Play Dates
Virtual play dates for kids keep connections alive when distance gets in the way — cousins in another state, a best friend who moved, or a dad who travels for work or lives in a different home. A video call alone can feel flat for a child. A shared activity on both screens is what makes it feel like play.
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Send a MessageVirtual play dates work well for keeping friendships going after a move, staying close to grandparents, connecting with cousins, and for dads who are deployed, on the road or co-parenting across distance. Our co-parenting and blended families page has more on staying present between visits.
They are a supplement, not a replacement, for in-person time. Keep expectations modest, especially for kids under four.
Each child shows one toy or drawing and answers two questions about it. Works from about age 3.
Physical games get wiggly kids moving and need nothing but a cleared space.
A grandparent or dad reads a picture book while holding pages up to the camera. Both households can have the same book.
One person calls out a step — “draw a big circle, now add ears” — and everyone reveals their drawing at the end.
Call out “find something red” or “find something soft” and race to bring it back to the screen.
Send a simple recipe ahead and make it together. See cooking with kids for easy ideas.
Toddlers often lose interest quickly and wander off — that is normal. Let them come and go while an adult keeps the conversation going.
Use a call link you share only with the families involved, and keep an adult nearby for younger kids. For older kids who start setting up their own calls or games, talk about who they connect with and what personal details stay private.
Our guides on online security for kids and internet safety cover settings and conversations by age. NCMEC’s NetSmartz program also has free, age-appropriate safety lessons, and concerns about exploitation can be reported to the CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org.
While your kids play over video, you might want your own adult conversation. The 24/7 Phenomenal Fatherhood Room is an always-open online room where dads meet and talk, and the Phenomenal Fatherhood online community has discussion areas and recordings you can catch up on after bedtime.
If you are a dad who lives apart from your kids for part of the week, a short call at the same time each day can anchor your relationship. Ask the other household which times work best around meals and bedtime, and keep it consistent even when the call is brief.
FAQ
Show-and-tell, freeze dance, draw-alongs, scavenger hunts, read-alouds and cooking the same simple snack all work well. The key is giving both kids something to do, not just talk.
About 15 to 20 minutes for preschoolers and 30 to 45 minutes for school-age kids. Ending early on a good note beats dragging it out.
Set a predictable call schedule, use repeated rituals like a bedtime story or a weekly drawing challenge, and keep calls activity-based. Consistency usually matters more to kids than length.
They can be, in small doses. Toddlers often wander off after a few minutes, so keep calls to around 10 to 15 minutes, use songs and peekaboo-style games, and let an adult carry the conversation. Seeing a familiar face regularly still helps young kids stay connected to faraway family.
Keep going
Online Security for Kids: Protecting Your Family OnlineOnline security for kids starts at home: device setup, privacy settings, passwords, scams and the talks that keep children safe online. Start with your setup.
Co-Parenting and Blended Families SupportCo-parenting support for dads in two-home and blended families: calmer handoffs, shared rules, stepkid bonds and where to find help. Get support now.Internet Safety: Rules and Habits for the Whole FamilyInternet safety for kids through family rules that stick: a media agreement, screen-time limits, safe search and what to do when kids see something upsetting.Ask a question, meet other dads in the 24/7 room, or join the community for resources and support at every stage.
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