The Ultimate List of Fun Things to Do With Friends
You know those moments that become stories you tell for years? The ones where you’re laughing so hard you can’t breathe, or where a simple coffee date turns into a three-hour heart-to-heart? Those aren’t just happy accidents – they’re the result of making time for fun things to do with friends. Whether you’re looking to strengthen old bonds or deepen new ones, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve gathered activities for every mood and moment, organized into 10 categories (catch up, hang out at home, get creative, play games, learn something new, relax and unwind, enjoy music together, have fun outdoors, take a trip, and make a difference) that match whatever energy you’re bringing to the table. Sometimes, you want to plan an elaborate dinner party, and other times, you just need to curl up on someone’s couch and watch bad movies together. Both are equally valid ways to nurture those friendships that make life richer.
Let’s dive into these ideas that’ll help you create more of those “remember when…” moments with your favorite people.
1. Catch Up
We’ve all had that moment – scrolling through Instagram, double-tapping your friend’s vacation photos, when you realize you can’t remember the last time you had a real conversation. You know, the kind where you’re not just trading emoji reactions but actually sharing those “you won’t believe what happened” stories that make friendship so special.
Phone Call
Remember when phone calls were just what we did? These days, finding that perfect moment to catch up feels like scheduling a mini-event, but it’s worth it. Maybe it’s during your evening walk or that quiet Sunday morning when the world hasn’t quite woken up yet—dial up your friend and spend time just focusing on your friend’s voice, sharing life updates.
To keep the conversation flowing, check out these questions to ask your friends.
Virtual Meeting
Even better than a phone call is a virtual meetup. With today’s technology, you can connect with friends from anywhere in the world and see their smiling faces as if you were in the same room.
Gone are the days of pixelated faces and the eternal “Can you hear me now?” dance (mostly). Virtual hangouts have evolved into their own kind of magic. Picture this: you’re taking a virtual walk together, pointing out neighborhood characters (“Oh, there’s that dog who always wears rainboots!”), or attempting to cook the same recipe across time zones.
Those little screen boxes somehow capture the best moments – your friend’s expression when they finally nail that guitar chord you’ve been teaching them or the collective gasp when that plot twist hits during virtual movie night.
Tip: Get it on the calendar. We all know “let’s do this again soon!” rarely happens without a set time.
Coffee or Lunch Date
There’s something irreplaceable about sharing space with a friend, watching their face light up as they tell you about their latest adventure. Whether it’s your regular spot where the barista knows your order or that new café you’ve both been meaning to try, these meetups have a way of turning “quick coffee” into two-hour conversations that feel like minutes.
Group Hangout
Invite your entire friend group to hang out with no agenda. Sometimes, the best moments come from just existing in the same space: a few friends working on their laptops at a café, others sharing random social media finds, all while someone absentmindedly strums a guitar in the corner. It’s comfortable chaos at its finest.
2. Hang Out at Home
Sometimes, the best adventures happen right in your living room. No need to fight traffic or worry about reservations – just good friends, comfy clothes, and zero pressure to be “on.”
Dinner Party
Turn your kitchen into the cozy neighborhood restaurant everyone wishes they knew about. Whether you’re channeling your inner chef with a full spread or everyone’s bringing their signature dish, dinner parties create their own kind of warmth. Those moments between bites, when stories flow freely, and someone always ends up in the kitchen offering to “help” (aka sample everything) – that’s what we’re really hungry for.
Movie Night
There’s an art to the perfect movie night: blankets at the ready, snacks within arm’s reach, and that one friend who always falls asleep halfway through but swears they’re “just resting their eyes.” Whether you’re introducing someone to your favorite classic or collectively experiencing that new release everyone’s been talking about, there’s something special about sharing those reactions in real-time.
Alternatively, consider going to a drive-in movie for a nostalgic experience that often offers cheaper tickets compared to traditional theaters and allows you to talk or laugh as loudly as you want to.
Sports-Themed Party
Even if you don’t know a touchdown from a home run, sports-themed parties are about capturing that stadium energy without the overpriced parking. Deck out your space in team colors, set up that snack spread that would make any concession stand jealous, and embrace the collective joy (or agony) of watching together.
