How to have a games night at home

You might be sick of virtual pub quizzes by now - six months in and out of lockdown will do that to the best of us - so why not switch it up and try out a virtual games night instead?

Gather your loved ones on a Zoom call and play some drinking games, complete with forfeits of course, in order to dial up the fun factor.

Charades is a traditional game you should be able to play via video chat easily enough, while a form of Pictionary should be possible too if you can get the right set up at home.

Some tech boffins have even set up a way to play virtual Cards Against Humanity, so you can embarrass members of your family - or just yourself - from your own sofa.

For something a bit more basic and undoubtedly a lot more wholesome, how about a game of virtual bingo for your Friday games night? You can come up with your own prizes as well.

Play slots at an online casino

You might not be able to go out to a casino right now - so why not let the casino come to you?

There are countless online casinos out there in the UK these days, all offering the chance to win a life-changing amount of money from the comfort of your own home.

Whatever type of slot game you want to play, you will have a lot of different options. Slots based on movies, TV shows or even rock bands like Motorhead are among those that are available.

You don't need to spend any money when you can just grab a code and enjoy free spins playing your favourite slot game - there are literally thousands to pick from.

Naturally, the amount of money you can win with free spins is likely to be less than if you stake your own cash on spinning the reels, but playing for free is a great way to get started.

We are truly spoiled for choice these days with the sheer amount of great telly and movies that are available to stream from home - and you will not miss the loud popcorn chompers that inevitably end up ruining a Friday night trip to the cinema either.

While the release of Christopher Nolan's latest film Tenet might tempt some back to the pictures, logging into Netflix, Prime Video or Disney+ is much more likely for most of us right now.

New releases to binge on Netflix include Katherine Ryan's sitcom The Duchess, while Disney+ just recently added the new Mulan to its library, which could be an ideal Friday night watch for all the family, though you will have to pay an additional fee on top of your subscription.

New movies are also available to stream through the BFI Player and Curzon Home Video, so there is plenty of choice. Just try not to waste the evening scrolling through all the options!

Have a virtual cocktail party

Cocktails and Friday nights are a winning combination, but just because you might not want to head to a bar does not mean you have to miss out on sampling your favourite drinks.

A lot of companies are now creating cocktails that can be mixed easily at home, so even if you lack the skills of a top-notch bartender you can sling together an espresso martini easily.

Everything you need can be delivered to your home, so organise your mates to get the same cocktails in and you will soon forget you are not able to prop up your regular bar right now.

While a Friday night at home might not be as exciting as hitting the town, lockdown does not mean you have to give up getting the weekend started in style.