What do you usually do when you want to see your friends? Go to an expensive restaurant? See a movie? These things are fun, but they aren\u2019t going to help your wallet much. It\u2019s a really great feeling when you can spend time with friends without having to spend money. But if you aren\u2019t spending money, won\u2019t you end up doing something boring, or worse, not hanging out at all? No way! The truth is there are tons of fun things to do for free with friends!<\/p>\n We\u2019ve rounded up 40 fun free things to do with friends that will get you excited about seeing people without dreading all the cash you\u2019ll spend.\u00a0<\/p>\n Whether you want to\u00a0have a low-key evening in<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0take a day to adventure<\/a>\u00a0in a new town, this list of fun free things to do with friends is full of great ideas!<\/p>\n So grab your squad and have an epic time without spending money! Because let\u2019s face it,\u00a0some of the best things in life are free.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Check out a park for the day with a friend or two. Pick a spot with a lot to do \u2013 maybe a tennis court, a running track, and lots of open space. That way, you can add in some fun activities like frisbee or jogging.<\/p>\n Bring along water bottles and some snacks so you can stay for a while and make sure the weather is going to cooperate.<\/p>\n Then use the time to chill\u00a0out without needing to spend cash.\u00a0<\/a>Parks are the perfect way to spend a day because they offer many fun free things to do with friends!<\/p>\n So what\u2019s a great way to have fun and burn calories? Dust off the bike in your garage and put it to use on a bike ride! Check out your city or town by taking a bike tour or finding some\u00a0good\u00a0bike\u00a0trails<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can stop for photo ops, and you\u2019ll get plenty of exercise too! So workout, check. Time with your bestie, check.<\/p>\n There are usually some local free events going on in most places. Try looking up free activities at your community center or library, and see what\u2019s available that looks interesting. Gather your group of friends for the next cool thing happening in your town.<\/p>\n Many museums are free<\/a>, but they may offer free museum days if they aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n Check out the calendar for your local museums and see if any free days are coming up in the month. If so, bring a friend who shares your interests, and check it out together.<\/p>\n You can have a blast without needing to go anywhere. So gather a large group of friends and pick someone to host. Ask everyone to bring a snack and a board game of their choosing.<\/p>\n Spend the evening having fun! Play board games, card games and catch up. \u00a0I love having game nights with my friends because it gives us a chance to talk and catch up, which can be difficult when everyone is so busy. If you need some ideas for what to do then you should check out our posts \u201c49 Fun Family Night Ideas<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a028 Fun Challenges To Do At Home!<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n Everyone loves movies, but why pay for them? Find a classic film you haven\u2019t seen that is free or something more recent that has come to Netflix or Hulu. (Okay, you are probably\u00a0paying for a tv streaming service,<\/a>\u00a0so it\u2019s not totally free, but close enough!) Pop some popcorn and get a friend or two to join you for a movie marathon.<\/p>\n See what new (or old) series looks exciting and check it out. Hang out, drink wine, and laugh or cry as you watch some episodes.\u00a0Do this on the weekend<\/a>\u00a0and spend some time binge-watching a show with a friend.<\/p>\n This is a fun free thing to do with friends that is unique and may require a bit of planning but no money! Pick a topic that you and your friends are interested in: classic movies, a book series, or even your city.<\/p>\n Then, take the time to look up or create trivia questions. Invite friends over for a friendly trivia competition, with bragging rights for the winner, of course.<\/p>\n In the winter months when it snows, try out this fun and free activity \u2013 sledding. Find a hill at a park or public space where you can safely sled.<\/p>\n You may have sleds already, but if not, you can use a blow-up sledding tube or even cookie sheets. As a bonus, sledding is a surprisingly good workout, too!