Not being able to see our friends is definitely one of the worst things about quarantine. Going from being with them every day at college to only seeing them through the phone is incredibly sad. Here are five of the ways that I have been spending time with my friends that are way more fun than the typical FaceTime call.
1. Online Games
When I say online games, I do not mean PlayStation or Xbox. I am by no means a gamer girl, but I have found a couple websites with games my friends and I used to play in person all the time. One of my favorites is Cards Against Humanity, and it is so easy to play. It's called Remote Insensitivity online, but I promise you it's just like playing the game in person. There's even an option to turn on webcams, so that you and your friends can see each other while playing. The website is playingcards.io and there are tons of other fun game options if Cards Against Humanity isn't really your thing.
2. Netflix Parties
Watching Netflix shows with my friends was one of my favorite things about college. And while we unfortunately can't all crowd in the same room to watch a movie anymore, we can watch Netflix together from our own separate homes! Netflix Party is an extension of Netflix that you can download off your TV, laptop, or phone for free. Once you download it, you log into your account and start any show or movie you'd like. Once you pick, click on the red NP beside the address bar, click Start Party, and copy and paste the URL to all your friends! You can watch the show or movie at the same exact time, and even chat on the right side of the screen.
3. Kahoot Nights
Some of the best days in high school were when our teachers put up a Kahoot on the board for the class to play. If you're unfamiliar with the wonderful world of Kahoot, it's basically a game where you answer questions with as much speed as you can to win. I recently learned that anyone can make a Kahoot to share, and since then my friends and I have had Kahoot FaceTime calls. Each one of us makes a Kahoot about ourselves with questions to see who knows who the best. We then get on FaceTime, and play each person's Kahoot one at a time. Making a Kahoot is super easy, all you do is go to the Kahoot website and make an account for free. Once you've done that you can create and share to your heart's content! It can get super competitive, but it's a super fun way to get to know all your friends better!
4. Write Letters
I personally love getting cards and letters in the mail. I keep any and all handwritten items from my friends and family, because they mean so much to me. Writing cards or letters to your friends is a great way to surprise them and by doing so, you will really brighten their day. If you or any member of your family has stationary, use that! Regular printer or notebook paper works, too. You could even make a cute little card like we did back in elementary school. However you choose to do it, writing your friends is such a sweet gesture that really goes a long way.
5. Get "Dinner" Together
Going out to eat with friends is one of the only forms of entertainment in my small town. However, I love my friends and I love to eat, so it was perfect. Not being able to do this in the traditional way is sad, but I have figured out a way to grab dinner with friends while still practicing social distancing. Get your friends to all go get takeout, it could be from the same restaurant or different ones. Once you all get safely back to your homes with the food, FaceTime and have a dinner date! It's super cheesy, but one of my favorite things to do with my friends. You could even try cooking a meal together and eating it over FaceTime if you're feeling inspired!
