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Hanging out with friends brings joy and calamity. Are you on a tight budget? Here are 20 fun things to do with friends without spending too much money. And you can learn to get the most out of your dollars with these money management courses.
Spending time with friends is good for your health and it’s true, the best things in life are free! Finding things to do with friends without spending too much money is in itself a fun thing to do. Whether it’s playing bingo or going for a walk in the park, there are a variety of things to think of when you’re looking to hang out with friends. The popularity of slot machines has also led to many people seeing it as a social activity to do with friends. No matter what your favorite activities may be, we have a list of 20 things to do with friends without spending too much.
1. Host a video game tournament
There are so many incredible and fun video games to choose from, including the latest dancing games and the popular Call of Duty. You won’t need to spend much money to host a successful video game tournament with friends. All you’ll need are video games and great snacks.
2. Invite friends over for a spa day
Instead of spending money at a spa, you can host your own spa day with your friends at home. This is a fun way to give each other manicures, try out new hairstyles and of course, don’t forget to do facial masks and exfoliate with natural ingredients found in your pantry such as bananas, oats, honey, and avocado. Serve mimosas and a cheese board for a fancy touch!
3. Potluck dinners are always best with friends
Ask your friends to bring a dish for your potluck dinner. This way you can save on money but you also get to have a variety of different dishes. If you’re not comfortable with cooking, you could also team up with your friends to learn how to make some delicious food such as lasagne, chicken enchiladas, or tacos.
4. Do a movie marathon
Friends laughing while watching a movie with a bowl of popcorn
These days, hosting a movie marathon is probably one of the easiest and cheapest ways to hang out with friends. All you need to do is log into Netflix or any other online streaming platform and voilá, you’ve brought the cinema to your home. Make sure you have popcorn, chocolate and drinks to serve your guests.
5. Take a trip to the beach
Go to your local beach and take some snacks from your pantry along with you. All you’ll need is a towel, blanket, book, and sunscreen. Take a ball with you, in case your friends would like to play some beach soccer. A day at the beach always brings plenty of relaxation.
6. Go on a walking tour through your town or city
It’s always refreshing and exciting to explore your town or city like a tourist. Often, there are so many buildings, side streets, and monuments you may not know that holds specific significance. Walking tours are a great way to learn about your city and feel inspired by the incredible buildings and monuments you may walk past every day. Walking tours usually don’t cost that much money, if you’re doing it with a guide, most times, they’ll ask for a small donation.
7. Play slot machines with friends
Friends at a slot machine celebrating winning a slot game
First, you will need to create a budget for your bankroll. Next, get all your friends to join you as you hit the slots. The wide variety of slot games makes this a fun activity to do with friends. Slot machines are so popular with many people because it is affordable. You get to choose slot games and bets that suit your budget!
8. Host a book club
A book club is a good consistent thing you can do with friends. Every month, someone can choose the book everyone is required to read and then, you can come together for a night of drinks and snacks.
9. Socialize over a game of online bingo
Bingo halls and online bingo is a great way to socialise with friends. Trusted online bingo sites generally have chat rooms which give players the chance to communicate with other online bingo players and friends. This is also a great way to stay indoors and still getting to socialise with your friends.
10. Happy hour is always a great idea
Looking for a good night out with friends but your budget is tight? We’ve all been there! Hunting down happy hour can be really fun when you’re looking for a good time with friends. There’s no need to spend a lot of money on drinks and food when there’s a happy hour waiting for you to reap.
11. A picnic at the park
For some much-needed sunshine, tranquil and calming vibes, a picnic at the park with your closest friends always provides a chance to escape from the everyday stressors in life. Embrace your inner child and be sure to take some card games along so that you can have a wholesome day with friends. Pack a basket filled with your favourite food and drinks to make it a wonderful and special day.
12. Do a yard sale
If you’re looking for a way to clear out the clutter in your home, hosting a yard sale is probably the most fun and best thing you can do. Once you’ve cleaned out your place, you can invite your friends over to help you with a yard sale. Be sure to have some ice-cold lemonade at hand. A yard sale is a great way to hang out with friends and you get to make some money too!
13. Play classic board games
Board games like Monopoly, 30 Seconds, and Scrabble is a fun way to entertain your friends. Board games can be played with small or large groups. To make the board game night even more fun, consider hosting a tournament amongst your friends. Things might get crazy as the competitiveness kicks in, so be sure to have snacks to calm the atmosphere.
Jigsaw puzzles are also fun board games to play with friends. In addition, they can be low-cost or free if you play puzzles online. One site, Im-a-puzzle.com offers thousands of online jigsaw puzzles to choose from. There are different categories, difficulty levels, and settings to customize to make the experience even more enjoyable. You can even make your own puzzles or buy one at MaryMaxim.ca and share them with your friends during your game night!
14. Go camping
If you and your friends like the outdoors, camping is a great way to spend a relatively inexpensive weekend with friends. The more people, the cheaper the cost will be on food and travel expenses. In any case, a night of breathing in the fresh air and a sky filled with stars is absolutely priceless!
15. Play a sport together
Playing a sport is a good way to be social and to improve your fitness. Consider taking a ball to the park to kick around with your friends. Something as simple as a frisbee can also prove to be very fun!
16. Start a fantasy sports league
Something like a fantasy football league can be a great source of fun and will leave you with lots to talk about. As fortunes rise and fall on the field, emotions amongst friends are sure to fluctuate. It’s really easy to start your own fantasy sports league, whether it’s baseball, basketball or football. Get a few friends that share the same passion for your chosen sport and engage in some fantasy sports banter.
17. Go to a comedy club
In the mood for a giggle? Go to your local comedy club! This way, you can be social with your friends without spending too much money on the bar tab. You also get to support the local comedians while enjoying a good night out.
18. Host a sleepover
You’re never too old for a sleepover party. This is a fun way to get your closest friends together for a wholesome night watching your favourite movies and indulging in a whole lot of good food.
19. Visit an orchard
Visiting an orchard is a good way to have a relaxed day with friends. You can spend time picking fruit while enjoying the sunshine. Afterwards, you can support the local shops by purchasing homemade pies and jam.
20. Go for a bike ride
Seeing your surroundings on a bike offers a different perspective. If you do not have your own bicycle, you can always rent one for an hour or a day. Take the day in your stride as you cycle with friends. Stop for ice cream and enjoy the views.
There is always fun things to do when you’re with friends
There you have it! You don’t need to spend huge amounts of money to have a great time. What’s important is the people you spend time with and the adventures you create together. Now that you have all these ideas of spending time with friends without breaking the bank, what will you be doing?
