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Everybody is missing connecting with others during the lockdown, but it can be especially hard on kids, and particularly now we are in the school holidays. Virtual playdates are an excellent way for your child to socialise safely with their friends, and with a little creativity, a virtual playdate can be a lot of fun.

Before COVID-19, Zoom was known for its corporate video conferencing, and only allowed users with a basic account to meet for a maximum of forty minutes. Now Zoom has waived that rule for the duration of lockdown, and it is extremely easy to use, and perfect for virtual playdates. The great thing about Zoom is that your child can see several of their friends at the same time, as the screen is split into squares.

You can use Zoom on computers or tablets and other mobile devices. Once you download the program, you can send a link to your child’s friends inviting them to attend the playdate. Before you send the invites, decide which activities will appeal to everyone on the date. You can arrange for them to do a group craft activity or hold an impromptu dance class. There are a lot of games they can play very easily using Zoom, such as trivia quizzes, or Bingo.