How to Have Fun With Friends

Co-authored by Desiree Panlilio

Last Updated: September 21, 2024 References

Hanging out with pals is a great way to boost your mood, defeat boredom, and feel connected to your inner circle. But when you've got a full free day ahead, how can you and your crew have the best time ever? Never fear, we've got you covered! Below, you'll find a list of the most exciting activities for you and your pals—whether you're staying indoors, heading out, or hosting a gathering. Grab your closest friends; let's get started.

Part 1

Part 1 of 5:

Staying Home and Having Fun

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1
Have a movie marathon. Choose your favorite movies or television show. Find a free weekend and get your friends together for a spot of binge watching. In between viewings you can discuss what you love about the entertainment and they're your favorite.
- Make sure you have lots of food on hand. Snacks make a binge watching weekend more fun.
- Make sure to take breaks now and then to stretch or take a walk outside.
- Amuse yourselves watching a bad movie, especially a cult classic. You can also do this with a poorly written book. Take turns reading it out loud and see how far each person gets before they are laughing too hard to keep reading. You can even turn it into a game (a drinking game for those over the legal drinking age, or using chocolate/candy as prizes otherwise). Everyone will thank you.
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Reminisce about old times. This is especially fun if you've been friends for a long time. Talk about things you did together a long time ago. Often your friends will remember things that you don't so you can exchange stories about things you did together.
- Try to find things from that time. Look for old notes you passed back and forth or a journal you wrote together. Maybe you made dolls, or played football together. The objects will help you recall more of the times you spent together.
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Invite your friends to come over to give each other manicures, pedicures, and facials.^{[1]
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Research source} Mimic spa fare by serving your guests hot tea, fresh fruit, and water with cucumber slices and lemon. Play quiet, relaxing new age music in the background and light a few scented candles to create a relaxing atmosphere for your friends.

Part 2

Part 2 of 5:

Playing Games and Partying Together

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1
Host a game night. For adults, teenagers, and children, games can be lots of fun. Card games, board games, video games, figure out which works best for your group.
- Card games are good because most people have cards and there are a lot of simple games. The game Spoons is a really good with a group, while something like Speed is better with just a few people. If you're playing Poker, use little pieces of chocolate or candy as money. That way it's just about fun instead of money.
- Some options for board games include Settlers of Catan, Scrabble, Bananagrams, and Clue. Clue is, especially, is an easy game to learn and fun because you get to accuse your friends of murder.
- Multi-player video games are great to play with your friends too. Have a Super Mario party or compete in the latest multiplayer racing game.
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Ashton Wu
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Ashton Wu is a Board Game expert at Shelfside. After delving into the Yugioh tournament community while growing up, Ashton launched himself into the board gaming community in 2014 and went into reviewing board games as a career full-time in 2019. His YouTube channel Shelfside has over 35K subscribers and over 4 million views, assisted by written reviews on the Shelfside website and BoardGameGeek.com. He also consults with gaming companies to build high-quality gaming products. Ashton is a tournament commentator, board game playthrough director, and host of the Shelfside Podcast, where he talks about board games with his business partner, Daniel. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in addition to the Technology Management Certificate.

Ashton Wu
Board Game Expert

As the host, you're the maestro of the game night. Welcome your guests and make them feel comfortable. Wait until everyone arrives before diving deep into the instructions – this ensures no one misses crucial details. Your goal is for everyone to have fun, regardless of their competitive spirit. This will make them eager to return for the next game night!
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Have a party. There are lots of different ways to have a fun party, even if there are only a few of you. Get creative with your party and you'll definitely have fun.
- Have a dance party. Put your iPod on shuffle and turn the lights down and dance away. You can check out dance moves on your favorite music video and have a laugh copying them.^{[2]
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  Research source} You can dress super fancy and learn some ballroom steps.
- Plan a theme party. This can be anything from a 1920s murder mystery to an Ascot tea party. This all depends on your ingenuity and that of your friends. Consider what your group is interested in and go for it.
- Have a baking or cooking party. Pick out some recipes to cook together, shop for the groceries together, and use teamwork to prepare them. You can laugh at your failures and delight in your successes.
This is a fun and easy game to play anywhere you want. A "truth" is a question they must answer truthfully. A "dare" is an activity they must perform. You can also allow a certain amount on "chickens' per person which allows them to not complete the truth or dare.

