ONLINE GAMES T O SHARE

DO A VIRTUAL SCAVENGER HUNT

This one will get everybody involved in the fun! Choose someone to put together a group of items to find, get on Zoom or Facetime, share the list and then start hunting! Whoever finds all the objects and brings them back to the screen first wins. Think of things like “something red”, “something purchased overseas” and so on.

GUESS THE BABY FACE

This is a great one to play with friends, especially those who might not have known each other in childhood. Ask your mates to send you a baby photo (aim for about nine to 12 months old) then send them around for people to guess who’s who. If you’re tech-savvy, you can create a slideshow of the photos. It’ll be harder than you think!

ORGANISE A TRIVIA NIGHT

Nothing brings family and friends together like a little healthy competition, so grab some snacks, choose your trivia host and get quizzing! You can write your own questions, or alternatively there are plenty of apps that do it for you, including Kahoot! (kahoot.it), which collates your questions and allows you to share the quiz with others via a code.

BINGO!

For those who prefer something a little more sedentary, this is perfect! You can create your own bingo cards and numbers – or a quick search online will help you track down some printable templates – and take turns being the caller over Zoom or Facetime. Don’t forget to shout “Bingo!” nice and loud!

ONLINE PICTIONARY

For those who want to get creative and competitive at the same time, there are plenty of websites that help you play virtual Pictionary. Random Word Generator (randomwordgenerator.com) makes deciding what to draw easy when it’s your turn. You can use paper before holding your creation up to the screen if you want to go old school, or if you want those guessing to see it in real time, use the whiteboard mode in Zoom. Limit yourself to 60 seconds drawing time to make it extra fun!

BREAK OUT THE BOARD GAMES

Need a breather from virtual activities but still want to exercise your brain? Dust off those board games! From classics like Scrabble and Monopoly to more modern-day fun such as Cards Against Humanity, game night is something you can do with your partner, family or friends.

DIY VEGIE PATCH

If the weather’s nice outside, venture to the backyard and start your own vegetable patch! You’ll only need a small collection of supplies to get you started, and you can teach the kids all about the benefits of growing your own food. If you’re short on backyard space, why not try a smallerscale herb garden inside? If local nurseries are closed, remember you can always click and collect at most outlets.

PUZZLES GALORE!

Investing in a puzzle that the whole family can do could be money – and days! – well spent. There are all kinds of skill levels available, with 500-piece puzzles a good one to start with the rest of the family. Order one online and set aside some time each day to work on solving it together, with the added bonus of working that brain power!

COLOURING-IN FUN

Colouring books and activity kits can help the kids pass endless time indoors, but adult colouring books have also become popular as an effective mindfulness exercise. Whether you just need to switch off for a while or try a calming activity, colouring between the lines could be the answer to your lockdown boredom.

BRING THE CINEMA TO YOUR HOME

Hosting a family movie night is great for a weekend treat – especially when you go all out with popcorn, drinks and even homemade choc-tops, just like at the movies! Take movie night up a notch by having a theme, or even dress up as your favourite characters from your chosen films.