It’s really easy to find yourself in a rut where you do the same things each day. Following a schedule can be important, but it can also become boring if you don’t try anything new.
This article will give you some insight into what other people do in their free time. Hopefully, it will also teach you some new ideas for how to have fun.
See our main guide on how to meet people and find friends.
Sections
What do people do after work?
Some people end up just watching TV or scrolling through their phone all night. But other people choose to engage in meaningful hobbies. They might hang out with their friends or family, or they may spend time on another side hustle to make more money.
Go to the gym
Many people exercise after work. The gym can help you release the stress from a long day. It can also give you a chance to socialize. If you don’t belong to a gym, you might consider going for a jog or working out at home.
Go out to dinner
Whether you go solo or with friends, going to dinner after work gives you something enjoyable to look forward to. It’s a great way to disconnect from work.
Spend time with pets
Dog parks and local trails are often crowded after work. People want to spend time with their pets after being away from them all day! Even just playing catch at home can give you something enjoyable to do.
Work on a passion project
Whether you’re writing a novel or making your first vegetable garden, having hobbies gives you a sense of purpose and meaning. It’s fun to have creative outlets after work. They give you something enjoyable to look forward to at the end of the day.
What do friends do together?
Good friends enjoy spending time together. When you feel close to someone, just being in their presence feels good. Sometimes, friends connect just by talking. Other times, they connect through activities, like going out to eat, playing video games, hiking, working out, or shopping.
If you’re looking for hangout ideas, think about the common interests that you have with your friends. For example, if you all enjoy the outdoors, you can go to the beach or on a hike. If you like watching movies, going to a movie theater is an easy solution.
Here are some more specific ideas you can try.
Common things friends do in the summer
In the summertime, the days are long and warm, which makes it easy to enjoy outdoor activities. If you live somewhere that gets very hot, prioritize places that can keep you cool, like pools, lakes, or the ocean.
Going mini-golfing
If you only have an hour or two, mini-golf is great to do with a small group (2-4 people tops). You can make a friendly competition where the loser has to buy everyone dinner next time.
Festivals and outdoor concerts
If you like listening to live music for fun, summertime is the season for festivals, concerts, and shows. Chances are, at least one of your friends will be happy to join you.
Going on a bike ride
This can be a great activity when you’re just getting to know someone. That’s because you aren’t forced to stare at each other and make conversation. Instead, you’re focusing on the exercise and talking every so often.
Visiting an amusement park
Amusement parks are great if you want to spend an entire day with a friend or group of friends. Try to make sure it’s an even count of people- you don’t want someone to always have to ride alone.
Going to a county fair
Fairs have endless sources of entertainment. From going on rides to eating crazy food combinations to playing carnival games, you can spend anywhere from an hour to all day there.
Common things friends do in the winter
Depending on where you live, you may have to get creative in the winter. Bad weather can make it challenging to spend time together.
Outdoor activities
If you live in a snowy climate, outdoor activities can be a blast with friends. If you don’t know how to ski or snowboard, ask a friend if they’re willing to teach you (or take a class with you). You can also try ice-skating, snowshoeing, or sledding- you can learn how to do these activities without formal classes.
Meeting up for coffee or hot chocolate
This is a good idea if you want to connect more with someone. Coffee shops are a fairly universal meeting place, and you can stay for as long or as little as you need.
Browsing a record or bookstore
If the weather outside is bad, this is an easy indoor activity that doesn’t require much money. You only have to pay for what you buy. It’s an easy way to spend an afternoon with friends who share the same interest as you.
Bowling
If you want to spend time with a group of friends, bowling is a lot of fun. It’s an activity that doesn’t require a big learning curve, which makes it an easy activity for everyone.
Driving or walking around neighborhoods with Christmas lights
Many people start decorating their homes just after Thanksgiving. Some neighborhoods even coordinate together and hold events for people who want to visit. This is a great activity to do with friends. If you’re not sure where to look, you can always do a Google search with your city name + Christmas lights to see what results show up.
Common things friends do on weekends
Most people have more free time on their weekends. If you’re looking for some new ideas, consider these options.
Local staycation
Staycations can be a great way to connect with friends over the weekend. Try and find a destination within 1-3 hours away from your home. Booking an AirBNB or cabin makes it easy for you all to stay together. If you enjoy camping, you might want to consider that as an option as well.
Just make sure that you discuss payment terms ahead of time. You want everyone to be on the same page for who contributes what.
Farmer’s markets
Many cities have farmer’s markets on the weekends. This is a great way to spend a morning or early afternoon, especially if you need to get groceries. You can also grab brunch at one of the stands.
Physical challenges (mud runs, Spartan races)
If you like being active, gather a group of friends and sign up for a fitness challenge or obstacle-based event. If it’s really advanced, you can even create a training schedule and work out with each other.
Improv nights
Improv is a great way to laugh and bond with your friends. If you’re on a tight budget, many studios host low-cost events featuring new comedians. You can also usually find discounted tickets online.
Escape rooms
This is a great activity that tests the communication between you and your friends. To complete the challenge, you have to solve various clues before time runs out. These rooms can be a lot of fun, and they promote a sense of team-building.
What to do with your friends at home
Hanging out at home can also be a lot of fun. Here are some ideas for keeping it low-key.
Share a meal together
It’s no secret that food is a universal way to connect with other people. Invite your friends over for a potluck dinner or barbecue. You can even make it a weekly event where you rotate at one another’s home.
Game nights
If you and your friends enjoy playing board games, offer to host a game night at your house. Ask everyone to bring an appetizer or drink. It’s a good idea to choose the game ahead of time. If you’re not sure, ask everyone to vote on which game they want to play.
Karaoke
Even if you feel shy or awkward, singing with friends can be a lot of fun. All you need is a karaoke set. Don’t take it too seriously- it’s perfectly okay to have a terrible voice. Having a silly time makes it all worth it.
Spa night
Have everyone bring their favorite facial products, nail polish, and robes. Provide some light snacks like fruits, vegetables, and crackers. Turn on some relaxing music and chat while doing face masks and painting nails.
What to do with your best friend
They’re your best friend, so you already enjoy each other’s company. But if you two keep doing the same thing every time, it’s easy to feel bored. Here are some fun ideas.
Play tourist in your own city
Pretend you’re brand-new visitors. Try that restaurant all the tourists love. Visit that park you’ve driven by a thousand times. And be sure to take a ton of pictures and buy a random souvenir somewhere!
Run errands together
Invite your best friend for a day of errands. We all have a million tasks to do. Why not make car washes and grocery runs more enjoyable by bonding with one another?
Volunteer together
Spend a day cleaning up the beach or helping out at a homeless shelter. You’ll spend quality time with the person you love while making the world a better place.
What do friends talk about?
Participating in hobbies together makes spending time enjoyable.
But if you don’t know how to keep a conversation going, it’s easy to feel awkward or insecure. Good friendships require both quality time with engaging conversation. You have to know how to talk to someone for them to like your company!
Friends might talk about…
- Hobbies
- Themselves
- Thoughts and reflections
- Things that have happened
- Dreams
- Worries
- Movies
- Music
- News
See our main guide on what people talk about.
