30 Games to Play Over Text in 2025

Staying connected with friends and family through text messages can be a lot of fun, especially when you add some exciting games into the mix.

In this article, I’ve put together a list of 30 games you can play over text to keep your conversations lively and entertaining. 

Let’s dive in!

30 Texting Games to Play

1. 20 Questions

This is a classic guessing game where one player thinks of an object, person, or place, and the other player asks up to 20 yes/no questions to guess what it is.

It’s a great way to engage in a conversation and can be surprisingly challenging and entertaining. 

One player thinks of something and says, “I’m thinking of something.” The other player asks yes/no questions like “Is it a living thing?” or “Can it fit in a shoebox?” 

The goal is to guess what the first player is thinking of within 20 questions. If the guessing player figures it out, they win; if not, they lose.

2. Would You Rather

Would You Rather is a game where players choose between two challenging or intriguing options. 

It can be hilarious and insightful, revealing what each player values or fears most. It’s great for any number of players and can lead to some surprising revelations.

One player poses a question like, “Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?” The other player must choose one of the two options and explain why.

The game continues with players taking turns asking each other new “Would You Rather” questions.

3. Name Game

In this game players pick a category, like animals or celebrities, and take turns naming something in that category that starts with the last letter of the previous word.

This game is engaging and tests your knowledge within different categories. It’s simple but can become tricky as the game progresses.

First, choose a category, for example, fruits. The first player might say “Apple.” The next player must say a fruit that starts with “E,” like “Elderberry.”

The game continues until someone can’t come up with a word. That person then loses the round.

4. Trivia

Trivia involves players asking each other questions from a chosen category to see who can get the most correct answers. It’s perfect for testing general knowledge.

You should decide on a category, like history or movies. Players take turns asking each other questions related to that category.

Each correct answer scores a point. The first player to reach a pre-decided number of points, say 10, wins the game.

5. Emoji Translation

In Emoji Translation, one player sends a sequence of emojis, and the other player has to interpret their meaning. 

It’s a fun way to use emojis creatively and can lead to some funny misunderstandings. It’s simple and requires no setup.

One player sends a series of emojis that represent a word, phrase, or sentence. The other player tries to decode the message. 

6. Ghost

Ghost is a word game where players add letters to a growing word without completing it. The goal is to avoid being the one who finishes the word.

The first player starts with a letter, say “B.” The next player adds a letter, like “R,” trying to form a word but not finish it. 

Players continue adding letters. If someone completes a word, they receive a letter from the word “GHOST.” The first player to spell “GHOST” loses.

7. Story Time

Story Time is a collaborative storytelling game where players take turns adding one sentence at a time to build a story. 

This game is creative and can lead to some wild and entertaining stories. It’s great for all ages and helps improve writing skills.

One player starts with a sentence like, “Once upon a time, there was a dragon.” The next player adds a sentence, “The dragon loved to eat ice cream.” Players continue adding sentences, creating a unique story together.

8. Truth or Dare

In this game players choose between answering a question truthfully or performing a dare. This classic game can be just as fun over text.

One player asks, “Truth or Dare?” The other chooses. If they choose “Truth,” they must answer a personal question honestly.

If they choose “Dare,” they must perform a task given by the asker. If they refuse, they lose.

9. Kiss, Marry, Kill

Kiss, Marry, Kill involves players naming three people, and the other player must decide who they would kiss, marry, and kill. 

It’s a fun and sometimes controversial game that reveals players’ preferences and sense of humor. It’s quick and easy to play.

One player lists three names, such as “Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio.” The other player decides who they would kiss, marry, and kill, then explains their choices. Players take turns with new sets of names.

10. Guess the Riddle

Guess the Riddle is a game where one player sends a riddle, and the other player tries to solve it. It’s perfect for those who enjoy brain teasers.

One player sends a riddle like, “What has keys but can’t open locks?” The other player tries to solve it. 

They can ask for hints or more guesses if needed. The game continues with different riddles. The answer to the example is “a piano.” 

11. Word Unscramble

In Word Unscramble, one player sends a scrambled word to the other players, who then have to unscramble it. 

This game is similar to Scrabble but focuses on decoding jumbled letters to form meaningful words. 

It’s engaging and challenges the players’ vocabulary and quick thinking skills. Each correct word scores a point, and the player with the most points at the end wins. 

12. Questions Only

Questions Only is a game where players can only respond to each other with questions. Any statement or repeated question leads to the player’s elimination. 

This game encourages quick thinking and creativity, as forming questions in response to every situation can be surprisingly challenging. 

It’s a fun, fast-paced game perfect for keeping conversations lively. Players need to stay on their toes to avoid pauses and repetition, making it a great mental exercise.

13. Finish My Sentence

This is a collaborative game where one player starts a sentence, and the next player must complete it. This can range from funny to serious or even nonsensical, depending on the participants’ mood. 

It’s an excellent way to spark creativity and can lead to some unexpected and entertaining results. Players take turns adding to the narrative, creating a unique story each time. 

14. Lightning Fast

In this game one player sends a word, and the other player must respond with the first word that comes to mind. 

This game helps reveal how players’ minds work and can lead to some surprising and humorous associations.

There’s no right or wrong answer, which keeps the game light and fun. It encourages spontaneity and can help deepen connections between players.