Part 3

Part 3 of 5:

Going Out Together

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You can check out the latest exhibits together and have lots to discuss after you leave. Museums and art galleries also often hold special events like lectures, film screenings, and musical performances that you could go to with your friends.
If you need a new outfit or just feel like shopping invite a friend or two to join you. If you don’t want to spend any money, go window shopping. Walk around, look at the displays in the shop windows, talk, and have fun!
Brainstorm a story, write a script, gather props, and film your movie. You can try to do it in one shot or get pro and edit all of your footage together. Then, you can have even more fun when you watch the movie together.^{[3]
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Get together for lunch or dinner. You can go out to your favorite restaurant, or eat in if you're short on money or not wanting to be in public. It'll give you a chance to chat with your friends while you eat or cook.
- If you're going out, make sure it's a place both you and your friends enjoy and that everyone can afford it.
- Having the meal at your house can save money and can be great fun. Invite your friends over and have a glass of wine while you're cooking or, enjoy a virtual meal together over video chat.^{[4]
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- You can also pack your lunch and eat it somewhere outside, like a local park.
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Hang out at your favorite coffee shop or pub. It's fun when all the servers know you by name and your drink and it can be a great way to just relax and have a quiet chat with your friends.
- Pick a time every week, or every month to meet. Try having everyone who can make it meet every first Friday of the month, for example and catch up on everything that's happening in your lives. Having it specifically scheduled means more of your friends will be able to make it.
Looking for cheap treasures at yard sales can be a ton of fun with a friend or a few friends. Watch your local newspaper for yard sale announcements during the summer months or just drive around and look for signs.

Part 4

Part 4 of 5:

Having Fun Outside

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1
Go to the park. This is great to do no matter your age. Head on out with your buddies and play a sport, throw a Frisbee or take your kids to the playground. The park is a great place to have free fun.
- You can organize a touch football game, or play basketball. You might even meet more friends that way if people ask to join you.
- Going for a run with a friend around the park can be a good way to have fun with friends when you're super busy. It's already on your schedule and even running is more fun with a good friend at your side.
- If you have kids, getting together with friends to take them to the park can make the whole experience more fun for everyone. Bring some food and turn it into a picnic. You can catch up with your friends while your kids play.
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Go to a festival or outdoor concert. Lots of cities put on free or low cost concerts, outdoor movies, plays, and festivals. Check your local newspaper for free and low cost events that you can attend with your friends.
- Check to see if outside food is permitted at the event. Sometimes you are allowed to bring your own food and drinks to outdoor concerts and plays.
- Bring blankets or folding chairs if they are permitted.
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Plan a camping trip. Camping is a great way to have fun with friends and reconnect with nature. You don’t have to go far either. You could go camping at a nearby state park or even in your own backyard.^{[5]
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- If you decide to go camping with your friends, just make sure that everyone brings their own supplies.
- You can also go on a hike with your friends and explore the different hiking trails in your area.
During the warmer months, there are races all across the country. Look for a race and register with your friends. A 5K can be a great way to have fun with your friends even if you don't like to run. Most 5Ks offer separate start times for walkers. Just go with your friends, get some exercise, and have a great time!
You can have lots of fun at a bonfire. You can roast marshmallows, make s'mores, talk with each other, and even play truth or dare.

Part 5

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Helping Others Together

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Volunteer together. Volunteering is so much more fun when you're doing it with people you like. So have a good time and know that you're helping the planet out with your actions. It'll help you feel good about yourself while doing something worthwhile and having fun.
- Volunteer a few hours a week at the local humane society. You can play with the animals and help out.
- Sign up to be a Big Brother or Big Sister with your friends and do things with your Little Brother or Sister with your friends and their Littles.
- Take a few shifts at your local soup kitchen or food bank with your buddies. If you can, try to donate food, as well<^{[6]
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Desiree Panlilio
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Desiree Panlilio is a Teen Life Coach and the Owner of Encouraging Teens, LLC. With over three years of experience, she specializes in helping teens and young adults define roles, set goals, develop healthy academic and personal habits, grow in leadership potential, and create their life paths. Desiree holds a BSN in Nursing from The University of Victoria and an MA in Human Services Counseling with a concentration in Life Coaching from Liberty University.

Desiree Panlilio

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Expert Answer

Look for free activities that you can do with your friends! That might include packing a lunch and having a picnic, playing Frisbee or softball at your local park, or hanging out and watching the sunset.

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What do I do if my friends are bored of me all the time?

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Change friends. If your friends don't appreciate you, you should find ones that do.

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What are things to do when I am bored?

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Try making something, listening to music, exploring nature, volunteering your community or playing a game.

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Ask your friends what kinds of things they would like to do before you plan a party or fun day together.

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Take a walk together. You can have lots of fun, just walking around your neighborhood or forest. You can even walk your dog.

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Have a picnic. Find a nice area and set up a blanket, bring snacks and just hang out. Also bringing a speaker is good.

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Make videos! Even if nobody ever sees them, videos are really fun to make. You can plan stories to act out in advance, record yourselves throughout the day, tell funny stories and jokes, or anything else.
If you know how to swim, go to the pool! Even if it's winter, you can usually find an indoor pool at your local community center.

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