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Looking for some fun and free things to do this weekend?
Look no further!
I put together a list of 105 awesome money free weekend ideas that will help you enjoy your time without spending a penny.
From outdoor activities to indoor fun, alone or with your family, there’s something for everyone on this list.
So get ready to have some fun during your no spend weekend
Table of Contents
105 Money Free Weekend Ideas
Free Outdoor Activities
There is nothing better than getting outside and enjoying nature.
Add in the fresh air and the sunshine and doing activities outside is a treat just about anyone likes.
That is assuming it’s not too hot or too cold.
Here are the best ways to enjoy the outdoors without spending money.
#1. Go For A Walk
The classic way to enjoy nature is to head out for a walk.
You can decide if you want to make it short one around the block, or a longer one around town.
Whatever you choose, not only will you be having fun, but you will be improving your health and fitness too.
Bonus points if you have kids here too.
Even if they are young, you could push them in a stroller, pull them in a wagon, or even have them walk a little and then carry them for a bit.
#2. Take A Bike Ride
If you are feeling a bit more energetic, then go for a bike ride.
This is another great way to see nature and get some exercise at the same time.
You can either stick to your neighborhood or explore further out if you like.
Just make sure that you have a map with you so that you don’t get lost if you are going someplace new.
#3. Visit A New Town Or City
This is a great way to explore without spending any money.
Simply pick a town or city near you that you have never been to before and go for a visit.
Wander around, check out the sights, people watch, or even see if there is a walking tour.
You might even want to pack a picnic lunch so that you can enjoy a leisurely meal in the park or some other scenic spot.
#4. Go Geocaching
If you are looking for a more challenging outdoor activity, then go geocaching.
This is where you use GPS coordinates to find containers hidden in different places.
Just download the free app on your mobile device and get started exploring your local area.
Some of them can be easy to find, while others can be quite tricky.
Geocaching can be addictive, so be prepared to spend some time searching for caches if you give it a try.
#5. Meet Your Neighbors
This is a great way to get to know the people who live near you and it doesn’t cost a thing.
Simply strike up a conversation with someone when you are out and about in your neighborhood.
You could even invite them over for coffee or a drink if you want to get to know them better.
- Read now: Learn how to save money on alcohol
If you have kids, this is a great way for them to make friends too.
And if you don’t see people out walking, you can always ring their doorbell and meet them this way too.
#6. Have A Bonfire
This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family.
All you need is a fire pit and some wood.
Bonus point if you want to make s’mores.
You could also roast hot dogs, wrap potatoes in aluminum foil to make baked potatoes, or cook other food items on sticks over the open flame.
Just be sure to keep an eye on things so that nothing gets out of hand.
#7. Have A Picnic
This is a great option for people who want to enjoy nature without having to go too far.
Simply pack up a few sandwiches, drinks, and snacks and head to your local park or some other scenic spot.
You could even throw a blanket in your back yard too.
If you have kids, this can be a lot of fun as they will love exploring their surroundings.
#8. Wash Your Car
This is a great way to have some fun and get your car clean at the same time.
All you need is a hose, some soap, and a bucket.
You could also add in a few cleaning supplies if you want to get your car really clean.
Be sure to have plenty of water on hand so that you can rinse off the soap.
This is a great activity to do with friends or family.
If you have young kids, be careful as this could easily turn into a water fight at some point, which would only add to the fun.
#9. Look For Shooting Stars
This is a great activity to do on a clear night.
All you need is a blanket and some patience.
Lie down on the blanket and look up at the stars.
See if you can spot any shooting stars.
If you are lucky, you might even see one or two.
Another option is to try to identify stars and constellations in the sky.
There are mobile apps you can use that when you point them to the nighttime sky, they will tell you what you are looking at.
They even show you where the International Space Station is so you can keep an eye out for that too.
#10. Camp In Your Backyard
This is a great option for people who want to camp but don’t want to go too far from home.
All you need is a tent, some sleeping bags, and some mosquito repellent if you are in an area with mosquitoes.
You could even build a fire in your fire pit if you want to roast hot dogs or make s’mores.
If you have kids, they will love camping in the backyard.
This is a great way to get them interested in camping and spending time outdoors.
And it’s a lot cheaper than going to an actual campsite.
#11. Watch The Sunrise Or Sunset
This is a great activity to do either early in the morning or at night.
All you need is someplace where you can sit and watch the sun rise or set.
If you are lucky, you might be able to see both the sunrise and sunset on the same day.
#12. Go Kayaking
This is an easy way to get some exercise and enjoy nature at the same time.
All you need is a kayak, life jacket, and some sunscreen.
You could either go on a river or lake or even the ocean if you are feeling adventurous.
Just be sure to check the weather conditions before you go so that you know what to expect.
#13. Easter Egg Hunt
Everyone loves finding Easter eggs in the yard, so why limit it to one day a year?
Break out the tiny plastic eggs you have and hide them in your yard and go find them.
To make the game more enjoyable, you might want to put candy inside some of them as a prize.
Just make sure it isn’t too hot out or you don’t look for them right away as the hot summer sun could melt the chocolate or candy.
#14. Decorate Rocks
This is a great activity to do with kids.
All you need is some rocks, paint, stickers, and your imagination.
You could either paint the rocks one solid color or use different colors for each rock.
Then use stickers to decorate them.
You could make them as simple or complex as you want.
Once they are dry, you can place them around your yard or garden.
Another option is to write positive sayings on them and take them to a park and leave them there for others to find.
#15. Dig For Worms
This idea isn’t for everyone, but if you enjoy getting your hands dirty, or your kids love getting their hands dirty, digging in your yard for worms is a fun activity to pass the time.
You can either keep the worms and use them as bait if you plan to fish or put them back after you found them.
