Seize the Day With These 50 Superfun Activities You and the Whole Crew Can Do
Whether you're looking for a festive activity for Friendsgiving—besides chowing down on the potluck, that is—or you just want to jazz up the quality time you share with your besties, finding fun new things to do with friends can be a tough proposition. After all, you've got to come up with ideas or activities your whole squad will want to try, so that probably leaves out anything that's physically dangerous, or too expensive. In other words, no BASE jumping and you might want to skip sampling the city's most expensive day spa. (That said, we surely do love us some girlfriend getaways, especially to beach towns down south!)
But we guarantee there are plenty of budget-friendly good times to be had with your favorite humans closer to home, many of which we've rounded up below. From cozy nights playing board games to hoofing it on area hiking trails, plus hitting up the thrift shops and volunteering...well, anywhere, the following ideas are sure to be crowd-pleasers the whole group will love. Just pick your favorite and start planning. And while you're at it, you might want to send out one of our Best Friend Quotes That Capture What True Friendship Is All About just to let the gang know how much you cherish them (though you probably want to note that doesn't mean you're going to let them win at Monopoly).
Visit a museum.
While tickets for art and historical institutions can get pretty pricey in these days of sky-high inflation, loads of museums have free days or offer special discounts for late afternoon admission. If you've got a big enough group, you might be eligible for reduced prices and even special guided tours with advance reservations.
Have a picnic.
If the weather forecast is promising a good-looking day, soak up all that sunshine by spreading a blanket in your local park and unpacking a potluck picnic. Have everyone bring one goodie, like potato salad, sandwiches, or pie, and then relax and enjoy.
Shop a farmer's market.
Not only is locally sourced produce fresher, tastier, and better for the environment, it can often be cheaper than buying veggies and fruit at the grocery store. Plus, many farmer's markets feature entertainment, food stands and vendors selling handmade items, so you can watch, eat, and browse all morning for next to nothing.
Go for a spin.
Load everyone up in your ride and hit the road to the closest charming small town. Window shop, grab a bite at the local diner, see some historical sites and just...breathe. Can't you feel all that big city stress melting away?
Pick some produce.
There's a lot to love about picking your own fruit and veggies, whether it's apples, berries, pumpkins, peaches, or anything else. (Flowers are also an increasingly popular U-Pick option.) You and your pals do the work, you and your pals reap the benefits: fresh air, sunshine, exercise, yummy food and, of course, time together.
Pitch a tent.
Pack up the camping gear and spend a night or two in the forest with friends. Take a stroll, grill some weenies, or just kick back and chat. You might even get to know each other even better than you already do.
See a psychic.
You know that storefront soothsayer you've always wondered about? Grab the gang and go get your fortune foretold. Betcha you'll hear you'll all be friends forever.
Paddle on.
There's nothing like a warm day on cool water, and municipal, state and national parks with lakes often offer economical kayak and canoe rentals. You don't really need much experience to handle one, either—even your beginner buddies will have a good time.
Load up at the library.
Spend an hour or two skimming the stacks and then check out a few books you can all take turns reading. That should spark some lively discussions! In fact, you might even want to...
Start a book club.
Books clubs are great for promoting thoughtful discourse with old friends as well as providing you with a way to make new ones. Just be sure to advertise your club through area bookstores, community groups and the library if you'd like to recruit people from outside your social circle.
Take in a game.
Pro sport matchups, even the beloved everyman game of baseball, have gotten notoriously expensive to attend, but college and especially high school games are much cheaper. For extra fun, dress in the home team's colors, bring your pom poms and don't forget to tailgate!
Hit the trail.
Whether it's a path tucked away deep within a national park or a promenade winding through city gardens, walking and hiking trails are everywhere, affording you and the crew a chance to stretch your legs while enjoying a heaping dose of nature.
Check out a lecture.
Head to the local college and audit a class for a session or two. Not only will you all get to expand your minds a bit, you won't have to worry about tests or getting good grades.
Explore a botanic garden.
