Ways for all ages to connect virtually

Everyone’s routines have been disrupted and we all need to stay connected. That looks different for each age group but the commonality is providing a way to connect with those we no longer are able to see in person. We’ve listed some platforms for you to use, games to play while on an app with someone or ideas for those who may not have the attention span to sit in front of a screen.

Some kids aren’t as focused when it comes to connecting virtually so thinking creatively comes in to play. Our kids have been sending a letter in the mail to a friend or family member each day. They love sending them and are excited at the potential to receive a letter also. This is a nice alternative to using a screen for part of the day. Another nice option is to send a video to a friend and ask them to send one back in response. This may be helpful for younger kids. Your child can show a new trick, something they discovered or built, a garden they are growing, a short dance routine….anything!

Virtual ways for most to connect—
Facetime— Using an Apple product you can make a call using audio and/or video.

Caibu— This is PERFECT for the younger crowd. You can connect and play games TOGETHER, read a story together and more!

Google Hangout— This allows you to chat and/or connect via video and also send stickers and photos.

Zoom— Your kids are probably familiar with this one as it is commonly used among classrooms during this pandemic. You are able to meet one on one or join as a group. This option may be good for a child who wants to connect but is a bit shy; having three to five kids would take some pressure off while still socializing. You can set up a private meeting and send the link so everyone can log in.

Houseparty— A fun app we have used with adult friends to video as well as play games like Heads Up, Trivia, Chips and Guac, and Quick Draw!

Messenger Kids— We have not tried this one so we can’t offer much information but what the website says. Messenger Kids is a free video calling and messaging app for smartphones and tablets. Parents control the contact list, and kids control the fun. Keep in touch with close friends and family with fun-filled features like filters and stickers.

Here are some ways to interact when chatting with someone virtually–
Play a Game: Depending on the age of your children you can play a board game by facing the camera toward the game. You can also play a game virtually such as Go Fish or War where each player uses cards. Check out this  virtual dice roller which works best for simple games where you roll a die or draw cards to move around the board, like in CandyLand, Monopoly, Yahtzee, cards, and Sorry! We haven’t looked into Pogo but hear you can play games together on that also. A lower-tech game, Let’s Play Uno allows kids to play this timeless card game with friends for free.

Book Clubs: Simple– read a book separately, meet online or call a group on the phone to talk about it. Adults can do this virtually with their favorite beverage alongside as if they were having a real book club in person.

Pokemon Go: The game allows kids to interact with friends and even track their activity in the game. Pokemon Go creators have also adjusted the game a bit and made Pokemon closer to your home to allow for more involvement.

Netflix Party: A new way to watch Netflix with your friends online. Netflix Party synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to your favorite Netflix shows.

Read Aloud: Our Nana is infamous for bringing a book to FaceTime and reading to our kids! Your kids could read to their caller or vice versa. A great way to practice reading and sharing the pictures. This can be made fun by getting cozy with blankets too. Reading aloud via video chat is a great way to enlist family members who live far away and allow kids to stay connected with them as well as to give you a small break maybe while you make dinner.

Charades: Players take turns thinking of a word/phrase. Then they have to act it out for the other players to guess but are not able to talk. You could use a timer to set a time limit for each round, and try to guess before the time runs out. You can choose a theme for the game also; actions, sports or animals are a few.

Cooking: Our kids love watching Top Chef Junior and fun baking shows. Perhaps they connect with a family member or friend and cook together. They can cook the same recipe or use the same ingredient and see what they choose to create. These are some good places for kids to find kid-friendly recipes, Food Network, Delish who also does an Instagram Live cooking for kids weekdays, and Weelicious.

I Spy: This can be a traveling around the house game with a device. Take your friend who is on the call into various rooms in your home, face the camera toward the room and have them “spy” different items!

Game Systems: Perhaps you have an X-Box or Play Station. If so your kids can connect with their friends and meet in a game by sharing their user names. Some of these games allow you to put on headphones and chat with your friend you are playing.

Twenty Questions: This can be played with many people or just two. One player thinks of a person, place or a thing {nice opportunity to practice what a noun is}. They tell the other players the category their word falls into. For example, if their word is “pool” they could say “place.” The other player can ask only 20 questions to try to guess and they can only be yes and no answers.

Phone Calls & Walkie Talkies: Now is the time to work on communication skills. Our kids have used walkie talkies with neighbors and I have been writing out some prompts to help get them started as it’s a bit unusual for them to be initiating conversations without looking at them.

Craft Together: Our five year old has FaceTimed with a friend and they sat and drew pictures for each other, showed them and talked about the masterpiece. You can also visit sites offering DIY crafts such as KiwiCo.

Show & Tell: Just like your child is in school- they can share their favorite toy or artwork with friends and family members. They can show it and talk about why they like it, any facts they know about it and even take questions!