Ten Ways to Play With Your Friends While Social Distancing–Just because you Can’t see them doesn’t mean you can’t have fun

Right now, social distancing is the name of the game, and while some things are slowly starting to reopen, it is wise to be cautious and keep the distance. Yet, it is super hard not to be able to hang out with friends all summer. Aside from making books your friends (which is usually what I did) here are some fun things to do with your friends, and all you need is a way to text or use an online messenger (or in a couple of cases, email). These also work great when you don’t live close to a friend but you still want to do something with them.

1- Bookclub. Read the same book and talk about it. Of course, this would be a perfect time to try out the Aviandria series, but if you pick something else, I promise I’ll forgive you.

2) Writing prompts. Take turns giving each other writing prompts. Then, both use the same prompt to write a short story (or a longer story–I won’t tell). Then send the stories to each other to read. I know I said all these were text things, but this really might be easier to email.

3) Poetry Titles. Similar to the writing prompt, take turns sending a title, and each person writes a poem for each title. Then share the poems with each other. I did this with a friend in college (yes, the same one I wrote Aviandria stuff with) and we had a lot of fun with it.

4) An Add On Story. One person starts and writes a couple of sentences, then the next person adds a couple of sentences. Switch back and forth until you have a story.

5) Character Conversations. Each person picks a character from a book or movie they know well. They don’t have to be from the same book or move, but they can be if you want. Then pick a topic unrelated to either of the characters, then have a chat or text conversation with each other as those characters. See how well you can stay in character. Some of the conversations can get pretty hilarious.

6) Two truths and a lie. Pick a character from a book or movie, or even a historical figure, and tell the other person two truths and a lie about them. See if the other person can guess who it is, and which thing is the lie. If you choose a historical figure, you can actually learn a lot.

7) Photo challenge. Almost like a scavenger hunt, come up with a list of things and see who can take the most pictures of them made with things around the house. For example, you might make the Capitol building in Washington DC out of some Mac n Cheese boxes and kitchen bowls. Or a giant pencil out of a pool noodle.

8) The Wikipedia game. Go to Wikipedia and click on the random article option. (It’s on the left-hand side menu after you click your language.) One person names another random topic. Race to see who can get from one random topic to the other just by clicking links embedded in the articles. For example, your friend might say Eiffel tower, but the random article Wikipedia gave you was marigold. In the marigold article you see a link that says Europe. You click that, and in the article it gives you, you see a link that says France. From France you find French landmarks. Etc. You get the idea (I hope).

9) Pictionary– take turns drawing something then take a picture of it and see if the other can guess what it is. If it gets too easy, make a rule such as you can only use your left hand, or stick figures, or Microsoft Paint or another equivalent program.

10) Plan a party around a theme. What would you eat that would go with Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, or maybe Star Wars. Would there be activities? If so, what would they be? Plan it together even if you don’t expect to do it very soon, because planning a party is half the fun, and hopefully, this won’t last forever, and you may be able to see those plans come to fruition someday.

Hopefully those ideas give you enough to go on for a little while, or helped to give you an idea of your own. Have a great summer!

Which idea do you most want to try with a friend? Can you think of any others?