<\/p>\n Get in shape and spend time with your buddies by running or marathon training together. Meet up in the mornings or after work to go for a run at your favorite spot.<\/p>\n It\u2019s one of the most fun free things to do with friends\u00a0because it\u2019s healthy<\/a>\u00a0and doesn\u2019t cost money \u2013 just time.<\/p>\n Instead of going out to dinner,\u00a0have dinner at home.<\/a>\u00a0Host a cooking night for a close group of friends, asking everyone to bring a dish to share for a potluck dinner. You could also try some new recipes together.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to spend money because you can use the ingredients in your cupboard\u00a0with the help of these apps<\/a>! Or you could also plan ahead to make this part of your\u00a0weekly shopping budget<\/a>.<\/p>\n This requires some creativity and effort, but the rewards are worth it! Gather your friends and tell them to bring their coffee, french press, or espresso makers. Then challenge each person to create the best drink they can, using what they already have.<\/p>\n Each drink must be tested by the others in the group as the expert judges. Then, everyone votes on the best-caffeinated beverage. But really, didn\u2019t everyone already win by drinking a ton of coffee?<\/p>\n Personally, this might be my favorite get together idea. If your friends, like me, are coffee lovers, you can\u2019t beat this activity.<\/p>\n Some upcoming Saturday, head over to a friend\u2019s house and see what you can borrow or trade. Not only can you avoid spending, but you can also save when you\u00a0shop your friend\u2019s closets!<\/a>\u00a0Then let them do the same with your closet.<\/p>\n It will feel like you got a whole new wardrobe! Shopping each others closets is one of the best free things to do with friends\u00a0for fashionistas on a budget!<\/a><\/p>\n Perhaps you have a bottle of wine sitting around you haven\u2019t opened yet. If you do, then this is one of the simplest and fun things to do for free with friends!<\/p>\n Pick out a great novel\u00a0or non-fiction book<\/a>, and read a chapter a week. Then meet up to discuss and have a glass of wine or two. It\u2019s a great way to connect that\u2019s relaxing and entertaining.<\/p>\n This is like a potluck but with a twist. You start off at one friend\u2019s house for appetizers. Then you move on to the main course at another home. From there, another friend will host for dessert.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an elegant way to spend an evening out doing something unique. For more ideas, see Alex Heinz\u2019s article in Apartment Guide featuring themes and planning thoughts for your progressive dinner.<\/p>\n So have you seen all the interesting sights in your city? If not then take an afternoon to explore with a friend. Check out a part of your town you haven\u2019t seen before, window shop, walk around, and see what\u2019s out there.<\/p>\n Putting together a photo album is another fabulous activity that you can do with friends. Ask each friend to contribute a few photos and put them in a friendship photo album.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re at it, see if anyone has a blank photo album laying around that you can use. It\u2019s an excellent way to keep your memories close and spend an afternoon with your best friends.<\/p>\n So you may be thinking you have to gamble to have a good night of poker but poker doesn\u2019t have to be about losing money!<\/p>\n You can host this event at your place and use chips instead of cash. You can still enjoy an exciting game and participate in the competition without the worry of losing any money.<\/p>\n Have you and a friend always wanted to learn a new language such as French or Portuguese? If so, then pick up some books at the library to help you learn and practice.<\/p>\n Meet together once a week to go over new vocabulary, have a conversation, and maybe even watch TV shows featuring that language.<\/p>\n There is so much to learn, and a lot of information doesn\u2019t even cost money. Pick a subject and get a small group of buddies together.\u00a0You can take a free course\u00a0<\/a>or watch a master class about something that you all find interesting.<\/p>\n Topics to consider: investing,\u00a0real estate<\/a>, fashion, filmmaking, graphic design, technology. Learning is one of the best fun things to do for free with friends!<\/p>\n Collect mementos that remind you of good times with your friends and add them to a scrapbook. You can include photos, ticket stubs from movies or concerts, funny notes, and anything else representing your friendship.