Who says you can’t socialise and have fun while social distancing?
Thanks to the wondrous world of the internet and evolving technology, staying connected with friends who may be miles apart has never been easier.
From soaring above Hawaii’s volcanoes to even talking to a Plague doctor in Prague, these online activities are bound to bust your boredom – and can be experienced either alone or in a group.
Read on to find out how you can have fun while staying inside and safe at home.
1. Follow a plague doctor in Prague, meditate with a Japanese monk or cook with native chefs
Step back in time and into an era where the Black Death ran rampant or explore the streets of London through Harry Potter’s eyes.
As these online experiences can all be booked on Airbnb’s website, all you need to do is tune in live through a video call.
These virtual tours are highly interactive as you get to ask questions and talk directly to the people in front of the camera.
On top of guided tours through interesting destinations, you can even meditate with a Japanese monk or cook authentic recipes alongside native chefs from all parts of the world.
With hundreds of exciting online experiences to be booked on Airbnb, there is bound to be something for everyone.
2. Watch your friend’s real-time reactions
Waiting for hours on end for your friends to text you back and react to that hilarious cat meme you sent them on Instagram?
Well, now you can immediately get their reply and even witness their real-time facial expression, as Instagram’s Co-Watching features allow users to video call friends while simultaneously sharing posts with each other.
Ditch the texting and video call up to six friends to explore each other’s feeds. Plus, you can even stream the latest TV shows on Instagram together.
Face-to-face interactions will make it feel like your friends are physically sitting right next to you, so hop onto Instagram and try this fun feature out with your friends.
3. Surf ‘The Useless Web’ and discover random websites
First, a warning: this website is highly addictive.
While some websites are interactive, some don’t offer any other functions apart from letting the users stare at them for a long period of time. However, each discovery is guaranteed to be weirder than the next.
From websites that will judge your password-making skills to one that will direct you to strange eBay products like canned Unicorn meat and yodelling pickles, The Useless Web is definitely not a productive way to pass time. But, there’s no arguing that it is the perfect boredom killer.
With a single mouse click, prepare to fall into a rabbit hole that will lead you to the most random websites on the Internet.
4. Host a virtual movie night
Bring the theatre to your home through Teleparty, where you can host a virtual movie night or binge-watch your favourite series with your friends.
Easily downloadable onto any web browser, Teleparty allows common users of Netflix, HBO, Hulu and Disney+ to watch shows together online.
Once the party has started, everyone’s screens will be seamlessly synced. On top of that, Teleparty also has a group chat feature that allows watchers to text back and forth without disrupting onscreen action.
5. Travel the world with your friends and solve puzzle pieces together
Has the need to travel been weighing heavy on your mind, especially since international travel is still banned?
Well, Google’s Art and Culture section is the perfect place for restless travellers and art lovers to satiate their thirst for adventure.
Globetrot the seven seas and lose yourself in this section as its immersive 360-degree sights will fly you over Hawaii’s active volcanoes and even transport you to the Roman Colosseum in a matter of seconds.
The world is literally at your fingertips!
Apart from travelling the world virtually, you can also host a jigsaw party and work together with your friends to solve puzzles that illustrate the world’s most famous paintings.
Google’s Art and Culture section is waiting to be discovered as these activities are just the tip of the iceberg and its interactive experiences will have you occupied for hours.