20 Fun Things To Do With Friends Without Spending Too Much Money

Do you feel like having fun with the gang today? There’s nothing like chilling out and doing enjoyable activities with your best mates. Here are some fun things to do with friends to start the party.

Whether you’re looking for things to do with no money, simply want a fun day out with friends, or want an unforgettable girls’ day out, you can always find something to do according to your liking and budget. 

We have summarized the top 20 fun things to do with your friends. Let’s dive right in!

20 Fun Things To Do With Friends

1. Movie Night 

We’re starting this list with one of the most fun activities you and your friends can do–practically for free! 

Sometimes, you just don’t feel like getting off the couch, let alone dressing up and going to the movie theater. A movie night or marathon might be a good idea at times like these. Just pick a genre, decide on a movie from that, prepare the snacks, call your friends, and you’re ready for a fun spooky night or a night filled with laughter.

If you decide to venture out, there are outdoor movie theaters to be watched under the stars, usually with free admission. 

Here are some top titles to check outranked by Rotten Tomatoes:

2. Scavenger Hunt

Nothing beats a good scavenger hunt. The thrill of the hunt can give you the adrenaline you need once in a while. 

You can choose to hide accessories you already have around the house or go one step further. Purchase props for a scavenger hunt with a theme, maybe, a pirate-based scavenger hunt. Get eye patches, a parrot, a treasure chest–the whole shebang! 

Feel free to do cosplay. It would be fun to dress up as Indiana Jones or Ace Ventura. Find the clues and props, and finish the hunt by claiming your prize.

Here are some things to get you started:

3. Visit The Park

Going to the park, nature center, or playground is a perfect way to spend time with your buddies or family. 

There isn’t a lot of planning required to pull this off. Just prepare some food and drinks, a blanket, a frisbee, a football, playing cards–whatever comes to your mind–and you’re set! 

You can also play without any items needed. I’d recommend playing cops and robbers, reliving your childhood, and having fun!

Here’s everything you need for a fun afternoon at the park:

4. BBQ

Who will say no to a good backyard BBQ? A tradition as old as time, and it never loses its charm. You can do this year-round; some people enjoy it more when the weather gets chilly.

Fire up the grill and make some cool drinks to beat the heat. A large kiddy pool will do the trick if you don’t have a pool. The goal is to have fun stuff to do with what you have available.

Here’s everything you’ll need:

5. Solve a Puzzle(s) 

Solving a puzzle is an enjoyable indoor activity. You can get your hands on an enormous and complex puzzle that everyone can solve together with delight.

If that seems boring, you can get multiple smaller puzzles of the same difficulty and divide your friends into groups. The first one to assemble the puzzle will get a prize, or that group can give punishments or penalties to the losing groups. 

You can change the rules however you want and make the game more enjoyable.

Here are the best puzzles for hours of fun:

6. Play Charades

Another best indoor activity you can do with your friends and family is playing a game of charades. This activity is also fun for kids. The more, the merrier, right? 

Charades is very simple and easy to organize; it only requires a pen and paper, but the amount of fun you can have out of it is insane. 

Everyone puts their suggestions on paper and drops them in a bowl. Then, you can spin the bottle to decide whose turn it is and all that’s left to do is laugh till your stomach hurts. 

Here are some fun charades games to try today:

7. Cooking Together

Okay, so let’s get something straight here: as fun as this might be, so many things could go wrong while cooking with friends. 

That shouldn’t put you off, though. You just need to prepare and assign the roles correctly. For example, the best bartender could be in charge of handling the drinks, the one with the sweet tooth will do dessert, etc. 

From personal experience, I know there is always someone who will ditch their duty and start watching TV. At the end of the day, it’s the memories that count. With this cookfest, you and your pals can dine on your specialties and laugh your kitchen boo-boos away. 

If you’re not sure what to cook, here are some awesome suggestions:

8. Video Game Tournament

Gaming is one of my favorite pastime activities to do with friends. Nothing beats a good old console playoff between friends. Something I always love to do with my friends is Mario Kart. It’s fun to play, and there’s never a dull moment. 

Besides that, other games like Tekken, Mortal Kombat, or a 1v1 in Call Of Duty are fun to do with friends. The possibilities are endless, and there won’t be a dull moment.

You could place bets on who you think will win to make it even more exciting. Give the loser some penalty. You could add many things to this showdown to make it more competitive and fun. Just be sure to look out for any rage quitters. 

If you’re looking to buy one of these games but don’t know where to look, click on the games below:

9. Escape Room

For rainy day activities, try indoor games. 

Aside from staple card or board games, try the exciting game of Escape Room. The game has four different rooms that you have to escape within 60 minutes. Putting all your wits together to figure out the clues and escape the room sounds terrific. With so many themes to choose from, it’s bound to be a fun time. 

You and your friends can choose one big room or two smaller rooms. Let’s see which group gets out first and takes the throne of being the smartest.

