50+ Things to Do With Friends When You’re Bored: Free, Creative, & Exciting Activities

Affordable ways to bust boredom and have a blast with your besties

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 26, 2023

There’s nothing better than hanging out with your friends...but what if you can’t think of something fun to do together? Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a great time, and there are plenty of options to keep everyone entertained. Whether you want to stay inside or explore your city, we’re providing a comprehensive list of activities to pass the time (and bond with your friends).

Things You Should Know

Staying inside doesn’t have to be boring—hold a movie marathon, organize a friendly bake-off, or host an epic karaoke night with your friends.
If everyone wants to get out of the house, visit your local museum, browse thrift stores, or try the latest restaurant in town.
For a fun and free experience, learn a viral TikTok dance, write a creative story together, or walk to a park you’ve never been to before.

1

Have a movie marathon.

Watch your favorite flicks to keep everyone entertained. Whether you’re looking for action, horror, romance, or comedy, there’s a movie to fit every mood. See what’s on your watchlist, or let each friend pick a movie for the queue—and don’t forget to provide the pillows and popcorn!
- For the ultimate movie marathon, watch a major film franchise like James Bond, Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings. Or, go through your favorite actor’s filmography.
- Alternatively, binge an entire TV show to watch the time fly—just be sure to choose a series with shorter episodes so you can get through the entire season.
- If you don’t have an account for a streaming service, you can always sign up for a free trial on Hulu, Showtime, or Amazon Prime.

2

Go for a walk.

Get out of the house and stroll around town together. If your friends are getting antsy inside, enjoy a walk in your neighborhood to get some fresh air. A long walk is the perfect way to end your hangout, especially if there’s a beautiful sunset or starry night sky.
- To switch up your environment, walk to a park you’ve never been to before (and be sure to take some photos of the nature surrounding you).^{[1]
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- Or, take a walk downtown and look at the local stores and restaurants your city has to offer.
- If walking isn’t quite your style, go for a bike ride on a nearby nature trail.

3

Take a quiz online.

Kill some time and learn something new with quizzes. If you’re stuck inside the house, online quizzes are a fun, free option to entertain your friends and learn more about them. After taking your quiz, compare your results to see how you’re similar to each other (or different from each other).
- Take a best friend quiz to see if you’re as close as you think. Or, take a take a zodiac sign quiz to determine which sign really describes you.

4

Throw a music-listening party.

Discover new music with your pals. Listening to music alone is an enjoyable experience, but listening with a group is even more magical and transformative. Everyone can sit in a circle and just vibe, or you can discuss what you love about each track as you listen.
- If you don’t know what to play, turn on a new album, and listen to it from start to finish.
- Or, create a collaborative playlist beforehand and ask everyone to add their favorite songs.

5

Host a karaoke night at home.

Let loose with your friends by showing off your vocals. If you can’t book a room at an actual karaoke place, create a makeshift karaoke night at your home. Look up the instrumental versions of your favorite songs on YouTube, and show off your singing skills to your squad. No mic? Your old hairbrush or a can of hairspray works just fine!
- If you don’t want to belt an entire song, play a game of Song Association: choose a random word and give your friend 10 seconds to sing a snippet of any song with that word in it.

6

Host a spa night.

Relax and unwind by pampering yourselves. If everyone’s having a stressful week, plan a peaceful night in with masks, manicures, and massages. A spa night is the perfect way to treat everyone in your circle, so don’t forget to set the mood with some candles and a calming playlist.
- Give your friend a neck massage to relieve any built-up stress: use long, light strokes on the sides of their neck, and apply focused pressure on tension spots.
- For glowing skin, give yourself a facial with a store-bought mask, or make an all-natural face mask with different ingredients in your kitchen.

7

Plan a game night.

Play board games to unleash everyone’s competitive side. Game night is the perfect excuse to gather your friend group and have fun for a few hours (especially if there’s Monopoly on the table). To increase the stakes, set up some fun prizes or make the loser complete a dare.
- If you don’t have any board games nearby, grab a pair of headphones and do the whisper challenge—it’s guaranteed to make everyone burst out with laughter.
- Or, take game night outside with a round of Manhunt or Capture the Flag.

