FaceTime games to play with a 14-year-old grandkid
The best video-call games for a 14-year-old are short, cooperative and need nothing you don't already have: draw what i describe, 20 questions, split-clue mystery. Fourteen-year-olds often want to talk about real things. Ask about their opinions, and share yours from their age. Keep each round under 10 minutes and let your grandchild lead.
What works for a 14-year-old on a video call?
Fourteen-year-olds often want to talk about real things. Ask about their opinions, and share yours from their age.
Try a split-clue puzzle
Below is a senior detectives puzzle (ages 13+). One of you reads the grandparent's clues, the other reads the grandkid's. Neither can solve it alone.
9 games for age 14
- Draw what I describe: One describes a simple picture; the other draws it without seeing it. Compare at the end.
- 20 questions: Think of an animal, place or person; the other has 20 yes/no questions.
- Split-clue mystery: Each holds half the clues to one puzzle and must talk to solve it. (This is what our game does every week.)
- Would you rather: Trade 'would you rather' questions and explain your answers. Great for finding out what a grandparent was like as a kid.
- Two truths and a lie: Each tells three 'facts' about their life; the other guesses the lie. Grandparents usually win.
- Online chess or checkers: Play on a shared app while you talk. Let the kid teach the grandparent the app.
- Cook-along: Make the same simple recipe at the same time, in two kitchens.
- Name that tune: Hum a song from your era; the other guesses. Then switch eras.
- Teach me something: The kid teaches a game, dance or app; next call the grandparent teaches a card trick or a word in the family language.
The old postcard
A postcard from a seaside trip turned up in a drawer. The date has faded.
- Your clue
Its stamp first went on sale in 1961.
- Your clue
The postmark is from the old post office, which closed in 1965.