<\/p>\n You probably have enough items to make a craft or some jewelry between you and a few friends. Look for beads, thread, glitter, or maybe even items to make candles or soap. You could even\u00a0start making crafts to sell for extra money!<\/a><\/p>\n Do you have a bunch of stuff taking up space in your home or garage? It\u2019s way more fun to clean and organize with friends. Take turns stopping by each other\u2019s houses and help get\u00a0everything sorted and ready to sell<\/a>\u00a0or donate.<\/p>\n Volunteering is another wonderful thing you can do with your friends. Pick a cause that you and your friends care about and get involved.<\/p>\n Try helping out once or twice a month by giving your time to a charity. You get to give back and spend time with people you care about while making a difference.<\/p>\n Get some fresh air and exercise! Grab one or two friends who are up for a challenge and hike an area near your town. If you are an experienced hiker, consider an all-day hike. Enjoy the sun and get in tune with nature.<\/p>\n My friends and I go hiking quite often, and it\u2019s fun because not only do we get a good workout, but we get to have a fun experience and enjoy nature.<\/p>\n When talking about fun things to do for free with friends, there\u2019s simply nothing like a good bonfire, and it\u2019s best for crisp fall evenings.<\/p>\n Gather a group, roast marshmallows, serve cider and hot chocolate, and tell ghost stories. An evening to remember \u2013 at no cost.<\/p>\n Grab one of your most adventurous buddies and head out to explore. Find a town that is not too far but is also one that you\u2019ve never explored.<\/p>\n Check out the sights,\u00a0free museums<\/a>, and take photos. Being in a different environment and seeing something new is a great way to better get to know your friends.<\/p>\n Rollerblading may be a bit retro, but it\u2019s fun! Dig out your old rollerblades from the back of your closet and head out to the park or skating rink. The more people, the better so invite everyone!<\/p>\n If you happen to be a gifted skateboarder, grab a friend who\u2019s a novice and offer to teach them the ropes, or vice versa if you are new to it. Head to the skate park and have some fun trying out tricks ( or at least not falling down).<\/p>\n These are not just for TV \u2013 you can have a baking competition in your own kitchen. A small group of about 3-5 bakers should work well \u2013 but bring in as many judges as you like! You can all bake the same thing, or you can come up with your own creations.<\/p>\n And it\u2019s the most fun when everyone wins. (You can judge desserts as \u201cmost creative\u201d or \u201cmost colorful,\u201d etc.) Then, enjoy the free food!<\/p>\n Head to your backyard and check out the stars on a clear night. For extra fun, invite your friends to bring beverages and snacks while you look for constellations.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t know where to start? The Sky and Telescope website has some\u00a0great information about the night sky<\/a>.<\/p>\n Manicures and facials are fun and easy, and you probably have everything you need already. So gather up your nail polish, warm towels, favorite serums, and your friends.<\/p>\n Play music, light candles, and create a spa day atmosphere for the event. It\u2019s also a\u00a0great way to treat yourself<\/a>\u00a0without spending money going to the salon!<\/p>\n Head out for the weekend and camp! Bring sleeping bags, a tent, flashlights, and food. If you\u2019ve camped before, you probably have all these items handy. If not, you can find everything you need between you and a few friends.<\/p>\n Try out this for fun things to do for free with friends: a picnic is a classic way to hang out outside and chat.<\/p>\n Invite a few people to join you at a local park or even your backyard. Make some sandwiches, granola bars, chips, and drinks, and be sure to include a blanket to sit on.<\/p>\n A great way to enjoy a new or old favorite book series is to have a reading contest. Tell some of your group about it and see who\u2019s interested. Bragging rights for the winner! You can borrow books from each other or from your local library and see who can read the most.<\/p>\n Sometimes simplicity is best because life is about collecting moments, not things. So if you\u2019ve been missing one of your friends, invite them by on a Saturday morning for a latte or tea. Sit together and just catch up about all the things going on with you.