27 Fun Texting Games for Everybody to Enjoy

Texting games are a fun twist to modern technology, especially when trying to stay in contact with your friends and family far away. Tune-up some classic party games, or enjoy playing word games right from your phone without having to download any apps. Try some of the following texting games with your friends, or use them to get to know your other half better.

27 Fun Texting Games for Everybody to Play this Year

As you will go through the list of fun texting games to play this year, remember that we are all more or less in the social distancing phase and many of us need to feel a human connection now more than anything. So you can take advantage of these games to let the people in your life know that you think about them. Moreover, as you will browse through our selection, you will see that we mention games that suit plenty of situations, not just having fun with friends types.

For instance, you will find here a handful of ice-breaking games to play at parties or on a team-building. Adapt them accordingly and you will have tons of fun. For more inspiration, also check out our collection of virtual meeting type of games to play to get to know people better, especially when continents and oceans keep you apart. So let’s see the next fun texting games to play now and the entire year!

1.  20 Questions

With this game, one person picks a category such as a person, place, or thing. Then the game will begin by the opponent asking questions one at a time to guess the answer. The object is to guess the answer in twenty questions or less. This game is a great travel game or party booster. It is also one of the best get-to-know-you types of games to play to encourage team communication, sharing, trust-building, and interpersonal relationships’ development.

2.  Make It Rhyme

Next on our list of fun texting games is the “Make It Rhyme” one. Tighten up your rhyming skills with this game of rhyme. The first person begins by texting a word or phrase. The opponent then has to text back with another word or phrase that matches the first. Keep the game going back and forth until someone gets stumped. This is a great way to stay in touch with a friend who lives miles away or just a phone/computer click away. It makes a fun passage of time when you are in lockdown and you want to keep the extroverts as happy as you can until this social isolation and stay-in-place situation is over.

3.  Story Builder

Just when you thought you would never be able to write a story, this game was invented. There are many variations to playing this game, but the basic goal is to add to each other’s lines until you form a story. The first person begins the story with a phrase. The opponent then will have to text back another line adding to the first phrase. This game will continue back and forth until the final line is complete. Don’t worry, the story doesn’t have to make sense, it might even turn out to be a riot, but it will be fun to see how it ends. This is a great exercise to overcome writer’s block. It is also one of the most entertaining challenges for kids and teens when you want to oil their creativity wheels, keep them engaged for some hours, and spend some happy times together indoor or outdoor.

4.  What If

You might learn some secrets when you play this game. The first player starts by texting “What if,” followed by a choice of two different situations. The opponent will then choose one of the two answers they would choose to do in a “what if” situation. This is perfect for new couples. Alternatively, you can play an adapted version of the Newlywed Game, as that one has too “what if” scenarios you can adapt to your current situation. When it comes to fun texting games based on questions, sky is the limit!

5.  Let’s Get Personal

This game is a personal trivia question that starts with the first person texting a personal question to the opponent. The questions can be the type of questions that are asked in a job interview, but you can get even more personal with your friend if you are wanting to know them even better. This game is perfect for learning more about each other, and you might even be surprised at how easy it is to answer the questions when you are not face-to-face.

Image via Unsplash

6.  Abbreviations

Have your friend guess what you are doing by texting the first letter of each thing using only abbreviation. For an example, if you are doing homework and listening to music you would text, DHALTM. Before you begin, you can set a time limit or even the number of guesses your opponent is allowed. You might need to throw in a hint or two if your friend gets stumped.

7.  Let’s Take a Trip

With this game you create a place you want to go to. Start by saying, “I am going to __________, and I am taking ____________.” The object is to go through the alphabet in order, you start with “A,” the next player “B,” and so on. If you can make it to “Z” that is great, but if not, the person that gets stuck loses the game.

8.  Word Scramble

Next on this list of fun texting games is the “Word Scramble.” This is a simple word game that will keep your brain healthy. The first person can choose a category and start by texting a scrambled word to the opponent. The opponent then has to guess the word. You can make the game harder by setting a time limit. You can also play the game starting with three-letter words and working your way up to bigger words for a bigger challenge.

9.  Song Emoji

This is the perfect fun texting game for music lovers. The game is played just like the game Song Lyrics, but using emojis instead. The first person sends the lyrics of a song using emojis, and the opponent then has to guess the song. It may be difficult to describe the song using the emojis alone, so mix it up by using letters and emojis. Play the game using categories and setting time limits for an additional challenge.

10.  Where Am I?

With this game, the object is to keep your friend guessing where you are. Give descriptions similar to the way you would in I Spy. For example, if you are in the library you might say you are surrounded by books. You can have your friend guess where you actually are, or you can make a fictional place. Set a limit to the number of guesses your friend can have, or you can set a time limit.

Image via Unsplash

11.  Word Building

This is another word-based fun texting game that will help to keep your mind sharp and healthy. You text the first word and have your friend create a word using the letters in your word. Next, you form a word from the letters in your friend’s word. Keep the game going back and forth until the last person is out of new words. It will be fun to see how many new words you can create. You can put a time limit on each turn if you want a challenge. This game is a particularly fun challenge to play as a parent with your kids, as it is an educational game that encourages learning on all levels.

