9 fun games and activities to do with friends on Zoom or Google Hangouts

In the constant search for social interaction and fun during isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic, people have taken to video conferencing to catch up and have fun.

They’re using services like Zoom and Google Hangouts, which we’ve reviewed to tell you which ones are best. But it turns out you can do a lot more than chat on camera.

There are fun games and activities you can do (besides putting a funny background on in Zoom) to have a laugh or two to pass the time. So here are a few ideas we’ve seen put into action over the last few weeks:

1. Jackbox Games

We’ve been over this one. If someone has purchased Jackbox, he or she can share their screen and allow others to remotely log in to play. As long as everyone can see the screen, they can use their phones to play along.

2. Charades

An easy one with people on camera.

3. Crossword puzzles

They should take no time at all!

4. Watching television together

I just got invited to my first Netflix party using, well, Netflix Party (which is a Google Chrome extension that allows people to watch a show/movie at the same time with a chat attached).

5. A talent show

Shout-out to my family for suggesting this one for our next big call.

6. Karaoke

Obviously!

7. Pictionary

H/T to Elite Daily for this idea. You can use a Zoom whiteboard for it:

To use Zoom’s whiteboard, you’ll want to click the share screen button located in your meeting toolbar, select the whiteboard, and click share. You should then see annotation tools that will let you use your mouse to draw as you would for Pictionary. You can take turns sharing the screen’s whiteboard depending on who’s turn it is, and you can put some in charge of keeping time for the person who is drawing.

8. Yoga

Have one person share screen on a YouTube class, and there you have it.

9. Trivia

There’ this Random Trivia Generator that will help.