<\/p>\n Chatting over coffee is usually my go to when it\u2019s been a while since I\u2019ve seen one of my friends. It helps us to reconnect and it\u2019s super easy to plan.<\/p>\n If your home\u2019s decor could use some help, there\u2019s no need to spend. Ask a friend if there are any of your decorations they happen to love, and then trade for something of theirs. It\u2019s a creative way to liven up your living space\u00a0and save money.<\/a><\/p>\n Introducing the no-reason party. Just get together because you can! Make dinner or appetizers, serve drinks, talk or play\u00a0video games. You could even have an\u00a0open mic night\u00a0and\u00a0dancing!<\/p>\n Enjoy being with your favorite people without any sort of occasion. Remember to use what is already in your cabinet so you don\u2019t have to spend any money!<\/p>\n Ever wonder about the past? People in the future would love to see what was going on now! So take some items and make a time capsule with your friends.<\/p>\n Ask everyone to add something meaningful and see what you come up with. When putting together a time capsule, check out the\u00a0Library of Congress website<\/a>\u00a0for the best practices.<\/p>\n Tennis, croquet, volleyball, or skiing are fun to learn. So try out a new sport and bring a friend along with you. This works exceptionally well if your friend knows how to play a sport you\u2019re interested in and can teach you.<\/p>\n Spend the day soaking in culture and creativity by exploring a local art gallery with your girlfriends. Whether you appreciate classic paintings, contemporary sculptures, or mixed media exhibits, art galleries provide a free and inspiring way to spend time together.\u00a0<\/p>\n Many cities have free entry days or community-run galleries that don\u2019t charge admission. You can even turn it into a fun challenge\u2014each of you picks a favorite piece and shares what it means to you!<\/p>\n Who says the zoo is just for kids? Many zoos have free admission days, making them a fantastic budget-friendly outing. Stroll through the exhibits, admire exotic animals, and take in the beauty of wildlife conservation efforts.\u00a0<\/p>\n Some zoos also have interactive areas where you can observe feeding times or learn more about endangered species. Plus, snapping pictures with adorable animals makes for the perfect social media-worthy day out!<\/p>\n Start your morning refreshed and energized with a sunrise yoga session or end your day with calmness. Find a scenic spot\u2014whether it\u2019s a quiet beach, a local park, or a rooftop\u2014and enjoy the tranquility of stretching with the rising or setting sun. If none of you are certified yogis, no worries!\u00a0<\/p>\n There are tons of free yoga tutorials on YouTube to guide you through the session. Not only is it a peaceful way to connect with nature, but it\u2019s also an opportunity to unwind, de-stress, and focus on mindfulness together.<\/p>\n Spending time with furry friends while giving back is a win-win! Animal shelters are always in need of extra hands to help walk dogs, socialize with cats, or assist with adoption events.\u00a0<\/p>\n Volunteering together not only supports a great cause but also allows you and your girlfriends to bond over your love for animals. Plus, who doesn\u2019t love a cuddle session with adorable puppies and kittens?<\/p>\n Revamp your wardrobe without spending a dime by hosting a clothing swap party! Each friend brings gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories they no longer wear, and everyone gets to \u201cshop\u201d each other\u2019s collections.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s a great way to refresh your style, declutter your closet, and find new pieces to love\u2014all while having a fun, fashion-filled evening with your besties. Make it even more exciting with a mini runway show or fashion styling challenge!<\/p>\n Gather your girlfriends, pack some snacks, and hit the road for a fun and spontaneous road trip! Whether you explore a scenic countryside route, visit a nearby town, or chase the coastline, road trips offer the perfect blend of adventure and quality time.\u00a0<\/p>\n Make a playlist with your favorite songs, stop at quirky roadside attractions, and enjoy the freedom of exploring new places without spending a fortune.\u00a0<\/p>\n Carpooling and packing your own food to keep costs low. The best part? It\u2019s not about the destination, but the memories you create along the way!<\/p>\n Spending time with your friends doesn\u2019t have to involve spending money. To make sure you have a great time, plan out what you\u2019d like to do ahead of time. This way you\u2019ll never find yourself feeling like you have nothing to do or like you need to spend money.