5 Ways To Elevate Your Family’s Next Virtual Meetup

Over the past year, we unexpectedly found ourselves connecting with friends and family via our phones, tablets and other tech devices. There were the expected ups and downs as those across the globe adjusted to Zoom work meetings, virtual birthday parties and other online gatherings, but eventually these virtual meetups became a welcome new norm.

As we continue to adjust to this new norm, innovative ways to connect with friends and family online are being shared every day. If you’re ready to elevate your next virtual meetup with family or even friends, here are a handful of ways to make the most of your experience. All you need is a wireless network you can rely on and a dependable home internet connection!

Host A Virtual Scavenger Hunt

If you miss those memorable game nights that usually ended with your family gathered around your coffee table for an intense round of Uno, there are still plenty of ways to relive game night virtually with a little creativity. One way to connect with your loved ones virtually is to host a virtual scavenger hunt. Instead of hitting the pavement, you can use your humble abode to uncover items around your home. Choose one person to create a wacky list of scavenger hunt items, and let the fun begin.

If you're open to safely taking your scavenger hunt outdoors, you simply need a device with strong network connectivity and your best exploration skills to connect with your family for a virtual scavenger hunt. Other popular game night options that translate well virtually include charades, Pictionary and even bingo.

If You Build It, They Will Come

By now, you’ve probably mastered Virtual Meetups 101, but if you’re looking to add a bit of organization to your family’s next Zoom gathering, consider building a small website. With a small website or blog dedicated to your virtual meetups, you can share photos, schedule future meetups, connect social media accounts and much more.

If you aren’t incredibly tech savvy, don’t fret! Plenty of websites offer templates and other easy ways to build your website, so with a dependable home internet connection your site will be live in no time. With the right app, you can even take your new web-building skills on the go with your mobile device.

Learn A New Hobby Together

Not only is dedicating yourself to a new hobby an exciting way to find focus and happiness, it’s also a great way to connect with friends and family virtually. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to crochet, learn a new language or cook an authentic Italian meal, share your interest with those close to you. Together, you can book an online class and dive head first into your new hobby. Additionally, there’s the option of privately booking an online class from makers and creatives in your town for a lesson in the hobby of your choice. This also serves as a great way to help support local businesses.

Family Vacation Goes Virtual

If you’re longing for piña colada toasts on the beach with your family, there’s a virtual fix for that! Yes, vacations can also be virtual, so grab the sunblock and your favorite pair of shades. All you need for your virtual vacation with family are the right tunes, a cleverly curated menu, the proper attire, the video conference app of your choice and any mood-setting extras you deem necessary. If you’re hosting the virtual vacation, one option is to send your family specially prepared boxes with all the goodies they’ll need for their virtual vacay.

Offer Guidance For Those New To Virtual Meetups

For some, connecting virtually comes with its own set of unique challenges. Creating and distributing a personalized, easy-to-follow guide to virtual meetups is one way to ensure that all of your friends and family, regardless of how tech savvy they are, are able to join you for your virtual meetups. You can include tips and tricks related to joining a network, connecting online when you’re on the go and handling that pesky mute button.

Connectivity Is Key

No matter how you decide to virtually gather with friends and family, a reliable connection is key. With many of us now working from home, a stellar home internet connection and wireless network is one way to make the transition from work to a virtual hangout with your family as seamless as possible.

Verizon has wallet-friendly mobile and home connectivity options and rewards programs that work for you, so being connected on the go and at home is as affordable and accessible as ever. With offers too good to resist, the time to connect is now.

As a Fios Internet customer, you can unlock our biggest savings when you join Verizon Wireless with an Unlimited plan. If you act by June 30, save even more – up to $40/month (that’s up to $30/month off Fios and up to $10/month off Wireless)* when you enroll in Mobile + Home Rewards through Verizon Up. And these savings don’t end after 12 months. As a Verizon customer, you’ll continue receiving them as long as you have both services. Plus, all of our Unlimited plans come with 5G Nationwide included at no extra cost. If you choose one of our select Unlimited plans, you can also get iPhone 12 on us** with an eligible trade-in. Plus you’ll get $5/month in Verizon Up Device Dollars to use toward your next phone, eligible tablet, smartwatch, or connected device.***

New and existing mobile customers can also unlock better prices when you sign up for a Verizon Start Unlimited plan and Fios 200/200 Mbps home internet service with Auto Pay + taxes, equipment charges & other fees. Get both services within 30 days of each other for just $89.99/month when you enroll in Mobile + Home Rewards through Verizon Up.* You’ll also get $5/month in Verizon Up Device Dollars to use toward your next device purchase.***

Learn More About Verizon, America’s Best Network

Offer details: *Verizon Up enrollment required. Must sign up for Verizon Start Unlimited Wireless & Fios 200/200 Mbps internet plans within 30 days of each other & discounts apply to each bill. Offer excludes prepaid plans. All discounts apply as long as Verizon provides & you maintain both services & both services remain enrolled in Mobile + Home Rewards.Taxes, equipment charges and other fees apply.

**5G Ultra Wideband available only in parts of select cities. 5G Nationwide available in 2,700+ cities. $849.99 device payment purchase with new smartphone line on select Unlimited plans & port-in required. Less $200 promo credit + up to $700 trade-in/promo credit applied over 24/30 months.; promo credit ends if eligibility requirements are no longer met; 0% APR. Trade-in conditions apply. Other Surcharges (including Federal Universal Service Fund of 33.4% of interstate & international telecom charges [varies quarterly], 21¢ Regulatory & $1.95 Administrative/line/month & others by area) are not taxes (details: 1.888.684.1888); government taxes & our surcharges could add 12%-44% to your bill. Activation/upgrade fee/line: Up to $35. IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Subject to VZW agreements, Calling Plans & credit approval. Offers & coverage, varying by service, not available everywhere; see vzw.com. While supplies last. Restocking fee may apply. Limited-time offer.

**$5/month provided as Device Dollars that expire if unused within 24 mos. of issuance date.