9 Fun Virtual Activities to Connect with Loved Ones
Missing quality time with your friends and family during the holidays is hard! I am currently in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend, so I know the feeling all too well. This isn’t the first time where I didn’t get to celebrate his birthday or spend the holidays with him. But fortunately, over the years, we’ve found some fun virtual activities to stay connected.
Other fun virtual activities you need to check out:
- Simple and easy video call ideas
- Free and fun video call group games
- Long-distance relationship date ideas
1.Download the Houseparty App
Download the free Houseparty app to video call and play games together. You can play heads-up, quick draw, trivia and more. You can have up to 8 people join the video chat!
2. Watch a movie together
Watch in real-time with your loved ones using Teleparty (formally known as Netflix Party). Host a big movie event and chat using the side chat bar. Make sure everyone downloads the free Google chrome extension first. Now you will have someone to watch all the holiday and Halloween specials with.
3. Cook a meal or bake together.
Food is the way to the soul! First, decide on a recipe and purchase the ingredients. Cook in real-time over the video call. Enjoy a great meal and company!
4. Download the KOYA app
Use this free app to surprise your loved ones! You can send location-specific gifts and messages to friends and family. It can be a fun scavenger hunt where once your partner is in the location you selected, they can receive a pre-recorded video or a small gift ($$$). Surprise them at their favourite restaurant, coffee shop or other locations of your choice!
5. Send open when letters
Show your loved ones that you are thinking of them! Send virtual emails or physical letters with instructions to open at a future date. You can have letters that can only be opened on special holidays. For example, open it when it’s your birthday, open when it’s New Year’s/ Christmas/ Valentine’s Day/ Thanksgiving etc. If you are running out of ideas, search on Pinterest for, “Open When Letter Ideas.”
You can also think about different emotions and future major events that are significant to the other person. Write letters for when the person will feel sad, lonely, happy etc.
Get creative and make some for your family members, cousins, romantic partner or best friends! These are thoughtful and it shows you care even when you are not physically there.
6. Have deeper conversations
If you are running out of things to talk about, Google and Pinterest will be your best friend. Check out the 36 questions that lead to love or find fun questions online to ask your partner/family/kids.
If you want to spice it up, you can try Truth or Drink. Check out the Youtube series here, to learn more! Ask your partner bold questions and if they choose not to answer them, your partner has to take a sip of an alcoholic beverage or drink of your choice ( it can be gross!) You can have a friend who knows you well to create the questions. This will ensure the questions will be relevant to you and your partner.
7. Plan non-negotiable time for fun virtual activities
For those in a relationship, it’s important to have planned dates where you can focus on building intimacy in your relationship. Dress-up, have a cute dinner and good conversations. Put on a nice dress shirt and for the ladies, it’s time for the bold lipstick! Think of romantic things to say or topics to talk about. You can even decorate your room to set the mood.
8. Play free multiplayer games together
Missing some quality time with your cousins and friends? Download these free multiplayer games: Warzone, Scrabble Go, FortNite, Among Us, Draw Something, Mario Kart Tour, PUBG, League of Legends and DOTA 2. For free group video call games idea, check out my article here.
Monopoly is not a free option but it is worth the $5 to be able to play virtually with everyone.
9. Tell them and show how much you appreciate them
Who doesn’t love words of affirmation? Send someone a long text message or send a written physical letter! It’s a simple gesture to show you are thinking of them. You can write about how you miss them and how you can’t wait to spend time together. Include memorable photos, stories or a sentimental token with it.
Not getting to spend time with your loved ones during the holidays can be lonely! I know I feel that way when I miss out on any holiday celebration. But I truly hope these ideas will help you stay connected and for you to make the most of the situation.
Let’s Connect:
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Love baking with the fam over zoom! Great suggestions !
Thank you Sarah!
Great ideas! we’re looking forward to spending a quite Holiday season although we miss our families dearly. Thankful for technology that can bring everyone together safely.
Thanks Reena, all the best for 2021!
We use Houseparty all the time with family. Great advice!
HouseParty is such a great app, thank you for checking out my article Andrew!
The KOYA app sounds interesting, and I love all the games you mentioned, its not super easy to find a good list!
If you decide to give KOYA a try, let us know what you think! We are also working on a web version to make it even easier to send surprises to your loved ones.
I love this! Can’t wait for the web version to be publish.
Thank you so much Kateryna, this means a lot to me.
Great Ideas
Thank you!
I’ve never heard of the Koya app but it sounds like such a sweet gift ! I’m definitely going to check it out.
Yay!!
I am exciting to hear that 🙂
Thanks for including KOYA in your virtual activity guide!! This was such a fun surprise.
Hi Courtney,
It is such a thoughtful idea and concept, more people need to know about it.