Social Distancing is much easier when “the job’s a game,” to quote the indelible Mary Poppins. Most outdoor activities and sports like tennis, golf, and cornhole are already easy for maintaining ample ventilation alongside perspiration and exhalation, but what are the best games for adults, kids, and college students to partake in without the need for booking a venue or investing in equipment? The top 10 below include games in strategy, affordability, and cross-generation fun.
Whether you’re social distancing outdoors or living the indoor-only work-from-home lifestyle, occasionally you want to have fun with family, friends, and pets. Quarantine Covid blues and cabin fever frenzy are easily alleviated when you have a geek’s penchant for having fun and an appreciation for clever amusement or classic indoor and outdoor games.
This top-10 list was curated with the following requirements in mind on a 50-point Geek Fun scale:
| Scale of Fun | Geek Fun Attribute |
|---|---|
 | Social Distancing Efficiency (1-10 points) |
 | Mentally/Competitively Engaging (1-10 points) |
 | Affordability (1-10 points) |
 | Indoor and Outdoor (1-10 points) |
 | Cross-generational Fun (1-5 points) |
 | Pets’ Amusement Likelihood (1-5 points) |
If you’re in need of some jollification with friends and are not sure how to have merriment without two or more yard sticks (AKA meter sticks) taped together for social distancing precision, these games and toys are just what the doctor ordered (Fauci?).
Also great for solo fun if you were a golden retriever in a past life and have the energy to go with it. These games are great with pets if you want to feel like an intellectually superior human. Heaven help you if your pet is a chess master…
Germaphobe Bonus
For best results in cleanliness:
- Make sure everyone washes their hands and does not rub boogers from any mucous membranes onto the surface of the toys and games.
- Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth, ideally so that it prevents fluid particles from escaping as you gasp in frustration from realizing that hitting a giant ball into the air consecutive times is not an easy activity for someone who has spent several months producing a booty impression deep into the gaming couch.
Giant Inflatable Ball – #10
29/50 Geek Fun Score of 58%
| Social Distancing Efficiency – 8/10 points While the ball forces a maintained distance, competitive spirits might break distance protocol to go simultaneously after the ball at its projected landing point. |
| Mentally/Competitively Engaging – 7/10 points Competitive and athletic, but limited challenge apart from strength, speed, and agility. |
| Affordability – 5/10 points Pricey inflatables, but varying costs. |
| Indoor and Outdoor – 1/10 points Unless you have a spacious mansion, this is outdoor-only. |
| Cross-generational Fun – 4/5 points Everyone can play, but those with limited mobility and very young will find less value. |
| Pets’ Amusement Likelihood – 4/5 points Dogs will lose their mind with delight; Cats will freak out over loud noises and large object movement, but might be curious. |
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Water Balloon Slingshot – #9
30/50 Geek Fun Score of 60%
| Social Distancing Efficiency – 8/10 points Sling shot functionality encourages distance, both by nature of usage and by fear of becoming a target. |
| Mentally/Competitively Engaging – 5/10 points Requires group coordination and some athleticism, but only range and aim are primary challenges. |
| Affordability – 9/10 points A jumbo rubber band is highly cost-effective. Water balloons and other arsenal are low-cost. |
| Indoor and Outdoor – 1/10 points Outdoor-only, especially where water balloons are in use. |
| Cross-generational Fun – 4/5 points Small children may lack the strength required, but will possibly enjoy their role in target practice. |
| Pets’ Amusement Likelihood – 3/5 points Dogs will give chase. Cats hate the water and will not enjoy long-range water-filled projectiles. |
For warm-weather fun, the water balloon slingshot makes the list for its athletic requirement and solid encouragement of human distancing; distance is required to make the slingshot both work and have effectively challenging targets. This would be higher on the list if it were not an outdoor-only and seasonal activity hated by cats.
