Relationships / Long Distance and Busy Seasons / Lesson 08

LESSON 08 · LONG DISTANCE AND BUSY SEASONS

Watch Movies and Play Games Together

Forty easy tips to watch movies and play games together online, so you share fun even when far apart.

Fun brings you close. Play together online.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

Start with tip 1

Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from The Long-Distance Relationship Guide (Chris Bell), Hold Me Tight (Sue Johnson), The 5 Love Languages (Gary Chapman), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

TIP 1

Shared fun builds bonds

Doing something together creates shared memories. Fun is a bridge across distance.

TRY THIS
Plan one.

TIP 2

Choose a platform

Use a streaming sync tool, a game app or a video call with screen share. Test it first.

TRY THIS
Test one.

TIP 3

Take turns choosing

Alternate who picks the film or game. Fair choices show respect.

TRY THIS
Take turns.

TIP 4

Start at the same time

Count down and press play together. Syncing makes it feel real.

TRY THIS
Sync it.

TIP 5

Use video or voice

Hearing each other adds warmth. Keep audio quiet during key scenes.

TRY THIS
Keep voice on.

TIP 6

Share snacks

Make the same snack or drink. Shared taste is lovely.

TRY THIS
Snack together.

TIP 7

Talk about it afterwards

Share your favourite parts and feelings. Talking deepens the experience.

TRY THIS
Talk after.

TIP 8

Try cooperative games

Games where you work together build teamwork and laughter. Competitive games can be fun too.

TRY THIS
Choose cooperative.

TIP 9

Plan a regular night

A weekly movie or game night becomes a ritual. Rituals comfort.

TRY THIS
Make a ritual.

TIP 10

Keep it light and kind

Do not take losses too seriously. Play for joy.

TRY THIS
Keep it light.

TIP 11

Example: the Sunday film

They watch a film on Sunday evenings together online. It is their date.

TRY THIS
Start a date.

TIP 12

Example: the cooperative game

They play a puzzle game where they must help each other. It brings them closer.

TRY THIS
Play together.

TIP 13

Example: the snack

They eat popcorn at the same time. It feels like a cinema date.

TRY THIS
Share popcorn.

TIP 14

Script: inviting

Shall we have a movie night together on Sunday? Say it warmly.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 15

Script: choosing

It is your turn to choose this time. Say it lightly.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 16

Script: sharing

I loved that scene, what did you think? Say it brightly.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 17

Script: thanking

Thank you for a lovely evening, I had so much fun. Say it sincerely.

TRY THIS
Use it.

TIP 18

Mistake: spending the whole call on screens with no talk

Make some talk part of the plan, so add chat time.

TRY THIS
Add chat.

TIP 19

Troubleshoot: when streaming does not sync

Count down together and press play. Use a call to coordinate.

TRY THIS
Count down.

TIP 20

Troubleshoot: when you have different tastes

Alternate genres or choose short episodes. Curiosity helps.

TRY THIS
Alternate.

TIP 21

Troubleshoot: when time zones are tough

Choose weekend slots or record reactions to share. Be creative.

TRY THIS
Plan weekends.

TIP 22

Pick a game that suits both skill levels so it stays fun

A balanced game keeps both players happy and avoids frustration.

TRY THIS
Pick one.

TIP 23

Share a screen or watch party tool and test it before the date

A quick test prevents tech stress and saves time.

TRY THIS
Test it.

TIP 24

Add a voice or video chat during a film for shared reactions

Hearing laughter together makes the experience feel real.

TRY THIS
Turn on audio.

TIP 25

Create a shared list of films and games to try this year

A list builds anticipation and gives you something to plan.

TRY THIS
Start a list.

TIP 26

Book idea: shared fun builds bonds

Researchers on couples note that shared leisure and laughter strengthen relationships, and online activities can bring the same benefits across distance.

TRY THIS
Plan a fun night.

TIP 27

Book idea: rituals at a distance

Long-distance couples often use a weekly film or game night as a ritual, which gives both something to look forward to and a shared routine.

TRY THIS
Create a weekly ritual.

TIP 28

Myth: watching a film apart is not real time together

Shared experiences, even through screens, create real feelings of closeness when you talk and react together.

TRY THIS
Try it once.

TIP 29

Myth: games are childish

Games give laughter, challenge and teamwork, which are all ingredients of closeness.

TRY THIS
Play together.

TIP 30

Story: Sana and Tom’s film Fridays

Sana and Tom started a film on pause at the same moment every Friday and chatted by message, and said it felt like sitting on the same sofa.

TRY THIS
Sync a film.

TIP 31

Story: Ola and Zed play a puzzle game

Ola and Zed played an online puzzle game together every week, and they said solving problems as a team brought them closer.

TRY THIS
Pick a team game.

TIP 32

Journal: what makes a shared online evening feel special?

Ideas like snacks or dressing up make it feel like a date.

TRY THIS
Write three ideas.

TIP 33

Challenge: plan a themed online date, with matching snacks and a film

A theme adds fun and a sense of occasion.

TRY THIS
Choose a theme.

TIP 34

Challenge: take turns choosing the film or game each week

Fair turns keep it fun for both.

TRY THIS
Set the rota.

TIP 35

Red flag: online time together feels like a chore

Try a different activity or length, and talk about what would feel better.

TRY THIS
Change it up.

TIP 36

Fun fact: shared leisure improves relationship satisfaction

Studies show couples who share fun activities feel closer.

TRY THIS
Share it.

TIP 37

Mini habit: keep a shared list of films and games to try

A list builds anticipation and simplifies planning.

TRY THIS
Start one.

TIP 38

Think about it: what would make our online evening feel like a real date?

Small touches like matching snacks or dressing up make a screen date feel special.

TRY THIS
Write two ideas.

TIP 39

Mini habit: keep a shared list of films and games you would like to try together

A running list builds anticipation and makes planning easy and fun.

TRY THIS
Start the list now.

TIP 40

Fun fact: shared leisure activities are linked with higher relationship satisfaction

Studies show that couples who play and laugh together feel closer, even online.

TRY THIS
Share it.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many love and relationship moments.

PLAN

“Shall we watch a film together?”

PICK

“Your turn to choose.”

PLAY

“Let us play a game.”

LAUGH

“That was so funny.”

SHARE

“I loved that scene.”

CLOSE

“Same time next week?”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Pick a platform

DAY 2
Pick a film or game

DAY 3
Sync the start

DAY 4
Use video or voice

DAY 5
Snack together

DAY 6
Talk afterwards

DAY 7
Plan the next

Further reading

• The Long-Distance Relationship Guide (Chris Bell)
• Hold Me Tight (Sue Johnson)
• The 5 Love Languages (Gary Chapman)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

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These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.