can't use iphone 6s Plus as ipod touch for calls/texts?

Ok, this is probably a unique situation. I have two verizon iPhones. One is a 6s Plus not activated, the other is a 5s that is activated. Basically I use the 5s for when I go out (where I prefer one-handed use over a bigger screen), and I want to use the 6s Plus as a second phone (via continuity) exclusively at home (where I prefer a bigger screen over one-handed use), but I'm running into problems.

First, let me say I tried an ipad mini for a couple weeks... twice... and each time I found it to be too big for what I wanted. I wanted a screen bigger than my 5s at home, but I wanted to still be able to easily grasp it one handed and use my thumb to scroll. And I wanted to be able to still put it in my pocket when I moved around from room to room in my home. The mini was simply too big for this. The 5.5" Plus does the job much better. But again, I prefer the smaller size of the 5s when I when I go out, especially since I don't spend much time on my phone outside of the home, so I couldn't use the Plus to replace my main phone.

So I want to dock my 5s when I get home and just use my Plus as my phone while at home. The problem is trying to get calls and texts to function on the Plus via continuity. Both devices are signed into my Apple ID and are the same wifi network. But on my Plus...

In Messages settings, under "imessage" it just says "waiting for activation..."

In Facetime settings, under "facetime" it also says "waiting for activation..."

The messages app shows no conversation history.

The facetime app, however, shows just ONE of my previous facetime calls in the history. The weird thing is this call isn't listed in my 5s facetime app even though it shows call history before and after that date.

I've tried sending/receiving texts on my 5s since setting up the Plus and none show up on my Plus. I tried making a call, but there was some automatic verizon message about paying money to make the call. Haven't tried receiving any phone calls yet though.

As I understood it, iphones that aren't activated are simply ipod touches, but for whatever reason this doesn't seem to be true, since on ipod touch, facetime and messages can sign into an Apple ID and handle calls and texts seamlessly.

Any ideas? Much appreciated!