FaceTiming or Zooming your friends and family is fun, but can get repetitive - we get it!
If you’re after some fun alternatives to video calls to keep you connected to your loved ones, look no further - our comprehensive and exhaustive list takes you through the very best 8 virtual experiences to do with your family and friends.
1. Binge Your Favourite Shows Together With Netflix Party
Have the past few nights seen you curled up on the couch, binge watching show after show on Netflix? While there’s frankly nothing wrong with that, you may be starting to find yourself missing someone to binge watch with.
Well, the kind folks over at Netflix have made this possible by creating a handy chrome extension that lets you do just that, and it’s called Netflix Party. The extension lets you and your friends start, pause and rewind a movie or show at the exact same time, so you know you’re definitely in sync as you’re watching.
Better still, the tool provides a nifty little chat bar where you can discuss what’s happening - making the whole ordeal feel a lot more social.
2. Crack a Case Together With an Online Murder Mystery Party
If you’re partial to a whodunnit, round of Cluedo, or anything else in the realm of mystery - AmazingCo’s online Murder Mystery Party sounds like the perfect night in for you.
The experience has all the bells and whistles of a classic murder mystery roleplay - think in depth instructions, a thorough storyline and character bios for each player - but with the added benefit of being able to crack the case with your friends and family from the comfort of your own home through video chat!
While the digital aspect does, in theory, mean you can solve the case in pyjamas - we recommend you and your pals dressing up in costume for the event to make a fancy night of it.
Check out AmazingCo’s Online Murder Mystery Party here!
3. Throw a (Virtual) Houseparty
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably somewhat aware of the wildly popular video messaging platform, Houseparty. The app allows you to create groups of up to 8 people, and unlike other popular video calling platforms such as Zoom and Skype, lets you play interactive online games, turning the whole digital meetup into (for want of a better word) - a houseparty.
Watch out though - you’ll need to ‘lock’ your group after creating it, otherwise anyone on the platform can show up to your chat as an uninvited guest (and we know from experience this doesn’t always end well).
4. Host a Virtual Challenge Party
So, Friday night is rolling around, and someone from your friendship group has suggested another Zoom call for everyone to join? While video calls are undoubtedly a great way to stay connected with those you can’t yet meet up with outside - they can get old fast (unless you’re playing games on Houseparty - see above!).
Thankfully in order to liven up the typical Zoom session, the kind folks at AmazingCo have created an online Challenge Party - a virtual take of the hit TV show ‘Minute to Win It’. The virtual party (which is perfect for an actual socially distanced birthday party or simply a way to bring some life into your video calls) will see you and your friends or family take on a number of fast paced, genuinely fun challenges using everyday equipment found in the household (so chances are you won’t even need to go shopping).
Better yet, up to 8 teams from different households can get involved in the fun, and it’s up to you whether you’d like to host yourself (we’ll send you all necessary instructions of course), or would like one of our expert entertainers to virtually host for you.
Check out AmazingCo’s Virtual Challenge Party here!
5. Go Head to Head with Online Trivia
While going out to the pub may not be possible for the unforeseeable future, this doesn’t mean that the undisputed gem of pub night - pub trivia - needs to be missed out on. AmazingCo’s Online Trivia night brings all the fun of pub night directly to you- so you and the gang can get your grey cells working all from the comfort of your own homes.
Even better, you get to choose between either hosting the night by yourself, or getting an expert host to dial in through Zoom so you don’t need to do a thing!
While the online nature of the Trivia Night enables you to sit in bed while competing against your friends, we recommend making a popper night out of it - set up camp in the living room, get yourself a beer, make yourself a ‘pub meal’ (fries heated up in the oven from the supermarket suffice here if cooking is outside your realm of capabilities) and go digitally head to head with the others in quest for the ultimate trivia winner.
Check out AmazingCo’s Online Trivia here!
6. Virtually Bake Something Together
There’s something both wonderfully exciting and relaxing about baking. And while this is usually a singular affair, video chatting with a friend and baking the same recipe at the same time actually proves a surprisingly fun activity - you two can chat away while combining all the ingredients and compare the delicious finished products at the end.
Plus, if you’re too busy getting all your measurements correct (remember - baking is a science) to speak, you’ll always have plenty of time to chat while your baked goods are in the oven, or better yet - when they’re out and ready to be enjoyed (we recommend lighting some candles and tasting the fruits of your labour with a nice cuppa).
7. Make Your Own Happy Hour at Home
Previously, a typical Friday night may have seen you scramble out of the office to get your hands on some cheap cocktails at your favourite watering hole, only to get there out of breath two minutes before Happy Hours ends and inevitably missing the drink specials again. It’s a solemn tale, but one that a virtual Happy Hour (undoubtedly the supreme Happy Hour) can put to bed.
The beauty behind virtual Happy Hour is that it can start whenever, and span as many hours as you like - it’s at your home after all. Simply gather the gang for a group video call and (virtually) enjoy some delicious home made cocktails from the comfort of your own living rooms.
If you want to go all out, we recommend preparing some nibbles and finger food to pair nicely with your cocktails of choice, or even dressing up for the occasion!
8. Host a Virtual Book Club
Can’t attend your book club due to staying indoors? A virtual book club may be just the thing for you.
The perfect digital solution for avid readers at heart, virtual book clubs can be made up by your actual book club group (just make sure you all have access to Zoom / Skype / your preferred video calling method) or created from scratch with your friends.
We recommend choosing a book at the beginning of the month, then after completing it, setting up a meeting with the group to discuss the most important themes and topics. Better yet, the meeting can turn into a wine and cheese night - simply make a platter, sit back and relax with book in one hand and wine in the other!
Conclusion
And there you have it - a foolproof list of fun and virtual ways to keep connected with your family and friends!
For those of you living with family, friends or flatmates and on the search for some activities to do together, check out our list of the Top 10 At Home Activities.