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Sometimes we forget that it\u00a0isn\u2019t about impressing people,\u00a0<\/a>going to the fanciest parties, or trying out every new food spot in town.<\/p>\n Most of the time, hanging out with your friends should be about just that \u2013 talking and bonding with them. The focus shouldn\u2019t be on how much is spent, but on how much\u00a0quality time\u00a0you spend. And of course, much fun you can have!<\/p>\n When you choose to save money and be creative about how you hang out with your group, you let them know that they are valuable to you. You care about the friendship and want it to grow. Another significant aspect of this is you do save cash.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you usually spend quite a bit going out with your pals, then you may end up saving hundreds of dollars a month or more! This doesn\u2019t mean you can never do anything that costs money\u00a0but be intentional about spending<\/a>\u00a0instead.<\/p>\n Spend on meaningful experiences to you, and make your friends a more significant part of your life by seeing them often and enjoying all the fun things to do for free with friends.<\/p>\n You can also focus on\u00a0cutting your budget\u00a0<\/a>in other ways so you have more money to spend on events that do cost money.<\/p>\n There are so many ways to have fun with no money whether it\u2019s by yourself or with friends. From going to walks in the park to bike rides to potluck dinners and having a games night. Make a list of things you\u2019d like to do that cost no money, and then create a plan to do the things on your list.<\/p>\n To enjoy spending your free time with friends, create a plan of things to do before hand! With a plan in place, it\u2019s easier to maximize the free time you have and you\u2019ll be less likely to slip into the tempation of spending money because you couldn\u2019t figure out any free things to do.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve enjoyed this article on free things to do with your friends, check out this related content!<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.clevergirlfinance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Fun-things-to-do-for-free-with-friends.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nWhat are fun things to do for free with friends? 40 Ideas!<\/h2>\n
1. Park day<\/h3>\n
2. Ride bikes around your city<\/h3>\n
3. Check out free events<\/h3>\n
4. Free museum days<\/h3>\n
5. Game night<\/h3>\n
6. Movie night<\/h3>\n
7. Marathon of a series on Netflix<\/h3>\n
8. Trivia tournament<\/h3>\n
9. Go sledding<\/h3>\n
10. Go running or train for a marathon together<\/h3>\n
11. Cooking night<\/h3>\n
12. Coffee or espresso-making contest<\/h3>\n
13. Shop each other\u2019s closets<\/h3>\n
14. Book and wine club<\/h3>\n
15. Plan a progressive dinner<\/h3>\n
16. Explore a new neighborhood<\/h3>\n
17. Put together a photo album<\/h3>\n
18. Poker night but don\u2019t use cash<\/h3>\n
19. Learn a language together<\/h3>\n
20. Take an online course or class that is free<\/h3>\n
21. Make a scrapbook<\/h3>\n
22. Make jewelry or a craft from things you have around the house<\/h3>\n
23. Have a cleaning party and clean out your garages or closets<\/h3>\n
24. Volunteer somewhere<\/h3>\n
25. Go hiking<\/h3>\n
26. Have a bonfire night<\/h3>\n
27. Go explore a town that\u2019s miles away<\/h3>\n
28. Rollerblading<\/h3>\n
29. Skateboarding<\/h3>\n
30. Baking competition<\/h3>\n
31. Stargaze<\/h3>\n
32. Give each other manicures and facials for a mini spa day<\/h3>\n
33. Go camping<\/h3>\n
34. Picnic<\/h3>\n
35. Reading contest<\/h3>\n
36. Just catch up over coffee<\/h3>\n
37. Trade artwork or decorations<\/h3>\n
38. Have a party for no reason with music and appetizers<\/h3>\n
39. Make a time capsule<\/h3>\n
40. Learn a new sport<\/h3>\n
41. Visit an art gallery<\/h3>\n
42. Visit the zoo (not just for kids!)<\/h3>\n
43. Do a sunrise or sunset yoga session<\/h3>\n
44. Volunteer at an animal shelter<\/h3>\n
45. Have a clothing swap party<\/h3>\n
46. Take a short road trip<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Expert tip: A fun time doesn\u2019t mean spending money!<\/h2>\n
Benefits of finding fun things to do for free with friends<\/h2>\n
How do I have fun with no money?<\/h2>\n
How can I spend my free time with friends?<\/h2>\n
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There\u2019s a huge variety of fun things to do for free with friends!<\/h2>\n