Laugh Out Loud Online! (Penelope)
10 Games To Add A Spark To Your Virtual Get-Togethers
The social impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic is still lingering 2 years after its deadly discovery, and we oftentimes find ourselves barren of something positive to talk about. In a blink of a day, our lives changed, forcing us to stay inside, for our own good. If you’re like me and my family, virtual meetups have been a saving grace, but the conversation often becomes dull, so what better way to distract yourself from depressing news, than to spice it up with a good old game. After all, it's probably better than hearing your aunt rant and rave about today’s wordle. Not to mention, virtual games are a great way to reconnect with family and friends and let them know you're thinking of them or those who live a long way away. So without further ado, let’s explore 10 fun games to play over zoom.
1. Skribbl.io
Put those art skills to the test with this fun and free game. Skribbl.io will have you guessing and laughing over your opponents' sketches. One game consists of a few rounds in which every round someone has to draw their chosen word while others attempt to guess the word for points. When it becomes your turn, you simply pick a word and doodle away, while the other opponents chat their guesses!
2. Charades
We have all played this beloved family game before in person, so why not play it on zoom with your friends and family. Take turns using an online word generator, and mime out the word while others attempt to correctly guess the answer!
3. Gartic Phone
This laugh-out-loud witty game is a virtual game night must-have! Online each player is promptly asked to write a quirky sentence, little do they know someone else will be illustrating their sentence. Whoever can correctly guess all the wacky scenes wins the game.
4. Scattergories Online
We all remember the board game version of this mind-boggling game! Perhaps we played it at summer camp as a kid, or it was the go-to board game to play with your friends. Either way, there is no doubt in my mind that online scattergories are fun. Simply visit scattergories. online to start having some fun!
5. Trivia
We all remember the days when we gathered around at Pubs to play this classic knowledge game! An application like TriviaMaker.com can be used to create your trivia games, which are fun and interactive.
6. Mexican Train Online
This classic party game is back, this time online! Visit Mexican train.online and create an account and invite your friends using the share link. This domino game is old-fashioned, meaning you don’t even have to play over zoom, but you can if you would like. This is my current favorite since all you have to do is call up a friend and chat away while playing of course.
7. Outburst
This game is the perfect way to start your virtual meet-up. Divide the participants into two teams and choose a host to play with. The Game’s objective is to write as many items down that apply to a certain category. Points are awarded for every game host you have on your list. This game calls for Zoom's whiteboard feature.
8. Who is most likely to…
This game will get you and your friends talking. In this game, one person poses different most likely scenarios and determines which friend is most likely to do it. The person who correctly guesses the person the most wins!
9. Heads Up!
Heads up is a staple to Friday Game Night! The game requires players to describe the word on screen to the person holding the screen above their head. The game features a range of categories and allows you to play with as many people as you want.
10. 20 Questions
Last but not least, 20 questions is a must-play! To play the game, you ask each member of your group 20 creative questions. Prepare to be surprised!
These 10 games have been a staple in keeping my family and me happy and connected during the pandemic. We are always up for games and love hearing the phone ring from a friend wanting to play our favorite game, Mexican Train! Games connect us and allow us to do what I call the fab three, laugh, smile, and spread love. I hope informing you about these games will make your virtual meetups a little more exciting. Always remember, shine your bright light and be kind!
By Penelope Oliver
Penelope Oliver (15 years old) has been volunteering with LAD for about 6 months after she found the organization researching ways to make and send cards to those in need. As a teen herself, Penelope focuses her work at LAD on teens going through turbulent times and often includes return addresses to stay updated on their mental health journies. Letter writing for LAD is one of Penelope’s favorite volunteer activities since it blends two of her favorite interests together; writing and lifting others. In her free time, Penelope loves to write poems (Instagram @penelopethepowerfulpoet), comedy monologues, and create sketches and paintings. Penelope looks forward to many more years volunteering with LAD. (My Bio)