The struggle is real – wanting to hang out with your friends but also not wanting to spend money at the same time. It’s almost a given nowadays that when you go see your friend, you’ll go out to eat or grab a drink or go shopping, everything that requires spending money. It’s like there are no free things to do with friends.
Thankfully, my friends and I are much more money conscious now (of course, it also helps that we’re college students so we don’t have much to spend anyway). Now when we see each other, we actively find fun things to do that don’t require spending money.
I’ve decided to compile a list of my favorite spending-free activities that you and your friends can participate in!
1. Play board games
Board games are for everyone of all ages. I highly recommend the game Ticket to Ride.
2. Learn some magic card tricks
Trust me, it’s not as hard as it sounds. Just look up some easy ones on YouTube, practice with each other, and next time you’ll be able to impress everyone at a party!
3. Watch a movie or TV show together
Nothing like a good movie marathon with all of your favorite titles. It’s even more fun if you watch musicals and sing along.
4. Cook for yourselves or bake something yummy
If you and your friend tend to grab dinner or eat out when you meet up, try cooking for yourselves instead!
5. Pack a lunch and set up a picnic
Even better, pack up your home cooked food and bring it with you to a nearby park. Lay out a blanket, put on your sunglasses, and enjoy a picnic.
6. Ride bikes around or go for a hike
Every city or town has a couple of hiking trails or some nice paths. Grab a bike or your hiking shoes and go exploring outside!
7. Explore your city or town in depth
Until you know every nook and cranny, you haven’t explored your hometown enough. The next time you go exploring, you might even find a hidden shop or small garden you’ve never noticed before.
8. Visit a free attraction, like a park or a zoo
For the next free thing to do with friends, check out some local attractions. Do a quick Google search or free parks and zoos in your area, check the hours, then head on off!
9. Watch the sunset or sunrise
Depending on where you live, the sun might rise a little bit too early for you to wake up and catch it, but sunsets are just as beautiful! You just need to find a clear hill or street with nothing in your way.
10. Visit some open houses in your neighborhood
This is one of my favorite options on this list because I LOVE touring open houses. Especially the nice ones 🙂
11. Go window shopping
You might not be able to go real shopping but you can definitely go window shopping! Plus, this will help you learn to not make impulse purchases if you see something you like.
12. Walk dogs at your local dog shelter
Spend some of your time volunteering at your local dog shelter. It’s incredibly fun and both the dogs and the shelter will thank you for it!
13. Create a scavenger hunt
You can create a scavenger hunt for each other or together for someone else. I made one for my friend on her birthday once and I can’t recommend it enough.
14. Learn a new skill
If either of you have any unique skills, teach each other! Otherwise, turn to Google to teach yourselves a new skill.
15. Create a new language
When I was little, I would create secret languages involving all sorts of complex code. My friend and I used to write each other messages in code, but it took forever to decipher because we never memorized the code chart.
16. Create a YouTube video
Your YouTube video doesn’t need to be filmed in Ultra 4K High-Res HD. All you need is a phone camera, an idea for your video, some editing software, and voila!
17. Do arts and crafts
You don’t even need friends for this, I do arts and crafts by myself all the time. However, the more the merrier!
18. Sell your used or outdated items
Instead of saving money, why not both make some money? Dig through your old items, pull out anything you don’t need anymore, and list them on eBay or Craigslist.
19. Create a bucket list
Sit down with your friend and create a bucket list of fun things you want to do together. Refer to this the next time you hang out!
20. Have a photoshoot
Finally, get dressed up and take some nice photos of each other, whether for a new LinkedIn headshot, Instagram photos, or just for fun.
I hope you enjoyed my suggestions for free things to do with friends for fun!
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