Murder Mystery Party
Who knew your quiet accountant friend could be such a convincing suspect? Murder mystery parties turn your living room into a playground of suspicion and badly attempted accents. Whether you’re working with a pre-made kit or crafting your own whodunit, there’s something hilarious about watching your friends channel their inner detectives – especially when someone gets a little too into character.
3. Get Creative
Remember when making something meant more than just typing on a keyboard? Those moments when you create something with your hands, whether it’s beautiful or beautifully disastrous, have a way of bringing out the best kinds of conversations and laughter.
Arts and Crafts
Set up an arts and crafts session with your friends. Whether you’re attempting painting, drawing, sculpting, scrapbooking, or even something more complicated like woodworking or jewelry-making – it’s the creative process that counts. Plus, you get to walk away with tangible memories, even if they end up being “modern art.”
Cook or Bake Together
The kitchen becomes a whole different place when friends gather there. Between debating the proper way to dice an onion and trying to figure out why the recipe “just doesn’t taste like mom’s,” cooking together turns meal prep into its own kind of party. And there’s nothing quite like the shared triumph when that complicated recipe actually works – or the shared laughter when it definitely doesn’t.
For an extra dose of fun, host a friendly bake-off to showcase your baking skills and creativity while enjoying some friendly competition.
DIY Projects
Ever notice how a “quick weekend project” often turns into an epic saga? That’s exactly what makes DIY with friends so memorable. Whether you’re upcycling furniture or attempting to build something from those suspiciously sparse instructions, having friends along for the ride turns “How does this piece fit?” into an afternoon of problem-solving and impromptu comedy. Sure, that bookshelf might lean a little to the left, but it’s got a story.
Vision Boards
Think of it as Pinterest coming to life but with better snacks and real conversation. Spread out magazines, stickers, and dreams across the floor, and watch how everyone’s personality shines through their choices. Between cutting out pictures and sharing the stories behind them, vision boards become less about the future and more about understanding each other right now. Plus, someone always finds that perfectly ridiculous magazine headline that becomes the group’s inside joke for months.
4. Play Games
What better way to bond with friends than by playing a good game? Whether you’re looking for something competitive or fun, there’s a game out there to suit everyone.
Indoor Games
There’s something about breaking out a board game that transforms an ordinary evening into an event. Maybe it’s the way someone always “forgets” the rules to Monopoly (until they’re winning) or how a simple card game turns your quietest friend into a strategic mastermind. Add bonus points for creative rule interpretations, dramatic readings of Chance cards, or successfully trading someone’s “Get Out of Jail Free” card for real-life favors.
Between heated Catan negotiations, button-mashing Mario Kart races, and trivia nights where someone always knows suspiciously specific facts about maritime history, games permit us to be playfully competitive while creating those “remember when” moments. Just remember to rotate who picks the game – we all have that friend who’d choose Monopoly every single time if we let them.
If you have a group of four, try out the Vietnamese card game Tien Len (also known as 13)! It’s addictive – you and your friends have been warned!
Outdoor Games
When sunshine calls, a whole new world of play opens up. Maybe you’re channeling your inner Olympian with an impromptu volleyball match or keeping it casual with a frisbee that somehow always finds the one tree in an empty field. The fresh air adds a dash of energy to whatever game you choose.
Sports like basketball and soccer bring out everyone’s competitive spirit, while bocce ball and croquet offer a more leisurely pace for catching up between turns.
Looking for something different? Try geocaching – it’s like a treasure hunt meets hiking, where “slight left at the oak tree” becomes a 30-minute group debate about what exactly counts as an oak.
And if the weather turns, or you’re craving a different kind of group challenge, consider an escape room. Whether you’re decoding clues or trying to figure out why your friend thought that bookshelf was definitely a secret door (sometimes it actually is!), escape rooms are a fun way to turn confusion into cooperation, from “We have no idea what we’re doing” into “Did we just solve that puzzle in record time?!”
