Recently, I discovered that some of life’s most enjoyable activities don’t cost money. In fact, sometimes they’re even more rewarding than spending activities because they force you to slow down, be creative, and appreciate the little things. Ever since I changed my mindset about how fun doesn’t need to equal spending money, I realized happiness isn’t about how much you spend. It’s about how you choose to live your life.
Fun Activities
Taking part in fun activities that don’t cost money has allowed me to shift into a healthier mindset when I don’t have a lot of spending money. I no longer stressed about not being able to go out and purchase entertainment. Instead, I found new hobbies, connected with others more, and relaxed about the little things I used to take for granted. Small changes like that really helped me learn that being broke doesn’t mean your life doesn’t get to have fun.
Life comes at you with more opportunities than you can imagine when you learn to look at things with a tight budget. Your whole perspective can change, and you’re able to enjoy the things in life you would’ve ignored if you had the money to go spend elsewhere. The world is your oyster and there are so many fun things you can do that are either free or cost very little.
You can go out and enjoy nature by going for a hike or a walk, attend community events, or simply spend time with people that you love. Options are all around you, you just have to open your eyes to see them. When you take time to do things that don’t cost money, you open your eyes to the world around you. You open your heart to the people in your life and you open your mind to yourself again.
20 Fun and Free Things to Do Without Money
1. Go for a walk or hike outdoors
Going outside for a walk can be the simplest and freshest thing to do. Not only is walking free, but it can also benefit you both physically and mentally. Take a walk through the park, down a hiking trail, or just around your neighborhood. Enjoy the fresh air and free exercise your body gets while clearing your mind at the same time. You don’t have to go far either; sometimes just walking around the block can do the trick.
2. Take a day off of electronics
In today’s society, we are always on our phones or computers. Spending a day away from technology is like a vacation. Take a digital detox and leave your phone at home, stay off social media, don’t check any emails. By allowing yourself to take a break from your electronics, you will decrease your stress, be more productive, and have more time to enjoy the present. You will feel like you have so much more time in the day when you aren’t wasting it on your phone.
Read Also: 41 Fun Activities You Can Do All Alone
3. Do yoga or meditation
Yoga and meditation are both so calming and help you clear your mind. They don’t cost a thing and you can do them anywhere. You can even do them in the comfort of your own living room. If you’re looking for some guidance, there are hundreds of videos on YouTube that can walk you through beginner yoga positions or meditation.
4. Take a walk around your neighborhood
Similar to my first tip, take a walk but this time, explore your neighborhood. Walk down different streets that you normally don’t, visit a park near you, or notice things around your town that you used to never pay attention to. You might find street art you never noticed, a cute bench, or perhaps a hidden alley.
5. Journal
Grab a notebook and pen and sit down with your thoughts. Journaling is such a great way to spend your time and it can really allow you to tap into yourself. You can write about how your day was, write a story, or even jot down some poetry. Allow yourself to escape the world around you and let your creativity free.
6. Clean and organize
If you’re looking to be productive, cleaning and organizing is a great way to spend your free time. Whether you want to organize your closet, desk, or kitchen cabinets, cleaning is free and always feels good. Not only will you clean your home, but you’ll feel as though you decluttered your mind.
7. Read
Reading is one of my favorite pastimes because it allows me to escape reality and dive into someone else’s world. Not only that, but reading can cost you absolutely nothing if you already own books. Dig into that bookshelf of yours and pull out a book you haven’t read in ages or one you’ve been meaning to read. You can also check out your local library for free ebooks and audiobooks.
8. Write someone a letter
How precious it is these days to sit down and write someone a letter. Take the time and write one to a friend or family member. Tell them about your day, something that made you grateful that week, or simply write them something to make their day. Not only is this super inexpensive, but it’s also a great way to stay connected with others.
9. Start learning something new
There are so many free resources on the internet to help you learn new things. Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill, pick up a hobby, or further your education on a specific topic. YouTube is full of tutorials, and you can even find free classes online to learn something new.
