Are you wanting to celebrate a birthday or other special event with family near and far! Here are over 17 awesome virtual party ideas you can hold over video chat (or from a distance.
At the time of this post we are currently in the middle of a worldwide crisis that doesn’t allow us to get together like we normally would for celebrations.
This is on everyone’s mind as we are being told to stay home, away from people for the foreseeable future.
I sure look forward to the day that this is no longer a thing but in the meantime – we need to look for ways to adapt but still hold onto those important social relationships with others.
Graduations, parties, family reunions, weddings, school- they’re all being cancelled because we can’t be in groups larger than our own household so where does that leave us to still celebrate and embrace these life moments?
Thankfully, we have technology that allows us to stay connected.
While it doesn’t replace human contact- it might just be the next best thing.
I know so many who have had birthdays during this time and haven’t gotten to celebrate with loved ones.
But what if you want to still have your celebration- virtually?
There are tons of options for those who aren’t willing to give up their parties completely, and we have some of those top ideas right here in one place.
Virtual Birthday Parties
Virtual Party Invitations
I highly recommend using Evite. They have a lot of free templates (or paid if you want), and it’s just easy to send out.
Spa Night
Gather supplies such as face masks, nail polish, lotions, etc and drop off to your guests. Fun little treats might be a nice added touch- something like lemonade, cheese and crackers or fruit.
Gather on Zoom and paint your nails, exfoliate and chit chat over snacks.
Here is an easy spa gift bag idea that you could even drop off at people’s houses.
Craft Party
Gather the supplies for a simple craft and deliver them to those participating. Include instructions and a fun invite for how to access Zoom.
On the day or night of the party have everyone gather virtually and assemble their crafts together at the same time.
You could even have a craft box sent to everyone’s house – Crate Joy has some fun ones!
Here is a list of over 50 craft ideas to do at home with supplies you probably already have on hand.
Movie Night
Have everyone watch the same movie either on their own device, on Zoom or a by using a program that allows you to watch a movie and comment at the same time.
Here is a great list of kid friendly movie and tv shows that you can stream.
Cooking Party
Pick a recipe and either get the ingredients for each guest or ask them with enough time to gather their own.
Meet on Zoom and make the recipe together- going step by step. It will be fun at the end to show off what you’ve made.
If you want a yummy recipe that include ingredients most people already have, check out our post with over 80 family friendly pantry recipe ideas.
Cupcake Wars
Make cupcakes ahead of time and deliver to friends along with a bunch of different cake decorating ingredients.
Think frosting, cookies, sprinkles, candy, etc.
Have everyone gather on Zoom and set an allotted amount of time to decorate the cupcake. Have everyone take a picture of their cupcakes and have one designated person post the pictures on Facebook and have social media be the judges.
Game Night
There are so many fun games you can play virtually using Zoom.
Here is a list we’ve compiled of over 30 games you play online or virtually and a list of our favorite family and friendly games you can play on Jack Box TV.
You could also play board games as long as each home has the same game.
Fun options would be: CLUE, Guess Who, Battleship, Balderdash, Scattegories or Pictionary.
Superhero\Princess Party
What little boy or girl doesn’t have a favorite Superhero or princess costume?
Depending on the theme you’re going for ask each guest to dress up in costume and come together over Zoom.
Assemble goody bags and drop off either before or after that gathering.
Dance Party
Put on some music and your best dancing clothes and rock out together virtually.
Create a fun play list and include your guests favorite tunes.
Pajama Party
Wear your favorite pajamas, bring a stuffed animal and watch a movie together.
Indoor Camping
Set up your tent and eat s’mores (they taste great in the microwave) and tell spooky ghost stories together in your tent or sleeping bag!
Do this over Zoom. of course
Video Montage
Whether it’s for a birthday, graduation, anniversary or any other celebration- it would be easy enough to ask friends and family and send a three second video clip of themselves sending well wishes.
Compile them together and make a video montage that will surely brighten anyone’s day!
Other Virtual Celebrations
Baby Shower
Drop gifts off to the momma-to-be or order presents from Amazon or other stores that ship to home.
Watch as she opens the presents and enjoy and support from a far.
You could even do games over Zoom.
Need an idea on a baby shower gift? Check out this great article sharing some of the top baby gift ideas.
Book Club
Choose a book for everyone to read and then gather on Zoom to discuss the book. Choose a few people to come prepared for questions and conversation starters about the book.
This could work for younger groups as well. Pick an age appropriate book and follow the rule above.
Netflix Discussion
Choose a series you and your friends all love and either watch it before hand or watch it together.
Then gab and discuss the latest episode. Don’t forget treats!
Just in case you want to do something that actually allows you to see someone in the flesh from a distance, here are a few ideas:
Drive By Parade
Make signs, get balloons and drive by your loved ones house on their birthday or anniversary- or whatever the occasion may be!
Honk and holler as your drive by in a parade like fashion.
Make sure you tell them to be watching for you and have plenty of people in on the fun to make it a parade to remember.
Book Drive
Instead of having a party ask for donations through Venmo or PayPal and then use the collected fun to purchase books for your local hospital or women’s shelter.
Send a Treat
Using Grubhub, DoorDash or any other delivery service order a delicious treat from their favorite restaurant and have it delivered right to their door!
Here is our ultimate list of food and grocery delivery services.
Casie Wirta says
Loved it!