How to Have Fun when Your Best Friend Visits

Co-authored by Ebony Eubanks, MSW, ACSW, CAMS-II

Last Updated: March 9, 2023

Having your best friend come to visit you can be exciting, but sometimes it can be difficult to think of things to do for fun. When this happens, it can make the visit feel like a waste. Luckily, you and your best friend almost certainly have plenty of things to do—you just likely haven’t thought long or hard enough about it! Remember, it’s easy to beat boredom and have fun with your best friend, regardless of whether you choose to stay home or go somewhere else.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Having Fun at Home

1
Have a show or movie marathon. Watching shows or movies with someone else is more fun than doing it alone. There are many websites (such as Netflix and Hulu), where you can watch entire seasons of TV shows. Binge watch a series you both have never seen or spend the day watching movies.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Bake or cook something. Get out a recipe book or look up a recipe online and cook or bake together. Make something you can enjoy for a meal or snack later. Make your favorite food or try something completely new.

Advertisement
3
Work out together. It might be hard to get the motivation to exercise alone, but working out with your best friend can make it a fun activity. Do a workout from a video online, go on a run or walk together, do yoga together, or look up different exercises you can try. Exercising is fun and good for you.^{[2]
X
Research source}
4
Have a makeover day. Have a spa day where you relax and give each other makeovers. Buy face masks or make your own face masks. Spend the day trying out different hairstyles on each other and doing makeup. When you are finished, take photos of each other.
- You can also try “blind makeovers” where one of you is blindfolded and tries to put makeup on on the other person!
5
Do crafts together. Spend the day making crafts together. You can look online (such as on Pinterest) for inspiration.^{[3]
X
Research source} Make crafts for a special occasion or holiday or just for fun. You can make crafts for each other or for your other friends as gifts.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Print out photos of your favorite memories and make a scrapbook.
6
Play board games, card games, and videogames. Playing games together is a great way to bound and have fun. You can play board games and card games like Scrabble, Cribbage, Othello or Yahtzee.^{[5]
X
Research source} You can also play videogames together. Play a multiplayer video game that you both like and know how to play or one you both have never played before that you can learn together.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Going on an Outing

1
Go to the movies. Look online for showtimes and take your friend to see a movie you both want to see. Make sure to ask them first if they want to go to the movies. Get popcorn, soda, and candy, and have a fun day at the movies with your friend.^{[6]
X
Research source}
2
Visit the beach. If you live by the ocean, go to the beach. Spend the day relaxing by the water, swimming, and building sand castles with your best friend. If you don’t live by a beach, spend the day at your local swimming pool.
3
Hang out at the park. Find the nearest park and spend the day there with your best friend. You can lay in the grass, play on a play structure, or swing. Bring a soccer, basketball, or frisbee and play sports at the park too.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- You can also have a picnic at the park. Make your own picnic food or stop at the grocery store and get all your favorite snacks.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
4
Go on a hike. Hiking is a great way to be active, have fun, and bound with your best friend. Hike in a place you have never been to or go to your favorite hiking trail. Go on a hike that has a destination like a waterfall or a beautiful view.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I have fun with my best friend?

Ebony Eubanks, MSW, ACSW, CAMS-II
Therapist
Ebony Eubanks is a Therapist, and Founder and CEO of Peaceful Living Counseling and Professional Services of Philadelphia, PA and in Hockessin, DE. With over a decade of experience providing counseling and coaching to individuals, couples, and groups, she specializes in depression, anxiety, couples work, life guidance coaching, and anger management. Ebony holds a Master’s in Social Work from Temple University and is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She is a Certified Anger Management Specialist-II, Level II trained Gottman Couples Therapist. and Certified Gestalt Therapist. Ebony also holds additional certifications in Advanced Clinician Training.

Ebony Eubanks, MSW, ACSW, CAMS-II

Therapist

Expert Answer

Well, just be yourself. After all, you're best friends! Think of something that you both may want to do together, preferably something both of you have never done before. Also, don't force anything, just kind of go with the person.
Question

What do you do if your sister wants to hang out with you and your best friend?

Community Answer

If your sister wants to tag along, but you don't want her to, then you can try talking to her or your parents about it. Going and doing an activity outside of the house is a good way to hang out with your best friend without your sister knowing.
Question

What do I do with a limited budget?

Community Answer

There are plenty of things you can do with your best friend on a small budget. Hang out at home and watch movies together, cook, or do crafts. Going to the park, on a hike, or to the beach is free!