VIRTUAL FACE TIME:

Bridge the gap of physical distance with these fun activities.

Social distancing has become the standard protocol with friends and families staying home to help prevent the coronavirus from spreading further. But many Americans are using virtual face time to help bridge the gap of physical distance.

Virtual happy hours and game nights are taking place of the in-person gatherings we enjoyed just a few short weeks ago. And while catching up with a friend or relative on its own is nice, sometimes games played on FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Facebook video, House Party and Google Hangouts can help keep all parties entertained.

Here are some ideas.

Virtual scavenger hunt

This innovative idea comes from my cousin, Jodie, who tested the idea with myself and about two dozen relatives Saturday night. With each family unit in their own homes, we took turns displaying a common household object and announcing what it was. At that point, each team would rush to find the object as quickly as possible, take a photo, and post it to the family GroupMe chat. The person who posted first would accumulate the most points for that round.

This is best achieved with two different devices: One set up for FaceTime or a related video chat service, and the other for taking photos and posting to GroupMe. A strong Wi-Fi connection will help improve the speed of posting.

Listening party or silent disco

While the idea for a virtual listening party isn’t brand new, my colleague Trevor Fraser revived it for these socially distant times. On Sunday evening, he got a group of friends together online to simultaneously experience Childish Gambino’s “Donald Glover Presents,” a.k.a. “3.15.20.”

“Even though I pulled in friends from different social circles, we all connected over sharing the experience of music,” said Fraser, an entertainment reporter with the Sentinel. “We had a good discussion about the album afterward and it made for a deep method of listening,” adding that he hoped to make this a weekly exercise during confinement.

A listening party could also take the form of a silent disco with the addition of dancing.

Alternatively, explore options for a virtual Netflix watch party (have you seen “Love Is Blind”? Will Jessica and Mark stay together?) or a digital book club with weekly discussions by video chat.

Digital happy hour (or tea time)

This one might be selfexplanatory, but grab your favorite beverage (ideally, from a local brewery, distillery or winery you’ve chosen to support with to-go options) and hop on a video call with friends. Or, if you’re participating with younger friends or family (or don’t prefer alcoholic beverages), grab a cup of tea and set out a nice spread of snacks to enjoy a proper afternoon tea time. When in doubt, pinky out.

The rest can go on like a regular happy hour. Decompress from work, ask what life in self-isolation is like, have some mental health check-ins and reminisce about the times we used to go to bars. Maybe talk about ideas for what to do when this pandemic is over.

Question games

There are a number of question-based games that, while better enjoyed in person, can be easily played via video chat. Think about a simple game of 20 Questions or “would you rather?” Both games have prompts and questions that can be easily found online. Other easy options include “truth or dare,” or “two truths and a lie.”

If you have any other question-based games, many can adapt to digital form. One game in my collection is called “Truth or Drink,” which includes multiple decks with questions ranging from, “What movie title describes your last relationship?” to “Do you think you are more or less attractive than the average person? Why?” The drinking part is technically optional, though.

Hedbanz or charades

You don’t technically need the game “Hedbanz” to enjoy a homemade version that’s comparable. In the game, players take turns guessing what card is fastened to their head, facing out toward other players (categories are animals, food and objects).

To play at home without the set, make equal numbers of hand-drawn and labeled cards with animals, food and objects. Place them shuffled and face down in a pile, draw them one at a time, being careful not to see what’s on the card. Fasten it to your head with a spare shoelace, string, bandana or large rubber band. Each turn should be timed.

A similar option comes in the form of the app, “Heads Up!” One person holds a phone to their forehead, facing out, with words or phrases popping up, while other people try to give the phone holder clues about what’s on their head.