Guides

🎉 40 Cheap Things to Do With Friends

By the We-Collided team · Updated October 2026 · 3 min read

Spending time with friends doesn't have to mean spending a lot of money. Some of the best memories come from simple plans. Here are forty ideas that cost little or nothing, sorted so you can find something for any mood, budget or weather.

At home

1. Potluck dinner. Everyone brings one dish. Pick a theme like tacos, breakfast-for-dinner or "food from where your family's from."
2. Board game or card night. Classic games, party games or a long strategy game with snacks.
3. Movie marathon. Pick a series or a theme and vote on the order.
4. Cook something new together. Homemade pizza, dumplings or fresh pasta are fun group projects.
5. Video game tournament. Brackets make it more exciting.
6. Karaoke night. Free lyric videos and a living room are all you need.
7. Craft night. Paint, make bracelets, build models, or try a simple DIY project.
8. Puzzle night. A big jigsaw puzzle and good music.
9. Swap party. Trade clothes, books or games you don't use anymore.
10. Bake-off. Everyone makes the same recipe and you vote on the winner.

Outdoors

11. Picnic in a park. Bring a blanket, snacks and a frisbee.
12. Sunrise or sunset walk. Pick a spot with a view.
13. Hike a local trail. Many state and city parks are free.
14. Bike ride. Find a greenway or bike trail.
15. Stargazing. Drive a little outside town, bring blankets and a stargazing app.
16. Pickup sports. Basketball, volleyball, soccer or kickball.
17. Fishing at a public lake. Check your local license rules.
18. Photo walk. Everyone takes photos around a theme, then you compare.
19. Campfire night. Where it's allowed, with s'mores.
20. Disc golf. Most courses are free to play.

Around town

21. Free museum days. Many museums have free or pay-what-you-can hours.
22. Library events. Libraries host game nights, workshops and movie screenings.
23. Farmers market. Sample food and grab breakfast.
24. Thrift store challenge. Set a small budget and find the best outfit.
25. Trivia night. Many bars and restaurants host free trivia.
26. Open mic night. Go to watch, or sign up together.
27. Explore a new neighborhood. Walk around and try one cheap snack spot.
28. Window shopping and coffee. Classic for a reason.
29. Free concerts and festivals. Check your city's events calendar.
30. Volunteer together. Food banks, animal shelters and park cleanups always need help.

Something a little different

31. Learn a skill together from free online videos, like juggling, a dance or a new language.
32. Start a book or podcast club. Meet once a month to talk about it.
33. Plan a "yes day". Take turns picking free activities and everyone says yes.
34. Scavenger hunt. Make a list of things to find or photograph around town.
35. Make a group playlist and listen to it on a drive.
36. Time capsule. Write letters to your future selves and pick a date to open them.
37. Workout buddies. Free workout videos, a run, or a park fitness circuit.
38. Car wash day. Wash each other's cars with music on.
39. Themed dress-up dinner. Pick a decade or movie and dress the part.
40. Make a "friend tradition". Same place, same day each month. Traditions keep friendships going.

Make the plan actually happen

The hardest part is getting everyone together. Pick a date first, then the activity. Send one clear message with the what, when and where, and ask people to reply yes or no. On We-Collided, you can send a plan to a friend in chat and they tap "Count me in". Once you're together, collide to save the memory.