Play a co-op game with friends
Organize and play a cooperative board or online game with friends, practice teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through shared goals and fun challenges.
Step-by-step guide to organize and play a cooperative game with friends
What Are Cooperative Games? - Childhood Education Zone
Step 1
Pick a day and time that works and tell your friends when to meet.
Step 2
Decide whether you will play a board game or a cooperative online game.
Step 3
If you chose a board game set up the board and pieces on a table.
Step 4
If you chose an online game open the game on your device.
Step 5
Ask your friends to join the game or to sit around the table.
Step 6
Place the paper and pencil and the timer nearby so everyone can reach them.
Step 7
Talk with your friends and choose team roles and a shared goal for the game.
Step 8
Start the game and take turns following the rules.
Step 9
When it is your turn explain one short idea before you act.
Step 10
If the team gets stuck write two possible moves on the paper.
Step 11
Vote quickly with a show of hands to pick one of the written moves.
Step 12
After you finish playing name one thing that helped your team and one thing to try next time.
Step 13
Take a photo or write a short note about your teamwork and share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a timer or a board game?
Use your phone's clock app as the timer and substitute household objects and a hand-drawn board on paper for missing board game pieces and the board.
What should we do if the team gets stuck or can't decide on a move?
Follow the instructions to write two possible moves on the paper, then use a quick show-of-hands vote and the timer to limit discussion so you can act.
How can we adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger kids, shorten the timer, give simple picture-based roles and choices on paper, and for older kids choose a more strategic cooperative online game on a device and assign detailed team roles before starting.
How can we make the game more fun or personalize it for our group?
Create custom role cards on paper, keep a photo log with your device of teamwork moments, and then post a photo plus the short note about one thing that helped and one thing to try next time on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to organize and play a cooperative game with friends
10 Fun Cooperative Games for Kids to Build Teamwork & Communication
4 Videos
10 Fun Cooperative Games for Kids to Build Teamwork & Communication
What Are Cooperative Games? - Raising A Toddler
PLAY INSPIRATION | 10 Co-operative Games for Kids: Warm Up Games, Teamwork and Communication Games
How Do You Play Cooperative Games? - Raising A Toddler
Facts about cooperative games and teamwork
⏱️ Timers, escalating threats, or limited moves are common co-op mechanics that create exciting pressure to plan and communicate.
💬 Clear, short call-outs and simple plans usually help teams solve puzzles faster—good communication wins games!
🧩 Cooperative board games like Pandemic and Forbidden Island have players win or lose together—teamwork matters more than individual score!
🎮 Many online co-op games let friends play together across cities or countries in real time, building friendships over shared goals.
🧑🤝🧑 Playing co-op games helps kids practice roles, turn-taking, and group decision-making in a fun way.
How do I organize and play a cooperative board or online game with my child and their friends?
What materials do I need to play a cooperative game with friends?
What ages is cooperative board or online gaming suitable for?
What are the benefits of cooperative gaming for kids and how do I keep it safe?
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