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Do you want to do something exciting this weekend but don’t have any cash or want to save more money? Or maybe you’re wondering how do I have fun when I’m broke?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of fun things to do that don’t cost money that are sure to make your day or weekend the best one yet. From going on a hike and exploring nature, to catching up with friends and family over dinner or even just curling up with a good book, there’s no shortage of ways for you to enjoy yourself without having to spend any cash. So what are you waiting for? Check out this list for fun ideas of what things you can do for free.
Ways to Have Fun Without Spending Money
People spend a lot of money regularly, and everything seems expensive nowadays, but there are fun activities and ways to have fun without spending money that you can add to your to-do list. Whether you’re saving money or trying a no spend challenge, you can find free things to do to beat boredom.
1. Go on a picnic
Celebrate the weekend by taking some time to appreciate nature. Pack up a picnic, grab some friends and family members, and head out for an afternoon of fun in the great outdoors. Enjoying your meal on a blanket surrounded by trees is always better than sitting down at a restaurant, especially when you’re on a budget!
Bring a tasty picnic lunch or a charcuterie board with your favorite bottle of wine.
2. Visit a farmer’s market
If you’re looking for a way to get out of the house and enjoy nature while also supporting your local community, visit a farmer’s market. Most farmer’s markets provide fresh produce and gourmet goods from nearby producers so you can’t go wrong.
3. Do a photography challenge
Put your creativity to use and take part in a photography challenge. You can either challenge yourself by following specific prompts, or you can include friends and family and compete with each other to see who has the best shot.
Share your photos on Instagram or with your friends and family to compare.
4. Go on a walk through your neighborhood
If you’re looking to get outside and enjoy nature, but don’t feel like it’s worth the drive, consider exploring your own neighborhood instead. Take a stroll along the sidewalk of one of your local streets and discover some new places. It’s always interesting to see how other neighborhoods compare to yours and it’s a great way to get moving.
5. Start birdwatching
If you enjoy spending time in nature, birdwatching is a wonderful pastime. All you’ll need are your eyes and some patience, as many species are camouflaged to blend into their surroundings. Keep an eye out for blue jays, cardinals or woodpeckers and be sure to pack a pair of binoculars with you. Consider taking a birdwatching class as well to help you learn some new skills and fine tune your hobby.
6. Go on a hike
Hiking is one of the best ways to spend a breathtaking afternoon and one of the best things to do that doesn’t cost money. A little sweat and some sore muscles are nothing if it means you’re having fun. If you’re looking for a hiking trail near you, consider checking out local parks and trails to find the one that’s right for you. Use an app like AllTrails to find a walk that’s suitable for you.
7. Check out your community events calendar
If you want to do something with a group of people, but don’t have the money to spend on expensive activities, check out your local community calendar or Meetup for upcoming events. You can find everything from cheap or free concerts to volunteer opportunities, community activities and even classes that are perfect for whatever you’re looking for. You might even make some new friends!
8. Volunteer
People who volunteer are some of the most generous, kindhearted people in the world. Volunteer work is a great way to do something good for your community while also spending time with others. If you’re looking for a cause that speaks to your passions, consider a site like VolunteerMatch to investigate what volunteer opportunities are available and take the time to assist someone in need.
9. Get crafty
Crafting is a fun and creative way to pass the time with friends and family. Search online for craft ideas that are also frugal friendly, or go one step further and challenge yourself to create something by hand. You can also look through your Pinterest boards for any of the DIY projects you’ve wanted to try but haven’t had the time to do yet. The best things in life are the ones you make yourself, so why not give it a try?
10. Catch up on your reading
If you’re looking for a way to get inspired and spend some quality time with your favorite characters, consider catching up on your reading. Search your local library for your next exciting read or visit an online website like Thrillist to find some great suggestions. Once you find a good book, make a cup of coffee (or tea!) and curl up and enjoy.