Stop and smell the roses at a botanic garden or arboretum, which are often either free or significantly less expensive to enter than other city attractions. Some even allow picnics, so you can count on whiling away at least a few hours on a nice afternoon.
Donate blood.
Okay, so getting punctured might not sound like the most cheery way to spend a couple of hours with friends, but doing good makes you flat-out feel good, and we all know donating blood saves lives.
Craft cocktails.
Why spend the moola on a cocktail class when you can get together with your squad at home and teach each other how to make your favorite adult beverages? You can even give the night a theme, like fall, frozen, or Fourth (of July) drinks.
Ride bikes.
You don't have to fret if someone in your posse doesn't have wheels; bike shares and rentals are everywhere, just like bike lanes have sprouted throughout many cities. If you want to take it a bit easier on your ride, opt for an e-bike, and let it handle some of the work.
Head to a book reading.
Bookstores and libraries periodically host writers signing their books, reading from their work, and even taking questions from the audience. These engaging events, especially great group diversions on a rain-swept or chilly evening, are usually free.
Take a fitness class.
You know what they say: friends that sweat together stay together. Check into your local park and rec department—they often hold low-priced classes in everything from Tai Chi to Pilates, Zumba and more. Or hold your own aerobics class using a YouTube video.
Go to a drive-in movie.
Yep, these throwback wonders still exist, and tickets are usually much cheaper than if you went to a movie theater, even if half your friends don't hide out in the trunk on the way in.
Play games.
Kick off a weekly game night, with each member of the group taking a turn bringing a different board game. You can also add in a night of putting together puzzles, or playing poker and other card games to spice things up.
Have a ball.
From bowling to basketball, baseball to bar sports like cornhole and darts, amateur sports leagues promote camaraderie and let you relive your high school sports glory days. (Or, you know, maybe work through some trauma around them. Dodgeball, we're looking at you.)
Get gardening.
Digging in the dirt just feels good—why do you think kids love to make mud pies? Take turns doing a bit of planting, trimming, deadheading, or weeding in each other's yards and you'll all not only enjoy the experience but get your flower beds looking shipshape in no time.
Hear music.
Hearing live musical performances is simply good for the soul and you don't have to spend a fortune on pricey tickets, either. In the warm weather months, many parks host free evening concerts from area bands, symphonies and other acts. Open mic nites are also a good bet for affordable entertainment.
Volunteer.
Nothing will strengthen your friendship quite like volunteering together, no matter if you donate your time and labor to an animal shelter, soup kitchen, political office, community clean-up crew or any other worthy cause.
Make jewelry.
We all love our baubles and bling, and that goes doubly for shiny things we've crafted ourselves. Gather the girls, a couple jewelry-making kits and start DIYing to your hearts' content. Heck, you might want to even get a little sparkling wine involved.
Take a dip.
If the weather's toasty, cool off with a plunge into the nearest swimming hole or public pool. Should you feel like getting fancy, many hotels allow non-guests to use their facilities for a small fee.
Relive your childhood.
Enjoy a blast from the past by breaking out the crayons and coloring books, or drawing murals in chalk on your sidewalks and driveway. And while you at it, you might want to set up a hopscotch grid, too.
Sing karaoke.
Because, seriously, what else is going to cement the bond between you and your buds like belting out a karaoke classic together, whether you're using an at-home system, or hitting those notes for all the world to hear in your favorite dive bar.
Scrapbook.
There's a reason scrapbooking remains so popular and it's because it's such a meaningful way to preserve memories, while at the same time offering plenty of creative satisfaction. The really nice thing about getting together with a bunch of friends and scrapbooking is that you can all share the stories of your souvenirs and photos as you lay them out on your pages.
Watch the sunrise.
It might not be easy to get those die-hard night owls in your group up before dawn, but promise them thermoses full of good java and you might be able to make it happen. Then, meet up someplace with a killer eastern view, like a mountain overlook or beach, and watch as the new day is born. You can even share some good sunrise quotes if you're looking for extra inspiration.
Stargaze.
