Organise a virtual event

We suggest you gather a group of between 6 and 20 people for this activity.

• Step 1: Pick a date and time to host your virtual party and solve the crime!
• Step 2: Select the theme for your Virtual Murder Mystery. Either get your creative juices flowing by writing the script and character profiles yourself, or purchase an online package from one of the many online platforms available.
• Step 3: Decide if you want to host this as a Murder Mystery, or if you want to combine it as a Virtual Dinner Party and Murder Mystery. If the latter, why not pick food around the theme of the mystery you’re trying to solve? Send out recipes or design a menu for your dinner party guests to prepare in advance!
• Step 4: Set up a virtual call for the big event. Make sure all your attendees are clear on how to join the call using your chosen program.
• Step 5: Email everyone their scripts and character information well in advance so they can plan their costumes and get familiar with the plot!
• Get creative with your character – what would they wear? Can you put up a fun background for the event? Could you use props?
• Unleash your inner Sherlock Holmes to try and solve the crime!

If you don’t want to invest in a virtual package, see if any of your friends have a ‘Host your own Murder Mystery’ game at home. If it’s safe to do so, you can always post out the scripts and character booklets to your friends to save a money on buying an online platform. Alternatively, you may be able to find a free package online - however, these are likely to be more basic than paid options. Remember, you can always use your creativity to tweak the story to your liking!

Things you'll need:

• A Team of friends
• Charades app - you can find these on your device's app store
• A way to keep score
• Lots of space around you to get creative with your acting!

How to do it:

• Step 1: Set up a group chat with your course friends, society friends, halls friends, home friends or anyone you know who wants to join in!
• Step 2: Pick a date and time when people can attend, and make sure all your partygoers know how to join the call
• Step 3: Download one of the free Charades apps on your phone or device
• Step 4: Set up the virtual meeting and invite your attendees
• Step 5: Pick a theme for the charades rounds, or risk it and pick random words!
• Step 6: For a competitive games night, separate your group in to teams (cheesy team names optional!)
• Step 7: Stretch those muscles ready to give it your all! Take it in turns to act out your words – don’t be afraid to get out of your chair and use the space around you.

Keep score - the victorious team win bragging rights until next time!

For a more educational, history-rich home day out, take advantage of one of the many virtual museum tours that have been set up to allow virtual visits. A huge advantage of virtual tours is the ability to visit any museum that offers the opportunity, wherever they are in the world!

Here's a few suggestions for museums to visit:

• The Louvre, Paris
• The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
• The British Museum, London
• The Picasso Museum, Barcelona
• The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
• The Natural History Museum, London

Hosting your tour:

• Step 1: Set up a group for anyone who might be interested in exploring a museum exhibit online; you can do some group research into which museum sounds most interesting to you. Friends from your classes might want to explore a particular, course-related exhibit; friends from your society might be interested in an exhibit that relates to the club activity; or you could simply gather up friends and family you've not seen in a while!
• Step 2:Pick a date and time to explore your museum of choice!
• Step 3: Set up a virtual call for during the museum viewing, where you can plan your route with your friends and share observations.
• Take advantage of being able to explore the exhibit virtually – bring snacks and drinks ‘into the museum’. Did you pick an exhibit that you can theme your outfits or snacks around?

After your tour, discuss any points of interest with your friends and plan your next visit!