47 Cheap, Fun Things to Do This Weekend
Ever have a conversation that goes like this...?
"What do you want to do this weekend?"
*Shoulder shrug*
"I dunno, whatta you wanna do?"
*Shoulder shrug and sigh*
"I dunno; there's nothing to ever do around here."
I've had conversations like that many times in the past, but not anymore. I'm learning to appreciate the little things in life and enjoy living in the moment more. Too often when we think about "fun" things, we think of the expensive options like taking in a ballgame, going on vacation, or going to a concert. (See also: Best Travel Reward Cards)
Here's a list to help free you from boredom without emptying your wallet this weekend.
1. Go to the Park
You can take your family or go with a friend. Swing on the swings like when you were a kid.
2. Watch the Sunset
Find a great spot in your community to catch the sunset. We have a lake by our house that offers some great views!
3. Pack a Picnic Lunch
Throw a picnic lunch together and find a shady spot to enjoy the day with your loved ones.
4. Play Board Games
Bring out the old favorites like Monopoly or Scrabble, or find new board games to play. (See also: Board Games That Make You Think)
5. Play Card Games
Invite a few friends over and have a card night.
6. Do a Road Rally With Friends
Get some friends together and go on a mobile scavenger hunt. The first one back with all things on the list wins! Losers have to buy dessert.
7. Go on a Digital Scavenger Hunt
Make it a digital scavenger hunt. Think of some creative, hilarious pictures you could take with people in the community.
8. Throw a B.Y.O.E. Party
This stands of Bring Your Own Everything. Guests are encouraged to bring food and drinks to share. Or, check this post out for more frugal party ideas.
9. Have a Bonfire or Campfire in Your Backyard
Make s'mores and play campfire games.
10. Get Ice Cream
Hit up your local ice cream shop and indulge in your favorite dish! Our local Dairy Queen is located right on the lake, which ties in perfect with #2!
(See also: The Best Ice Cream Makers)
11. Make a Romantic Dinner
Plan a romantic, candlelight dinner for your spouse or loved one. Romance need not be expensive! (See also: Romance on a Dime)
12. Grill Something New
Try a new grilling recipe. Recently I tried chicken breast stuffed with cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, basil, and tomatoes! Mmmm!
13. Go to the Museum or Zoo
Many times a local museum will have free or discount days. Zoos are fairly inexpensive if you pack your own lunch and avoid the unnecessary extras.
14. Scan Your Old Photographs
Take the weekend to go through your old photos and scan them into a digital file. You can even create digital scrapbooks! (See also: Save Memories With Cloud Computing)
15. Pretend You're a Tourist in Your Community
Most folks rarely visit their own city's tourist attractions. Take a weekend be a tourist in your own town.
16. Organize a Neighborhood Cleanup
Get friends and neighbors together to go and clean up a city block. Here are six steps to organizing your own neighborhood cleanup.
17. Go to the Farmers Market
Communities will usually have farmers markets on the weekends where you can get locally grown produce. The food is fresh and delicious!
18. Pick Strawberries or Other Fruit
Find a "U-Pick" spot to gather some fresh strawberries, blueberries, or other fruit and then...
19. Bake a Pie
Use the freshly picked fruit to bake a homemade pie!
20. Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen or Homeless Shelter
Organizations like these are always looking for volunteers. This will be one of the most rewarding things you could do this weekend and can possibly make a difference on your resume! (See also: Translating Volunteer Experiences to Workplace Credentials)
21. Invite Your Neighbors Over
With today's busy pace, it seems harder to get to know our neighbors. Invite them over for dinner or dessert and make an effort to know more about them.
22. Go Fishing
Grab the poles, find a pond, and cast those lines!
23. Go to the Beach
Hit the sandy shores for a little rest and relaxation. Just don't forget to protect your skin! (See also: Ways to Protect Your Skin in the Summer)
24. Go to the Library
There are many benefits your local library has to offer besides just books. You can rent movies, page through magazines, or surf the net.
25. Host a Classic Movie Marathon
Invite friends over for a movie marathon featuring all the classics you remember from when you were growing up. Or, host a money movie marathon!
26. Rearrange the Furniture in Your House
My wife and I did this last weekend. I love the new look and feel of our living room now! Rearranging furniture doesn't cost anything and adds a new flair to your place.
27. Write Out Your Bucket List and Pick One to Do
Brainstorm ideas for all the things you want to do in life, and pick one to do this weekend.