8

Learn a viral TikTok dance.

Learn dances on TikTok and make your own vids. To nail the moves, watch the video on repeat, or look up the slow-motion versions of the video online. Practice a few times so you can get the footwork and arm movements down, and then have fun recording your TikTok with your friends.
- If you don’t want to learn a specific dance, throw a dance party to kick back with your entire squad—just clear your room, dim the lights, and blast your favorite tunes.

9

Try a viral TikTok recipe.

Feed all your friends with a trendy new dish. From feta pasta to Dalgona coffee, there’s a TikTok recipe to satisfy all your cravings. Ask everyone to help you make a single recipe, or have everyone create their own. If your cooking skills aren’t that great, look for simple recipes that only have a few ingredients.
- If you’re craving something sweet, make cake in a mug or an orange juice slushie.

10

Organize a friendly bake-off.

Hold a bake-off to see which friend reigns supreme. Even if your friends aren’t known for their baking skills, tell them to bring their A-game to the kitchen. Have everyone make a specific type of dessert, or throw them a curveball with a creative challenge (à la The Great British Bake Off).
- If you don’t want to do any baking, buy a bunch of different treats from your local bakery and rank them by taste.

11

Write a script.

Write a script that you can act out together. If you have a few hours with your friends, create a short story, play, or skit that you can produce as a group. If you don’t know where to start, let everyone brainstorm their ideas for 15-20 minutes, and then come back to share them as a group.
- This is a great way to express your creativity, so don’t be afraid to create a wild or absurd plot that doesn’t make a lot of sense.
- Alternatively, write a fanfiction over your favorite character or celeb.

12

Paint or draw.

Make some art to keep your brains busy. For a relaxing day with your friends, pick up some paints or pencils at your local art supply store, and set up a makeshift art studio in your home. If you’re a beginner, copy a drawing or picture by hand or work on a specific skill like shading or contouring.
- Even if you’re not an amazing artist, remember that the point of creating art is to have fun and enjoy the process.

13

Create a vision board.

Get crafty and manifest your dreams with a vision board. If everyone in your squad is looking to level up, grab some art supplies and create a vision board. A vision board is an amazing activity to pass the time and manifest your goals. Everyone can take turns explaining their creations at the end (plus, they can hang them in their room when they go home).
- If you don’t have art supplies, use Pinterest to make a virtual vision board. Or, print out photos to make your own old school collage poster.
- Alternatively, make a bucket list and compare them with everyone. If your friend has the same travel goals as you, the two of you can plan a dream vacation together.

14

Tie dye old clothes.

Tie dye some threads to update your closet at no cost. For a fun afternoon with friends, throw a tie-dye party to transform your boring clothes into something new and colorful. Experiment with different color combinations, techniques, and patterns to create your masterpiece, and don’t be afraid to rock your piece the next time you go to school.
- Set up your tie dye station outside so you don’t stain your floors or furniture.
- You can make your own simple tie dye at home, or use kool aid if you prefer.

15

Make jewelry.

Make handmade jewelry to wear and share. Jewelry making is a great way to pass the time and create custom pieces at a low cost. If you’re a beginner, try making a simple wire-wrapped pendant or make a beaded necklace with polymer clay. All the supplies can be found at your local art supply store, or you can order them online.
- If you want to celebrate your friendship, make matching rings, bracelets, or necklaces with your bestie.

16

Start a joint podcast.

Document memorable moments with a podcast all your own. No matter the format of your episodes, a podcast is the perfect way to bond with your besties and record great conversations. If you don’t know what to talk about, think about what you discuss in your group chats and choose a topic that aligns with your natural interests.^{[2]
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- For example, if your friends are obsessed with boy bands, you could use each episode to explore a specific group. Or, if they’re self-care enthusiasts, you might develop a podcast around skincare superfoods or the wellness industry.
- Alternatively, start a YouTube channel to capture your favorite memories together.

17

Have a photoshoot at home.

