For Mississauga locals, there are plenty of tricks to stay active and jovial when the winter weather hits. Compared to many other northern cities, there’s plenty to do around the area as cooler temperatures plunge further. But that doesn’t mean that you’ll be spending every day outdoors.

Over the last few years, virtual activities have taken off. They're designed to give anyone with an internet connection free reign to try out exciting new experiences—all from the comfort of their couch. Just tap around on your phone or laptop, then see what the world has to offer.

But these types of activities aren’t only great for winter. Today, it’s not uncommon for friends to pack up and move elsewhere, whether for work or personal reasons. This can create huge challenges for the people they leave behind, even those who have known one another for decades.

If you’re avoiding the cold weather or simply want to catch up with an old buddy, then we’ve got a few suggestions in the way of virtual activities. Each is designed for remote friend groups to start enjoying today.

Poker

The goal of any virtual game is to bring players together and emulate a real-life experience. Thanks to its global popularity, there are multiple high-quality options to choose from when hosting a virtual poker night. Some platforms focus on creating a fully virtual experience that feels like a traditional home game, including a live video link. Others focus on teaching newcomers how to play or letting players transition to other variations of poker, like seven card stud. Be sure to keep a lookout for the right poker room for your group's experience and interest levels.

Escape Room

Escape rooms… in a digital format? While this might not sound like an immediate hit, virtual escape rooms are actually hugely popular. In fact, there are virtual competitions for remote players popping up around the world. Though the challenges are less physical than in a real-life escape room, you and your friend(s) will have plenty in the way of problem-solving to keep you busy. Plus, there tends to be more variation for escape rooms online, letting you choose one that suits your interests.

Find Your Perfect Live-Stream

If you’ve ever heard of a platform called Twitch, then you’ve probably heard of it mentioned alongside video games. Live streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube are overwhelmingly popular with gamers who like to follow others and watch their live sessions. That being said, they are geared toward just about every niche interest in the world—which means you and your friends can easily find a live stream that suits your interests.

Some live-streams focus on nature, including the northern lights and animal resources. Others focus on makeup, instrument, and craft tutorials—along with topics like feng shui, forensics, and much, much more. The sky is the limit.

Exercise—Except It’s Fun

It can be extremely challenging to motivate yourself to exercise if your gym or jogging buddy isn’t around. However, virtual programs are adding a new layer to remote exercise—and they’re highly engaging. Similar to escape rooms, there’s tons of variety to choose from, whether focused on Pilates or yoga or Peloton. Just make sure that your preferred program lets you invite a friend, as some might be closed groups or include limited spaces.

Sing Karaoke—Or Write Songs Yourselves

Depending on whether you have the ability to belt out a Whitney Houston song or just like to laugh at yourself, karaoke is a fantastic choice for remote groups. Internet karaoke, as this craze is called, is incredibly popular in East Asia, and has slowly become more available in the West.

However, if your friend group prefers a more technical look at music and production, then you can also target programs that let you create songs yourself using basic mixing and production tools. Platforms like Soundtrap and BandLab, for example, let multiple users tinker with basic production tools to create their own music.