Ever have a conversation that goes like this...?
"What do you want to do this weekend?"
*Shoulder shrug*
"I dunno, whatta you wanna do?"
*Shoulder shrug and sigh*
"I dunno; there's nothing to ever do around here."
I've had conversations like that many times in the past, but not anymore. I'm learning to appreciate the little things in life and enjoy living in the moment more. Too often when we think about "fun" things, we think of the expensive options like taking in a ballgame, going on vacation, or going to a concert.
Here's a list to help free you from boredom without emptying your wallet this weekend. (See also: How to Visit Museums for Free)
You can take your family or go with a friend. Swing on the swings like when you were a kid.
Find a great spot in your community to catch the sunset. We have a lake by our house that offers some great views!
Throw a picnic lunch together and find a shady spot to enjoy the day with your loved ones.
Bring out the old favorites like Monopoly or Scrabble, or find new board games to play.
Invite a few friends over and have a card night.
Get some friends together and go on a mobile scavenger hunt. The first one back with all things on the list wins! Losers have to buy dessert.
Make it a digital scavenger hunt. Think of some creative, hilarious pictures you could take with people in the community, or check out this list for scavenger hunt ideas.
This stands of Bring Your Own Everything. Guests are encouraged to bring food and drinks to share. Or, check this post out for more frugal party ideas.
Make s'mores and play campfire games.
Hit up your local ice cream shop and indulge in your favorite dish! Our local Dairy Queen is located right on the lake, which ties in perfect with #2!
Plan a romantic, candlelight dinner for your spouse or loved one. Romance need not be expensive!
Try a new grilling recipe. Recently I tried chicken breast stuffed with cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, basil, and tomatoes! Mmmm!
Many times a local museum will have free or discount days. Zoos are fairly inexpensive if you pack your own lunch and avoid the unnecessary extras.
Take the weekend to go through your old photos and scan them into a digital file. You can even create digital scrapbooks!
Most folks rarely visit their own city's tourist attractions. Take a weekend be a tourist in your own town.
Get friends and neighbors together to go and clean up a city block. Here are six steps to organizing your own neighborhood cleanup.
Communities will usually have farmers markets on the weekends where you can get locally grown produce. The food is fresh and delicious! Here's a savvy guide to farmers markets.
Find a "U-Pick" spot to gather some fresh strawberries, blueberries, or other fruit and then...
Use the freshly picked fruit to bake a homemade pie! (Need help with the pie crust?)
Organizations like these are always looking for volunteers. This will be one of the most rewarding things you could do this weekend and can possibly make a difference on your resume!
With today's busy pace, it seems harder to get to know our neighbors. Invite them over for dinner or dessert and make an effort to know more about them.
Grab the poles, find a pond, and cast those lines!
Hit the sandy shores for a little rest and relaxation. Just don't forget to protect your skin!
There are many benefits your local library has to offer besides just books. You can rent movies, page through magazines, or surf the net.
Invite friends over for a movie marathon featuring all the classics you remember from when you were growing up. Or, host a money movie marathon!
My wife and I did this last weekend. I love the new look and feel of our living room now! Rearranging furniture doesn't cost anything and adds a new flair to your place.
Brainstorm ideas for all the things you want to do in life, and pick one to do this weekend.
When is the last time you put together a puzzle? Find one you like and get to it.
I know many parents who would love for someone to offer a chance to take a break from the busyness of life. Many single parents hardly ever get a chance to get out and unwind.
Go through your closets and declutter. Find items you can donate to your local Goodwill or another thrift shop.
Go on a star-gazing adventure. Grab a blanket and head to a park to lay and watch the stars. Here's a 2011 meteor shower calendar to help.
Bike to a location you've never been to before. Or, bring your bike to a town or city you're unfamiliar with and create your own bike tour. Just be safe on your bike!
There are plenty of free online classes you could take to improve your skills in a certain area. Try your hand at investment classes if that interests you!
This one will take some thought but will be well worth it. Here's a great resource from Michael Hyatt for helping you think through your life plan.
Related to the life plan is setting three new goals you'd like to accomplish in the new six to twelve months...and write them down!
Many local communities offer inexpensive theater productions.
Lend a helping hand to a neighbor, co-worker, or friend.
It's not always wise to give money to a homeless person, but you can buy food. Listen to their stories, and if possible, direct them to an organization that can help.
Get some friends together and have a blast at the lanes!
Take a friend or two, grab breakfast, and then hit the local garage seals to scan for deals.
A simple gesture can really mean a lot to the men and women who serve us on a daily basis!
Many elderly folks have great tales to tell. Listen to their stories and see what you can learn from them.
You can make a garden box or even an herb garden if you don't have much room.
Grab a few friends, put those dancing shoes on, and hit the local club.
Take your spouse or loved one to a craft store and each purchase a few crafts for a creative project. Or start a pine cone project!
Invite a few friends over and challenge each other with some creative games based on the hit TV show.
When is the last time you sat down and wrote a letter? There's something magical and nostalgic about the written word on paper. Send a letter to someone you haven't talked to in a while and tell them how much you love them.
Hopefully these ideas are enough to get you started on a fun, cheap, and rewarding weekend!
What cheap, fun things are you planning to do this weekend?
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