Players: 2 or more
Time: 15 minutes
You need: Phones, or paper and pens
Ages: 7 and above
Type: WhatsApp group games

Who it suits and when to play

This is the game for groups that grew up playing it on the last page of a notebook: cousins, school batches and families with children of seven and above. It needs a little typing speed, so pair a small child or a grandparent with a partner. It is a good choice for a rainy evening, a long video call or the last period before the holidays.

How to play

The host posts a letter, for example "Letter: M".
Every player replies in one message with four words: a name, a place, an animal and a thing that begin with that letter.
The round closes after 60 seconds, or when the first complete reply arrives, as you decide before starting.
Score 10 points for a word nobody else wrote, 5 for a word shared with someone and 0 for a blank or wrong word.
Play five letters. The highest total wins.

Ready message to start the game

Name, Place, Animal, Thing! I will post a letter. Reply in ONE message like this: Name: Meena Place: Mysuru Animal: Monkey Thing: Mirror You have 60 seconds. Unique answers get 10 points, shared answers 5.

Letters to call

Tips and variations

Skip hard letters such as Q, X and Z, or keep them for a bonus round.
Add more columns for older players: food, film-free topics such as flower, colour or profession.

Common problems and how to fix them

Players argue about whether a word is real. Name one judge before the first letter. A place must be findable on a map, and the judge decides in ten seconds.
Fast typists always finish first. Close each round on a timer instead of on the first reply, so that everybody gets the same 60 seconds.
People look answers up. Laugh about it and shorten the time to 40 seconds; nobody can search four words that quickly.

More WhatsApp group games

Need fair teams or someone to go first? Use the team maker. See all 45 games.