5. Learn Something New
Remember that time you swore you’d never learn to bake bread, and now you’re texting your friends about sourdough starters? There’s something wonderfully encouraging about tackling new skills with your favorite people cheering you on. Those shared “we have no idea what we’re doing” moments often turn into the best stories – and hey, sometimes you actually learn something new in the process.
Book Club
Book clubs are less about literary analysis and more about those tangents that start with “This reminds me of…” and end with everyone sharing their most embarrassing dating stories. Whether you’re dissecting plot twists or just using the book as an excuse to share a cheese board, these monthly meetups create space for conversations you didn’t even know you needed. Find a cozy corner at your local library or claim that back table at the neighborhood café.
Cooking Class
Ever tried measuring “a splash” or cooking something “until it looks right” with a group of friends? Cooking classes turn kitchen chaos into culinary adventures. Someone always adds too much garlic, and there’s usually that one friend who treats recipe steps more like gentle suggestions. But between the chopping and the chatting, you might just master that pasta sauce you’ve been ordering takeout for. Virtual cooking classes are a great option if you can’t be in the same physical space.
Dance Class
Left foot, right foot… no, your other right foot. Dance classes are perfect for those moments when you realize nobody in your friend group actually knows what “step-ball-change” means, but you’re all willing to figure it out together. From salsa to swing, there’s something hilarious about watching each other transform from “Which way do I turn?” to actually getting through a whole song without collisions.
Language Class
Picture your whole crew stumbling through pronunciation together, where “Where is the bathroom?” becomes a three-act drama. Language classes give you built-in study buddies and people to practice with who won’t judge when you accidentally order “shoes” instead of “juice.” Plus, you’ll have friends to travel with once you’ve mastered more than just asking for directions to the library – though that’s a pretty useful place to start.
6. Relax and Unwind
Between deadline-chasing, endless notifications, and that growing mountain of laundry, we could all use a breather. Sometimes, the best thing you can do with friends is absolutely nothing (well, almost nothing).
Spa Day
Remember that feeling when you sink into a massage chair and immediately forget about the email you were stressing over? Now multiply that by having your best friends there, too. Whether you’re sharing knowing looks during facials or swapping stories in the steam room, spending a few hours at the spa with friends is simply the best.
Manicure/Pedicure
There’s something wonderfully ridiculous about sitting in massage chairs together, feet soaking in warm water while trying not to mess up your fresh polish. It’s the perfect mix of pampering and catching up – where else can you gossip about work while someone turns your calluses into silk?
Don’t want to leave the house? Turn your living room into a nail salon. Sure, you might get polish on the carpet, but that’s what memories are made of.
Yoga Class
Ever tried to hold a warrior pose while your friend makes faces at you from their mat? Yoga with friends turns “namaste” into “nama-slay.” Even if you can barely touch your toes, it’s amazing how much more fun wobbling through balance poses becomes when you’re doing it together. Whether you’re following a YouTube guru in your living room or joining a local class, there’s something special about growing stronger and more flexible alongside your friends – both literally and figuratively.
Meditation
Before you skip this one, thinking it’s too serious – hear us out. Meditation with friends doesn’t have to mean sitting in perfect silence, pretending you’ve achieved enlightenment. Start small: maybe it’s just a minute of shared silence before diving into brunch or doing a walking meditation where you notice five beautiful things on your neighborhood stroll. You might be surprised how quickly those shared quiet moments become your favorite part of hanging out.
Self-Care Party
Think of it as a slumber party, but make it wellness. Invite your friends over, put on those green face masks that make you look like aliens, and embrace the ridiculousness of it all. Set up different stations – maybe a corner for hand massages and another for aromatherapy. Put on some chill music, break out the healthy snacks you actually enjoy, and create a space where everyone can just breathe. Sometimes, the best self-care is caring for each other.
7. Enjoy Music Together
You know that moment when a song comes on, and everyone’s eyes light up with recognition? There’s something almost magical about listening to music with friends – whether you’re belting out lyrics together or discovering you both had the same band’s poster on your wall in high school.
