Looking for a way to connect with your friends, but stay safe during the pandemic? Already practicing quarantine and going crazy without interaction? Here are some great digital environments that you can interact with others. Many of these are free to use with premium options while others require subscriptions.
Read about each of these platforms in the drop downs below.
We are not affiliated with, or supported by any of these companies or products, nor do we promise the quality of their services.
Small Group Interactions
These are platforms that allow up to 5 people to interact with each other personally.
Many console games allow you and a few friends to play games together. You can also download some of these online and avoid the stores. There is also a growing amount of cross platform games so you play with everyone online.
Many online mobile games allow you and a few friends to play and interact together.
TikTok can be a great resource and community for creativity, blowing off steam, and much more.
Sometimes you just need to see peoples’ face when you talk to them instead of just a phone call. A lot of smartphones come with these like Android’s video call, and iPhone’s Facetime. However, you might not have the same phone type as all of your friends and family. Connect today with Facebook Messenger.
Twitch is a streaming platform primarily for gamers, but there are other streamers as well. You can also go online as a viewer and interact with the streamers, or just watch and listen.
Want to watch Netflix with your friends and laugh, cry, or discuss the movie together?
You can start an online through goodreads or on your own. You can choose to user your own books, digital subscriptions like Audible, or check out digital books through your local library.
Large Group Interactions
These are platforms that allow more than 5 people to interact with each other personally.
Many console games allow you and a few friends to play games together. You can also download some of these online and avoid the stores. There is also a growing amount of cross platform games so you play with everyone online.
Some online PC games allow you and a large amount of friends to play and interact together. This includes games like Minecraft, Eve, etc.
Many online mobile games allow you and a few friends to play and interact together.
World of Warcraft, also known as WoW, is an online gaming community that has been around for decades and can support thousands of individuals online interacting at the same time.
Second Life is a virtual world built entirely for social interactions. Some colleges use it to conduct classes and labs!
Google Hangouts is a webinar platform that allows you to have up to 25 active participants and 150 total participants.
Roll20 is a place where you can play your regular tabletop RPG games like Dungeons and Dragons online with maps, HP calculators and much more! Keep your gaming nights going at home.
Connection without Interaction
These are platforms that allow you to stay connected with individuals without requiring active verbal participation.
Many console games allow you and a few friends to play games together. You can also download some of these online and avoid the stores. There is also a growing amount of cross platform games so you play with everyone online.
Many online mobile games allow you and a few friends to play and interact together.
Twitch is a streaming platform primarily for gamers, but there are other streamers as well. You can also go online as a viewer and interact with the streamers, or just watch and listen.
TikTok can be a great resource and community for creativity, blowing off steam, and much more.
Need something to pass the time and feel connected to others? Here are some sites that offer paid classes for you to take online.
Opera houses, theaters, and many other performance venues offer streaming of their past performances. Check out your favorite venue to find out if they offer videos of their performances.
Just because you’re stuck inside, doesn’t mean you can’t travel with your computers! Many museums and historical sites offer virtual tours of their facilities. Some have full walk though tours, while others have 3D renderings of the rooms to explore on your own. Search for your favorite art, science, history or other museum today, or “travel” to the inside of the pyramids and see the hieroglyphs on the walls. Happy Travels!
Explore Alaska’s Permafrost
With most music streaming services, you can create your own playlists, and share them with your friends. An easy way to stay connected – even if the result is a debate over whose playlist is the most outdated, ridiculous, or cheesy.
Local Options
Check out your local business that offer subscriptions to digital activities. Here in the Mat-Su Valley in Alaska, we have:
Need to blow off some steam and create something beautiful? Sign up for Sara’s online classes so she can walk you through a piece you can be proud of hanging on your wall.
Get tips about moving your business online, different numbers that need your attention, and so much more!
Let us know what other services you will be using to bridge the gap between you and your friends over the coming months!
