Play & connect
Long-distance best friend quiz: a catch-up game for calls
A short call plan and message-based game to learn what is new in each other’s lives.
Friends who live apart may know years of your history while missing recent changes: your usual lunch, a new interest, or what your days look like now. Use a guessing game as an opening to a catch-up, then give each other space to tell the story behind the answers.
Choose a format that fits both schedules
For a call, agree on a time and how long you have. For messages, say that replies can arrive when convenient. Do not treat a slow response as a failed question or ask someone to stay awake to prove they care.
A simple invitation is: “Want to do three guesses and a catch-up this week? We can send voice notes whenever we have time.” If neither person has the energy, save the idea for another day.
A 15-minute call plan
- First two minutes: say how much time you actually have. Each person names one ordinary thing from their day.
- Next four minutes: take turns asking three light questions. Write your own answers first so you do not change them to match a guess.
- Next six minutes: pick one answer each that needs a story. Ask a follow-up instead of rushing through more prompts.
- Last three minutes: choose an optional next activity or simply agree to check in again when convenient.
This is a suggested schedule, not a rule. If one answer leads to a good conversation, let the game stop there.
Prompts about the current you
- Which part of my daily routine has changed most recently?
- What would you see if I showed you my usual walking route?
- Which meal have I been making repeatedly?
- What am I looking forward to this month?
- Would I choose a shared film, a game, or a conversation for our next call?
- What is one small thing I would like to learn?
Keep addresses, exact travel details, and private information out of a public quiz. If you want to show your surroundings on a call, check what is visible before turning the camera around.
An asynchronous version
Send three questions in one message and keep your answer key in a private note. Your friend sends their guesses when they have time. Reveal the answers with a short explanation, then swap roles. Avoid sending repeated reminders or publishing unanswered questions as a complaint.
You could ask, “What do you think I usually do after work now?” and then explain, “I started walking before dinner.” Even a wrong guess gives you a starting point for a real update.
If you have grown apart
Use an invitation rather than a verdict: “I miss our conversations. Would you like a short catch-up?” A score cannot tell you why contact changed, whether someone is available, or whether a friendship should continue. Let the other person answer in their own words.
If the game brings up discomfort, stop scoring and ask whether they want to change the subject. You do not have to settle a difficult conversation during a casual quiz.
Use the website as an opener
For automatic scoring, create a ten-question friendship test online and send the play link privately. The online game uses its own fixed questions, not the prompts in this article. After playing, discuss one answer that changed since you last met.
For custom prompts, use the printable worksheet. For a conversation without guessing or scores, try the friendship check-in.