28. Put Together a Jigsaw Puzzle
When is the last time you put together a puzzle? Find one you like and get to it.
29. Volunteer to Babysit for Someone Who "Needs a Break"
I know many parents who would love for someone to offer a chance to take a break from the busyness of life. Many single parents hardly ever get a chance to get out and unwind.
30. Clean Out Your Closet and Donate to a Thrift Store
Go through your closets and declutter. Find items you can donate to your local Goodwill or another thrift shop.
31. Watch for Shooting Stars
Go on a star-gazing adventure. Grab a blanket and head to a park to lay and watch the stars. Here's a meteor shower calendar to help.
32. Go on a Bike Ride
Bike to a location you've never been to before. Or, bring your bike to a town or city you're unfamiliar with and create your own bike tour. Just be safe on your bike! (See also: Bicycle Safety in the City)
33. Take a Free Online Class
There are plenty of free online classes you could take to improve your skills in a certain area. Try your hand at investment classes if that interests you!
34. Write Out Your Life Plan
This one will take some thought but will be well worth it. Here's a great resource from Michael Hyatt for helping you think through your life plan.
35. Set Three New Goals for Yourself
Related to the life plan is setting three new goals you'd like to accomplish in the new six to twelve months...and write them down!
36. Find a Community Play to Attend
Many local communities offer inexpensive theater productions.
37. Help Someone in Need
Lend a helping hand to a neighbor, co-worker, or friend.
38. Buy Food for the Homeless and Listen to Their Stories
It's not always wise to give money to a homeless person, but you can buy food. Listen to their stories, and if possible, direct them to an organization that can help.
39. Go Bowling
Get some friends together and have a blast at the lanes!
40. Visit Garage Sales and Look for Deals
Take a friend or two, grab breakfast, and then hit the local garage sales to scan for deals.
41. Tour the Local Fire or Police Station and Thank Them for Their Service
A simple gesture can really mean a lot to the men and women who serve us on a daily basis!
42. Visit a Local Nursing Home and Engage With the Residents
Many elderly folks have great tales to tell. Listen to their stories and see what you can learn from them.
43. Plant a Garden
You can make a garden box or even an herb garden if you don't have much room. (See also: Small Space Garden Ideas)
44. Go Dancing
Grab a few friends, put those dancing shoes on, and hit the local club.
45. Walk Through the Craft Store and Start an Art Project
Take your spouse or loved one to a craft store and each purchase a few crafts for a creative project. Or start a pine cone project!
46. Host a "Minute to Win It" Party
Invite a few friends over and challenge each other with some creative games based on the hit TV show.
47. Write a Letter to a Family Member You Haven't Talked to in a While
When is the last time you sat down and wrote a letter? There's something magical and nostalgic about the written word on paper. Send a letter to someone you haven't talked to in a while and tell them how much you love them.
Hopefully these ideas are enough to get you started on a fun, cheap, and rewarding weekend!
What cheap, fun things are you planning to do this weekend?
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I love the scavenger hunt ideas, especially the one where all you have to do is take photos. And I was already planning to bake a pie this weekend!
I love the scavenger hunt idea also, and did that a few weeks ago. My church has a new youth director and she organized the hunt as a team-building activity for the kids and adult volunteers (like me). The best part was the look on the adult's faces (including mine I'm sure) when the director told us about taking photos of...sitting with an unknown family at a restaurant, hugging a stranger, filling a stranger's gas tank -- we knew about the hunt but not these specifics. The photos were very funny btw.
How'd the pie turn out? :)
I ended up postponing the pie and making homemade Twinkies instead...and they turned out great!
Yes! I am bored at home all the times so I'm going to actually do something fun like this next week!!!!
Our cheapish romantic thing to do is take a really nice bottle of champangne to the beach and order a pizza and watch the sun set.
Pizza and champagne...I like your style! :)
What if you don't have a beach? r
I actually like the beach and ice cream idea. Put that together with a chair to sit on the beach and that sounds like a good weekend.
Derek, that sounds really good. Add a good book, and I'd be set!! :)
these are great ideas, but not for everyone i was hoping it would be stuff more for teens :( maybe you could make 10 thing for teens to do:)
i know would like it to be teen stuff bc all that is sorta boring...:/
Yes defiantly!(:
I am like always bored and it is getting cold out. Can you put up things to do at home when it is cold? Thanks!