Giant Tic-Tac-Toe – #8
31/50 Geek Fun Score of 62%
| Social Distancing Efficiency – 8/10 points Throwing disks enforces distance, but uncertain aim can cause overlap in human location. |
| Mentally/Competitively Engaging – 2/10 points Most competitive and engaging part is aim for this very low-challenge game. |
| Affordability – 8/10 points Surprisingly inexpensive, but materials are cheap. You could probably arts and crafts this. |
| Indoor and Outdoor – 3/10 points Gentle light-weight disks pose less destructive risk indoors, but still require space. Primarily outdoor game if throwing. |
| Cross-generational Fun – 5/5 points This gentle form of tic-tac-toe frisbie is very age-friendly. |
| Pets’ Amusement Likelihood – 5/5 points Gentle slow-moving projectiles are always a win for cats and dogs. |
This classic made the list for its size, price, and classic cross-generational fun, but missed the mark by being a lower challenge, mostly outdoor game. However, if you’re not a fan of beer pong and just want a fun game that puts some distance between you and humanity, while allowing for some modicum of competitive spirit for adults, look no further than Giant Tic-Tac-Toe.
These giant disks will amuse anyone with horrible aim and a rambunctious dog to add an extra degree of challenge.
Four Connect in a Row – #7
32/50 Geek Fun Score of 64%
Fun times with trademarks. Hmmm…
| Social Distancing Efficiency – 5/10 points Physical distance is not an inherent part of the game, but the larger size makes the game visible from afar. |
| Mentally/Competitively Engaging – 7/10 points Skill and strategy are required, but the level required is not as impressive as chess or checkers. |
| Affordability – 4/10 points Not cheap for the larger version, but the smaller ones are accessibly priced. |
| Indoor and Outdoor – 8/10 points Friendly to both indoor and outdoor, but requires level ground and low wind conditions. |
| Cross-generational Fun – 4/5 points Very young children will find it interesting as a novelty, but the skill and strategy pose a challenge. |
| Pets’ Amusement Likelihood – 4/5 points When the game is over and the tokens drop, cats and dogs will be interested. Mid-game will spark amused curiosity. |
Bag Toss and Corn Hole – #6
37/50 Geek Fun Score of 74%
Carnival classic.
| Social Distancing Efficiency – 8/10 points Throw from a distance and stand back 6-9 feet/2-3 meters for optimal distancing. |
| Mentally/Competitively Engaging – 7/10 points Cornhole is hip enough to warrant its own avocado toast, making it cool to compete and a moderate challenge. |
| Affordability – 9/10 points Surprisingly low-cost due to significant assembly requirement and inexpensive parts. |
| Indoor and Outdoor – 3/10 points Outdoor fun. Low chance of indoor destruction makes this a possible indoor option for homes with movable furniture. |
| Cross-generational Fun – 5/5 points Younger children are absolutely terrible at this game, but they love it. Everyone does who doesn’t hate fun. |
| Pets’ Amusement Likelihood – 5/5 points Soft projectiles aimed at holes that could resemble animal burrow entries may as well be labeled pet toys. |
Throw Throw Burrito AKA Dodge-the-Burrito Card Game – #5
38/50 Geek Fun Score of 76%
| Social Distancing Efficiency – 5/10 points Dodging and engaging in battles breaks social distance at times. Wear a mask and make it Ninja Throw Throw Burrito. |
| Mentally/Competitively Engaging – 10/10 points Clever, conniving, or quirky — you decide, but you’ll be challenged and amused the whole game. |
| Affordability – 10/10 points It’s cheaper than the O.G. launch of Exploding Kittens and for some reason warrants its own custom travel case (optional). |
| Indoor and Outdoor – 6/10 points Outdoor works. Damage to antiques due to throwing and dodging by aggressive players may occur, but low-key works. |
| Cross-generational Fun – 2/5 points Somewhat complicated for the very young and potentially off-putting for the elderly with limited dodging capability. |
| Pets’ Amusement Likelihood – 5/5 points The soft burrito toy will likely need to be replaced every time a pet steals it and gleefully ravages it. |
Do you like Uno and friendly violence for sport? From the creators of Exploding Kittens, Throw Throw Burrito is the world’s first dodgeball card game! Great for players of 2-6 and for confusing your pets.
No bruises (hopefully) from these foam burritos. Collect cards. Play your hand. Throw things at your friends from a safe distance. To make this a social distance-friendly game, make sure you play on a surface that allows you to step forward and backward or to back yourself against a wall in fear.
