When I make plans with a friend, most of the time, we stick to a traditional and easy-to-plan activity. This tends to either be dinner at a local restaurant or watching a big sports game at a nearby bar. While these are fun activities, without a doubt, they become a bit repetitive when your social life only revolves around dinners and bars. There are plenty of other fun social activities out there; sometimes, it just requires a bit more thinking. Here are ten suggestions for what to do with your friends when you’ve come to a standstill on what to do next.
1. Pottery Classes
Pottery classes are a great way to get your hands a bit dirty while allowing your creative side to come out. Pottery classes allow you to work with your hands through making bowls, mugs, or decorative pieces in a relaxing and enjoyable setting. Because the piece you create is one you’ll be able to bring back home, it’s something fun to remember the evening while adding to your kitchenware.
2. Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are the ultimate test of teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and fluid communication. If this is your jam, look for an escape room with a specific theme or challenge that suits your interest. For example, some escape rooms revolve around a museum heist, while others put you in the situation of a zombie apocalypse. This is a terrific way to compete against your friends on other teams while also improving your collaboration skills with those on your team.
3. Outdoor Movie Night
If you’re anything like myself, then you probably enjoying catching a movie at your local AMC and watching your favorite film on the big screen. But why pay that money for the movie theater seats and popcorn when you can watch a movie – practically for free – in the comfort of your own backyard? Bring yummy snacks, warm blankets, and, of course, popcorn! An outdoor movie night is a very fun and relaxed way to spend quality time with friends away from the business of crowded areas of town.
4. DIY Craft Projects
You don’t have to be good at art to enjoy a fun night of DIY crafts. Examples include personalized jewelry, candles, and necklaces. For the creative and imaginative types, this is especially for you. Who knows, you may even discover that you’re a better artist than you think. These types of crafts also make lovely decorations to hang up around your home.
5. Hiking Adventures
Hiking doesn’t necessarily have to be too physically demanding. There are plenty of hiking trails that are not strenuous and are more about enjoying the outdoor scenery. But if you’re more of an avid hiker, then look for local hiking trails or mountains near you that combine incredible nature with a physical challenge. Additionally, hiking with friends can motivate you if you’re lagging behind and need a motivational boost.
6. Board Game Tournament
What better way to encourage friendly yet legitimate competition than with a board game tournament? Pick out your favorite game, such as Monopoly, Sorry!, or Yahtzee. Watch as rivalries emerge and the competition grows. But with this also comes increased social bonding between friends, as conversations will likely flow beyond just talking about the game at hand. In an era of social media and digital technology, this is a great way to disconnect from screens for a bit.
7. Book Club Gathering
Reading is another way to immerse yourself in the beauty of words and disconnect from your iPhone. Reading enhances your knowledge, improves your vocabulary, and helps you become a more well-rounded individual. In a book club setting, friends can discuss their favorite novels and non-fiction stories after taking a few weeks to complete the books.
This is especially a fun way to explore new genres, exchange new viewpoints about the works, and engage in real thought-provoking conversations. If you’re looking for an excuse to get together with the same group of friends each week or each month, then a book club seems up your alley.
8. Volunteer Together
Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back to your community, allowing you to truly make a positive difference in the lives of others. Volunteering can take many forms in your local area, such as helping out at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, or after-school activities with students. Simply bringing a friend or two along to volunteer with you can make the experience all the more enjoyable and rewarding.
9. Visit an Art Gallery or Museum
Art galleries and museums offer a unique window into our world’s past while providing you with a wealth of information and historical context. (This is why field trips often bring students to museums). Art galleries offer the opportunity to view some of the world’s most famous paintings, while museums are super educational in a variety of fields.
These include science museums, planetariums, history museums, and museums dedicated to specific sports or people. Either an art gallery or a museum is a nice way to spend a day with a friend, as they combine socialization as you stroll through the museum with learning a thing or two during the excursion.
10. Karaoke at Home
Karaoke bars can be quite expensive, especially once you factor in staying for several hours and the additional cost of drinks and food. But doing karaoke at home is super simple and easy, and best of all, free! All you need is YouTube, a music speaker, and maybe a microphone. From there, sing your heart out while hoping your friends don’t judge your musical ability too much.
These are just some ideas to get you into a new routine of trying different activities with your friends. The more unique types of activities you try, the more skills you’ll learn and the more people you’ll likely meet. Here’s to expanding your horizons and branching out of your social comfort zone!