These things may seem "boring" now, but in a couple of years you will look back and think 'that was pretty amazing'. I'm 22 and used to do these "boring" things in my teens. I look back now and wish I could go back to the days of laying in my car, stargazing with my friends eating ice cream! Cherish your time now.
I totally agree with you.
It's funny how all these adults think teens actually have a lot of free time. I'm not even a teen yet (12 years, eighth grade) and this is one of the only times I have ever looked up things to do! Half of the week I leave my house before dawn and don't get back until after the sun has set.
:) Find a way to make them into teen things. I'm 15, and rather than 'taking a picture with a walmart employee,' my friends and I went to our local park and did things like "You balancing a tennis ball on your nose." A lot of the examples can be used for teens, too, so have fun!
It's good how this list includes lots of indoor ideas. And you touch on creative projects which is great - but I bet you could come up with a whole blog post of these!
Same! Yeah because here where I live it's almost always cloudy so yeah it's great.
you could also go to like a close theme park like around where i live theres silverwood!(:
this is not fun stuff...jsay its all like things to pass the time or waste gas. with gas at almost 4 dollars a gallon going on scavengerhunts not gonna happen. and i thought this was going to be more of like places to go that are cheap and have fun things to do not a todo around ur community list. sorry
wow. they were just tring to help. no need to be mean
guest #2 agrees with guest #1, this is just suggestions and a good way to slow down the pace of life these are not things you HAVE to do so try to be open-minded and nice about things
Dude I agree
I wanted something fun... maybe ultimate frisbee?
You began this post the perfect way, this interaction happens to me almost every weekend! I love your idea of finding a place to pick some fresh berries, and then baking with them. When I was younger my sister and I would go out with our grandmother to pick fresh blueberries, and then we'd spend the day making muffins and pies. You can get a heaping basketful of delicious berries for cheap!
Omg , we used to do that same thing . It was so fun . I like taking my kids to a park and going hiking , or having a picnic while playing basketball . I love the outdoors .
mini-Olympics with friends whether its a sport, series of parlor games, or quiz games. fun frugal bbq to cap off the "event".
Yes! I love Olympics! Buy little plastic medals or trophies and do fun crazy stuff! You could even add dogs to the mix! Make your own agility course and have a neighborhood competition at the end of the summer!
Wanna do all of this but not enough time to do it all
So helpful! Thanks! My daughter will luv it!
Thank you for all of these awesome ideas! I grilled something for the first time at our new house yesterday (we previously lived in an apartment complex) and it was a fun experience.
Awsome ideas no mom won't have to say find something to do :)
Why would you hit those poor seals?!? You monster
Oh dear, that was an unfortunate typo! Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Guest!
BUCKET LIST!!!! EEEKH! (thank you)
Have you ever been teenager?
yah, i am one.....
Try going for a bike ride or baking cupcakes for tonight's dinner
you could read a book!!!!
Those were good things to do!!!!!!
bowling's best!
GO SWIMMING
WEAR TO GO IN NORRISTOWN
play soccer with friends or family
Wow! this is such a help for my weekend I'm planning to bring an old friend of mine to get together again and then we will get ready to have a blasting weekend of joy!!!
I like Poonjab
Thanks, just what I was looking for. These are not for everyone but when "There's nothing to do." Seems like more would appreciate a few decent suggestions rather than complain. Just my opinion on a silly matter, However I know that I will be putting a couple of these ideas to good use in the near future.
I like the scavenger hunt idea.
SLIP AND SLIDES!! If you really want to have fun and you have the lawn space. Build a Slip-n-slide. I found an e-book on amazon.com called "Slip and Slide Bible". The book didn't cost me a thing and it gave very clear instructions and multiple options. I built a nice slide for $20 and it only took me an hour to build it. I used it with my family all weekend. I couldn't get the kids to take a break!
You could play with clay and try to make an exact statue of the things around you.
You can also take some clayey soil, make something you like and then paint it. I once
tried to make a bird and it was really fun!
I like playing badmitten! 10$ at like a walmart/dollar store! So fun and funny to watch lol plus it's healthy and easy!
I am gonna have a bonfire tonite!!!
my milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard
How about do a lemonade stand???? ;)
I love the idea of a lemonade stand!! There are also some holidays coming up.. Around this time you sell related decorations. If is Easter you could sell Easter eggs filled with candy!!
Awesome ideas!!!!!!!!!
I went bike riding
Nice!!! How was it ?!?!?!?!?
You could go to Put-In-Bay (kelleys island)
if you ever get bored facetime a freind , and if not since it's summer invite some of your friends over for a party or water balloon fight or slip and slide.