Virtual Dance Party
Get together for a virtual dance party! Choose an upbeat, happy music playlist to get the party started. Take turns picking songs, learn trending TikTok dances together, or create your own choreography. Whether you’re perfecting viral dance moves or just freestyle dancing, you’ll all have a blast as you move and groove together from the comfort of your own homes.
Karaoke Night
There’s a beautiful moment at every karaoke night when someone who swore they “don’t sing in public” finds themselves center stage, passionately performing their secret shower song. Whether you’re the one who’s been practicing your power ballad for weeks or the designated backup dancer, karaoke has a way of turning even the most reserved among us into temporary rock stars.
Open Mic Night
Local open mics are where you discover that your quiet coworker has a secret life as a folk singer or that the barista at your coffee shop writes incredible poetry. Grab a table near the back where you can properly appreciate both the music and your friend’s running commentary on each performance.
Live Concert
From intimate venues where you can see the guitarist’s fingers move to festival days where you’re all sharing one overpriced bottle of water, live music hits different with friends. Maybe it’s swaying together during the slow songs, trading knowing looks when they play “your” song, or that moment when you’re all jumping in unison with a crowd of strangers who, just for that chorus, feel like family.
8. Have Fun Outdoors
It’s a scientific fact that being outside makes you happy. Combine the great outdoors with your friends, and you’ve got the recipe for a fantastic day!
Picnic in the Park
There’s something wonderfully simple about spreading out a blanket and creating an impromptu outdoor living room for all your friends to enjoy. Maybe you went all out with a cheese board and fresh fruit, or maybe it’s just takeout containers and paper napkins. The real feast is the conversation that flows easier somehow when you’re lounging in dappled sunlight, watching dogs play nearby, and sharing those cookies someone remembered to bring.
Bike Ride
Remember the freedom of riding bikes as a kid? That feeling hasn’t gone anywhere. Whether you’re wobbling on rental bikes through city parks or hitting proper trails, there’s something about cycling that turns adults back into gleeful teenagers. No need to be Tour de France ready – the best rides are the ones where you stop too many times to take photos, get slightly lost, and discover that coffee shop you’ve somehow never noticed before.
Scavenger Hunt
Turn your neighborhood into an adventure playground with a group scavenger hunt. Create clues that only your friends would get (“Find the cafe where Sarah spilled an entire smoothie on her first date”), or keep it simple with photo challenges (“Take a picture with something blue that isn’t the sky”). The real fun is watching your normally dignified friends strike ridiculous poses with public art or sprint across parks chasing the next clue.
Explore Nature
Hiking
Whether you’re conquering mountain trails or just wandering through your local park, hiking with friends transforms “exercise” into “adventure.” Someone always brings too many snacks (thank goodness), another forgets water (we’ve got you covered), and somehow, the steepest uphill becomes bearable when you’re all panting and laughing together. Those trail markers might say it’s two miles, but we measure hikes in stories told and views shared.
Beach Trip
The beach has a way of turning adults into kids again. Between building sandcastles, attempting to read books while getting sand absolutely everywhere, and braving the waves together, time moves differently by the ocean. Pack more snacks than you think you need, triple the sunscreen you planned to bring, and don’t forget a speaker for those sunset playlists.
Camping
There’s nothing quite like sitting around a campfire with friends, watching sparks drift up toward the stars while someone attempts to tell scary stories that end up more funny than frightening. Between the slightly charred s’mores, the collective effort to put up tents (why are there always extra stakes?), and those late-night conversations that feel deeper somehow under the stars, camping has a way of strengthening friendships that’s worth every mosquito bite.
Sporting Event
Whether it’s a baseball game on a warm summer evening or your local soccer team’s match, live sports have a way of turning even your most sports-hesitant friends into enthusiastic participants. Half the fun is joining the crowd energy, sharing those overpriced nachos, and creating your own commentary.
Tip: check out minor league and local games – the seats are closer, the snacks are cheaper, and the mascot’s dance moves alone are worth the price of admission.
9. Take a Trip
Ever notice how a change of scenery with your friends can turn even the most mundane moments into stories you’ll be laughing about months later? Whether it’s a quick day trip or that long-planned weekend escape, there’s something about traveling together that brings out the best (and most hilarious) in everyone.