Speaking of inspiration, for a soul-stirring (and totally free) experience, little can compare with simply watching the night sky. Bring blankets to sit on, a few pairs of good binoculars (or a telescope) and maybe mix up some hot toddies if it's chilly. You might also consider downloading a stargazing app, which can help you identify those heavenly bodies overhead.
Have a spa day.
Pamper each other round robin-style with at-home mani-pedis, facials, and blowouts. Pour some lemon water, indulge in a little gentle gossip and you'll feel like you're all at the spa together, for a fraction of the cost.
Strap on skates.
Whether it's roller skating in the summer or ice skating in the winter, strapping on a pair of skates will make you all feel like kids again. And who doesn't want to recapture a bit of the zeal and zest of their wonder years, if even for only a few hours?
Birdwatch.
Spying on feathered friends can be a surprisingly satisfying endeavor, especially if you're doing it with your human cohorts. If you want to kick things up a notch, you can always invest in a pair of good birdwatching binoculars, or even a bird feeder camera.
Spark a flame.
If you've got a nice outdoor fireplace or fire pit, get a good blaze going and invite everyone over for some s'mores. Bonus points if someone brings a guitar, or you tell some good ghost stories.
Toss a painting party.
Flip the switch and turn a necessary chore into something a lot more sociable by inviting your friends over to help you paint your bedroom, kitchen, or whatever room requires a refresh. Order pizza, offer up plenty of ice-cold beer, turn on the tunes—and be sure to let them know you'll be happy to return the favor when their walls need a new color.
Give each other makeovers.
Remember in high school, when everyone took turns at sleepovers doing each other's hair and makeup? This is the same concept, only with wine.
Binge a show.
Pick a dreary day, ask everyone to bring their jammies, serve up the snacks and stream a whole series, or at least a few episodes. (FYI, The Morning Show has been dropping Season 3 episodes as of late...and has been already renewed for Season 4.)
Thrift 'til you drop.
From designer clothes to kitschy housewares, vintage vinyl to beautiful old books, treasures await at thrift stores and garage sales. You'll have to pick through some junk and keep your eyes peeled for deals that are steals, but isn't that half the fun?
Cook dinner.
Convene at whichever friend has the biggest, best-equipped kitchen and have each person make a different dish for dinner. To keep things interesting, you can even require that every recipe be a new, never-tried one.
Craft a vision board.
Manifest your dreams by setting aside a night or two to make a vision board with like-minded chums who believe in the power of visualization and position thinking.
Learn something new.
Cooking, meditation, painting, a second language...there is an almost endless array of new skills and knowledge to acquire, and it's even more fun to learn alongside friends. Take turns teaching each other what you know, or pull up a YouTube tutorial.
Host a movie marathon.
Decide on a theme—for example, films based on true stories, wedding day features, or scary flicks—make a couple of big bowls of popcorn and kick back and watch your silver screen favorites with your fellow cinephiles.
Organize a scavenger hunt.
We love this idea! Admittedly, it will take some doing, but there are plenty of ideas for themes, locations, clues and more available online.
See a theatrical event.
Sure, plays and musicals can be expensive, but catch the show in previews and you'll find ticket prices are often cheaper than after opening night. If you've got a big collection of chums, you might be eligible for a group discount, or see if you can all volunteer to usher and get in for free. Community and college theatrical productions also tend to be less expensive to attend, while still offering a chance for everyone to broaden their cultural horizons.
Throw a themed costume party.
It doesn't even have to be Halloween! Maybe make it a totally 80s bash (for sure for sure), or head west with a request for guests to wear cowfolk costumes. Whatever theme you choose, the evening is pretty much guaranteed to be livelier than if you were hosting a typical "dress casual" shindig.
Learn a dance routine.
You don't have to post it to TikTok, but it'd be cooler if you did.
Have a water balloon fight.
Is there anything better than a friendly water balloon battle on a scorching summer day? Probably, but at the moment we sure can't think of it.
Take a self-guided architecture tour.
Many cities offer free self-guided tours of architectural gems that have been put together by historical societies, convention and visitor bureaus and a wide range of other sources. Or, follow the app GPSmyCity, which features walks in more than 1,500 cities across the world.
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