Playing games in a group is an enriching experience that many people enjoy as a regular part of their lives. Whether for competition or collaboration on a common goal, multiplayer games are a great way to unwind, bond and keep your mind sharp. Unfortunately, with many usual routines in flux and in-person traditions postponed for health and safety reasons, some might feel like this type of activity is missing from their lives. The great news is that it’s never been easier to have regular game nights online. By bringing your traditions into the virtual realm, you can maintain social contact and have fun while staying safe.

Here are some key benefits of regular virtual game nights:

Convenient

While we might miss going to visit friends or family outside of the home, it’s a relief to avoid things like traffic and public transportation. Instead of having to travel back and forth between destinations to have fun—or ask your guests to do so—virtual game nights can happen wherever you are. When your commute from work to play is only several rooms, it makes it much easier to commit and stick to plans you might have otherwise missed because of transportation or timing issues.

This also means that leaving the party is as easy as signing off. There are no worries about getting home safe when you’re already home.

Versatile

The amount of online games and activities available these days is staggering. There are so many options for specific interests, play styles, age group, learning level and any other factor that might have prevented a game night in the past. You can play more than one game in one sitting or marathon a single game for several hours in the comfort of home. You can pick a different theme for every get-together based on a specific genre of game or even try brand new games you had never thought of before. The convenience of the internet and all the resources available make it easier than ever to experiment and plan for whatever specific needs or plans you have.

Healthy

The most important benefit of having virtual game nights is safety. The necessity for social distancing and limiting travel keeps us safe and healthy, but it doesn’t have to keep us from being happy. Setting up time dedicated to having fun with friends or family even when you can’t see them in person is important to your happiness and mental health. It also helps you establish a fun routine along with all the others you might have adopted for work or school reasons.

Playing games together can be just as enriching as fun, too. Studies have shown that playing puzzle and strategy games helps keep your mind “in shape” and can also help you feel more refreshed in your day-to-day life. Plus, with things like trivia games, you might even learn new things.

Accessible

The digitization and expanded availability of games and information has made it more accessible than ever. Technology can now mitigate or solve certain aspects of playing games that might have presented challenges before. One prominent example of this is using screen readers to assist your online gaming experience. Another would be the ability to have rules, guides or other reference material right at your fingertips when you need it. Friends or family who might not have otherwise been able to make the trip to your home for game night because of physical limitations can easily join in from home. This helps bring everybody together and level the playing field.

While it’s not mandatory to make your virtual game nights a regular occurrence, there are benefits to creating a fun routine with people both within and outside of your household. If you try it, you will find that not only is it easy and convenient but an enriching social experience and one you’ll want to make a new tradition.