Explore Your City
Sometimes, the best adventures are hiding right under our noses. You know that coffee shop you drive past every day? Bet you’ve never tried their secret menu item. Or that street art you’ve been meaning to check out? Time to grab a friend or two and play tourist in your own town.
Start by checking your local community calendar – many cities offer free events ranging from outdoor concerts to art gallery openings and cultural festivals.
A great day could start with meeting up with your friends at your local farmers’ market, where someone in your group will inevitably buy way too many pastries (but we’re not complaining). Then let the day unfold: maybe you’ll discover that hidden bookstore where you all end up sprawled on floor cushions, sharing random passages from books you’ve found. Or, go secondhand shopping at thrift stores and spend the day in a friendly competition to find the best treasures.
The best part? Your city transforms with the seasons. Spring means cherry blossoms and pop-up markets where your friends debate whether anyone actually needs another plant (answer: yes). Summer calls for museum-hopping – partly for the culture, mostly for the air conditioning. Fall brings harvest festivals where you all pretend to be sophisticated wine tasters. And winter? That’s when your group chat lights up with “guys, the holiday market is back!” messages, and suddenly, you’re all sipping hot chocolate while shopping for gifts at cute local businesses.
Sightseeing Tour
Living next to that famous landmark doesn’t mean you’ve really experienced it. Round up your friends for a local tour and watch how the quiet history buff in your crew suddenly comes alive, pointing out architectural details or how that ghost tour you’ve walked past a hundred times becomes a frightening yet enjoyable evening of jumping at creaky floorboards together.
Weekend Getaway
Whether it’s that cabin by the lake where the WiFi is questionable but the views are unbeatable or that small town three hours away that someone swears has the best tacos ever, sometimes 48 hours away with your friends is all you need to reset.
Road Trip
Name a better bonding experience than being trapped in a car with your friends for hours. Between the snack bag that somehow empties before you hit the first rest stop, the playlist that ranges from throwback hits to “Wait, how do you know this song?”, and the inevitable moment when Google Maps betrays you – road trips create their own kind of magic. Sure, someone will fall asleep and miss their DJ shift, and yes, you’ll probably take a “quick detour” that adds two hours to the trip. But those unplanned moments? They create the best memories!
10. Make a Difference
Here’s something we all know but sometimes forget in our busy lives: kindness matters. And there’s something especially powerful about rolling up your sleeves alongside your friends to make your corner of the world a little brighter.
Volunteering
There are many ways to be kind and give back. Whether you’re delivering meals (and getting delightfully lost together), organizing at the food bank (where someone always finds that mysterious canned good no one can identify), or socializing shelter cats (yes, professional pet cuddling is actually a thing), volunteering together with friends turns otherwise mundane tasks into memorable moments.
Fundraising
Organizing a fundraising event or charity drive is another great way to do good in your community. Find an organization that aligns with your values, and then get together with friends to plan a fundraiser. From charity runs where your group chat blows up with training updates (“Just ran 3 miles!” “…to the ice cream shop?”), to online fundraisers where you discover your quiet friend is secretly a social media genius, there are countless ways to support causes you care about.
Final Thoughts
You know what’s amazing about all these activities? Whether you’re curled up on the couch for movie night in your favorite worn-out sweatshirt or deep in the woods on a camping trip where someone inevitably forgets the marshmallows, each moment adds another story to your friendship. Some of our best memories come from those “let’s just grab coffee”meetups that somehow turn into three-hour conversations about everything and nothing at all.
And here’s something that might make you smile: scientists have actually proven what we’ve known all along: people with strong social connections live happier, healthier, and longer lives. It’s like having a good friend is nature’s stress reliever. That’s why it’s important to make keeping in touch with friends a priority in your life.
So, pick something from this list that feels right for you and your friends. Maybe it’s finally starting that monthly book club that spends more time sharing snacks than discussing chapters or turning your regular grocery run into a friend date. The activity almost doesn’t matter – it’s about creating those little pockets of time that naturally turn into happy memories.
Here’s to all the laughs, stories, and adventures ahead!
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