Games to play remotely with your select ones

Video calls are great ways to keep in touch with your loved ones when they're far away, or it's not possible to get together. Since toddlers aren't always talkative during these video calls, playing can help them maintain their interest and stimulate their interactions. Here are some game concepts that perform well in video reaching with children.

Mirror me!

The child makes a succession of gestures or expressions (emotions, grimaces, etc.) that the player on the other side of the screen must imitate at the same time as him. You can do this in a limited time so that each player can, in turn, become the conductor. Depending on the imagination or madness of the participants, this game can quickly become very funny! (Around 18 months)

virtual kisses

This tender game exercises your child's memory. You can play it at the end of a conversation, for example, before your child says goodbye to a loved one. A player begins by saying, "I'm giving you a kiss on the nose. » The player on the other side of the screen repeats the sentence and adds another place by pointing to it. For example: "I give you a kiss on the nose and on your hair! » Keep doing this until a player makes a mistake. The last person standing wins a...virtual hug! (Around 3 years old)

Three words and a fabulous story

This little language game allows you to invent fun stories with your child. The goal is to tell a story employing three terms set by another actor. These can be names of objects, foods, family members, or actions or sounds. For example, potato, dog, and splash! If your child is too small or too shy to make a simple sentence or tell a story, he can choose the words until he feels comfortable trying. Otherwise, it's up to the next player to invent a story with three new words. (3 years and over)

What is this noise?

Your child must close their eyes and try to recognize the sound made by the person on the other side of the screen: sneezing, eating crisps, tearing a sheet of paper, clapping their hands, laughing, snorting, blowing their nose, etc. Players can also record familiar voices in advance for more diversity or search for sounds on the web.


The mime game

Players try to guess what the player on the other side of the screen is acting out. Toddlers often have an easier time with mimes that depict animals or actions (running, sleeping, jumping, etc.). Some players may find staying in the camera frame difficult, but it can lead to some funny moments! 

The word race

Children like this language and speed game. Players or teams must find six words related to an imposed theme in less than a minute. For example, if the theme is the beach, you can say sand, ball, sea, fish, boat, shell. Decrease or increase the number of words or the time allowed depending on the players' skill. Here are examples of themes to use: zoo, bedroom, kitchen, garden, toys, etc. (5 years and over)

animal alphabet

Players take turns trying to find the name of an animal that starts with the letter A (Bee), then B (Whale), and so on, up to Z (Zebra). You can also play with names of objects, first names, or foods. Don't be afraid to give your toddler hints if he's having trouble finding them. (5 years and over)

Who am I?

This popular car game works just as well on video. The purpose is to imagine what the party on the other flank of the net is feeling. It can be an animal, a person, food, or an object. Everyone asks a question that can only be answered with a yes or no. For example: "Is this a fruit? », « Is it yellow? etc. As soon as the word is found, it's the next player's turn to think of a new word.

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