We’ve hand-picked some awesome virtual game night ideas that will help you have fun entertaining during quarantine.
As we approach the one month quarantine mark soon, chances are you’ve already binge-watched a ton of Netflix shows, read more books than you’ve probably read in a year and tried to be as productive as possible with your new work from home reality.
You’re longing for some meaningful human connection.
Therefore, it’s time to add some social distancing fun to the mix!
5 Fun Virtual Game Night Ideas That Will Last Beyond Quarantine
1. Use Convokins As a Cool Icebreaker
Picture this. You’ve sent your virtual game night friends some delicious cupcakes from your favorite bakery (because small businesses still need support in these difficult times). You’ve also sent each of your friends a pack of Cotier Brand’s conversation starter napkins Convokins.
It’s time for virtual game night. Everyone has signed into the video calling platform. Before you start the game, you tell everyone to place one of those yummy cupcakes onto a convokin and come back to the screen. The first game has begun.
The challenge – who can finish her cupcake in one minute? The winner(s) then has to read the question(s) on the convokins and everyone has to answer. You’ve just started an interesting conversation with friends who’re far away. Who knows? You’ll probably learn something about your friends that you never knew before.
The beauty of purchasing packs of Convokins is that you’ll be able to use them for the fantastic parties you’ll host post-quarantine. Therefore, you’re investing in your future as a party host. Awesome isn’t it?
2. Play Never Have I Ever
One of the best kept secrets of virtual game night is the benefit of investing in games that you can use long after social distancing has ended. This naturally makes the Never Have I Ever game a worthwhile investment. Here’s how you can play it virtually:
- Ensure that you have a Never Have I Ever game set. You’ll act as the virtual game master.
- Use a blank sheet of paper to create a scoreboard.
- Ask each player to get two blank sheets of paper. The words “I have” should be written on one and the words “I haven’t” should be written on the other.
- Draw a red card to get the instructions for playing that round.
- You won’t be able to give each player the 10 playing cards required for normal game play. Instead, you draw a blue card and read what it says.
- Those who have experienced that embarrassing situation put up the “I have” and those who haven’t put up “I haven’t”.
- The people who have experienced the situation get one point. The first person to reach ten points wins the game.
3. Play Adult Loaded Questions
You may have already played Never Have I Ever to the point where you’re tired of the game and want to try something new. Adult Loaded Questions is an alternative.
Be warned – this is an adult rated game that isn’t for the faint of heart!
You may even want to play it over a glass of wine to let speech flow more freely.
You’re playing this game virtually so how it’s played will change a little. Here’s how to alter it into a fun virtual game night idea:
- Ensure that you have an Adult Loaded Questions game set.. You’ll act as the virtual game master.
- Flick the spinner, pick the card and read the corresponding question.
- All players should send you a direct message on the video conferencing platform with their answers. (You should probably do a test run of this to ensure that everyone understands what to do.)
- Read out the answers they have sent and have each player guess who typed each answer. Each correct guess allows the relevant player to win a point. The first player to get to eight points wins.
4. Play The Off Topic Adult Party Game
Another fun virtual game night idea is the Off Topic Adult Party game. You’re playing this game virtually so how it’s played will change a little. Here’s how to alter it into a fun virtual game night idea:
- Ensure that you have an Off Topic Adult Party game set. You’ll act as the virtual game master.
- Tell each player to get at least ten sheets of letter-sized paper and fold each paper in half. These papers will be their answer boards.
- Draw a game card and read the eight items on the card. Each player should rewrite the eight items on their own answer boards.
- Roll the dice to set the letter.
- Flip the sand timer and have everyone race against the clock to find as many answers as possible to the eight topics. Each answer must start with the random letter.
- Each unique and accepted answer counts towards the player’s points for the round. Answers that are either the same as someone else’s or are rejected don’t count. The person with the most points at the end of the game wins.
5. Play the Double Ditto Family Party Board Game
The Double Ditto Family Party board game is a great virtual game night starter. The aim of the game is to getreat answers that match with other players. You’re playing this game virtually so how it’s played will change a little. Here’s how to alter it into a fun virtual game night idea:
- Ensure that you have a Double Ditto Family Party game set. You’ll act as the virtual game master.
- Tell each player to get a sheet of letter-sized paper and draw a 4 x 3 table on it. This will be their answer sheets.
- Draw a card and read it aloud to the group.
- Players should write two answers they think other players will write in a cell of their grid in 15 seconds.
- When time is up, all players should hold up their answers to the screen and then read them aloud. Answers that are the same as other players should be crossed off and add a point to the player’s tally. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
4 Fun Virtual Game Night Ideas That Are Strictly Virtual
1. Virtual Monopoly
Image Source: Wix
Monopoly is a game night favorite that you shouldn’t have to miss out on because of a quarantine. There is a Monopoly app on both iOS and Android devices. All players should have the same device so that there is continuity across the app used. Once you’ve signed up, game play is easy. Check out the iOS app here or the Android app here.
2. Words With Friends
Image Source: Zynga
Words With Friends has been around for 11 years. It’s essentially the same as Scrabble only virtual. The easy-to-use app can be downloaded on iOS devices by clicking here or on Android devices by clicking here.
3. Heads Up on House Party
Image Source: The Verge
House Party is a video calling app that has a few games perfect for virtual game night.One of the games is an adaptation of Ellen Degeneres’ popular Heads Up game. There can only be eight persons in a HouseParty video call at a time.
You can find the Heads Up game by clicking the dice icon in the upper right hand corner when you have an active House Party open. There are also other fun virtual games available on HouseParty such as:
- Trivia
- Chips and Guac
- Quick Draw
HouseParty truly makes the video calling and virtual game night processes seamless.
4. Use Steam
Steam is an online platform with an array of beloved games such as Uno. You and your friends can create free accounts and have fun playing the games you love online.
Quick Tips for Entertaining Using Virtual Game Night Ideas
Image Source: Daily Hive
Here are some quick tips to ensure that your virtual game night is a hit.
- Choose the right mix of guests. People who are comfortable with each other are more likely to have fun in these virtual settings.
- Choose a video calling platform that’s feasible for everyone. House Party is a possibility mentioned in this article but it may not work for everyone. Other viable options include Zoom, Google HangOuts or Skype. Zoom, however, offers only 40 minutes on its free option so take note of that if you’re planning to use that platform.
- Have a virtual game night playlist ready to set the mood.
- Ensure that the theme is clear. Is it a family friendly or adults only game night?
- Ensure that everyone has access to the chosen game portal prior to game night if you’re using an online game.
Final Words on Virtual Game Night Ideas
Social distancing doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have fun. Plan a fun virtual game night with your closest friends and let the shenanigans begin! Don’t forget the nifty idea of buying games that you can use for future post-quarantine parties.
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