Zoom has become a staple in many households over the past year thanks to the rise of coronavirus. Now that we can’t see each other in person, people are turning to Zoom to see their loved ones and ‘spend time’ together as if they were really together. While it’s not amazing, it’s the best thing we have and if you’ve enjoyed many hours on Zoom with your family and friends – or you’re just starting out – then here are some wonderful ideas to make your Zoom call the best one yet.

Host a quiz night

While you may be missing your family and friends, once you’re all in a Zoom call together it can be difficult to spark conversation and keep it going well into the night. Once you’ve got your “hello, how are we all” out of the way, why not begin a quiz night with the chance to win real prizes? Whether the winner gets a voucher or the chance to host the next Zoom call, it’s a great way of getting everyone involved and leaving nobody out. You can find quizzes online that are completely free to use, and you could divide your quiz night into sections such as film & tv, general knowledge, sports, fashion etc to make sure that everyone has a segment they’re interested in.

Take a drink together

It’s not as easy as it used to be to meet up for a drink together, and while you may not be able – or want to – go to the pub to meet your family and friends, there’s nothing wrong with toasting a drink together over Zoom. Why not make the evening special by having special Irish whiskey delivered to everyone’s homes so that you’re all drinking the same thing? Alternatively, you could find letterbox wine or a hot chocolate service to deliver to those that might not want to drink whiskey or anything alcoholic. Simple, yet a fantastic way of making your Zoom call that little bit more special.

Cook the same meal together

Going out for a meal with those you love may seem like a distant memory, and while it’s not the same over Zoom, cooking the same meal together will bring plenty of fun and laughter, as well as a delicious meal at the end of it. You could treat it like a cooking show and follow someone’s directions, or, you could all prepare the same meal and compare the different outcomes at the end! Either way, you’ll all have a lot of fun and a great meal to enjoy together – the next best thing to eating out at a restaurant.

Don’t feel like cooking? Why not agree on a takeout service near you and order from the same takeaway? An ideal alternative that allows you to enjoy each other’s company while you’re waiting for your food!

Find fun virtual backgrounds

Seeing the same backgrounds can become monotonous, and you want to keep things as interesting as possible during your Zoom call! Why not ask everyone to choose a virtual background before your Zoom call to surprise each other with creative backgrounds? A small yet effective way to add more fun and laughter to your Zoom call!

Avoid COVID conversations!

We’ve all heard so much about coronavirus this year that even the mere mention of it can bring any conversation down. Make an agreement to avoid any COVID related conversations to help keep spirits high and allow yourself to forget about the awful virus for a short while.

Complete fun challenges together

Another great way to lighten up your Zoom calls is by completing fun challenges together. The best bit? Your imagination is the limit! Whether you decide to play cards together, or you fancy some other exciting challenges, you can turn what would be a general chit chat Zoom call into a lot of fun for your family and friends. Stuck for ideas? Check out these fun challenges you can take part in over Zoom with your family and friends.

Play Rose, Bud, Thorn

This is a game where you go around in a circle and say your rose (best part of your day or week), thorn (worst part of your day or week), and bud (something you’re looking forward to in the coming week). It’s a great way of hashing out your problems with your family and friends while listening to everyone else’s week in a much more structured manner. It’s a surprisingly therapeutic way of catching up with your family and friends at the end of a long week.

Dress up

Admit it, you’ve spent a large portion of lockdown in your pyjamas! We don’t blame you! However, after a long period of time you may feel rather sluggish and lazy. Rather than being cosied up in your loungewear, why not arrange to dress up with your loved ones for your Zoom call? While you may not be able to go out looking amazing, you can still enjoy the fun of getting dolled up and dressed to the nines to see your family and friends.

Get the kids involved!

COVID has affected children massively, with many children missing out on crucial education for many months this year. They will also miss their friends and family, so get them involved in your Zoom call! Why not buy your child their own special microphone and headset so they can join in the conversation from the comfort of their own bedroom? It’ll give your children and your friends and family that special time to bond and catch up again.

Set goals for your next Zoom call

Finally, while we may be restricted in where we can go and who we can see, there’s nothing wrong with setting goals. Lockdown may have got you down in the dumps, so encourage everyone to set a goal ready for your next Zoom call. Whether you’ve been meaning to redecorate the lounge, or you’d like to shed some excess lockdown weight, setting goals will give you all something to celebrate on your next Zoom call.