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Inside: Making incredible memories doesn’t have to break the bank or even cost anything! Here’s a list of 25 amazing ways to have fun at home for free.
I’ve always loved hanging out with family and friends. Laughing so hard the tears stream down my face. Getting my competitive on as I try my best to win.
Since quality time speaks love to me, it doesn’t matter what I do as long as I’m with people I adore.
The biggest misconception people have when they hear the word budget, they think it means all the fun gets swallowed up in “there’s not enough money in the budget”.
No more fine dining. No movies out. Confined to home.
Fun might be a thing in the past because loads of debt, a non- existent savings account and the iron grip of a budget.
Or is it?
I asked my community over on Facebook what they did for fun without spending money and ended up with an amazing list of 25 ways to have fun for free.
But one more thing about the whole myth you can’t have fun on a budget.
You have full control of what expenses are included in your budget and you get to decide how much you want to spend in each category.
I teach in 7 Simple Steps to Make an Easy Monthly Budget, if fun has high value to you, and you want to put more money in this category, you give less money to another category with less importance.
However, if you’re focused on a money dream and don’t want to spend any money, it’s still important to create memories and have fun.
I love all the ideas my friends on Facebook shared for that reason.
Create new memories with your family. Invite your friends over to join you. Ask the neighbors.
You may find more enjoyment and connection with those closest to you on the activities where you don’t spend any money.
25 Free Awesome Ways You Need To Know To Have Fun Without Spending Money
1. Camp out in the living room and roast marshmallows
Go ahead and build the best living room fort. Bring the flashlights, roast marshmallows in the fireplace (or in the oven) and tell corny jokes.
2. Have a movie night
Dust off your favorites or watch a new one you haven’t seen. Or have a movie marathon. A movie night needs popcorn to be complete. I stream movies from Amazon, free if you’re a Prime member.3. Bring on the Games!
Game nights are perfect opportunities to invite friends over to join you. Challenge everyone to a rousing game of Monopoly - does this game ever get old? Sequence, or our personal favorite, Settlers of Catan.
Did you know Settlers of Catan has a two player version? Perfect for a in-home date night.
4. Swim
One of the best sources of fun, relaxation, and community happens to be a pool party. If you don’t have a pool, invite yourselves over to a friend who does. You can substitute a lake, river, or slip ‘n slide with great results.
5. Take walks
Set up a scavenger hunt beforehand and be the first to find all the items. Enjoy the fresh air and go to a nearby park to swing before you head home.
6. Play games outside
Tag, hide n seek - even better in the dark, capture the flag. A pick up game of volleyball, baseball, or basketball all bring friends together for a good time.
7. Cook together
Cook a new meal for dinner or figure out how to copycat your favorite snack recipe.
8. Color
Create masterpieces and wake up that artistic side you don’t use often. Adult coloring books, hand-lettering, or just a stack of computer paper and crayola markers. Play pictionary to test your drawing skills.
9. Have a theme night
What about Arabian nights. Set up tents, wear scarves, have a belly dance contest, eat on the floor with fingers. Paint magic stones (paint rocks) and create genie lamps out of bowls. Brainstorm to come up with the next theme.
10. Read together as a family
Have an adventure in a different time or place and not even leave the comfort of your living room when you read aloud as a family.
11. Crafts
Everyone loves to create and there are so many ideas on Pinterest for simple crafts and use supplies you already have at home.
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12. Bicycling
Do you remember last time you went out on a bike ride? You can explore new bike trails near your home.
13. Put on a family skit and dress up
My sister and I pretended to be airline stewardesses one time. We served my parents dinner on T.V. trays in the hallway. Pick one person to be in charge of the script and someone else to gather the costumes together
14. Puzzles
Set up a card table and gather around to put the pieces of a puzzle together. Have you seen the 3-D puzzles? I want to put one together with my hubby.
15. Word searches and word games
You can print word searches and word puzzles online. Don’t forget about the hyena-type laughter Mad Libs causes.
16. Set up a family photo shoot and take individual pictures
A photo booth needs hysterical costumes and silly faces. Who knows this may be the family picture you send in your Christmas cards.
17. Break out the 4 wheelers and dirt bikes
Oh the memories you can create on a 4-wheeler! Set up an obstacle course to keep it interesting.
18. Playdough
Don’t have any on hand? Mix up your own batch at home. Now you and the kids can be entertained for hours.19. Get on the floor and play
Play cars or trucks. Use legos and build an engineering masterpiece. Time spent in play creates memories.
20. Act silly
Tell corny jokes. See who has the funniest faces. Imitate famous people or accents. The laughs will soon start.
21. Hiking
Discover a new trail or climb a mountain. Get some movement and create memories.
22. Have a corn hole tournament
Who has the best throw? Set up a corn hole outside and watch who comes to join you.
23. Play card games
Uno and Skipbo are family favorites. Or a rowdy game of Spoons.
24. Have a sleepover
Invite friends over to spend the night. Or grandkids. Or nieces and nephews. Lots of laughs and great memories happen in the middle of the night.
25. Cribbage tournament
Have a competitive family? A cribbage tournament might be the best Friday night you could have.
Now, with this incredible list of 25 ways to have fun, there’s no excuse even if you don’t have any money to spend.
When you plan time to have fun with those you love the most, you will create incredible memories and times of connection which will improve the quality of your life.
So pick one thing from this list and add it to your calendar this week!
Download my FREE list for even more great ideas to have fun without spending money: 40 Fun and Free Activities to Do {FREE printable}
Your turn: What are free things you do for fun?
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Hi! I’m Charissa. I’m on a mission to help hardworking women overcome money struggles and gain financial peace with a Biblical perspective so they can have the freedom to impact their families and communities. Ready to make some changes that will impact your finances in 2020? Click here to get a free worksheet to help you make it happen!