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Family Story Game: Questions to Connect Generations

Most families believe they know each other well. But when you ask a grandparent, a teenager, or a young child the right question—one that fits their life and experience—you often discover something new about them. The Family Story Game is designed to help you do just that.

This free online family story game offers questions matched to each player’s life stage. Children get simpler questions that they can relate to, while grandparents receive prompts based on their experiences. Everyone can join in, have fun and learn something about each other.

How to Play

The Family Story Game — Simirity

The Family Story Game

The Family
Story Game

1Draw a card
2Share a story
3Discover the people you thought you already knew

Set Up Your Game

Questions are tailored to each player's age and stage of life.

How many players?
4 players
Player profiles
Choose your game mood

Closer than you were an hour ago

0
Questions
answered
0
Questions
bookmarked
0
Players
involved

Bookmarked Questions

💾 How to save these stories — Record the answers in Simirity Family Journal, built to preserve family stories like these for future generations.
Take it further

See how families capture stories like these

Built by a family, for families. Simirity is the home for stories like the ones shared tonight — captured in words, voice, photos, and video across every generation. Explore a live account, no sign-up needed.

Explore our demo →

Family Stories Insights

Resilient Children

Stories provide family roots

One variable predicted better self-esteem, lower anxiety and stronger bonds — knowing your family’s roots.

Researchers at Emory University spent thirty years studying family storytelling. They found that children who know their family stories cope better with life’s challenges and feel more securely connected to the people around them.

A strong family where stories have strengthened intergenerational family bonds.
A grandfather sharing a story that comes from The Family Story Game
Family Bonding

Stories strengthen bonds

A single 30-minute storytelling session has been shown to measurably change the chemistry between family members.

A 2021 study found that shared storytelling doubled oxytocin levels and lowered cortisol, helping us feel closer and more relaxed. The Family Story Game is made to encourage this naturally, so no one has to act like a storyteller, and everyone gets their turn.

Unheard Stories

Ask the unasked questions

Families who have spent decades together still have so many stories that have never been told.

These stories are not secret, but they’re remained hidden because no one thought to ask. It’s all about asking the right questions to unlock all those untold stories, which is where The Family Story Game can help.

A senior couple with so many family stories yet to share.
The Simirity family journal app - the home of family stories

Simirity — the home of family stories

Keep stories safe

Discoveries are worth keeping!

There is a common belief that stories are secure as long as the person who lived them is still here. But memory is not a reliable archive.

Questioning is an important first step, but if you don’t capture the answers somewhere, they slowly fade from memory. Simirity is a private family journal that’s home to family stories like those you discovered in the game.

Learn more about Simirity family journal or view a demo account to see it in action. No signup needed.

VIEW DEMO ACCOUNT

More Free Family Tools

Family Story Game Questions

What ages is The Family Story Game suitable for?

The family story game is made for players aged 6 and up, from young kids to grandparents. Each person picks their life stage and gets questions that fit their age and experience, so everyone can share something meaningful.

How many players can play at once?

The family story game works for 2 to 8 players. It’s just as good for a small family of three as it is for a big group with several generations.

Can we play on a video call?

Yes. Share your screen on a video call and take turns. The host draws the cards, and everyone answers in order. It works on Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Google Meet. This is a great way for families in different countries to connect in a more meaningful way than a regular catch-up..

Can I use this as a Would You Rather questions game?

Yes. Just select ‘Would You Rather Questions’ as your game mood at the start. Each player will get would you rather questions matched to their generation, from kids to grandparents. This is one of the most popular ways to play. If you want to see all our would you rather questions without playing, you can find over 300 on our dedicated would you rather questions page.

What are the three types of question cards?

  1. Fun & Uplifting cards (gold) keep things light and fun.
  2. Deep & Thoughtful cards (green) help start family stories and conversations that don’t usually happen on their own.
  3. Would You Rather cards (purple) settle arguments, start new ones, and always get everyone talking.

Or pick Random Mix to blend all three types.

How long does the game last?

Play the family story game for as long as you like. There’s no set endpoint. One round per person takes about 15 minutes, or you can keep playing all evening. Most families end up playing longer than they thought they would.

Can I save or share the questions?

Yes. You can bookmark any question that leads to a good conversation by clicking the icon on each card. At the end of the family story game, your bookmarked questions will appear and can be copied with one click. Share buttons let you send the game link to friends and family on WhatsApp, Facebook, or by copying the link.

What is Simirity?

Simirity is a private family journal and the platform that hosts this family story game. It helps families save the stories that come up in conversations like these, whether in words, voice, photos, or video. You can explore a demo family account to see how it looks without signing up.