Dice games on Zoom? Is that even a thing? Sure it is. It may take a little tweaking, but you can definitely play dice games with friends or family virtually. Of course these games can be played in person, but they are a fun alternative in a virtual gathering. With that, I have for you 10 dice games to play on Zoom.
This post contains affiliate links.
How do you play dice games on Zoom?
As I mentioned, you will have to make a few tweaks to play dice games virtually.
- Choose a host or a leader. You definitely need someone who can facilitate the game by calling on people, going over rules, enforcing rules, etc.
- Give participants the directions ahead of time. Send them the links for the games (or better yet, send them here, hee hee) so they can read the directions prior to playing.
- When possible, have players record their own scores. Yes, it will be on the honor system, but it’s all in fun, right?
- Make sure everyone has the correct number of dice before starting the game. It’s a bummer to have to wait to start because someone has to go search for more dice.
- Determine who will start and in what order players will roll. If you are the host, you can write down the players’ names as you see them on your screen. Let each player know who precedes him or her, or call out their names when they should roll.
Are there any other materials needed to play these dice games on Zoom?
For a few of the games I included, you will need a free printable. I have given all the links to download what you need.
Do you have a “10 Dice Games to Play on Zoom” printable?
Glad you asked. Yes, I do have a “10 Dice Games to Play on Zoom” printable in my free resource library. It looks like this:
How do I use the dice games printable?
Hopefully you have already made use of my other Zoom games printable “10 Great Games to Play on Zoom.” I would recommend printing both pages on cardstock and then laminating them. I highly recommend this laminator as it’s inexpensive and comes with 30 laminating pouches:
Here’s a tip for saving on pouches: Put your sheets in one pouch, back to back, with the printed sides facing out. When you take it out of the laminator, trim the edges and the sheets will come apart. Each page will only be laminated on one side, but that will still provide a lot of durability.
After you’ve laminated and cut them out, you can put them on a book ring to keep them in one place.
What are these 10 Great Dice Games to Play on Zoom, anyway?
Alrighty, here they are in no particular order.
1. Pirate Ship
Dice needed: 5
Goal: After three rolls, you want to get a 6 (ship), a 5 (captain), and a 4 (crew). The remaining two dice added up is your score.
How to play: On your turn, throw all five dice. If you roll a 6, 5, or 4, put them aside and roll again. Your goal is to get a ship, captain, and crew after three rolls of your dice. If you don’t get all three (6, 5, and 4) after three rolls, your score is zero.
If you are able to get all three on your turn, the remaining two dice are your booty. Add the score of the two dice together and that is your score for that round.
You can decide if you want to play to a certain score or to a certain number of rounds.
2. Round the Clock
Dice needed: 2
Goal: To be the first player to roll the numbers 1-12 in order.
How to play: Players, going clockwise, (or in whatever order you determine) take turns rolling their dice, trying to get a “1” on the first round. If you are able to get a 1 (you only need to get a “1” on one of the die), you can try for a 2 on the second round. If you were not able to get a 1 on the first round, you’ll try on the second round. The first person to roll 1 through 12 in order shouts “round the clock” and is the winner.
Note, for numbers 1 to 6, you can either count the dots on one die, or add two dice together to get your desired number. For example, “2” can either be two dots on one die or “1s” on two dice. Players keep track of their own target number.
3. Mexico
If someone knows why this is called “Mexico,” I would love to hear it!
Dice needed: 3 (2 for rolling, 1 for keeping score)
Goal: To be the last player “alive”
How to play: Each player takes one die and turns it to 6. That is the number of lives everyone has. Players roll their 2 other dice and add up their score.The player with the lowest score is the loser for that round and loses one life. That person then turns his die to 5. Play continues until only one player is left “standing.”
4. Roll a Story
Dice needed: 1 (plus a free printout)
Goal: To write a fun story rolling a die to select different elements of the story
How to play: Using a story chart, players will roll a die to select the different elements of their stories. Once those elements are selected, each person will share his or her story with the group.
