39 Great Social Activities (For All Situations, With Examples)

Social activities help you meet new people and strengthen your relationships.

This list includes various fun social activities that are perfect for anyone to try. We’ll go over the best general social activities as well as different activities for students, adults, seniors, and other groups.

You might also like our main article with general tips on how to be more social.

Sections

1. The best social activities
2. For students
3. For adults
4. For seniors
5. For introverts
6. Activities to know each other

The best social activities

These social activities are universal, and they can work for people of any gender or age. With some creativity, they can also fit any budget or schedule.

1. Going out to eat

We all have to eat, and enjoying a meal with friends can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Invite your friends to dinner and make an effort to try new restaurants regularly to keep things fresh.

2. Board games

Grab your friends and host a board game night. See if you can rotate who hosts each month and have each person sign up to bring specific snacks and drinks.

3. Meeting up for coffee

Not everyone has the time for a full meal, but most people can meet up for a cup of coffee for half an hour. This is a low-commitment activity that can be great if you’re meeting up with someone new or trying to get to know someone better.

4. Movie nights

Instead of going to the theater, round up your friends to come over and watch movies at home. It’s obviously cheaper, and you can stop, talk, and rewind parts if you want.

5. Pick-up sports

Whether it’s soccer or basketball, almost every city has local parks where you can pick up and play. Separate the groups into teams. You can make a friendly bet where the losing team buys dinner afterward.

6. Volunteering together as a group

This social activity will help you connect with your friends and make the world a better place. Sign up for a beach clean-up or offer to do a local walk/run that supports charity.

7. Video games

Even though they sometimes get a bad rep, video games can be a great way to socialize with friends, especially if you live far apart.

8. Hiking

If you have local trails, see if a friend wants to join you on a weekend morning. Make sure you have a pair of hiking boots (you’ll need to break them in) and plenty of water and snacks.

9. Road trips

Road trips are an amazing way to connect with friends. They do require some planning, but it’s well worth it. Find a place (consider renting a house through Airbnb), determine who will drive and how you will pay for travel costs, and plan out a loose itinerary.

10. Playing tourist in your own city

If you’re bored in your hometown, grab a friend and play tourist in your own city. Try a restaurant you keep meaning to try- check out a park or shop you’ve driven by a thousand times but never stopped to visit.

Best social activities for students

College offers many opportunities for socialization. But you need to take the time and effort to take advantage of those opportunities. Here are some of the best activities to try.

1. Study groups

You already need to study for your classes, so why not combine this time with your friends? You may be more likely to retain knowledge and inspire one another. For more on the benefits of study groups, check out this article by Oxford Learning.

2. Camping trips

With all those long breaks (and a limited budget), make the most of your time by going on camping trips with friends. Camping is great because there are fewer distractions like Wi-Fi, and you’re really forced to bond with one another. You do need some basic equipment, but you can rent it or buy used gear off Craigslist.

3. Concerts

If you enjoy live music, plan on going to concerts or festivals with friends. If money is tight, check in your local area to see if there are any free events. Local bands often perform in bars, restaurants, or plazas.

4. Fundraising

Consider starting a fundraising campaign with friends to raise money for a good cause. The Fundraising Authority has a great guide for getting started.

5. Escape rooms

Escape rooms require problem-solving skills and strong communication. They’re a lot of fun, and because you’re working against the clock, it’s a great bonding activity for everyone involved.

Best social activities for adults

When you’re in your adult years, you’re probably busy with work and other obligations. But socialization is still incredibly important. Here are some easy ideas that can fit into most schedules and lifestyles.

1. Dinner parties or barbecues

If you enjoy cooking, dinner parties or barbecues are a great way to socialize with friends. If you’re concerned about all the pressure, consider having a potluck where everyone offers to bring a dish.

2. Playdates

If you have children, you’ve already probably organized many playdates. But don’t just do it for the kids. If you get along with your child’s friend’s parents, take advantage of their playdate to catch up and socialize.

3. Group fitness classes

We all know that exercise is important, but you can have fun with your friends while doing it! Consider signing up for a yoga or dance class near you. Even though you won’t be talking much during the class, there’s time to catch up before and after.

4. Double dates

Socializing as a couple can be a lot of fun, especially once you start making friends as a team. Best of all? You can strengthen your relationship with your partner by getting to know their friends better. Don’t complicate it – even having dinner together can initiate a new friendship.

