Social distancing isn’t easy, and right now we’re all looking for ways to connect with others. Your kids are probably missing their friends and wishing they could play with them. Maybe you wish you could spend more time with family or friends as well.
Here’s a little out of the box thinking: consider setting up a time to play a board game with someone you’re missing over a video chat. With a little creativity, there are many games you can adapt to play over a video link. It won’t work for every game, but with a little resourcefulness, it’s worth a try to bridge the distance. It’s great outside of quarantine, too – to play with far off friends and relatives, someone stuck in the hospital or recovering, shut in at home or just bored on a rainy day.
When our friends were stationed on the other side of the world, we would schedule a board game double-date whenever we could (it sometimes required an early morning wake up, but it was worth it!). It was a unique way to connect and spend some quality time together!
Grab your favorite video conferencing platform (FaceTime, Zoom, Facebook Messenger video call, Skype, etc) and plan to connect over a game soon. When it’s useful, consider having each household join from two devices: one so you can see each other’s faces and expressions; another (with the sound off) raised up on something high to show the game board.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Board Games to Play on Video Chat
CHESS, CHECKERS or CONNECT FOUR
Chess and checkers are both classics that people have been playing by correspondence for centuries. If you know the basic notation for moves you could even play via text message or email. If you’re craving face to face contact it would probably be more fun to play over a video platform, though. Connect Four is a little simpler for the younger crowd to follow and may be easier to play with grandparents as well.
Number of players: 2
Requirements: Phone, email or video conferencing platform. Only one player needs a board. If you’d prefer, both players can use a board if they carefully mirror each other’s moves.
Tips: Make sure your camera is clearly positioned over the board so that your opponent can describe where to move his/her pieces.
BATTLESHIP
You normally play Battleship sitting across the table from your opponent without touching each other’s pieces, even if you are playing in the same room. There should be no change in the experience over video conference.
Number of players: 2
Requirements: Video conferencing platform. Each player needs the Battleship game (or a printer to print this Battleship game Board – send one to your friend in the mail in advance if they don’t have printer access!)
Tips: Be sure to communicate clearly.
