9 UNIQUE WAYS TO HANG OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS VIRTUALLY
When the COVID-19 pandemic first began in early 2020, most people were under the impression that it would only be for a few weeks, but it extended well beyond what we could have ever imagined.
Due to it lasting as long as it did, the pandemic forced us all to be in long-distance friendships. For our safety, everyone was stuck in the house, unable to enjoy our normal in-person social interaction.
Thankfully, how we spend time with our friends has evolved and expanded greatly due to technology and a little creativity.
With a computer, tablet, MacBook, or cell phone, along with connecting to the perfect video platform, you and your friends can enjoy each other’s company without ever leaving your home!
Check out these fun suggestions to help get you started!
9 Unique Ways to Hang Out with Your Friends Virtually
1| Host a Book Club
Reading is fun! It just took me to become an adult to realize this truth. It’s cool because each of us has our perspectives that allow us to interpret a book in different ways.
Exploring those viewpoints together with friends is a great way to learn more about each other’s core values and thought processes.
How-To:
Determine a date and time that will work for each friend on either a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.
Identify if there will have one host or if you all will rotate as hosts.
Each friend jot down key takeaways and potential questions for each chapter.
When you come together at the set time, the host will lead by giving an overview of the chapters and creating a space for open-ended discussions.
2| Exercise Together
Working out at home has become popular with exercise routine videos readily available online.
You and your friends can either tune in to the same online exercise class or create your own workouts to do together over video chat.
It can be motivating and encouraging to do a workout with a friend, even virtually!
Recommendations:
Use pre-recorded workout sessions (like a Yoga lesson) that can be found online.
Download the Seconds Pro - Interval Timer app to create a workout routine that meets your shared fitness goals.
Attend a live online fitness class.
3| Host a Game Night
Games are designed to be fun interactive activities, so of course, it’s a go-to for a virtual hang-out!
Below you’ll find some game ideas to get you started:
Pictionary
Charades
Create your own Jeopardy (https://jeopardylabs.com)
Virtual Bingo (https://myfreebingocards.com/virtual-bingo)
Create your own trivia (https://kahoot.com)
Card games that have free online applications
Pop culture debate topic cards
4| Set Up a Mixology Lesson/Happy Hour
Everyone loves a cute and tasty cocktail (or mocktail)! You and your friends can have your own DIY mixology lesson right at home!
Thanks to the internet, you can find tons of mixed drinks recipes and tutorials online to follow. Afterward, take the opportunity to catch up with a virtual happy hour while enjoying your crafted concoctions.
Recommendations:
Take turns selecting the cocktail of the day.
Send out the ingredients and supplies list in advance.
Avoid overly complicated recipes.
Have each friend record mini videos of their process, have one friend collect all the videos, edit them, and create one vlog as a keepsake.
5| Paint & Sip
It used to be that painting was only for real artists, but now art instructors have found a way to break down their process into practical steps that allow everyday people to get their Picasso on!
You can use free YouTube tutorials or purchase inexpensive painting-on-demand videos from an art studio’s website.
Pour your favorite glass of wine or cup of tea and enjoy!
Supplies Needed:
Acrylic paint (you only need the 5 primary colors because when mixed, they create other colors)
Paint brushes
Plastic paint palettes
Plastic cup for water
Paper towels
6| Cake/Cupcake Decorating
Cake decorating is another option that allows you and your friends to express your artistic creativity.
If you want to make it a friendly competition, you can take pictures and post them on social media to have your followers vote on their favorite.
Simply purchase a box of cake mix, bake the cake on your own, and connect on video chat to decorate together.
There is also the option to freestyle or use a theme. Below are some cake-decorating themes:
Winter Wonderland
Holidays
Animals
Flowers
Travel
7| Create Vision Boards & Goal Setting
You don’t have to wait until New Year’s Eve to create a vision board or partake in goal setting. You and your friends could meet at any time to come together to discuss your dreams and future aspirations.
Y’all can choose to pull out the traditional supplies like a foam board, magazines, scissors, sharpies, and glue, or you can opt to create digital boards to use as screensavers.
Sharing goals can be a vulnerable thing to do, so it’s important to make sure it’s a safe space to do so, and that everyone is respectful and encouraging.
If desired, some friends may gain accountability partners to help them see their vision through by the end of the session.
8| Bible Study or Watch Church Service
When you and your friends share the same faith, you have this awesome opportunity to learn and grow in the faith together.
You all can take turns selecting a scripture, talking about what it means to you, looking up information about what it represents, and discussing ways you can apply the teachings to your life.
Alternate Option:
Watch your church service live at the same time together or watch a pre-recorded sermon, and text your thoughts to one another.
9| Enjoy a Self-Care Night
It sucks to not be able to go to the nail salon with your girls, I get that, but that doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying some self-care together.
You and your friends can find makeup or hair tutorials online and do them together. Make sure to take before and after pictures to capture the process.
Or you can do your skincare routines together and share some of your favorite beauty tips.
Don’t forget to enjoy some girl talk while pampering yourselves!
How to Make Virtual Hang Outs Successful
Because you’re not in person, there are a few things you have to be intentional about to make your virtual hangout a success.
Limit Distractions
Over video chat, everything makes noise and sounds louder than it really is. Mute or lower the volume of your TV or music in the background, to not be as disruptive.
Be Present
Our phones pretty much hold our entire lives, so we are constantly checking them. I get it. But show respect to one another by being fully engaged in the moment. I’m not saying you have to turn your phone off, but you don’t have to be scrolling your timeline endlessly.
Be Open-Minded and Participate
Even in this technological age that we live in, it can still feel kind of weird to do these activities virtually. Having an open mind, and participating with the same energy you would have if you were in person can make the experience a great one.
Spending quality time with your friends virtually may take a little extra effort, but that’s what being an intentional friend is all about — showing up for the friendships that you love.
What are some of the things you and your friends do to hang out virtually? Share in the comment box below to help others come up with new and fun ideas!
