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.
About this tutorial
Organize and play a cooperative board or online game with friends, practice teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through shared goals and fun challenges.
What you need
Step by step
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Step 1
Pick a day and time that works and tell your friends when to meet.
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Step 2
Decide whether you will play a board game or a cooperative online game.
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Step 3
If you chose a board game set up the board and pieces on a table.
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Step 4
If you chose an online game open the game on your device.
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Step 5
Ask your friends to join the game or to sit around the table.
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Step 6
Place the paper and pencil and the timer nearby so everyone can reach them.
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Step 7
Talk with your friends and choose team roles and a shared goal for the game.
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Step 8
Start the game and take turns following the rules.
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Step 9
When it is your turn explain one short idea before you act.
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Step 10
If the team gets stuck write two possible moves on the paper.
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Step 11
Vote quickly with a show of hands to pick one of the written moves.
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Step 12
After you finish playing name one thing that helped your team and one thing to try next time.
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Step 13
Take a photo or write a short note about your teamwork and share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I organize and play a cooperative board or online game with my child and their friends?
Start by picking a cooperative game that matches your child’s age and interests. Schedule a time, invite friends or family, and explain the cooperative goal and basic rules. Assign roles if the game uses them, and practice a short demo round to show communication and teamwork. During play, encourage sharing ideas, turn-taking, and problem-solving. After the game, debrief: talk about what worked, challenges, and celebrate successes.
What materials do I need to play a cooperative game with friends?
You’ll need the game itself — either a cooperative board game or a digital copy for online play — plus any components like boards, cards, tokens, dice, or controllers. For online sessions, ensure a device per player, stable internet, headsets or microphones, and an account for the platform. Also prepare a table or comfortable space, snacks, a timer, and paper and pens for notes or strategy planning.
What ages is cooperative board or online gaming suitable for?
This activity suits different ages with proper game choice and supervision. Cooperative preschool games work for ages 4–6 with an adult guiding rules and turns. Elementary kids (7–10) enjoy more strategy and role-sharing. Tweens and teens (11+) can handle complex mechanics and online voice chat but need guidance about online safety, fair play, and screen time limits. Adapt rules and session length to attention spans.
What are the benefits of cooperative gaming for kids and how do I keep it safe?
Cooperative games build teamwork, communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills as children work toward shared goals. They encourage listening, conflict resolution, planning, and leadership in a low-pressure setting. Playing together also strengthens friendships and boosts confidence through joint success. For safety, choose age-appropriate games, set clear chat and privacy rules for online play, and supervise younger players to model positive behavior and keep screen time balanced.
Watch & Learn
Need 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.