Things to Do With Your Boyfriend Over the Phone (40 Ideas)

6 min read · The Map

The best things to do with your boyfriend over the phone mix a little play with a little depth: a quick game, something you watch or make at the same time, and one real question. You don't need a plan for every call, just a few go-to ideas so calls don't slide into "so... what's up?" Here are 40 ideas, sorted by how much time you have.

If your calls feel flat and you can't tell whether it's the distance or something between you, The Map shows where you stand with him in about three minutes. Find where you stand

Quick five-minute ideas

For nights when one of you is tired but you still want to connect.

1. Rose, thorn, bud. Best part of the day, worst part, and something you're looking forward to.
2. Describe your view. Each of you describes exactly what you can see right now.
3. One-song share. Play him one song that fits your day.
4. Three-word day. Sum up your day in three words, then explain one.
5. Compliment swap. Each of you gives one specific compliment. No generic ones.
6. Plan tomorrow's lunch for each other, even if you'll eat apart.
7. Say one thing you missed about him today.
8. Read a horoscope or fortune out loud and argue about how wrong it is.

Cute things to do over the phone before bed

• Tell each other one good memory from this week.
• Read a page of the same book out loud.
• Count down from ten and hang up at the same time.

Games to play over the phone

Games take the pressure off conversation. These all work on a normal call, and most work as games to play on FaceTime too.

Word and question games

9. Would you rather. Take turns making them sillier.
10. 20 questions. Classic, and weirdly fun at midnight.
11. Two truths and a lie. Try it with stories he's never heard.
12. Never have I ever. Keep it light and fun.
13. Story chain. Each of you adds one sentence to a story.
14. Categories. Pick a letter and a category, take turns until someone blanks.
15. This or that. Rapid-fire: beach or mountains, pizza or tacos.
16. The couples quiz. Try our how well do you know your partner questions with scoring.

Games that need a phone or app

17. Online chess or checkers on any free game site.
18. Multiplayer trivia or word games.
19. Draw-and-guess games on a shared drawing site.
20. A co-op video game if you both play.

Things to watch or do together

Doing something at the same time is one of the best long distance relationship activities because it feels like being in the same room.

21. Movie night. Count down "3, 2, 1, play."
22. Cook-along dinner date. Same recipe, compare results.
23. Walk-and-talk. Both walk outside and describe what you see.
24. Online window shopping for a future trip or apartment.
25. Study or work together on video, mostly quiet. Great for students.
26. Watch a YouTube rabbit hole and take turns picking the next video.
27. Plan a real trip with a pretend budget.
28. Fall asleep on the call. Many long-distance couples love this one.

For more ideas that work in person too, see new things to try with your partner.

Deeper conversation ideas

When you want more than logistics, these are good things to talk about over the phone.

What to talk about with your boyfriend when you want to get closer

29. What's something you've never told anyone?
30. When did you feel closest to me this month?
31. What's a fear you've carried since you were a kid?
32. What does a perfect weekend together look like?
33. What's one thing you want us to do before the year ends?
34. How do you like to be comforted when you're down?
35. What's something about us you're proud of?
36. What do you miss most when we're apart?
37. How do you feel when I go quiet for a day?
38. What would make the distance easier right now?

When phone calls with your boyfriend feel boring

Boring calls usually mean you're only swapping updates. Swap one update for one question from the list above. You'll feel the difference fast.

The part people struggle with most is question 37: how each of you reacts when the other goes quiet. On a long-distance relationship, a missed call can mean nothing to one person and a sleepless night to the other. The Map asks 18 quick taps about how you react when this person goes quiet, and places your dot in one of four regions, so you understand your side before the next missed call. Find where you stand

Making a nightly phone ritual

Ideas help, but a ritual is what makes calls feel steady. A ritual is simply the same small thing, at about the same time, most nights.

A simple 10-minute nightly call

1. Hello and one-line mood (1 minute): "Tired but good."
2. Rose, thorn, bud (3 minutes).
3. One question or one game (5 minutes).
4. One kind thing and goodnight (1 minute).

Tips for a ritual that lasts

• Agree on a rough time, not an exact minute. Life happens.
• Have a backup: a two-line text when a call isn't possible.
• Let short calls count. Five warm minutes beat an hour of distracted talk.
• Rotate who picks the game or question.
• Use a question list. Our daily couple check in questions include a section for long-distance couples.

These ideas work just as well as things to do over the phone with your GF, a best friend or anyone you're close to from far away.

Get tonight's call idea in one tap

Things to do with your boyfriend over the phone are easier when something picks one for you. The Map gives you one five-minute card each evening, picked for the region your dot lands in with this person, right in your phone's browser. Answer 18 quick taps, about three minutes, and your first card is ready tonight.

Find where you stand

FAQ

What are fun things to do over the phone with your bf?

Play would you rather or 20 questions, watch a movie in sync, cook the same recipe, or go on a walk together while talking. Mix one game with one deeper question for the best calls.

What can couples do over the phone when they run out of things to say?

Switch from updates to questions or games. "What's something you've never told anyone?" or a quick round of two truths and a lie will restart a flat call.

What are good games to play on FaceTime with your boyfriend?

Draw-and-guess, online chess, trivia, charades on video, and "show me something in your room with a story behind it" all work well.

How do long distance couples stay close over the phone?

A small nightly ritual helps: same rough time, a quick check-in, one question or game, and a warm goodbye. Consistency matters more than length.

What should I talk about on the phone with my girlfriend?

The same ideas work: rose, thorn, bud; plans you're both excited about; memories; and one deeper question. The goal is to learn something new about each other, not just trade schedules.