All the Best (and Cheap!) Activities to Do With Friends (2023)

From fancy dinners to weekend getaways, the most memorable moments in life are usually shared with your crew of besties. After all, who else is going to take main grid-worthy snapshots of you in your #OOTD, hype you up the whole time, and suggest the best IG caption? Even if you’re an introvert who needs alone time, you can’t deny that hanging with your friends just makes every experience one for the books.

But the thing about eating at the buzziest restaurant in town and jetting off to a tropical destination for a bachelorette trip is that it gets kinda costly—and fast. One night at the bar everyone’s talking about can easily set you back a nice chunk of change (and maybe you're looking for fun things to do with friends at home anyway). When you need to be budget-conscious because you’re saving up for something big or you’re just trying to stack some cash, it often feels like you have very limited affordable options for bonding with your friends. Are all the fun activities really this expensive?!

Take a deep breath, because we’re here to report that no, having the time of your life does *not* have to bust your bank account. In fact, there are plenty of free (or super cheap) activities you can do with your BFFs. The biggest challenge you'll run into might be narrowing it down to the ideas you want to try first. So, without further ado, check out our carefully curated—and super affordable!—list of the most fun things to do with friends that are perfect to try any time of the year.

1. Have an at-home spa day.

Who needs to drop an entire paycheck on massages and manicures when you can recreate the whole experience in the comfort of your living room? Pick up a couple of sheet masks and you're golden.

2. Host a closet cleaning party.

Because you've been talking about cleaning out your closet long enough—it's time to bring out a little assistance (and tell your friends they can keep anything that's in the donate pile).

3. Play some board games.

There's nothing better than a classic game night. Have everyone bring their game (and drink) of choice for a night of competitive fun.

4. Go on a biking adventure.

Hop on a bike share with nowhere to go and see where the day leads. The best journeys are usually unplanned, right?

5. Plan a scavenger hunt.

It's the best way to see your city in a new light. And the winner gets bragging rights until your next hunt.

6. Check out an open mic night.

Encourage everyone to channel their inner poet, singer, or musician for an evening.

7. Host a potluck dinner.

Potlucks bring everyone together for the best reason of all: to eat! And a lot.

8. Plan a retro movie marathon.

Watching old movies is way better with friends. Collect your favorite black and white films, find a friend who still has a DVD player, and prepare for some memorable throwback moments.

9. Have a picnic in the park.

All you need is a blanket, some snacks, wine obv, and a portable speaker for a relaxing hangout.

10. Manifest your dreams with vision boards.

Go after your goals by visualizing them. It's a crafting and manifesting activity.

11. Explore local nature trails.

We guarantee that you'll discover something new, and you'll capture pretty, inspiring nature content along the way.

12. Go scouting for vinyl records.

Stop by a couple thrift shops and record stores, and see which albums you find.

13. Find a charitable cause to volunteer for.

Because giving back is so much more fulfilling when you can do it all together.

14. Have a friendly bake-off.

And best of all, you can feast on the finished products when it's all said and done!

15. Host a clothing swap.

Tired of your wardrobe? Instead of shopping for anything new, ask your friends to contribute to a clothing (and accessories!) swap so you can all switch up your looks.

16. Start a community garden.

Try to flex your green thumb (or lack thereof). Even if nothing grows right away, you'll feel more connected to nature, which is always a plus!

17. Head to the beach.

Or lake. Or river. Or pond. Just any body of water, really. It'll give you a moment of Zen.

18. Teach yourselves a new skill.

From juggling to knitting to making origami, there's a YouTube tutorial for that.

19. Visit a free or reduced admission museum.

Many museums offer certain days with free or reduced admission—perfect for taking in a little art and history when you're on a budget.

20. Make a time capsule.

Have everyone bring a couple items to throw in the capsule, bury it, and make a pact to open it up 10 years from now. Hopefully we'll be able to laugh at artifacts from 2020 at some point in the future!

21. Rearrange your space.

Watching too much HGTV got you inspired to switch up your home's layout? Ask your friends for their design suggestions as you move things around.

22. Start a book club.

That stack of books on your nightstand isn't going to get read unless you motivate yourself somehow.

23. Go on a dessert crawl.

I mean, dessert is the best part of the meal anyway. Pick a couple spots to visit and indulge your sweet tooth.

24. Try birdwatching.

All you need is as follows: a park, a notebook and pen (or your phone's notes app), and an observant eye.

25. Channel your inner painter.

Host your own paint-and-sip party at home with a bottle of bubbly, blank canvases, and paint supplies.

26. Start learning a new language.

Get on the language learning apps with your friends, because accountability is key when you're trying to master a different language. And, you need people to practice chatting with.

27. Write letters to your future selves.

Curious about what you'll be like in five years? 10 years? 20 years? Write to yourself at those various stages and give the letters to your friends for safe keeping.

28. Tap into your inner child at the playground.

When was the last time you spent an afternoon on the monkey bars and swing sets?

29. Get into frisbee.

Speaking of your inner child, we have a feeling they'd really appreciate a good frisbee game outside.

30. Have an Extra™ photoshoot.

Get glam for a fun shoot with friends. You can be goofy and play model; plus, your friends definitely know how to find your light.

31. Go stargazing.

If you live in a city, chances are you rarely get to enjoy the stars. It's time to change that!

32. Look up some free concerts.

Whether it's at a coffee shop or college campus, there are usually live musicians performing for free somewhere.

33. Plan a camping adventure.

Even if it's just in your backyard, which, for the record, we totally support.

34. Bar hop (even without the booze).

People watching is what makes bar hopping the most fun anyway. And if you wanna grab a few drinks while you're at it, nothing's stopping you. Sometimes bars even have free trivia nights you can get in on.

35. Belt your heart out with karaoke.

Where else can you unapologetically sing Celine Dion, be off key, and still get a standing ovation?

36. Go for a hike.

A hike is the best of both worlds: a workout and an opportunity to gossip out in the beauty of nature.

37. Have a puzzle and wine night.

Ask everyone to bring their puzzle of choice and see how quickly you can put 'em all together!

38. Visit the local animal shelter.

If you leave with a puppy in hand, don't say we didn't warn ya (FWIW, volunteering is also an option, too).

39. Join an amateur sports league.

If you haven't played sports since high school but miss getting competitive, this low-key option is definitely for you.

40. Send postcards to loved ones.

Remember postcards? Yeah, those were fun. Bring them back with an evening of postcard writing with your friends.

41. Attend a book reading.

Check out the schedules at local bookstores and libraries to get a sense of who's coming to read.

42. Donate blood.

If no one in your crew is squeamish, this activity is not only ideal for bonding, but it's also super helpful to those in need.

43. Make care packages.

Is someone in your friend group far away? Get together to make them a thoughtful care package filled with all their favorite snacks and treats.

44. Spend time at the local library.

Libraries are basically heaven on earth—pick a few books you can all read together and exchange when you're done.

45. Learn some TikTok dances.

Bonus points if you film the final performance and make a TikTok of your own.

46. Go to a university lecture.

The best thing about not being in college anymore? You can go to a lecture on a topic you're actually interested in for fun!

47. Try rock climbing.

Look up a local climbing gym, take a lesson, and see how you stack up.

48. Head to the countryside.

Sometimes you just need to get out of the city. Drive to the nearest small town and have a meal at a local restaurant for a quick getaway.

49. Go bargain hunting online.

From Facebook Marketplace to Poshmark, you never know what gems you'll uncover.

50. Flip through magazines for an afternoon.

When was the last time you read an actual physical magazine? Make it a whole experience with throwback tunes and tasty snacks.