12.  Words In Reverse

Text your friend a sentence, but write all the words in reverse order. Have your friend respond to the text, also writing each word in reverse order. Keep the game going back and forth to see who gets confused first. You can write about your day, your family, or your plans for the weekend, no matter what the topic, this game will make the conversation interesting.

13.  Fill In the Blanks

This game is ideal for couples who are in a new relationship or longtime couples who want to keep the relationship fresh. Start by texting a partial phrase leaving a blank in the phrase. Your opponent should fill in the blank. An example phrase could be “My favorite way to relax is _______.” The challenge will be in hoping to answer the phrase correctly because if you don’t, you might be in the dog house.

14.  Never Have I Ever

Texting puts a new twist on this popular party game. Start the game with a certain number of points. Start by texting “Never Have I Ever ________.” Fill in the blank and send it to your friend. If your opponent confesses to having done it before, he loses a point. Continue back and forth until one of you is left with no more points. This is another great “get to know you” game. If you want to get your inspiration going, check out our 200+ Never Have I Ever questions to get you going! Of course, this is just the beginning, as you can add some questions and experiences of your own into the mix.

15.  Truth Or Dare

Modern technology gives this childhood game a facelift. Challenge your friend to a good old fashioned game of truth or dare, except this time you will not be in the same room. Ask your friend if he wants truth or a dare. If he wants a truth, text him a question and hope he gives you an honest response. If he wants a dare, text him and expect him to text you a picture or video of him doing the dare. This game can create a lot of laughter while getting to know more about your friend. For more inspiration, check out our guide on Truth or Dare questions for anyone to try!

Image via Unsplash

16.  Funny Pics

Choosing a category, take turns finding funny pics or memes on the internet. Text them back and forth, and add a funny caption for an added twist. There are really no right or wrong answers in this game, it is just entertaining, and it can be fun to see what you can come up with.

17.  Hangman

Begin with a specific amount of points. Text the appropriate amount of underscores for letters in the word. Your opponent starts by texting you a letter. If it is correct, text back by replacing the correct underscore with the letter. If it is incorrect, your opponent loses a point. The game continues until he guesses the word, or he loses all his points.

18.  Emoji Invasion

To make it fair, this is one of those fun texting games that works best if both players have the same up-to-date version of emojis. Text a conversation using only emojis. Keep the conversation going back and forth until the first person becomes confused or speechless.

19.  Stack Words

Choose a category. Text a word to your friend that fits into the category. Your opponent must text another word from the category that begins with the last letter of your word. Keep it going until the first person gets stumped. Of course, you can play this game on any occasion, not only when you text your friends and loved ones. It is a good game to play with kids in lockdown or as a fun challenge with teens this summer.

20.  Kiss, Marry, Kill

Text three names to your friend. You can choose names of people you each know, or choose fictional characters from books or movies. Your opponent should reply with which person he would kiss, marry and kill. There is really no challenge to this game except that it is a great way to learn what type of person you friend truly is.

Image via Unsplash

21.  I Spy

First, tell your friend where you are so he has an idea of your surroundings. Set a time limit or number of clues to be given before giving up the answer. Start the game by saying, “I spy something _______.” Choose an adjective that will best describe the object, and remember, your friend is not there with you, so go easy on him.

22.  Trivia Time

Start by setting a specific amount of points, then text your friend a trivia question and wait for an answer. Since Google can be used to search for the answer, set a fast time limit. For an even bigger challenge, make the answer specific rather than general. For example, if the answer requires a name, give the entire name and not just part of the name. The first person to reach the point goal wins the game. If you want more inspiration for more trivia games, check out these trivia games for kids‘ ideas!

23.  Would You Rather

Start by asking your friend, “Would you rather_______________ OR _______________?” Wait and see which one he chooses. You might be surprised to find out that your friend just isn’t who you thought he was. This is another great game for getting to know someone. If you want more ideas on playing get to know you games, don’t forget to check out our guides!

24.  Movie Lines

First, pick a category, then turn your conversation into movie lines. When the first person gets stuck, the game ends and the winner can start a new movie conversation. Twist the game up a little by adding some emojis along the way.

25.  Who Am I?

Choose a person, perhaps it would be someone you both know, or maybe a celebrity. Start by texting your friend with something the person would say. You can vary the rules by setting a time limit, a point scale, or a number of guesses. This can be an entertaining game when describing people you both know.

Image via Unsplash

26.  Song Lyrics

Text lines from a song for the other person to guess. Create a point system with one guess per try. If you get it right, the game moves on and you are safe, but if not, you lose a point. The first person with no points left loses the game.

27.  Finish the Sentence

Set a time limit and then text a partial phrase to your friend. He will have to add to your phrase by using the same amount of words that you used. For an example you can text, “My dog has __________.” Your friend then needs to complete the phrase with the same amount of words such as, “a broken leg.” Keep it going back and forth until the time runs out.

Fun Texting Games: Bottom Line

There you have it, 27 fun texting games. Be sure to check out our other fun games and activities and come up with some of your own if you can! Remember that you can adapt almost all these fun texting games into party games, ice-breaking games, team-building games, and more. As you could see, many party games can become texting ones with a little bit of imagination and good will.

If you have other questions or ideas about fun texting games, let us know in the comment section below!