Playing with the Relatives Who Could Not Travel
A browser game is one of the few things that genuinely closes the distance for a family split across houses. Everyone joins the same room code from their own phone, so an aunt on a video call from another country is in exactly the same position as the cousin on the sofa. Keep the video call running on a separate device for faces and conversation, and let the game live in the browser tab. Do not try to run the game through screen-share - a shared screen makes the remote players spectators, which is the thing you were trying to avoid.
Tactical Synchronization Active
Initiate Operation NowTactical Debrief (FAQ)
Every game in this guide is free, including Pictionary, Charades, Category Blitz, Horse Race and Memory Match. Create a room, send the invite link, and everyone joins from their own device in a browser with no download and no account.
Give them the same room code. Everyone plays from their own device regardless of where they are, so a relative on a video call has exactly the same view and the same turns as the people in the room. Keep the video call on a separate device for talking.
Pictionary and Charades. Neither needs reading ability or general knowledge, and both are funnier when played badly. Category Blitz also works well for children who can read, because naming things in a category is something they are often faster at than the adults.
Yes, for the video call. Put the relatives who are calling in on the TV and have everyone, the host included, play from their own phone. Casting the host's game screen would show the host's secrets, like the word they are drawing.
Most games comfortably handle a full family room. Drawing and category games work from three players up and scale well, while the social deduction games want at least five to be interesting.