10. Have a picnic
You don’t need to go buy lunch to enjoy eating outside. Grab a blanket and head to your nearest park and use the food you already have. Whether that’s making a home-cooked meal from scratch or using leftovers in your refrigerator. Eating outside is one of life’s simplest pleasures, and it can turn any regular day into a special one.
11. Make some art
Like I mentioned before, you don’t need to go out and buy expensive supplies to make art. Use things you already have around the house such as paper, old magazines, glue, scissors, etc. You can even use food to make art using coffee, spices, grains, you name it. All you really need is a canvas and some paint.
12. Go stargazing
Grab a jacket and relax on a clear night. Stargazing is absolutely free and so relaxing. Lie on the grass and look up at the stars. Try to identify different constellations, planets, and the moon. If you’re a beginner at stargazing, there are even free apps that can help you identify what you see.
13. Listen to podcasts or audiobooks
Podcasts are a great way to relax, learn new information, or simply be entertained. There are thousands of podcasts out there that cover every topic you could imagine. True crime, self-improvement, history, entertainment, the list goes on. You can also listen to audiobooks if you’re more into that. Most libraries offer free audiobooks that you can listen to on your phone or computer.
14. Play games online
From word searches and puzzles, to trivia and online games, you can find something for everyone. There are so many websites that offer free games you can play without spending a penny. Some of my favorite websites are Pogo. You can also download fun game apps like Words with Friends or Trivia Crack that offer free games as well.
15. Do a scavenger hunt at home
Grab a notepad and create yourself a scavenger hunt. It can be as easy or hard as you want it to be. Make a list of things to find around your house or make your scavenger hunt more challenging. This is such a fun and creative way to waste time indoors.
16. Start a gratitude journal
Thinking about things that make you grateful is a great way to shift your focus to the positive things in life. Purchase a journal and make it a habit to write down 3–5 things you’re grateful for each day. It can be something as simple as good health or something as nice as watching the sunset. When you start to focus on the positive things in life, you’ll begin to feel happier and more joyful.
17. Watch the sunset or sunrise
Speaking of sunsets, watching one is absolutely beautiful. Find a nice spot with a great view and sit your butt down. You can use this time to meditate, think about life, or simply sit with your thoughts. Take in your time and enjoy nature’s free entertainment.
18. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, and it costs absolutely nothing. Whether you’re sitting cross-legged on the floor, taking a walk, or washing the dishes, you can be mindful. Mindfulness has so many health benefits such as lowering stress, increasing focus, and improving your wellbeing.
19. Start a book club
If you and some friends/family enjoy reading, start a book club! Pick a book for everyone to read then get together and discuss the book. This doesn’t have to cost anything at all if you guys each bring a book you own. Reading is such a great way to connect with others, and having great conversation about a book you’ve all read is super fun.
20. Take a free virtual tour
Many museums and historical sites offer free virtual tours where you can explore from the comfort of your home. Visit art galleries, famous landmarks, historical monuments, and more. You can learn about ancient artifacts or explore art from all around the world.
Conclusion
Life is about more than spending money every chance you get. Sure, we all love a good shop and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting nice things. But when you learn to enjoy fun activities that don’t cost an ounce of money, you’ll enhance your life in more ways than one.
Not only will you tap into your creativity, but you’ll grow relationships with others by connecting with them. Whether that be exploring nature by going on hikes or taking walks. Visit local community events or even enjoy your time with others. There are so many things you can do to have fun without spending money.
Explore local parks or pack a nice lunch and have a picnic. Take advantage of activities like this that may benefit your well-being and allow you to relax. Or if you just want to chill, unwind with some friends or family and make memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Don’t forget about volunteering either!
Another way to have fun without spending money is by helping out your local community. Spend time with friends or spend time with yourself. When you let go of the mindset that fun has to equal spending money, you’ll open up your mind to what fun really is.
You may just find activities that you’ve never enjoyed before or discover talents you never knew you had. When you don’t focus on money, you allow yourself to see that fun isn’t about how much something costs, but how much happiness it can bring you.
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