20 Free and Cheap Things to Do to Have Fun Without Busting Your Budget

We all need to take time out to do things we enjoy, but with the prices of everything increasing, it may feel like it’s impossible to do so. Something as simple as renting a digital movie these days can be expensive, let alone being able to afford to go out and paint the town red.

But there are actually tons of free and cheap things to do without having to spend much money. So, we created this epic list of things you can do to help you save money without skimping on the fun!

20 Top Free and Cheap Things to Do

Whether you want to have an entertaining evening at home or get outdoors for some fresh air, this list has something for you.

Host a Board Game Night

Board games are a fun thing to do at home and have been entertaining people much longer than you may realize. In fact, according to English-heritage.org, board games originated in Egypt about 5,000 years ago. How long has it been since you’ve played a board game? I love playing board games because they give me a break from electronic devices and allow me to have some good old-fashioned screen-free time.

You probably already have a few classic games, such as Monopoly or Life, stuck in a closet somewhere, which means you don’t have to fork out any dough to have a fun evening. If not, sometimes you can luck out and find them cheap at thrift shops or dollar stores. You can host a board game night with your friends or enjoy a one-on-one evening of fun with your spouse.

Take a Hike

If you enjoy the great outdoors, hiking is one of the best free things to do. Of course, you should take a buddy with you and always take precautions to stay safe and avoid getting lost. But there are tons of parks that have trails where you can walk and get in touch with Mother Nature. If you aren’t sure where to go, then you should try out some hiking trail apps to help you find cool places to check out.

Here are some of the most popular hiking apps you can try:

• AllTrails
• Outdooractive
• Inaturalist
• GAIA GPS

There are quite a few hiking apps available. Some apps may be free or may offer a free trial period so you can see if you like them before purchasing.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

There are many different themed scavenger hunts you can do. For example, there are lists for different seasons, nature, photos, and more. I did a spring-season scavenger hunt with my nephew, and we both had a blast.

You can find scavenger hunt printables that you can print off for free from various sites and blogs. Just google “Free scavenger hunt printables” and choose one that looks the most fun to you. Sometimes, you have to opt-in with your email address, but it doesn’t cost you a dime.

Have a Bonfire

This is one of my favorite things to do on a date night with my hubby. If you have a backyard, why not get cozy and warm up by a bonfire for a simple, relaxing evening? Of course, you should consider splurging on items for s’mores because it’s even better with a yummy snack.

But it’s still a super cheap way to decompress, have a tasty treat, and watch the flames dance the night away. Remember to always practice fire safety whenever you have a fire, wherever you are!

Visit a Museum

Not all museums are free to visit, but there are ways to cut costs on admissions if you’d like to spend the day seeing historical, artistic, or scientific objects. Some museums may have discounts or dedicated days where you can visit at no charge, and some even have a “pay what you wish policy,” where you donate the amount you can afford to enter.

You can check out the websites or contact museums in your area to see what they offer. This can be a fun and educational activity for the whole family!

Lounge Around and Read at the Local Library

If you’re a bookworm but are trying to cut down on buying books, then you should head to your local library for an afternoon of reading and relaxation. Libraries allow residents to register for free library cards and check out books for free, too. You can spend some time in a quiet environment reading your favorite tales and take the book home for a while so you have time to finish it.

They even host various free events such as book clubs, author talks, story time for kids, and more. So, make sure to check out the list of free events at your local library for even more fun things to do.

Enroll in a Free Online Course

Did you know that there are free online courses you can take to learn anything from a new language to cooking various cuisines? Various sites and schools, such as Coursera, Udemy, and even Havard, offer free online courses to students. You can also head over to YouTube and check out instructional videos for things you want to learn.

So, whether you would love to learn to paint, photograph wildlife, or pen poems, you can expand your knowledge without opening your wallet.

Spend an Afternoon at the Park

Whether you have an adorable pup that needs some adventure time, kids that need to burn off some energy, or are looking for a cheap date idea with your honey, parks offer plenty of ways to spend time while having fun.

You can pack a picnic, fly a kite, hike, etc. Some parks may even have playgrounds or other areas for activities such as volleyball or horseshoes. You can have limitless fun without excessive expense!

Watch Wildlife in Your Backyard

This is one of my absolute favorite things to do. When you slow down and spend time outside or even watch out your windows, you will not believe all the cute critters and feathered friends you will see. While watching is free, if you want to increase the number of wildlife visitors to your yard, then you may want to purchase some seeds and nuts that they like to eat to encourage them to visit your lawn more frequently.

For instance, I put out plates of black sunflower seeds for the squirrels, chipmunks, and birds to eat. I get all sorts of visitors simply because I put out snacks for them.

Always research what seeds and nuts are best for the type of wildlife that is native to your area to ensure you are providing safe and yummy snacks for them.

Have a Movie Marathon

Save money by skipping the theater and having a movie marathon at home instead. This is fun to do whether you are flying solo or spending time with your friends and family. Rather than renting the latest blockbuster hits, find flicks on this list of the top free TV apps to try to avoid busting your budget.

You have access to any genre you want at your fingertips. You can also break out your favorite movies from your DVD and Blu-Ray collection. Don’t forget to grab the popcorn with extra butter for an authentic movie-going experience.

Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

If you are an animal lover and looking for a way to help them, then you may want to consider spending time volunteering at your local animal shelter. According to the ASPCA, over 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters every year in the U.S. alone. Needless to say, these shelters are overwhelmed and need as much help as they can get.

Depending on what the shelter needs help with and what skills you have will determine the tasks you will take on. For example, my aunt volunteered at her local shelter, and she took the dogs for walks and helped with other types of care, such as feeding, watering, and providing companionship.

Other tasks shelters may need help with are things like cleaning kennels, producing content for social media, hosting tours talking with visitors, etc. Who knows, you may end up finding your next best furry friend while you are volunteering.

Color Your Cares Away

Coloring isn’t just fun, it’s actually good for your health! According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, coloring has multiple health benefits, even as an adult. For example, it promotes mindfulness and even lowers stress levels, which relieves your brain and helps your body relax. This leads to improved sleep and decreased anxiety. Who would have thought something as simple as coloring is so therapeutic?

While you can opt to buy cheap coloring books online or at discount stores, you can download and print coloring pages for free from various sites and blogs. Crayola offers all sorts of coloring pages that you can print for free. So, have a good time while coloring your cares away at no cost to you.

Get Crafty

Crafting is another fun activity that you can do cheaply. Not only can you craft for fun, but if you like it, you can start your own side hustle making and selling crafts. If you don’t already have supplies stored away, you can usually find them at thrift stores, yard sales, and on sites such as Facebook Marketplace.

Craft stores run great sales, too. They tend to liquidate items every season, so you can clean up on clearance items without paying full price.

As far as where to get craft ideas and inspiration, one of my favorite platforms for ideas is Pinterest. Tons of pins link to sites to help you pick a project and provide instructions on how to do it too!

Have a Pet Party

I started having “pet parties” for the simple reason that I wanted to celebrate with my pets, that they are our family. So, if you have fur babies, or any pet for that matter, why not have a day of fun and throw them a party?

Getting the stuff to throw a party for you and your animal friends doesn’t have to be super expensive, either. I bought the decorations and party supplies from Dollar Tree and grabbed some treats and toys at the pet store.

The great thing is that now you can bust out the decorations whenever you decide to throw a party and even make it a monthly celebration if you want to.

Start a Garden

Gardening is a fun hobby that is also therapeutic. According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, gardening can lower stress levels and lighten your mood. Plus, it can also be a great way to get some exercise. Now, gardening can get costly, but there are ways to start one on a budget, and then you can grow from there if you enjoy it.

Some easy ways to start a garden with little money are to begin with seeds, ask friends and family for plant cuttings, and check sites for cheap or free gardening tools. As far as learning about growing a garden, YouTube has a wealth of knowledge from fellow gardeners who provide how-to videos to watch. You can also check out free online gardening courses to get started.

Cruise Neighborhoods for Free Stuff

If you get a thrill shopping at thrift stores for great deals, finding free stuff is definitely an activity you will love. You can score all sorts of stuff for free just by cruising around various neighborhoods. People will put out things they don’t want anymore on the curbside for anyone to take and give a new home.

I’ve seen anything from furniture to home decor sitting by the road, ready to be scooped up. If you don’t feel like driving around, you can check sites such as Facebook Marketplace for “curb alerts.” You will not believe what people will give away!

Relax at a River or Lake

There is just something about relaxing next to a river or lake that soothes the soul. If you’re not sure where the nearest river or lake is where you live, simply type in “Rivers and Lakes near me” on Google. If you’re wondering if it’s safe to swim where you are heading, you can use an app like SwimGuide that tells you the quality of the water before you dive in.

So, grab some towels and lounge chairs and spend the day soaking up the sun and getting some much-needed rest.

Go Camping

You can have a great getaway without spending money on a costly campsite. There are plenty of places that offer cheap rates or even allow you to camp out for free. You can find places to camp using sites and apps like Campendium and The Dyrt. If you don’t have camping gear, you can save money by purchasing pre-owned items.

The best thing about camping is that you can cook food on the fire and eat fairly cheaply, too. If you don’t want to spend the time or cash driving to a site, you can camp out in your yard instead.

Find a Free Event to Attend

It may surprise you that you can attend all sorts of events near your location for free. All you have to do is head over to Eventbrite.com, type free in the search bar, and enter your location. I found everything from free music events to free wine tastings listed for my area.

Of course, it will vary depending on where you are located, but there are many cool events in your town you can go to.

Stroll Around a Farmer’s Market

Strolling around at an outdoor farmer’s market can be a lovely way to spend the morning. You aren’t obligated to buy anything, but it’s an excellent place to find locally grown fruits and vegetables, plants for your garden, or other homemade items.

So, if you have a little fun money left over in your budget, you can treat yourself to something nice, like a bar of handmade soap or some tasty artisan cheese.

You Can Still Have Fun Even on a Budget!

As you can see, being on a budget doesn’t have to be a total bummer. You can still have tons of fun without spending a bunch of money and even start saving some cash for other things by reducing entertainment costs. So, try some or even all of these ideas and get back to having a good time whenever you can.