Dart Board Games – #4
40/50 Geek Fun Score of 80%
Stabby-free fabric, dinosaur-themed, tech upgraded with automatic scoreboard, or classic chalkboard.
| Social Distancing Efficiency – 7/10 points Darts thrown distantly play well, but light-weight soft projectiles require a better arm and mindful distancing. |
| Mentally/Competitively Engaging – 8/10 points Deft aim and bar brawl-level competitiveness can ensue with this classic, but strategy and planning players are a select few. |
| Affordability – 10/10 points Under $20 for a decent family-friendly fabric dart board makes this accessible fun. |
| Indoor and Outdoor – 5/10 points The wind and weather endanger the fairness and longevity of the game, but some outdoor works for this indoor classic. |
| Cross-generational Fun – 5/5 points Cloth and foam alternatives make this safe and challenging for anyone who lacks telekinetic prowess. |
| Pets’ Amusement Likelihood – 5/5 points Foam projectile fun for cats and dogs, but if you opt for the chic needles, be sure your aim is true. |
Chess and Checkers for Giants – #3
42/50 Geek Fun Score of 84%
| Social Distancing Efficiency – 9/10 points Stationary seating and designated player locations ensure distance, with exception to occasional leaning into the game. |
| Mentally/Competitively Engaging – 10/10 points Chess and checkers are the O.G. of intellectual competitive fun. |
| Affordability – 5/10 points Pricey, but worth it for the novelty of size. |
| Indoor and Outdoor – 10/10 points Perfect for indoor and outdoor. |
| Cross-generational Fun – 4/5 points Challenging for much younger children, but fun to watch. |
| Pets’ Amusement Likelihood – 4/5 points Slow movements might eventually disinterest the dog, but the cat will definitely lay in the middle of the board. |
Indoor, outdoor, or virtual – chess and checkers are each a staple among social activities for geeks around the world (and if SpaceX expands enough, around the galaxy).
Taking those deep, pensive sighs while playing if you want to social distance or conceal halitosis can be bothersome when the physical board is no larger than a cheese cutting board. Enter the dragon of chess and checkers: Deluxe Jumbo Chess and Checkers.
This is your chance to feel like a Lilliputian meeting Gulliver, or alternatively a cat seeking involvement in a game that’s allegedly only for humans.
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Jumbo Playing Cards – #2
45/50 Geek Fun Score of 90%
Near-sighted or social distancing, these giant cards will allow you to play games without the close proximity to read or reach the cards from a pile.
| Social Distancing Efficiency – 9/10 points Be mindful of rubbing mucous membranes when handling cards, but otherwise easy visibility from afar. |
| Mentally/Competitively Engaging – 10/10 points Poker, Go Fish, or Three Thirteen — the level of challenge and competitiveness is up to you. |
| Affordability – 10/10 points $10.99 – $16.99 makes this a highly affordable game or gift that keeps on giving. |
| Indoor and Outdoor – 8/10 points Great for indoor or outdoor, but may require a flat surface for some games and low wind conditions. |
| Cross-generational Fun – 5/5 points Remember your older sibling offering to play “52 Card Pick Up?” 😞 |
| Pets’ Amusement Likelihood – 3/5 points Cats lay in the center of card games for attention. Dogs will be underwhelmed, but appreciate if you deal them a hand. |
Reading – #1
47/50 Geek Fun Score of 94%
| Social Distancing Efficiency – 10/10 points Read across the room with minimal talking. Reduced mist from nose and mouth from relaxed state of periodic silence. |
| Mentally/Competitively Engaging – 10/10 points Speed reading? Literary analysis? Book club? Yes, please! |
| Affordability – 10/10 points Library, used books, discount books, shared e-reader accounts? Most cost-effective entertainment that’s also educational. |
| Indoor and Outdoor – 10/10 points Remember sitting with friends at the park and just reading under a tree? If not, create those memories under distant trees. |
| Cross-generational Fun – 5/5 points All reading levels are available and audiobooks make it even more accessible. |
| Pets’ Amusement Likelihood – 2/5 points Your cat will sleep on your book, ruining the activity, but the dog will glare at you in forlorn boredom. |
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