If you love escape rooms, as I do, it may seem like it’ll get dull soon. Luckily, that’s not the case at all. There are plenty of variations, check out my personal favorites here:

10. Water Balloon Fight

Some activities are just timeless. For example, you are guaranteed to have a blast during a water balloon fight regardless of your age.

It’s one of those fun summer activities that will take you back in time while beating the heat. It’s also inexpensive. What more could you ask? 

And it doesn’t even have to be planned, which is the best way to get this free-for-all going. Throw a random balloon here and there, and soon enough, you’ll see that everyone has jumped in, and laughter is everywhere.

If you want to up the stakes, feel free to add in some super soakers or water squirters. Here’s exactly which ones will guarantee a big and fun day:

11. Bowling 

Bowling night is a hands-on activity that is fun for everyone. Most bowling alleys aren’t just limited to bowling; they usually have an arcade and a lot of other exciting things for you to do. 

You could bring the kids along too. They’ll find something fun to do in the arcade while you have a nice time throwing the ball while trying not to hit the gutter so much. 

12. Visit a Zoo or Museum

A zoo or museum are nice places to visit with your friends. Selecting which one to visit might be the most challenging part, but it’ll be fun and smooth sailing after you’re done with that ordeal.

You could do a walking tour of the zoo, feed the animals, name the different species, and pet them, if possible. 

The museum can offer a much different experience, an informative indoor walkthrough. You can go on a guided tour available in the various free museums you could visit–an art gallery, a science museum, a museum of natural history, or a space museum. 

13. Long Drive

This option might seem weird but hang on, and you’ll see why it’s a pretty good option. 

You load up a car with your friends, and the best DJ in your group must get the passenger seat. Blast the music, maybe go to a drive-through, and just spend your time cracking jokes, eating, and cruising through the city. 

Make occasional stops for pictures or browse at interesting shops and other fun places you’d like to check out. Do whatever fits the vibe.

14. Neighborhood Cleanup

Everyone should take some time out to give back to the community. It keeps the environment pleasant and nourishing. Plus, doing an act of kindness for others might just be what you need to boost your sense of community.

Neighborhood cleanup is a perfect way to do just that. It might not be the most exciting, but keeping your neighborhoods clean will benefit you and your community.

15. Hiking

How to combine fitness and fun? Go hiking. Pack your backpacks with essentials, put your hiking boots on, and out you go hiking into nature!

There are plenty of beautiful hiking trails. Pack a few sandwiches with you and when you think you’ve reached the perfect spot, reward yourself with a healthy snack, a little picnic and replenish your energy. 

The calm and serenity of the outdoors do wonders for us. It’s excellent to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just wind down. 

16. Ice Skating

If you’ve never been to an ice rink, I highly recommend going there with your friends. Ice skating might look easy, but it’s anything but that unless you’re a natural at it. 

There’s nothing like repeatedly seeing your friends falling on their rear ends. Let’s not forget the first-timers, trying to find their balance like newborn deers. 

People might return a bit sore from the experience, but the memories will be great, and you’ll find yourself returning soon enough. 

17. Go to a Concert 

A surefire way to have a fun, wild night is to go to a concert. 

Of course, you’ll have to get your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in long queues. There may also be free concerts in your area that you could watch. Check out your local venues for a night out with your chums.

Preparedness is the name of the game. Pack some medication and first-aid with you in case of any emergencies. After that, just focus on what you’ll wear to the concert, enjoy the live music, and party the night away. Don’t forget your glow sticks and the lyrics to your favorite artists’ songs.

18. Hide and Seek

This is another one of those blasts-from-the-past activities. Most of these fun activities for kids of all ages are the best way to spend your time. 

There isn’t much to hide and seek other than just finding the perfect spot to help you win the game. Play it at night, see your friends lose their minds when they can’t find you in the dark, and walk past you to make it more exciting. 

19. Amusement Park

One of the fun things to do with friends is the ageless thrills of the amusement park. It has plenty of friend or family attractions; you could spend your entire day there and still won’t have enough.

Roller-coaster rides, water slides, multiple play areas, trampolines, laser tag, carousel, and the list can go on and on. You simply can’t go wrong with an amusement park, and it’s one of the best ways to spend time with your friends. 

20. Visit a Haunted House

A haunted house escapade isn’t exactly kid-friendly, but it is thrilling, fun-filled, and scary. 

You’d be surprised how realistic these haunted houses have gotten nowadays. They’ll scare the life out of you, and during those terror-filled times, with everyone running, screaming, and losing their minds, you’ll see who your true friends are. 

This experience will be something you can talk about for the rest of your days. Like how Dave almost had an accident in his pants or how Kim ran away like there was no tomorrow. 

Conclusion – 20 Fun Things To Do With Friends

Is your favorite fun time with your BFFs on this list? You and your buddies must have your own special way of hanging out and we’ll be glad if we manage to get them listed down.

Whatever it is, remember that moments shared with friends are the ones you can cherish forever. This list is just a guide for you to know what activities you can do with your best friends. Have fun!

[Related Read: 25 Exciting And Fun Things To Do At Night Near Me]