I think theres a way - but that being said mobile devices and specifically mobile messaging or calling apps are probably the least friendly to ‘minor hoops’ in the name of whimsy. Its generally assumed by the designer that the person using the app may be juggling many things and actively moving while trying to communicate.

For example, you wouldn’t put ‘fun and whimsy’ into design of an airport cockpit. All software is somewhere on the spectrum between ‘extremely necessary tool’ and ‘silly thing we made for fun’. You find more creative UX the farther you get towards the ‘for fun’ side.