Thanksgiving is all about great food and taking time to appreciate the good things in life while surrounded by family and friends. There’s still room for all of that this year, but chances are you won’t be surrounded by as many people.
Many families like to play games during the holiday, whether it’s football in the backyard or a card game in the living room, and while the pandemic will put a damper on this holiday season, there’s still an opportunity to have some fun with friends and family.
Of course, depending on who you’re spending Thanksgiving with, some of the close-proximity games may not be the best idea, but luckily there are several variations of classic games that you can play over Zoom. If you won’t be able to spend Thanksgiving with the people you usually celebrate with, this can allow you to at least keep some sense of normalcy.
In any case, here are a few games to get you started:
Uno
Starting off with a classic, Uno is a great source of fun and frustration, and the best part is it’s one of the more versatile games to play virtually. iPhone users can play each other in a knock-off version through GamePigeon, but there are also apps that allow you to play with anyone locally or online.
It’s an easy game that practically everyone already knows how to play, and you can play with anyone who owns a phone. Maybe parents won’t like the idea of everyone staring at their phones during the holiday, but it’s a strong option you can’t really go wrong with.
Pictionary
Another party classic, Pictionary is an easy game that anyone can play. Not everyone owns a dry-erase board and markers, but by using Skribbl.io online for free, you can start a private game where anyone with the link can join. Set up a game, log on to Zoom, and suddenly you and your friends are having fun roasting each other’s artistic ability (or lack thereof).
Cards Against Humanity
Be careful who you play this with; you may get into some uncomfortable situations. With the right group of people, though, it can turn into the highlight of your night. This popular card game is loaded with dark, adult humor, and you can play the game online for free.
There are several websites you can find with a simple Google search, but one that I like to use is called “All Bad Cards.” This allows you to set the game rules the way your group wants, and is pretty easy to operate.
Much like Pictionary, you can create a game, send your friends/family the link and hop on Zoom to play with those who are not with you in-person. It’s the perfect game for anyone who’s graduated from the kids’ table.
Get creative
If you don’t feel like playing any of the games above, there are plenty of other options to go for, as long as you can think of ways to play virtually. Games like Charades and Celebrity don’t require many materials in order to play, so it’s easy to sort out how to play over Zoom. Some rules may need to be tweaked to play other games virtually, but as long as it’s still fun, that’s all that matters.
No matter how you spend Thanksgiving weekend, the most important thing is to be able to safely relax and spend time with the people you’re celebrating with — even if it has to be online.
