption within a set time (say, 30 seconds). The person who sent the original photo picks their favorite, and the winner sends the next image. Perfect for group chats!

Texting Trivia

Challenge friends on topics like history, pop culture, sports, or science. Text back and forth with one friend—or organize a group round-robin. Each right answer earns a point, first to a target score wins. This game is awesome for long trips or boring waits.

Lightning Round

Put your reflexes—and creativity—to the test! Send a word, and your friend must instantly reply with the first word that springs to mind. As the game speeds up, responses get funnier and more offbeat.

Memory Of The Moment

Reminisce with close friends or family. Pick a shared memory (“Remember when we went camping in the rain?”) and take turns adding details or twists. This is a fantastic way to relive shared adventures and keep memories alive.

Texting Roulette

Ready for a little daredevil fun? Place everyone’s phones facedown and pick up each other’s to send a random (but appropriate) text to a contact. Set boundaries for what’s allowed. Lots of laughs—and maybe a little harmless embarrassment—guaranteed!

Choose-Your-Own-Adventure

For story lovers, create a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure by texting your friend a scenario and a set of choices (“You find a mysterious door. Do you open it (A) or walk away (B)?”). Your friend picks, and you spin the story accordingly. Alternate narrating or keep it flowing as a group saga. Endless stories await!

Other Popular Texting Games

• Textopoly: A text-based Monopoly-style game where friends build properties and compete for virtual riches.
• Pictionary: Send a hand-drawn doodle and ask friends to guess what it is. Use emojis for even more fun.
• Movie Emoji Quiz: Combine emojis to represent a movie title. Friends guess the film.
• Story Chain: Build a story one sentence at a time, each player texting the next line. Let the plot go wild.
• Guess the Number: Think of a number in a set range. Friends guess until someone gets it right.

Why Play Games Over Text?

Text-based games are not just fun—they’re also a fantastic way to forge stronger friendships and keep minds sharp. Whether you’re looking for something lighthearted or a game that challenges your brain, there are options for every interest and mood. Best of all, these games are accessible, require no special equipment, and can be played anytime, anywhere.

Texting Games at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which texting game is best for large groups?

A: Games like Caption Contest, Memory of the Moment, and Truth or Dare work wonderfully with group chats. They encourage participation from many people and can sustain group activity for long periods.

Q: What if someone feels uncomfortable with a dare or question?

A: Everyone should feel comfortable to pass on any question or dare. Setting clear rules and boundaries at the start ensures a fun and safe experience.

Q: Can these games help with team building or making new friends?

A: Absolutely! Many of these games, like Two Truths & A Lie or Never Have I Ever, are used in icebreakers or remote team activities to help people learn about each other in a relaxed, friendly way.

Q: Are there games suitable for younger children?

A: Yes. Simple games like I Spy, Hangman, or Unscramble Words are age-appropriate, fun, and can even be educational for younger players.

Q: How can we play these games while maintaining privacy and respect?

A: Always agree on boundaries first, avoid sharing sensitive information, and keep games light-hearted. Respect everyone’s wishes to skip tasks or questions.

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

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