Note: Free story charts can be found at hislifelearner.com (I have a Thanksgiving and Christmas version) or Teachers Pay Teachers (the shop owner has a blog called “wherethewildthingslearn.com”)
5. Drop Out
Dice needed: 5
Goal: To achieve the highest score after all players have dropped out
How to play: Player one throws all 5 dice. If there are any 2s or 5s, that player will move them to the side and no score is recorded. If there are no 2s or 5s, the five dice are added up and the score is recorded. Player one continues to roll, removing any 2s and 5s until he/she has no dice left (and drops out). Remember, the only scores that are recorded are the rolls that contain no 2s or 5s. Once player one has dropped out, player two will roll, repeating the process until she drops out. Once all players have dropped out, the person with the highest total score wins.
6. Piggy
Dice needed: 1
Goal: To be the first to reach 100 points (or another number agreed upon by players)
How to play: The first player rolls the die. If the number is a 1, the player’s turn is over. If it is not a 1, the player can roll as many times as he wants, adding to his score each time. However, if he rolls a 1 at any time, he loses all the points he has earned during the game and his turn is over. A player’s turn ends when either he rolls a 1, or he decides to end his turn after adding his points to his total. The first person to reach 100 points is the winner
7. D”ice” Breakers
Dice needed: 1-2 (depending on the number of questions on your list)
Goal: To get to know the other players by answering questions from a list (Scholastic.com has a free printable, or you can make your own list).
How to play: Players take turns rolling a die. They answer the question that corresponds to the number on the die (from the printable). Players
may decide to play more than one round so they can answer different questions.
8. Roll a Picture
Dice needed: 1 (you will also need a “roll a picture” chart)
Goal: To draw a funny picture to share
How to play: Using a chart, players roll a die to determine the features of their drawing (ex: eyes, nose, mouth, etc.). When drawings are
complete, players share their creations with each other. A “Draw a dragon” chart can be found at hislifelearner.com as well as a list of links to other free charts.
9. Three in a Row
Dice needed: 5
Goal: To have the highest score after 10 rounds
How to play:
Players take turns rolling their 5 dice. One of the following will happen per turn:
- If none of the dice match, the score is zero and
the player’s turn is over. - If the roll produces three or more of the same
number, the score is three and the turn is over. - If a roll yields two of a kind, the player may re-roll
the other three dice. If the player still does not have
three of a kind, the score is zero.
If the roll has 3, 4 or 5 of a kind, record either of
these: a score of 3 for 3 of a kind, a score of 6 for 4 of
a kind or 12 points for 5 of a kind. - Play continues for 10 rounds. Highest score wins.
10. The Dice Game
Dice needed: 10
Goal: To be the first to complete all 8 rounds (This game is basically Tenzi with a twist. I got this version at Grandmasideas.com)
How to play:
Players roll all 10 dice at the same time, removing the ones they need to complete a round.
The first player to complete a round yells “winner” and the round ends. That player moves onto the next
round. The first person to complete all the rounds wins.
For each round, collect:
1. 10 dice of the same number (each player chooses his own number)
2. Five dice of one number, Five dice of another number
3. Five different pairs of numbers (such as two 2s, two 3s, two 4s, two 5s, two 6s, etc.)
4. Three different sets of three different numbers (such as three 2s, three 3s, three 4s, etc.)
5. Two different sets of four numbers (such as four 5s, four 6s, etc.)
6. Three different sets of three and two pairs (ex: three 2s, three 5s, three 6s, two 7s, and two 9s)
7. 10 dice of the number 6 (all the dice are 6s)
8. Roll one die. Collect all 10 of that number.
If you’re interested in the actual Tenzi game, you can find one on Amazon.
Playing these 10 dice game in person
Naturally, all of these dice games can be played in person. If you’re hosting a game night and need a lot of dice, you can find sets on Amazon:
If you need more Zoom game inspiration, you can check out my “10 Great Games to Play on Zoom” post, also with a free printable.
Have fun!