15. The Laughing Game

The Laughing Game requires players to choose their answers from a list of preselected funny responses. These answers can be anything, from random objects to silly phrases. 

Players then ask each other questions and must respond using only these preselected answers. 

The aim is to keep the game humorous and to make each other laugh. It’s an excellent way to lighten the mood and ensure a good time for everyone involved.

16. Fantasy Team

This game involves creating imaginary teams based on various scenarios, such as a zombie apocalypse or a rock band. 

Players take turns selecting members for their team, explaining why each choice is the best fit. The aim is to build the strongest or most interesting team, with no repeats allowed.

This game sparks creativity and debate as players defend their choices. It’s ideal for group chats and can reveal a lot about each participant’s preferences and imagination.

17. Most Likely To

Most Likely To is a game best played in group chats. One player asks a “most likely to” question, such as “Who is most likely to become a millionaire?” 

The other players then vote on who they think fits the description best. This game is great for learning more about each other’s perceptions and can lead to some surprising revelations. 

18. Text Strip Trivia

Text Strip Trivia is a trivia game with a twist: for each wrong answer, an article of clothing comes off. 

This game is best played over video chat platforms like Snapchat and is designed to add a bit of spice to long-distance relationships.

Players ask each other trivia questions from various categories, and incorrect answers lead to the fun penalty. 

It’s a playful and slightly daring game, ideal for couples or close friends looking to add some excitement to their conversations.

19. Make It Rhyme

Make It Rhyme is a game where one player sends a word or phrase, and the other players must respond with words or phrases that rhyme. 

The game continues until someone cannot come up with a rhyming word, and they are out. This game tests players’ vocabulary and quick thinking. 

This game can be played casually or competitively, making it suitable for different group dynamics and age ranges.

20. Take a Trip

Take a Trip involves players writing a sentence and filling in the blanks with something that starts with a specific letter of the alphabet, progressing sequentially from A to Z.

The sentence structure is “I’m going to ___ and taking ___.” For example, “I’m going to Africa and taking an apple.” 

This game is excellent for road trips or long conversations, as it keeps players engaged and thinking creatively. 

21. Where’s Your Location?

In this game one player describes their location using unique features, and the other player guesses where they are. 

This game is great for enhancing observational skills and creativity. For example, if someone is in a living room, they might describe a coffee table, a lamp, and a TV.

The other player then has to guess the location based on these hints. It’s a fun and engaging way to test how well you can pick out specific details in common places. 

22. Name That Tune

This involves texting a song lyric to another player, who then guesses the song. If they can’t guess it from the first lyric, you send another until they get it.

This game is perfect for music lovers and is a great way to share your favorite songs with friends. 

Players often find themselves humming the tunes and discovering new music through their friends’ choices. 

23. Abbreviations

In Abbreviations, players choose a category, such as flowers or board games, and one player sends an abbreviation within that category. The other players guess what the abbreviation stands for. 

For example, if the category is board games, the abbreviation “MoP” could stand for “Monopoly.” 

This game tests your knowledge and creativity in a fun way. It can be played with any number of players and is excellent for passing time while learning something new. 

24. Friendship Tag

This is a game where you ask questions about yourself or your relationship to see how well your friends know you. For example, you might ask, “What’s my favorite food?” or “Where did we first meet?” 

This game helps strengthen friendships by encouraging players to remember and share personal details. 

People love it for its ability to bring friends closer together and provide a deeper understanding of each other.

25. Never Have I Ever

This is a classic game where players share things they’ve never done. If the other player has done them, they take a point or a sip of a drink.

For example, one might say, “Never have I ever gone skydiving.” This game is great for getting to know each other’s experiences and often leads to funny or embarrassing stories. 

26. Unpopular Opinions

In this game players share their unpopular opinions on various topics, such as celebrities, food, or movies. For example, someone might say, “I don’t like pizza.” 

This game sparks interesting discussions and debates, allowing players to express themselves and learn about different perspectives.

It’s great for creating engaging conversations and often leads to surprising discoveries about your friends’ likes and dislikes. 

27. What Would You Do?

“What Would You Do?” involves creating hypothetical scenarios and asking the other player how they would respond. 

For example, you might ask, “What would you do if you found a suitcase full of money?” This game is excellent for stimulating creativity and critical thinking. 

Players enjoy it because it can be both fun and insightful, revealing a lot about a person’s character and preferences.

28. Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon

This is a game where players connect actors to Kevin Bacon through their movie roles in six steps or less. 

For example, you might connect Tom Hanks to Kevin Bacon by listing the movies they’ve been in with other actors. 

This game is perfect for movie buffs and challenges your knowledge of film connections. It’s a fun and educational way to explore the vast world of cinema.

29. Gun to Your Head

“Gun to Your Head” poses extreme hypothetical situations and asks how the other player would respond. For example, you might ask, “Gun to your head, which bank would you rob?” 

This game tests your quick thinking and creativity under pressure. It’s a fun and thrilling way to explore different scenarios and see how your friends would react in tough situations. 

30. Guess the Sound

In this game you send a GIF to the other player, and they have to record a sound they think matches it. 

This game is inspired by TikTok trends and guarantees a lot of laughter. It’s a fun way to use your imagination and creativity, as players try to come up with the most accurate or funniest sound effects. 

The game is simple to play and can be done anytime, making it a favorite for quick, entertaining interactions.