11. Try Geocaching
Geocaching is a popular way to spend an afternoon exploring your world. Get outside, enjoy the fresh air and search for caches in your area. To get started, download either the app or printable coordinates for your next adventure. Grab some friends or family and make an afternoon of it.
12. Check out historical spots in your city or state
If you’re looking for a way to have fun that’s also educational, consider checking out your state or city’s historical hotspots. Whether it’s a museum, national historic landmark or even the location of an important battle, you’ll find tons of interesting information and do some sightseeing while you’re at it. While you’re out, you can also check out local breweries, restaurants and shops to learn more about your community’s story.
13. Go camping
Rather than booking a hotel room, experience nature to the fullest as you sleep under the stars. Borrow a tent from a friend and head to a free campground or use your back yard if there aren’t any nearby. Pack your cooler, bring your fishing gear or just enjoy the serenity of being outdoors. You can also spend some time hiking, cooking by a campfire and searching for shooting stars. It’s a great way to spend time with friends and family and take in the beauty of nature while you still have the chance.
14. Host a movie night or game night
If you’re looking for a cheap way to entertain guests, host your own game night or movie night. You can find some inexpensive board games like Monopoly or Life at your local thrift store, or use cards to have a few rounds of poker. Combine it with some snacks and everyone can play for hours. If you’re looking to watch a movie, you can stream a movie from your laptop, find one on Netflix and invite some friends over to enjoy. There’s something for everyone!
15. Go to a free museum or zoo day
Consider checking out the museum or zoo days your city offers throughout the year. Typically museums or zoos offer “free” days but you’ll need to check out their website to see when. This can be a wonderful method to learn more about your town or city’s history, as well as an excellent way to spot local animals.
16. Learn a new skill
Invest some time into learning a new skill. Whether this is a productive skill like knitting or gardening, or something you can have more fun with, like learning how to cook, free lessons are available in many places throughout the city. From classes at your local university, community college or library to YouTube tutorials, you’ll find something that works for your interests and budget.
17. Take an online class
Take an online course. You can learn anything from a new language to how to make your own website through free courses on sites like Kahoot or iTunes U. Consider this a great opportunity to learn something new and open your world up to a whole new subject. You can even find courses from other countries and practice your language skills.
Some places to find free online classes include:
- Coursera
- Kahoot
- iTunes U
- Skillshare
18. Learn a new language
Take a free language lesson. There are tons of apps and websites that teach you new languages, such as Duolingo and Busuu. Duolingo even has courses that are aimed towards different dialects of English, which can be helpful for people who work in language-dependent careers.
19. Listen to podcasts/audiobooks
Turn on your favorite podcast or audiobook. There are tons of free ones available, many of which are also educational. Check out the Spotify app for some free episodes of your favorite shows. You can learn new things, listen to current events, or listen to your favorite new books.
20. Binge watch a Netflix series
Treat yourself to a binge-watching session. Netflix has a huge selection of shows and movies that you can stream for free, though you’ll need a subscription to watch the newest movies or TV series. If this is something you enjoy, consider having friends over for drinks and snacks so you can hang out and enjoy the show together.
21. Clean or organize your house
Spend time cleaning your house, or organizing parts of it if you don’t have a lot of “free” time. You can find free home organization ideas online or through magazines, as well as tips for cleaning up your home. Spend a few hours getting rid of excess clutter and organizing other parts of your house to make it easier to clean later on.
22. Cook dinner together
Get creative in the kitchen and cook dinner with friends or family members instead of eating out somewhere. You can even use this time to bake something delicious that you all love. Or, figure out what you have on hand in your pantry and get creative and find something that you can make with these ingredients. You’ll save a lot of money and have some delicious meals all at once.
23. Take a hike
All you need is a pair of shoes to take a walk in nature with friends or family. You can go on hikes, check out parks in your area, or even bring along some snacks and relax by the water. There’s something for everyone when it comes to outdoor activities-you just have to look around your town for ideas!