ALL GREAT IDEAS!!!!!!!!! MADE FOR A FUNFILLED ADVENTURE FOR ME AND THE KIDS!! OMG LOL TTYL ;)
we tried everything and it was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! >_<
We are so trying the road rally at Christmas when we are going to Bruny island
Honestly I love the dancing idea, I think I might invite my friends over today and just dance around my house with all the T.V's on lol I also like the scavenger hunt idea, especially the one where you take the pictures I'm a photographer so that's like right up my alley I'm glad that i came on this website ok I better shut up now bye.
Blanket fort or indoor camping with a tent Grooming the family pets, read a book, write in a journal, stack things, build something, make lists (to do, best to worst, top ten) make guacamole, make 7 layer dip, make southern style banana pudding (the best dessert ever imho), think about your childhood/past (preferably good things) and write down what you've learned, write to God, count your blessings, whittle (don't cut yourself like I did), sing pretty folk songs with a good melody and message, clean out a cabinet in your house, sort tupperware, mend clothes, practice math, polish something, i don't know, just go outside and get some sunshine or feel the wind
Visit Local animal shelter, adopt a pet or simply make their life a little happier with treats, toys, excercise, and most importantly LOVE. show them someone cares.
Idea: Create a park/shelter where local people can bring their self/pets/kids to hangout with companion-less animals. The individuals involved and especially the animals would greatly enjoy the experience and could result in more adoptions, funding, and less stressful lifestyle!
Thank alot for sharing great ideas to do when bored. It was really helpful but there are different other things you can do when you are bored such as reading funny jokes, motivating yourself by reading inspiring quotes of great minds, solve tricky and logical puzzles and questions and watch interesting videos.
I like the art project idea, the bike ride idea, the beach idea.. And a lot of these ideas! This article was very helpful!
Also, could you please add photography? I mean you don't have to, it's just an idea that I think sounds quite fun! :-)
I like the bike ride and park ideas. Try putting those together and you'd have the perfect weekend!
That feeling when you've already done all this and do not feel like doing anything at all...
Have sex with your boyfriend/girlfriend.
Good list. One other item might be to sign up with Redox. Now and then they will send me a coupon for a free movie rental.
Watch Anime, there you go.
You can also create a family game together.
I love these ideas! Thanks! I especially love the "pretend you're a tourist." That's genius. Totally doing that soon.
Cool, I really like the mobile scavenger hunt idea because it not just get up and go but it's pumps you up and really can brighten up attitude and spirits about going out.
so many people who say these ideas are boring, yet the don't offer up any ideas of their own....... just want to say thank you for your suggestions....
make a fort
make crafts
All these ideas are brilliant but I couldn't pick one as it is snowing and we can't spend any money!
go clothes shopping
These are all really good ideas!!! Thanks so much!!! I especially liked the one about thanking the police men, they are an integral part of our society and most people just take them for granted
they are very good ideas for the weekend and we're going geocaching now!!!
It all worked out we did something and we all had fun !!!!!!!
Thanks for all the great ideas me and my friends had a great time going to the library (which we live beside) going to the ball park (again what we live beside) and going on a bike ride we also found many interesting things along the way thanks a lot we really needed it
You can also make your living room into a movie theater its fun
I like these ideas but some of them are for older people. If you're a city girl then you would understand.
these ideas are really good but you should have some for children.
agreed!
go to the movies is another one
Thanks for the reminder that you don't need to pay to have fun? Simple is the best way to go.
Good things but my friends don't want to do it
Great ideas!!!
Still nothing to do :(
I love the garden box idea! Very crafty
I always have trouble finding things to do so i like the idea of just going to the park because its free and close to me so i don't even need my parents permission.
Go retro and re-visit a CD collection/book/place you have fond memories of. I feel stressed a bit these days and I often find myself thinking (for extended periods of time) about lovely things in my past. Good stress relief!
For a second there I was thinking you had eavesdropped on my husband's and my conversation that we have starting usually on Thursday evenings for almost 20 years. We're empty nester nesters now and since the children are no longer here and need to be driven to this place or the next, we've forgotten about all of the things to do locally that would keep us close to home and without spending a ton. I was raised in Washington DC and was almost 30 years old before I visited the Washington Monument. There truly are a hundred things that I could do and thank you for brining them to mind.
What would be another thing to do on the weekends and would shopping be a good thing to do on the weekends