Capture everyone’s best angles and fill your feeds with a photoshoot. To pass the time, plan a themed photoshoot with your besties. Take turns being each other’s photographers, and let each friend have their moment to shine—and don’t forget to hype everyone up during the shoot!
- Before the shoot, decide on a theme collectively, or go for candid photos.
- Alternatively, make a music video to your favorite song.

18

Start a book club.

Bond over your favorite novels with a book club. Discussing books is a solid way to pass the time and solidify your friendships—and you only need one other person to get started! If you don’t have any books, borrow them at your local library or purchase used ones online or at a thrift store.^{[3]
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- If you’re not an avid reader, spend a day at the library and browse through your favorite magazines or childhood books.

19

Have a picnic.

Set up a picnic to enjoy time with your friends outside. If the weather’s nice, pack your favorite portable foods and lay a blanket outside. A picnic is the perfect way to relax with your friends and observe the beautiful scenery around you.
- If you don’t know what to prepare, salads are always a safe bet. Make a fruit salad or pasta salad, and don’t forget to pack a cooler, napkins, and utensils.

20

Visit your local museum.

Explore a museum with your friends to learn something new. Whether you’re in the mood for art, history, or science, spend a day at the museum to expand your mind (and kill some time). Gather your friends for a group tour, or sign up for an evening event to live out your own Night at the Museum experience.^{[4]
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- Many museums offer free admission days, so check your local museum’s calendar to see when you can get in without charge.
- Alternatively, plan a trip to your nearby botanical garden or zoo for an outdoor experience.
- If you can’t drive to a museum, you can always take a virtual tour online—walk through the Musée d’Orsay or view virtual exhibits at The British Museum.

21

Browse thrift stores.

Go thrifting with your friends to discover hidden gems. If you want to revamp your wardrobe (without breaking the bank), gather your group and hit the local thrift stores. While secondhand shopping is more affordable than the mall, there’s no pressure to purchase anything if you’re on a budget—think of thrifting as an activity to socialize with your friends and melt your stress away.^{[5]
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- If you’re at home, shop online, or let your friends create outfits for you from pieces in your closet.

22

Try a new restaurant.

Enjoy a meal at a new spot in town for an exciting evening with friends. If you want to expand your horizons, plan your next group dinner at the latest restaurant in town. Food is the universal language of love, so order a bunch of dishes off the menu and let everyone share—there’s no better way to bond with your besties than over a mouthwatering appetizer, entrée, and dessert.
- Alternatively, have all of your friends bring their favorite dish to your house and enjoy a dinner party at home.

23

Host a scavenger hunt.

Embark on a group scavenger hunt for a fun adventure. If you’re tired of staying in, organize a scavenger hunt to rediscover your city. Ask everyone to take photos of the items so you can get creative with your list, and play across multiple locations to amp up the excitement.
- For example, start your scavenger hunt at the mall, and then meet up at the beach when everyone has collected their items.
- Alternatively, visit a nearby escape room for the ultimate bonding experience. Or, play a free virtual escape room like the Hogwarts Digital Escape Room or the Doctor Who Escape Room.

24

Take a class.

Learn something new with your pals for a fun, enriching experience. Taking a class is a great way to spend time with your friends and explore all of their interests. If you don’t know which class to attend, check the schedule at your local community college or studio.^{[6]
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- If your friends want to attend an art class, try painting, pottery, or tufting.
- If they’re into fitness, sign up for a zumba, karate, or self-defense class.
- If everyone is on a budget, there are also tons of free options. Search for a class online, or download a free learning app.

25

Volunteer together.

Volunteer as a group to give back to your community. If you want to spend time with your friends outside, helping others is the best excuse to step out of the house. Find volunteer opportunities at your local library, museum, or church. Or, check your nearest animal shelter, soup kitchen, or nursing home.^{[7]
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- Alternatively, write letters to soldiers to thank them for their sacrifices.
- Or, make care packages for the homeless. You can include: non-perishable snacks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, tissues, gloves, socks, and sunscreen.^{[8]
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