24. Start a journal
Start a journal for yourself. This is not only a great way to practice your writing abilities, but it can also be very therapeutic. See what you’re thinking about and how your day went on paper before looking at the world with critical eyes or talking about it with other people. You may find that seeing things on paper helps you see problems in a different light and solve them more easily.
25. Play an old video game
Treat yourself to some time playing a fun old video game from your childhood. If you have friends over, play together and make it a competition or get nostalgic with your favorite games of the past. You can also find many older video games for cheap on sites like Amazon if you’re looking for something new.
26. Start a book club
Create a book club with friends and family members who also enjoy reading to stay in touch and share your favorite stories. You can even get creative and try writing your own book together over time, or take turns writing the chapters of one story. Make sure each person has submitted their work before you move forward so everyone’s part is included!
27. Go to a high school sporting event
Go to a high school sporting event with friends or family members. You’ll be saving money and also supporting your local schools (and their students). Go to watch a friend or family member or go and enjoy watching the game or catching up with those you’re with. Host an after party at your house afterwards to keep the fun going.
28. Start a workout routine
Start a workout routine to keep yourself in shape while also saving money. This is something you can do on your own, or talk to friends about starting together. You can go for walks around the block, visit parks in your area, or even break out the old yoga mat and stretch while breathing in fresh air. Youtube also offers several workout programs for free that can help you get started on your fitness goals for the year.
29. Watch a sunrise/sunset
Watch a sunrise or sunset with friends and family. This is a great way to start your day, as well as end it. You can try watching it outside together, or even bring everyone inside if the weather isn’t good that day and enjoy hot chocolate or tea while you watch. Either way, you’ll be getting fresh air and enjoying yourself for free.
30. Host a yard sale
Host a yard sale in your driveway or in your community. This is a great way to get rid of unwanted items and make some extra money from what you don’t want anymore. You can even donate the leftover items if there are any that someone will be able to get good use out of, or put it to better use yourself by taking them to your local thrift store.
31. Connect with an old friend
Connect with an old friend to catch up and see how they’re doing while also spending some time together for free. Whether it’s on social media or in person, you can pick a day to invite them over for some coffee or tea or go for a walk and catch up. Either way, you’ll be happy that you spent some time with each other and you can add this to your list of things to do that don’t cost money.
32. Have a spa day at home
Have a spa day at home by yourself, with friends or even as a couple. You can make your own scrubs and masks if you prefer to do things on the cheaper side, or buy them from the store. Either way, pampering yourself is one of the best ways to treat yourself without having to spend money and you’ll feel more relaxed and rejuvenated afterwards.
33. Get informed on an issue
Read or watch the news to stay informed on an issue that you’re passionate about. You can even discuss it with others afterwards and start a conversation leading to change in your community. This can be anything from animal rights, environmental issues, politics, social justice and more!
34. Plan a scavenger hunt
Plan a scavenger hunt for your kids, friends or even just by yourself. This can be an indoor or outdoor activity and requires no money- only creativity! Ideas for scavengers hunts can be found on Pinterest or you can create your own based off of items in your house or local area. Break up into teams to make it a fun competition.
35. DIY a gift
Create a gift for your significant other, your best friend or even for yourself to show how much you care. You can bake cookies or brownies in their favorite flavor, write them an original love letter, create a scrapbook filled with memories and photos of the two of you- whatever it is, it’ll be from your heart and will be something they’ll love.
You can have fun without money!
If you’re looking for free or cheap things to do that don’t cost money, then hopefully this article has been a helpful list of options for your upcoming weekends. From learning a new skill or hanging outside with friends to hosting a yard sale and planning scavenger hunts- there are tons of ways to beat boredom without spending any cash at all! If you’re ready for some new activities in your life, give these ideas a try.
What’s on your agenda? Comment below with anything you have planned so we can get inspired together!
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