If you feel like going further on your common relationships, you can adapt some ideas from this list of things to do as a couple.

5. Scuba-diving lessons

Many people are fascinated by the ocean, and if scuba-diving is on your bucket list, why not grab a friend and sign up for a class together? You will get to explore the deep sea and probably have amazing stories to tell everyone afterward!

Here are more ideas on fun things and activities to do with friends.

Best social activities for seniors

Social activities for seniors can reduce the chance of loneliness and depression. Here are some ideas to try.

1. Group walks

Walking is a low-impact activity where you can socialize and get exercise at the same time. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes to get started. Instead of driving to your next errand, ask a friend if they’d like to walk with you.

2. Water aerobics classes

These classes are also low-impact, which means they can be great for people with health issues or chronic pain. Many community centers host water aerobics or swimming. Most of the time, you don’t need any previous experience – the teacher will show you what to do.

3. Book clubs

If you enjoy reading, book clubs are a great way to socialize with friends. Most book clubs meet once a month or every other month. During these groups, you will usually discuss the book in detail and share snacks and drinks.

4. Puzzle parties

Grab a group of friends for a puzzle night. Whether you’re completing jigsaw, crossword, or sudoku puzzles, these brain activities are good for the mind and spirit.

5. Group tours

Many companies hold tours for seniors interested in going places like casinos, national parks, or even international trips. Traveling with a group can be safer than traveling alone, and you will get to socialize with new friends while exploring somewhere new.

Social activities for introverts

Some people think that introverts only enjoy being alone. Though they indeed enjoy being by themselves, introverts still need socialization! Even if spending time with people drains you, it’s important to find social activities that help you connect with others.

1. Cycling

If you are not in the mood for too much conversation, cycling with a few friends is a perfect activity to enjoy their company without the need to talk for hours on end.

2. Dancing

Dancing reduces the amount of small talk needed at a social gathering. You can also enjoy ballroom dances, in which you only need to invest social energy in your partner.

3. Volunteering

Not all volunteering involves lots of people working together and talking out loud in a shared space. Introverts can volunteer for tasks involving one-on-one interactions, for example.

4. Visiting a museum

Visiting a museum with a couple of friends is a great way of socializing in a quiet environment. It also creates an opportunity to talk about something specific and interesting, leaving less space for empty small talk.

5. Taking a class

Introverts can invest their social energy in learning new skills. People taking the same class socialize naturally in a low-pressure environment. You will be around like-minded people without the need to be involved in random conversations all the time.

6. Learning a language

Language learning can work very similarly to taking a generic class. In addition, learning a new language makes it easier for you to travel abroad without the burden of depending on large and noisy groups.

7. Gaming

Gaming is another excellent activity for introverts to socialize. People usually play with one or a few friends, and most of the time, they talk about the game itself. Role-play games can also improve your social skills in a safe environment.

8. Cinema

A trip to the cinema is a good activity for introverts to share with friends. Everybody is together, but for the most part, they will be watching the movie in the silence of a dark room.

9. Hiking

Usually, hiking is about connecting with nature while also getting physical exercise, a real treat for introverts! Go with one or two friends who enjoy beautiful scenery, exercise, and relaxed conversations.

10. Knitting

Knitting and similar handmade activities—like crocheting, embroidering, and sewing—require people to have some focus. An introvert can enjoy small knitting classes or knitting circles without too much social pressure.

For more suggestions on activities for introverts, check out our master guide on the best activities for introverts.

Social activities to get to know each other

If you’ve already met someone that you like, it’s a good idea to pursue social activities to get to know each other. These activities can help solidify your relationship.

1. Paint nights

Art is a low-pressure way to connect while also creating something. Many art studios host these nights where you follow an instructor’s directions to paint a picture. The classes last a few hours, and participants can typically bring food and drinks.

2. Dog parks

If you both have a dog, ask if they want to go to the dog park with you. Because it’s just an hour or so, it’s a simple commitment, and you can connect while talking about a mutual interest you both love (your beloved pets!).

3. Wine tasting

Wine tasting can last anywhere from an hour to the entire day, depending on how you do it. It’s a great way to socialize, try new wines and cheeses, and have a good time.

4. Traveling

If you really want to take your friendship to the next step, traveling is one of the best ways to do it. Of course, traveling can be risky because you’re spending so much time together. But if you both have a desire to visit the same place, it might be worth discussing if you should plan a vacation!

Our comprehensive guide has more tips on how to make friends being an introvert.