How to Prevent Long-Distance Friendships from Dying

Maintaining a strong friendship can be hard when you’re miles apart, but distance doesn’t have to dim the bond; today, whether you’re separated by continents or just a few cities, it’s easier than ever to keep your friendship alive and thriving.

All you need are a few creative ideas and a willingness to stay connected!

So here you go: 10 fun, engaging, and actually doable ways to keep your long-distance friendships stronger than ever.

1. Virtual Hangouts with a Twist

FaceTime and Zoom calls are cool, but let’s kick it up a notch. Schedule a themed virtual hangout night!

Idea: Have a “Dinner and a Movie” night where you both cook the same recipe and then watch the same movie together (sync it up or use a watch party platform). Bonus: Pick a movie from your high school days and have a laugh about how far you’ve come.
Pro Tip: Use apps like Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) so you can pause, rewind, and comment on the movie in real-time.

2. Snail Mail Surprises

There’s something so personal about receiving a physical letter or package in the age of instant messages.

Send a care package full of their favorite snacks, a book you know they’d love, or even a handwritten note.
Pen Pals 2.0: Try sending postcards from places you visit or just random fun postcards you find. Include inside jokes or quick updates.

3. Book (or Podcast) Club for Two

Start a mini book or podcast club! Pick something to read or listen to together and have weekly discussions. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to bond over shared interests, plus it gives you so much to talk about.

Idea: Alternate picking books/podcasts, and at the end of each month, rate them and keep a shared ranking list.

4. Challenge Each Other

Friendly competition is a fun way to stay engaged. Set up monthly challenges you can both participate in from a distance.

Fitness Challenge: Compete for who can walk the most steps, complete a workout streak, or try a new activity like yoga.
Creative Challenge: Share a doodle, photo, or poem every day for a week, and vote on whose is best (no pressure—just fun!).
Pro Tip: Use apps like Strava or a shared Google Doc to track your progress and talk smack (all in good fun, of course).

5. “Open When” Letters

Yes, “Open When” letters aren’t just for romantic partners—they’re perfect for friendships too!

Create a set of letters for your friend to open on specific occasions (like their birthday, or when they’re missing home) or just for fun (“Open When You’re Bored”).
Slip in a few small surprises like photos, stickers, or even a playlist link to keep them smiling.

6. Surprise Voice Notes

Voice notes are so underrated! Send each other funny or heartfelt voice messages when you’re too busy to chat on the phone. It’s more personal than a text, and who doesn’t love hearing their bestie’s voice unexpectedly?

Fun Twist: Create a story where you each add to it with a new voice note. It’ll be hilarious to see where the tale goes!

7. Video Montage of Memories

Take a trip down memory lane by creating a montage of your favorite moments together.

Use old photos, videos, and snippets from social media to create a “Friendship Highlight Reel.”
Pro Tip: Send it to them out of the blue with a sweet message about how much they mean to you. Instant tearjerker (happy tears only, though).

8. Plan a Future Trip

Having something to look forward to is key in long-distance friendships. Plan a weekend getaway, even if it’s far in the future.

Create a Pinterest board of the places you want to visit together and start adding dream spots.
Fun Twist: Set savings goals for your trip and keep each other motivated to hit them. When you finally meet, you’ll have the trip of a lifetime!

9. Celebrate Milestones Together

Don’t let distance stop you from celebrating the big stuff. Whether it’s a birthday, job promotion, or just surviving a tough week, make it a point to celebrate together—virtually.

Host a virtual surprise party: Gather mutual friends, set up a Zoom call, and celebrate your friend’s special day from wherever you are.
Send a cake or flowers to arrive at their doorstep on the big day. It’s a small gesture that’ll go a long way.

10. Digital Game Night

Who said game night is reserved for in-person hangouts? Take your friendship into the digital age by playing online games together.

Jackbox Games, Skribbl.io, and Among Us are awesome multiplayer games that’ll have you laughing (or scheming) all night long.
Fun Twist: Pick a new game each month to keep things fresh and exciting.

Friendship Hacks for Staying Close Across Distance

Weekly Check-ins: Make it a habit to have a quick 10-minute chat every week, even if it’s just to say, “Hey, what’s up?”
Use Shared Apps: Apps like Marco Polo (for sending quick video messages) or Snapchat (for daily snippets of your life) help you stay connected in small but meaningful ways.
Time Zones Are Your Friend: Turn your time differences into an advantage. When they’re winding down at night, you might just be getting started with your day—use it to send surprise texts or funny memes.

Final Thoughts: Making Friendship Last

Friendships, like any relationship, require care and attention—especially when you’re long-distance. But with a little creativity, you can turn the physical distance into just another adventure to share. From virtual hangouts to surprise voice notes, these ideas will keep the fun alive and your friendship stronger than ever.

It’s all about the quality of the connection you nurture. Keep the laughter, the jokes, and the heartfelt moments flowing, and you’ll never feel truly apart.

Billie

I like to climb mountains, read Nietzsche, and explore the West Coast. I have a BA from York University (2003) in Toronto, Canada, and yet on this site I sometimes spell like an American (know your audience). Thank you. Thank you very much.