Looking for spontaneous things to do with your friends? Keeping busy and having fun doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some fun and affordable activities on a budget.
10 spontaneous things to do with your friends
We all need to find new things to do. It’s tempting to fall into the same routine and do the same things. However, this can get boring and you may be looking for new and exciting activities that you and your crew can do together.
If you want to do something new with your friends, here are some spontaneous things you can do together at short notice.
1. Go outside
Getting out of the house can be fun and therapeutic. It also tends to be quite affordable! Outdoor activities with friends can be a great time, and you will also enjoy the fresh air and exercise.
During the warm summer months, go for a walk or hike, visit a pool or beach, or visit free local attractions like parks and sculpture gardens. Bring some snacks and drinks from home and throw a lounge chair or blanket in your car in case you need a place to relax and rest to keep your activity on budget.
During the winter months, go sledding, have a snowball fight, build a snowman, or take a winter nature walk and enjoy the cool, clear weather.
2. Attend free concerts and events
Events don’t have to be expensive to be fun! In fact, they can be free. Free concerts and events can be great fun, and there are often many different events happening in each area each night.
From outdoor movies to free concerts to activities like ice skating and more, free events can be fun and get you out of the house even when you’re short on cash. Some of these events may even offer free food in addition to the entertainment!
So how do you find free events to do with your friends? First, search online on Facebook for events near you. Here you will find various activities that you can do together. They can be hosted by your local library, community organizations, or Meetup groups. Add them to your online calendar and share them with friends you might want to join.
My family regularly enjoys free movies, music, and more. It’s a great way to get out of the house without spending a lot of money.
3. Play a sports game
Another spontaneous thing you can do with your friends is find a sport to play together. Have fun and train while participating in friendly competition. Whether it’s shooting hoops, playing tennis, or kicking a soccer ball, exercise is a great way to pass the time and stay active.
4. Host a movie night
If going to the theater is beyond your budget, why not have a movie night at home? You can make your own snacks, pause the movie whenever you want, and talk as much as you like.
With streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, and free alternatives, there’s always something interesting to watch while spending time together.
5. Take a night road trip
Some of us just enjoy driving late at night when the roads are clear and the air is cool. In some areas, the city comes alive at night and you will have experiences that you would not encounter during the day.
Even if you don’t have a destination in mind, you can just hop in your car and drive around for the next 30 minutes or an hour, listening to music and taking in the sights around you.
6. Work out at a gym
Exercising doesn’t have to be a boring activity when you have your friends around. Go for a run together or visit the gym and keep each other company while you work out. It’s a great way to get in shape and have more fun doing it.
7. Go camping
Camping can be a fun adventure that creates lasting memories. However, it requires a bit of equipment, making it less spontaneous than some other options. In addition to a tent and cool boxes to store cold food and drinks, you will also need blankets or sleeping bags and some cooking utensils.
Find a campsite that suits everyone and enjoy a night or weekend of cooking over the fire, sleeping outdoors and exploring.
8. Play a board game
Game night can be a great way to spend time with family or friends, especially when it’s cold outside. Pick a game everyone enjoys, or pick multiple for a game night marathon. Have everyone bring a snack and spend the night in friendly competition.
Some exciting board games to consider are:
There are many more to consider depending on the tastes of your friend group!
9. Visit a local bar or nighttime event
If you and your friends are old enough to legally enjoy cocktails, you might enjoy visiting a local bar, beer garden, or adult night out.
This doesn’t have to be an expensive night out, and you don’t even need to be drinking to have a great time. Stick to water, soda or some cheap alcoholic drinks and just hang out and visit. Enjoy chatting with your friends, making new friends, listening to music or singing karaoke, or teaming up for a trivia night.
10. Shop in each other’s closets
Do you need new clothes, children’s toys or other items? Why not shop in each other’s closets and homes? We all have items that we no longer need, and our unwanted stuff could be someone else’s treasure.
Put together a swap night with clothes, children’s items, kitchen items, or anything else you desire. Everyone can trade items equally. You can donate the items that no one wants, or sell them to fund future outings with your friends. See things to flip on eBay here.
What spontaneous things will you do with your friends?
Finding new and spontaneous free things to do with your friends can help make your year more interesting. The good news is that these activities don’t have to be expensive. Mix up your routine by going hiking, playing board games, exercising together, and other fun activities.
Do you have an activity idea that we missed? Leave a comment below!
Kim Ritter is an economical living expert, blogger, and mother of two from small town Iowa. What started as an attempt to help her family save a few dollars a month has now grown into a full-time obsession with helping other parents with money. Visit her online at twokidsandacoupon.com and follow her on Twitter at @2kidsandacoupon for more ways your family can have fun on a budget.
