We’re on the cusp of a New Year but the difficult situations created by COVID-19 still rage on. We’re still fighting this pandemic and many of us are still self-quarantining and away from those we love. This can be a difficult situation, especially with the holidays coming up and all of us wanting to be with those we love most. While it may not be the same as in-person contact, there are still ways for us to connect with our loved ones. The biggest one is by using Zoom. As most of us know by now, Zoom is an online video calling service and it’s entirely free. You can share your screens with each other or simply just enjoy chatting. The coolest part is the games that you can play to stay connected with loved ones. Here is a list of some of the best games to play over Zoom:
Skribbl.io
Skribbl.io is an online browser version of Pictionary. Everyone picks a name, designs a character, and launches the game. All you have to do is create a lobby and send the link to the friends or family you want to join. The game’s format is very simple, someone is given three prompts to choose from and then they have to draw it. Everyone else in the game is supposed to type in what they think the drawing is. It tells you how many letters the word is up top, and after time continues to dwindle, it will expose some letters to you too. If you get it right, you are rewarded with points based on how quickly you guessed it. It’s very simple and can be fun for everyone. Just hop on a Zoom call and enjoy the laughs and friendly competition this game brings.
Playingcards.io
Playingcards.io is a virtual, browser version of a variety of tabletop games. There is chess, checkers, euchre, backgammon, go fish, hearts, and many more. It’s a fun way to play some simple card or board games with your friends, while still remaining socially distant. Similar to Skribbl.io, all you have to do is hop on and share a link with those you want to join. Start a Zoom call with it and you guys can talk to each other just like you would if you were in the same room.
Charades
Charades can always provide some hilarious entertainment. You never know what you might have to act out and if your acting skills aren’t too hot, you will probably get a good laugh out of it too. There are online generators for Charade phrases/words that will make this process even easier for you. Split up into teams, act out what the generator gives you (but don’t talk), and let the teams take turns guessing. If they get it right, they get a point and whoever has the most points at the end of your designated rounds, wins!
Board games
The internet is a wonderful place and with online gaming become a much more popular way to be entertained, many classic board games have created an online version of their game. Some you might have to pay for and others may be free, but the fun is all the same. Classic games like Monopoly, Risk, Catan, Clue, Life, and many more are available online. It’s an easy way to play classic games, that we loved playing growing up, with our friends and family at a safe distance.
Jackbox
This is something not everybody has probably heard of, but the fun it can create is immeasurable. The Jackbox Party Pack is a bundle of games made by the company that you can play online with your friends. Zoom makes this easy because you can share your screen (which will be needed) while still communicating and seeing everyone’s faces. There are a variety of fun games that you can play and learn, in addition to there being multiple party packs you can buy with different games. There are games that you create t-shirts with drawings, create inventions for problems your group comes up with, making your own rap, trivia with a twist, and simpler games which you just respond to randomly generate prompts. Jackbox is easily one of the best games you can play at a safe distance without losing any of the fun you can have in person.