As we head into Week 4 of the official shelter-in-place order, maintaining relationships with friends and loved one’s remains key to staying sane and preserving normalcy. However, if you are tired of the standard FaceTime and Zoom hangouts, here is La Puma’s top 5 (free!) apps and websites that will help you and your friends stay connected and entertained:

5. Playingcards.io. This site provides a virtual tabletop from which to play card games from the comfort of your own home. Games include Crazy 8’s, Go Fish, Checkers, Match Up, Remote Sensitivity (aka Cards Against Humanity), and even a custom option, which allows you to play any game that uses a standard 52 card deck. My personal favorite is Remote Sensitivity. All you need to play is your computer and phone, and the only facet this website lacks is the face-to-face element.

4. Psych! Outwit Your Friends. Psych is a party-game app from the brilliant mind of comedian Ellen DeGeneres where players choose from a variety of decks and try to fool each other with fake answers to real trivia questions. Points are earned by guessing the correct answer and “Psych”ing friends into choosing yours! A deck that is especially fun to play with friends is “And the Truth Comes Out,” where the questions are about the players and you choose your favorite answer. The more creative the better!

3. 1 Second Everyday: Video Diary App. This 5-star app makes it easy to document your day-to-day life by filming 1 second each day, and then compiling the clips into a meaningful movie. Use it to document your days in quarantine, as this historic event may be something you’ll want to review later. Challenge your friends and family to do the same, and share your experiences to remember that we’re all in this together!

2. Frankly. Dubbed “the party game for daring people” on the App Store, this game is perfect if you’re looking to spice up your social distancing! The app features multiple gameplays that come with juicy questions designed to incite confessions, shock, and laughter from you and your friends. There’s also a live video chat feature for you while you play. The only downside to this party game is its 17+ age rating due to some mature content, so proceed at your own risk.

1. Netflix Party. Let’s be honest, we’re all spending our days holed up inside watching Netflix anyway – why not do it with friends? This extension, available on the Chrome Web Store, synchronizes your video screens and adds a group chat to your favorite Netflix shows and movies. All you have to do is download the extension, pick something to watch, “start a party,” and send out the link! Perfect for chill hangouts, or even as a replacement for movie date-night.

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