Having fun with friends is an important part of life, and it is possible to do this without breaking the bank and spending a lot of money. Dining out, going to clubs, and other typical social activities can be costly. Some great ideas for fun things to do with friends when you have a small budget, or even no budget at all, include:
1. Host a low key dinner party.
Hosting a dinner party does not have to be fancy or expensive, all you need is some good food and good friends around you. One way to keep things even less expensive is to hold a dinner party that is also a pot luck, and have every guest bring a dish to share with others.
2. Have a mani/pedi day.
One of the fun things to do with friends at home without spending a lot is a mani/pedi day right in the comfort of your own home. Have all of your friends bring the supplies that they love, and you can spend the day giving each other manicures and pedicures.
3. Find free events in your local area.
If you look through the local newspaper or search the website for your community you may find plenty f free things and events that you can take advantage of as a group. This can include cultural events, concerts in a park, and other opportunities to get out with friends without spending more than you should.
4. Give each other a makeover.
One of the best fun things to do with friends teenagers is to have a makeover party. You and your friends can give each other makeovers, helping to find the right look, hairstyle, makeup, and accessories. Many teen girls like to dress up so a makeover party is a great idea for anyone but especially for this age group.
5. Plan a picnic at the park.
Going to the park is generally free, and you can invite your friends to spend a few hours or even the whole day having a picnic. Bring along finger foods and items that do not require a lot of prep. You can even ask others to bring things as well.
6. Have a movie night at home.
Going out to the movies can be costly, but having a movie night at your home or the home of one of your friends can cut costs down to almost nothing. You can rent several movies at a local video store, use Redbox or Netflix, or even have each person bring a copy of their favorite movie to watch.
7. Create a scavenger hunt.
A scavenger is a terrific way to spend time together with friends, and it costs little or nothing to arrange. Find something that interests everyone in your group, and then choose items for the scavenger hunt based on this. Everyone receives the same clues and listed items, and whoever gets all of the items first wins.
8. Take in a museum on a discounted rate or free admission day.
Most museums offer a day each week where the rate is discounted, and some even offer free admission during the slowest day of the week. Do some research and find out when your local museums are free or discounted and then schedule a visit with friends.
9. Volunteer as a group for a good cause.
Get all of your friends together and pick a worthy cause or organization that you can all volunteer at together. Many agencies and organizations do not have enough volunteers, and you and your friends can volunteer for a good cause and still have fun together.
10. Hold a chopped cooking contest.
Chopped is a popular television cooking show that requires the participants to create meals from a small set of ingredients on hand. Have your friends come over and see who can make the best dish with the items that you already have on hand in you pantry.
11. Plan and prepare a meal together.
One of the top fun things to do with your boyfriend that does not cost much is planning and preparing a meal together. The quality time that you spend with your boyfriend will help you grow closer as a couple, and the cost is minimal.
12. Create a weekly club using common interests.
Figure out what your friends like, and then start a weekly club for this activity. Whether you all enjoy reading books, sewing, quilting, or other activities you can create a club for it.
13. Spend time gazing at the stars in the night sky.
There are many fun things to do with friends at night, and gazing at the stars and the night sky can be a spectacular experience. The star filled sky can create a sense of wonder and amazement, and this can be a great social opportunity you can share with those you care about as well.
14. Hold a sports tournament or contest.
If you are short on cash but you want something that you can do with your friends in spite of this then why not hold a sporting contest or tournament? Choose a sport or activity that everyone enjoys and then make it a challenge.
15. Hold a discussion group about solving a problem in your local community.
Look around your local community and see what problems exist. Now get all of your friends together and hold a discussion group to see what solutions you can all come up with.
16. Take a bike ride together.
If you are looking for fun things to do with friends outside that does not cost a lot then a bike ride can be a great way to do this. You can spend time with your friends, enjoy the great outdoors, and get physically active all at the same time.
17. Go camping as a group.
Camping costs very little, but it can be a great time to get away from the usual pressures of every day life and relax with those that you care about. It doesn't matter if you camp in a tent, rent an affordable cabin, or use an RV. The point is to get away as a group and share quality time together.
18. Hold a multiple family yard sale.
If your budget is tight you can kill two birds with one stone by having a multiple family yard sale. You can even enlist friends to help you organize your items and determine what you will sell. You will be able to spend the day with friends and you can all earn some much needed extra cash.
19. Hold an auction for charity with unwanted items.
If you have some unwanted items laying around your friends probably do as well. Why not get together and hold an auction for charity with the items that everyone wants to get rid of. This will help eliminate clutter and let you spend your time together helping others who need it.
20. Throw an arts and crafts party.
Supplies for arts and crafts often cost very little, sometimes even pennies. You and your friends may also have some of these items on hand already. Invite everyone over for an arts and crafts party. Each guest can bring the supplies that they have, and everyone will have a great time.
21. Have your own swap meet.
Ideas for fun things to do when your bored do not have to be expensive or complicated. You and your friends can hold a swap meet, with each person bringing a few items that they are willing to swap with others. Everyone gets something they want while getting rid of items they no longer need.
22. Hold a pajama party for adults.
One of the fun things to do with friends at a sleepover is a pajama party for adults. When we grow up we stop having slumber parties and sleepovers but this does not have to be the case. Invite your friends over, make some pallets on the floor or use cots, and stay up late just spending time together in your pajamas.
23. Work on a DIY project together.
DIY projects are very popular because they do not cost a lot of money, and you can have friends work on a DIY project together. Come up with a project that everyone is capable of, and then get started. The group can build something, perform home repairs, or tackle another type of DIY project instead.
24. Have a romantic night in.
There are many fun things to do on a date, but a lot of these are expensive. Instead of spending the night on the town with the person you love why not have a romantic dinner in? The cost of food that you prepare yourself is just a fraction of what you would pay for the same meal in a restaurant, and you will get to be alone with your significant other instead of a crowded public place.
25. Landscape your yard.
Landscaping is usually very affordable when you do it yourself, but you can also involve your friends to make landscaping a shared activity as well. You can even take turns, picking one yard a week or month to work on together.
Photo Credit: Quân Trang via (license)
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