As Americans, we spend a lot of money on entertainment. If you break down your income and expenses (better known as “budgeting”), you might be surprised to see how much money you spend on passing the time. Even a visit to a free park often includes stopping for a pricey beverage to take along. But don’t blame yourself; it’s part of our culture. Marketing and advertising constantly tell us we must spend money to have fun.
When it comes down to it, though, you can enjoy many activities and events for free. There are countless ways to have a great time without spending a dime, from exploring your local parks and museums to taking up a new hobby or attending free concerts. And it feels great to be guilt-free knowing you didn’t spend money you should not have. It doesn’t matter where you live, either. Whether you are in a big city or live in the country, breaking the bank isn’t necessary to have fun.
Our parents and grandparents rarely spent money on entertainment. And when they did, it was a really big deal. Go ahead and ask them what they used to do for fun. You’ll get some interesting answers, and you’ll gain a wealth of information about your heritage and your ancestors.
We’ve compiled a list of 75 free fun things to do to help you get in the groove of enjoying yourself without paying the price, literally. So get ready to explore, learn, and have fun for free!
75 Free and Fun Activities
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- Take a walk in a local park or trail.
- Write a poem or short story about something that inspires you.
- Learn a new language using free online resources.
- Volunteer at a local charity or nonprofit organization.
- Get into a really good book.
- Create a vision board to help visualize your goals and dreams.
- Attend a free community event or festival.
- Explore a nearby hiking trail or nature reserve.
- Meditate or practice yoga with a YouTube video.
- Join a book club to find new books and make friends.
- Listen to a new podcast or audiobook.
- Take a free online course to learn a new skill or subject.
- Watch a classic movie for the first time.
- Start a journal to reflect on your thoughts and feelings.
- Draw or paint a picture using free online tutorials.
- Attend a free concert or music festival.
- Write a letter to a family member you don’t stay in touch with.
- Have a picnic in a local park or beach.
- Practice mindfulness and gratitude to improve your mental health.
- Attend a free workshop or seminar on a foreign topic.
- Learn a new instrument using free online tutorials.
- Do a DIY project using materials you already have at home.
- Have a family night with board card games.
- Take a free online fitness class or follow a workout video.
- Watch a documentary on a topic that interests you.
- Visit a local brewery for a free tour.
- Have a movie marathon with friends or family.
- Write a short story or script and act it out with friends or family.
- Attend a free outdoor movie screening.
- Go stargazing on a clear night.
- Have a game night with friends or family.
- Take a free online photography course and practice your skills.
- Have a karaoke night with friends or family.
- Research your family history using free online tools.
- Attend a free community fitness class or group exercise session.
- Do a puzzle or brain teaser to exercise your mind.
- Create a gratitude list to focus on the positive aspects of life.
- Have a DIY spa day with homemade face masks and other treatments.
- Visit a nearby historical site or landmark to learn local history.
- Host a potluck dinner with friends or family.
- Take a free online writing course to improve your skills.
- Go for a walk or run to stay active.
- Have a picnic in your own backyard.
- Watch a play or theater performance online.
- Go on a bike ride in your local area.
- Learn how to do calligraphy using free online resources.
- Visit a nearby animal sanctuary or free zoo.
- Learn how to sew or mend clothes using free online tutorials.
- Attend a free lecture or seminar on something you want to learn about.
- Take a free online course on personal finance or investing.
- Play frisbee in the park
- Have a bonfire and roast marshmallows
- Visit a botanical garden or park
- Go on a scavenger hunt with friends
- Volunteer at a local organization
- Have a dance party at home
- Visit a local brewery for a free tour
- Have a photo shoot with friends or family
- Go for a swim in a public pool or lake
- Have a craft day at home
- Get up early and go outdoors to watch the sunrise.
- Visit the local library and grab some books.
- Take a walk through a cemetery and do grave rubbings.
- Create art with found objects in nature.
- Attend a free lecture or workshop at a local college or library.
- Fly a homemade kite on a windy day.
- Explore a new part of your city or a new neighborhood.
- Visit your town’s visitor center and learn the area’s history.
- Take the kids to the playground and enjoy the outdoors.
- Attend a little league ball game.
- Make a scrapbook with stuff from around the house.
- Make a time capsule and bury it in the yard.
- Rearrange your furniture to make your home feel new again.
- Bake something from scratch in your kitchen.
Take Paid Online Surveys
Some free fun activities not only save you money, but they can actually make money for you too. An excellent example of this is taking online paid surveys for cash. You can take surveys online right from your phone or computer. Signing up only takes a few minutes, and you have a free fun thing to do that rewards more than a good time.
With online surveys, you get to share your opinion about the products and services you use every day. And each survey you complete will earn you between $0.40 to $3.00. Then, you can cash out your rewards through Paypal.
You can even take surveys and earn free gift cards to your favorite restaurants and movie theaters. Remember to choose a reputable survey site, and you’ll be on your way to taking surveys for money in no time.
Closing Thoughts
Boredom is sometimes a good thing. It can force you to get creative and come up with all kinds of new and exciting activities.
While 75 free fun things to do seems like a long list of ideas, it’s just a start. You can easily integrate some of these ideas into your life and have fun without feeling guilty for overspending. And when you get used to having a good time without spending money, the possibilities are endless.
