{"id":11974,"date":"2020-05-12T08:00:50","date_gmt":"2020-05-12T12:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"\/blog\/?p=11974"},"modified":"2023-02-21T13:00:56","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T18:00:56","slug":"how-to-socialize-during-coronavirus-with-long-distance-games-elf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elfster.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/12\/how-to-socialize-during-coronavirus-with-long-distance-games-elf\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Socialize During Coronavirus With Long-Distance Games"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Wondering<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every Saturday since social distancing started here in Illinois, my friends and I meet for an afternoon happy hour online. Some live a few blocks away, some in other cities. It\u2019s great to connect, and it reminded us that we could have done this anytime. We don\u2019t need a catastrophe to enjoy hanging out, even distantly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social distancing has, for millions of people, closed their physical world down to a handful of rooms. But what\u2019s amazing\u2014inspiring, beautiful, and deeply human\u2014is that it\u2019s opened us up to more possibilities for connection. We remember the need to see faces. We reach out through screens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering how to socialize during Coronavirus, consider long-distance games. You can play games through screens or apps, face-to-face or not. We can still laugh, play, and even exchange gifts. We might be separated for now, but we can still be together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Icebreaker Games<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019ve known someone forever; you can always learn new things about them. That\u2019s why ice-breaker games are so fun. They challenge players to come up with answers to questions about themselves, from the profound to the sublimely goofy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I especially love icebreaker games<\/a> as a way to socialize over Zoom. If you have a big gathering, the conversation can be both overwhelming and weirdly stilted. Having a game to play gives your time some focus and encourages people to open up. You can also play office icebreaker games<\/a> if you want to get coworkers loosened up a bit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while they can\u2014and should\u2014promote raucous peels of laughter, they also help you learn more about someone. That\u2019s the truest way to strengthen any bond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

App-Based Games<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My wife and her friends play a game every week called Drawful, which is sort of a Pictionary-type thing combined with Cards Against Humanity. To say they have a lot of fun is an understatement. I can hear the laughter from the other side of the apartment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a lot of games where you only have to download an app or sign up on a website. The aforementioned Cards Against Humanity has set up a way specifically to play while social distancing. You can also find apps that let you play classic card games like Go or Euchre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Really, every board game is figuring out ways to facilitate people playing while social distancing. If you have a game you and your friends or family liked to play, look it up. Chances are there are guidelines or apps that you can use to keep playing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Games Without Apps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But you don\u2019t need apps to play games. There are a lot of alternatives, such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n