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For the most part, I’m a social butterfly. I love going to see my friends, but it can be costly.
It feels like I spend money just by stepping out of my apartment. Still, we can do many fun things with our friends that won’t put a hole in our wallets. From outdoor adventures to creative at-home activities, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to have a great time.
I chose these fun ideas because they are budget-friendly. Each idea costs less than $20 per person, and some are even free. Here are 13 fun things to do with friends without hurting your pockets.
1. Indoor Movie Marathons
At least once a month, my best friend and I enjoy a movie marathon. We choose a genre and a streaming site, then gather our favorite snacks. You don’t need much to enjoy time with your loved ones.
It’s free except for the monthly cost of streaming and your favorite snacks. Honestly, to make it cheaper, go to Dollar Tree!
2. Picnics
Picnics are a blast, weather permitting, and they are also pretty affordable. Have you seen the TikTok and Instagram videos of friends having picnics and dressing up?
I haven’t done this budget-friendly hangout yet, but I really want to. You can get creative with your friends and create a theme centering around the picnic. Fairy and cottage fantasy vibes are popular now.
3. Local Museums
Definitely check out prices before listening to my advice and purchasing tickets. However, in my experience, local museums offer residents very inexpensive tickets. My local art museum is only $12 per person to enter, and you get discounts if you’re a veteran, teacher, healthcare worker, or student.
4. Bike Riding
Another fun thing to do for free is bike riding. This might not be your cup of tea, but I thought I’d add it just in case. This activity is free as long as you have access to a bike and trail. It’s also a lot more fun with friends.
5. Camping
Camping is another phenomenal choice if you want quality time with friends while staying on a budget. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time planning either. If you have a backyard, you can camp there with a used tent. For more adventurous people, state parks offer low rates for camping. Either way, spending a night talking about life with friends while stargazing sounds like a dream.
6. Coloring
I have five coloring books, one of which is strictly for my best friend to use. Coloring is one of the activities we do together while on a strict budget.
You don’t just have to color in the lines. To make it interesting, sometimes we color our own pages for ten minutes and swap for five. It’s fun to see what the other person adds. We’re never not laughing.
7. Coffee and Chat Time
Most days, I only need a nice cup of coffee to get me talking. Add in a group of lovely friends, and the day just gets better. This is a perfect and cheap way to hang out with friends during a time crunch. Choose a close coffee shop and meet up. You can even hop from cafe to cafe.
8. Volunteering
Giving back to the community is a nice way to support your home. If you have a friend interested in the same volunteering organizations, why not schedule shifts together? I did this with a friend a few years ago. We would meet at a local food shelter and sort donations while chatting.
9. Phone Photoshoots
How many outfits do you have in your closet that you don’t have a reason to wear? Instead of waiting for a reason, do a little photo shoot with your best friend. Find a park or beautiful location nearby, wear something you’ve wanted to wear out and take some pictures. Take turns snapping photos and giving pose ideas. All you need is your phone camera! I promise you’ll spend the day laughing.
10. Craft Days
I’m a huge fan of crafting. If it were up to me and I had infinite money, I’d start a new craft idea every week. There are just so many ways you can get creative and hands-on, so why not do it with a friend? You don’t have to blow your savings to enjoy a crafting day. I like checking out social media for ideas for Dollar Store craft items. Doing this, my friend and I made beautiful sun catchers that still hang on my patio.
11. Paint and Sip at Home
Technically, painting is a form of arts and crafts, but in my opinion, it deserves its own mention. I’ve never paid for a sip and paint day. While these shops are all over my city, they run at about $40 a person! Instead, I recommend setting down old newspapers or bed sheets and painting with your friend. You can try following a video or just paint whatever your heart desires.
12. Swimming
While I’ve added swimming to this list, it definitely depends on the availability and weather. Don’t drive thousands of miles away and spend hundreds of dollars on gas. But if you live near a beach, lake, pool, water park, or spring, take a day to enjoy it with a friend. It’s even better if you can find a free swimming hole.
13. Free Events
Local events are underrated. I wouldn’t say I like going to them alone, though. If you’re like me, ask a friend to tag along. Check out your city or county’s farmer’s market or craft fair. You may feel inspired. If you’re on a budget, take out cash and only stick to that amount.
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