Isolation and lack of social interactions are wreaking havoc on mental health worldwide.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, over 40% of adults in the U.S. have reported feelings of anxiety and depression.
There are minimal outlets for safe interaction these days.
Despite the lack of options, it’s essential to your mental health to find ways to connect with friends and family.
But, how can you fight this isolation and stay safe?
Throw a virtual party!
Get a group of your friends and family together online and have some fun.
Keep reading for seven virtual party ideas that will help you beat the COVID blues and have a great time while doing it.
1. Host a Cooking Class
Find a chef and host a virtual cooking class.
Everyone can stay safe from their kitchens while following along with the recipe.
You’ll provide social interaction for you and your friends while learning new skills.
Consider sending kits in advance or a list with necessary ingredients to prepare party members with everything they need.
After the joy of cooking, you can sit down together virtually and enjoy your meals.
2. Play Trivia
Trivia is an ideal game night option. Being easy to plan and execute, it is one of the most successful virtual party games.
Create some excitement by announcing a theme and splitting the party members up into teams beforehand.
Research some interesting questions and offer prizes for the winning teams.
It’ll get everyone’s competitive juices flowing and will feel satisfying to interact playfully.
If you’d rather sit back and enjoy the fun, there are professional services that will organize and host online trivia for you.
3. Plan a Movie Night
Nothing beats a good old-fashioned movie night with your friends and family.
A virtual movie night is easy to organize and is bound to be a fun time.
Make a list and have everyone vote on the movie you’ll watch together.
Create an authentic theatre experience and send out everyone’s favorite movie snacks beforehand.
Set up your computer or phone nearby.
Listen to one another’s commentary and enjoy the film safely in the comfort of your own homes.
4. Join a Virtual Escape Room
If you want to host an exciting virtual party, consider joining an online escape room.
Escape rooms have become extremely popular in the past few years and are now possible to join online.
Escape games involve real-life adventures where you and your fellow players are locked in a room with an hour to break yourselves out.
By finding clues, answering riddles, piecing together puzzles, and solving codes, you work together to beat the game.
In a virtual escape room, you can enjoy the game in the safety of your own home.
Your group will interact with a person who is physically in the room.
There are live cameras to see the room and the person while they handle the clues for you.
Like the live version, you’ll have 60 minutes to win the game and break yourselves out.
5. Enjoy Online Charades
If you’re looking for easy and fun games for virtual parties, nothing beats charades.
Charades is probably the most straightforward game to plan and play without being in the same room.
All you need are a few willing friends who are down for a night of competitive interaction.
Break your group into teams and have everyone pick their topics to act out.
Players should write down what they’re acting out beforehand to keep everyone honest.
Playing charades will get the group moving and thinking in ways they probably haven’t since the start of the pandemic.
Plus, with little to no planning involved, you can get a game started at the last minute.
6. Throw a Virtual Cocktail Party
Have everyone dress in their finest attire and throw a virtual cocktail party.
Send out real or online invitations to make the party official.
You could even include a “Quarantini” recipe for everyone to make at home to drink together at the “party.”
Create a playlist everyone can sync up to. Once you’ve finished your cocktails, you can end the night with a virtual dance party.
It’ll feel refreshing to dress up, socialize, and let loose with the people you miss the most.
7. Organize a Wine Tasting
Online wine tastings are fun and easy to put together.
Research a few delicious wines and write out detailed descriptions of each one.
Put together small samples of the wines, package them up, and send them out to your friends at least a week beforehand.
Present the wines to your friends on the night of the tasting.
Have them try each one as you describe the scents and flavors they should be noticing.
Explain the regions the wines are from and a little bit about the vineyards.
You and your friends will get to hang out together while learning something new and interesting.
Get Creative With Your Virtual Party Ideas
Use these virtual party ideas to plan your next “get-together.”
While COVID-19 may be making social-life more challenging, interacting with others is essential to your mental health.
You don’t have to live in isolation to stay safe.
With some creativity and a little planning, you can throw a fun and exciting virtual party.
Your friends and family will appreciate it, and you’ll have a great time in the process.
If you enjoyed reading this article, check out our latest posts for some helpful tips, tricks, and delicious recipes.