Socializing is very important—it helps you build your happiness and makes you feel that you don’t exist for the sole purpose of producing and making and income. The conventional ways of hanging out with your friends sometimes can be very expensive, or at least more expensive than you are able to afford.
The great news about this is that there are several activities you can do with your friends without burdening your budget.
Zero-price activities are only a matter of creativity, and can be even better than the conventional solutions.
Here are 20 of them.
1. Cinema at home
This is one of the most classic solutions. Why spend money on a movie ticket when you can just watch a movie in your house with some friends? A DVD, popcorn and drinks are just what you need for a night of good-natured enjoyment.
2. Game night
A simple card game, UNO, Monopoly, Chess or some board games can be a great solution for building a great dynamic within the group.
3. Innovating dinner time
Instead of leaving everything regarding dinner for one person, you can always suggest that each person you invite brings a surprise food to share with the rest of the friends.
4. Video Games
For this one it’s highly recommended that you pick games that everyone can play: you might like Pro Evolution Soccer or FIFA; however, not everyone might be fond of sports video games. If you have a Wii, it can be just perfect. Mixing video games and fun games is a terrific solution to spend quality time in your own house.
5. Poker night
This is a traditional one, everyone is well aware of poker nights where you share food, laughs, probability calculations and some bluff into the mix. But for the sake of zero cost, try to play it in a recreational way and not to win money at all cost.
6. Walking in a flea market
In the era of shopping centers, these flea markets became “irrelevant.” But did you know that great products and interesting sellers will get you hooked there? Just focus on the observing, though, and don’t take out your wallet. Seeing a flea market with your friends can be a unique experience.
7. Walking in a park
With a simple walk you can enjoy the benefits of fresh air, physical exercise and the company of your friends—all of these without spending a penny.
8. Bike-riding
If your city was built with bikers in mind, then pick yours and go for a walk with your friends. Don’t know how to bike? It’s a good pretext to start learning then!
9. Going to museums for free
There are days when the entrance for museums is free. There are several cultural masterpieces that you can see with your friends and maybe learn a thing or two regarding your ancestors’ past.
10. Skating
This one might seem as a strange suggestion, but skating represents some of the happiest moments in our youth. Why not try to remember those moments?
11. Wine-tasting
Tasting wine can be a great pleasure, combined with an amazingly good aroma and a quiet environment. Look for wine-tasting postings around your neighborhood. If you can enjoy this context, try it with some friends who appreciate the fine things in life (for free!) like you do.
12. Local music
Some bands often held free gigs in order to increase their popularity. Listening to music is always a relaxing activity.
13. Sight-seeing
Not all cities have this possibility, but if you have, do it! Watching your city from a higher ground lets you view your surroundings in a different perspective.
14. Standup comedy
There are several comedians that do it for the sake of the art; going to a simple bar to listen to great jokes can increase your humor and boost your feel-good hormones.
15. Watching the stars
The citylights make it impossible to see the stars, so why don’t you walk to a place to admire the night sky and spend a few moments there with your closest friends? Pack a whole lot of stories—and don’t forget to bring water.
16. Volunteer service
Challenge your friends to help the unfortunate. It’s very rewarding!
17. Sledding
Pick your sled or some plastic and make the most of it if you have snow near your city!
18. Go to the beach
Sun, sand, sea, swimming, strolls, seagulls—all of these are available depending on the season, but the beach will always replenish the energy within our bodies.
19. Picnic
A nice picnic is perfect to create excellent interaction with nature. Try it instead of an expensive restaurant; you’ll see the food tastes even better!
20. Make the most of happy hours—at home!
Your happy hours can exist outside of a bar, you know. Why not ask some of your friends to come over and tell them to bring a bottle of their favorite beverage with them?
Featured photo credit: Japanexperterna.se/Hanami picnic via flickr.com
