As we round out nearly a year of social distancing, many of us have attempted to master the learning curve of how to balance kids at home, a different working style, and ways to interact with friends and family from a distance. Conference calls and virtual meetings have replaced happy hours and brainstorming sessions, and many people have found creative ways to incorporate virtual hangouts into their ‘new normal.’
While a tried-and-true video call is great way to connect with loved ones, we’ve been at this for a while, and it’s nice to switch it up. To add some more pizzaz to your distanced social life, check out this list of six creative virtual hangouts.
- Cooking Nights
Since we’re all eating at home a lot more these days, you may be getting tired of your go-to meals. Cooking nights are a great way to connect with friends, work in the kitchen, and try new dishes. You can enroll in an online cooking class led by executive chefs, or you can find a recipe, send it to some friends, and set up a time to cook it, “together”. Pour a glass of wine, set up your laptop, turn up the music, and throw on your apron.
The best part about a cooking night is once it’s done, you can sit down together and enjoy a virtual dinner party. Take turns picking the recipe and try a new meal every week – yum!
- Bingo With Kids
School days are looking a bit different this year, which means kids are really missing their friends. Thanks to virtual conferencing apps, even kids can get in on the virtual hangout action. However, any parent who has tried distance learning can attest that getting a bunch of kids on a conference call can result in chaos. Sometimes, scheduling an activity can help little ones stay focused and help them connect; try a Bingo night!
- Do a quick web search for Bingo sheets. Pick a theme the kids will like, such as Disney, animals, or characters from their favorite TV shows.
- Have each parent print out a similar Bingo sheet and then schedule a time for Bingo night.
- Have someone call out the characters, just like in real Bingo, and let the kids mark off their sheets.
- Younger kids may only be able to focus through one game, while older kids may get the hang of it and even host their own Bingo nights with their friends.
- Host A Workout Class
Fitness centers are operating very differently these days, but health and wellness doesn’t need to be achieved at the gym. It is important to incorporate intentional movement into everyday life to keep your mind and body and in peak condition to help you maintain a routine. If you can’t get to the gym, consider hosting a virtual workout class and invite your friends! You don’t have to be a fitness expert to do this, the goal is to just get everyone moving. Play a workout video in the background to follow, or put on your favorite music and lead your friends in some basic aerobic moves. You could even schedule an early morning virtual hang out and practice yoga together before you start the day. Here are a few great home workout programs to try out.
One of the hardest parts about working out while social distancing, is being motivated and accountable. If you know you have a few friends counting on you to join a workout session, you’ll be more likely to participate.
- Start A Book Club
If you’ve been a long-term bookworm, or have begun to develop a passion for literature, a benefit of social distancing is the extra time to catch up on new books. One of the best parts about reading a book is discussing it with other people. Since we can’t get together to discuss the stories in a quiet coffee shop, virtual book club meetings are the next best thing. To host an awesome virtual book club, consider following these steps:
- Pick a few book-loving friends and choose a new book.
- Agree on how much you’ll read at once and pick a weekly day/time to discuss.
- Designate a moderator who can lead and shift the discussion in a way that allows everybody to participate.
- If you’re sharing your book club on social media, tag the author of the book!
- Suggest a few snacks or drinks for group members to make at home to enjoy during the meeting. Tip: To get extra emersed in the book, suggest food and drinks that are related to the story. For example, if a book is based in Asia, suggest everyone order Chinese takeout for a book club night. If it’s a book based in the deep south, send over a few recipes for classic soul food.
- Plan A Game Night
Just because we can’t all be together, doesn’t mean we can’t host a night of fun! There are many games that can be played virtually, like Pictionary, Charades, and even Karaoke! You can get creative and play board games online as well. Many of our favorite games have been adapted for the virtual setting, and everyone can download an app or game and play from the comfort of their own home. Here’s a list of virtual games to try out!
- Movie Nights
Even if you don’t do a lot of talking during movie nights, sometimes it’s just nice to know someone else is there. A movie night is easy to set up and can be a fun way to watch a new film with loved ones, while following social distancing guidelines. Pick a movie, set a time, hook up your laptop, and hit play. To step up your movie game, try watching through a streaming service, like Watch Party. This allows for multiple viewing options and includes a live chat box for viewers to share their reactions.
COVID-19 has us flexing our creative muscles when it comes to socializing. We all miss our friends and family greatly, but it’s important to remember that social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation. We live in a time where we can connect with friends and family with just a push of a button.
Weidner Apartment Homes is staying diligent about our cleaning and sanitizing processes at all of our apartment communities. We are also adapting to the new guidelines and are offering virtual and socially-distanced resident events every month. If you are one of our valued residents, reach out to your Community Director, or check your resident portal, to participate in one of our events.
We hope you can implement some of these creative virtual hangouts into your normal routines to remain connected during these unprecedented times. Stay healthy!