Sure, Things Are Starting to Open Up, but a “Zoom Boom Game” Can Still Help You Connect
As things start to return to normal and get-togethers with friends are becoming a possibility, it also heralds the return of game nights, a recent trend of people getting together to play board games.
Of course, when you can, there’s nothing like face-to-face fun. But one small positive that came out of the past year and a half was that people who might not otherwise be able to see each other connected instead by the online platform Zoom—some even to play games.
Our Game Boom Again Game Makes a Great “Zoom Boom game.”
It’s a game for Baby Boomers that can be played via Zoom.
Boom Again is designed to play in person but is especially adaptable to play via Zoom. It’s a new trivia game that celebrates the pop culture of the ‘50s, 60s and 70s—the music, movies, fads and fun.
Playing the game via Zoom allows you to connect with people who don’t leave nearby or who for whatever reason can’t get together.
For many Baby Boomers, friends and family have moved away. They might be “snowbirds”—people who live in one state but migrate to warmer climates in the winter months.
Zoom can continue to allow people far away to get-together for good times.
It’s Easy to Host a Boom Again Game Night
Remember when “zoom” was merely what we shouted when we were riding really, really fast on our bikes and wanted everybody to know about it? Now, it’s an online platform that lets us visit Jetsons-style, face-to-face on our computers, phones or tablets.
We’ll get to how to set up Zoom itself a little later. Right now, let’s talk about the basic logistics of a game and trivia night.
First, Get the Game
There are plenty of games out there that Baby Boomers would enjoy, but not all games can be played on Zoom—like Twister, for example. Just try to make that one work from a distance! Our game Boom Again (available at BoomAgain.com) easily lends itself to distance play.
Only one person needs to own the game for as many as 10 players and a host to be able to join in the fun. It can also be played with as few as two players.
Plus, there are several ways to play—depending on if you’re serious competitors or a group of friends who just want to get together for a few laughs.
Choose a Date and Time, and Then Invite Guests to Join You for a Zoom Boom Game
Who is going to come to your game night? Pick a mix of friends and/or family to invite. A game night might also be a fun change of pace if you have a regular group that gets together, such as a book club, your golf gang or extended family.
Even though Boom Again is geared toward Baby Boomers, younger people like playing it as well. You might be surprised how much Gen X and millennials know about the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s!
Be sure to let everyone know the game you’re planning to play so nobody shows up to the Zoom toting a ball and trying to get a game of dodgeball happening.
To Play Boom Again on Zoom (or While Social Distancing in Person)
1). One person needs to act as host. That person reads the game questions and moves the tokens along the board.
2). Divide remaining players into two teams. It can be guys/dolls, or skins/shirts, or have people wear a team color—or just divvy up players into Team A and Team B. If you have varying ages playing, it can be helpful to mix young with older to keep things fair. Teams don’t have to have the same number of players.
3). Have fun and play using the super simple instructions – found on BoomAgain.com. In a nutshell: Teams take turns answer trivia questions in categories including music, movies, TV, games, the news of the day and more. The game board is based on tug of war. A right answer moves tokens toward your team’s side, a wrong answer away. The first team to collect three tokens wins.
Get into the Spirit of a Zoom Boom Game Night
Have some fun and add Baby Boom touches to your Boomer game night. Ask people to dress in their favorite ‘50s/’60s/’70s era clothes. Or toast each other before gameplay with retro drinks, like a Harvey Wallbanger or a glass of Kool-Aid.
A Word About Zoom
Zoom lets you visit with friends online—you can see everyone on your screen in a Brady Bunch-style grid so it’s almost like you’re really all together.
If you don’t know how to use Zoom, no worries. There are plenty of people who do. Ask among your friends to see if any can host the meeting. If none of your fellow Boomers can set up a game night? Ask a millennial! Your kids, nieces or nephews are most likely savvy to how it works.
Or if you’re handy on the computer, it’s easy to sign up for Zoom. When you set up a “meeting,” you’ll get a link that you can email to invitees. They just click on the link to join your Boom Game and Trivia night. It’s free (you’ll need to re-log back in after 40 minutes), and if one of the players has a Zoom account, you can play as long as you like at no cost.
Re-connect with Friends and Family Wherever They Might Be
Just because someone lives far away doesn’t mean you can’t get together for some laughs.
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