#16. Stare At The Clouds
Remember being a kid and looking at the clouds, imagining they were animals or objects?
Whey not tap into that imagination now as an adult?
Grab a blanket and lay out on the lawn looking at the clouds passing by.
Free Things To Do Around Town
Every town is unique and chances are there are parts of your town you have not explored.
And there is even greater chance that neighboring towns and cities can be explored too.
Here are the best ideas to check out that won’t result in spending cash.
#17. Find Free Community Events
Go to your town website or pick up a local newspaper to find the free events in your area you can attend.
Most smaller towns have First Friday events were people get together on the main strip of town.
You might find car shows, charity events, and more on most weekends that allow you to get out and enjoy your town.
#18. Visit The Library
When was the last time you visited your local library?
Libraries offer more than just books these days.
You can find movies, video games, and even classes at some libraries.
And the best part is they are all free to enjoy with your library card.
If you don’t have a library card, they are easy to get and most require nothing more than proof of residency in the area.
Just be sure to ask the librarian for help if you are not sure where to start looking.
#19. Visit Local Landmarks
Check out the local landmarks in your town that you have never been to before.
You might be surprised at what you find.
Some towns have historic buildings, parks, and even museums that are free to the public.
Do some research online or ask around town to find out what is available for you to see.
#20. Find When You Can Visit The Zoo For Free
Many zoos offer free or reduced admission days throughout the year.
Do some research to find out when the next free day is and plan a visit with your family or friends.
You can also check to see if any of your local museums offer free days as well.
Most will have at least one free museum day per month that they do not charge admission.
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#21. Pick Fruit
More and more farms are popping up where you can go and pick fruit.
In some cases, you can pick fruit for free, and in other cases, you have to pay a small fee.
But if you enjoy blueberries, strawberries, and other fruits, this could be a great way to spend your Saturday afternoon.
#22. Visit The Local Farmers Market
Almost every town has a farmer’s market where you can buy fresh produce, flowers, and more.
Some markets also have food trucks or local artisans selling their goods.
There is no obligation to buy.
You can simply walk around and discover some great local small businesses and farms that you might want to start supporting instead of large corporations.
And some farmers markets have live music too that you can bring a lawn chair and just enjoy the melodies.
#23. Window Shop At Mom & Pop Stores
Small business is the backbone of our economy yet more and more small stores are going out of business as people use the convenience of Amazon.
A great thing to do on the weekend is window ship at these stores.
See what they sell and talk to the owners to learn their story.
Then try to make it a point to start doing business with them.
#24. Visit The Playground
Most towns have a playground or two that are free to visit and enjoy.
Pack a lunch and spend the day with your family.
If you have young children, this can be a great way to tire them out so they will sleep through the night.
#25. Visit The Park
Some small towns have their playground in a park.
Others just have one or the other.
If yours doesn’t have a playground, you can still enjoy the park.
You can walk around, play frisbee or other games, sit and relax and more.
And if there is water, there is a good chance you can feed the ducks.
#26. Find Free Movies And Concerts Online
Most communities offer free movies throughout the spring and summer months.
Usually to give the most people a chance to attend, the movies are on Friday night or Saturday night.
- Read now: Find out how to save money at the movies
And most times the movies are kid friendly, so you don’t have to worry if you can bring your kids.
Of course, if you want a date night, you don’t have to bring the kids, or you can let them sit somewhere else.
As for the free concert, these are held throughout the year.
Some are indoors during the colder months and outside during the warmer months.
Most times the concerts are local high schools or other small bands.
#27. Visit Friends And Family
One of the best things to do on a money-free weekend is visit friends and family.
You don’t have to spend any money, but you can enjoy each other’s company.
If they live close by, take a walk around town or just hang out at home.
If they live farther away, make a day of it and take a picnic lunch to eat while you are there.
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You can also visit more than one friend or family member in one day if you want to get the most out of your day.
#28. Go To A Local Festival Or Fair
Almost every town has a local festival or fair.
Some are bigger than others, but they all have something for everyone.
Food, games, rides, music and more can be found at these free festivals.
And the best part is that most of them are free to attend.
You might even find one that is close by this weekend.
#29. Visit Flea Markets
Flea markets are a great place to find treasures at a low cost.
You can usually find clothes, toys, household items, and more.
Some flea markets have food as well.
I enjoy just walking around and seeing all the different things people are trying to sell.
#30. Go To Yard Sales
Related to the point above, you can go around to garage sales in your area.
I like to try to find community yard sales as this has multiple families with tables.
Here I can park and walk around spending most of my time looking.
When there is just one sale, you spend a lot more time driving around.
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#31. People Watch
You can do this at the mall, a park, or really anywhere that people congregate.
I like to find a spot where I can sit down and just watch people go by.
It is amazing how interesting people watching can be.
You start making up stories in your head about who they are and where they are going.
The crazier the story, the better.
Free At Home Activities
We spend the most time at home and some people would rather just stay in than get ready for a day out in town.
If this is you, you are in luck as there are plenty of fun activities you can do at home that cost no money.
#32. Have A Pantry Potluck
Most people have out of control pantries.
We look through for the things we need to buy and usually put the new stuff in front, burying the old stuff.
Take an hour to organize and clean out your pantry.
With the oldest items, you are going to use that for a cupboard potluck dinner.
The key here is to keep an open mind as this will be a bunch of random food items for dinner.
One time we had pancakes, barbecue chicken (the barbeque sauce was from the pantry, not the chicken), elbow macaroni, and dried fruit.
It sounds crazy, but that is partly what makes it so enjoyable.
That meal was two years ago and I still remember it.
#33. Meal Prep For The Week
This one is more of an investment of time rather than money, but it can save you a lot of money during the week.
On a Sunday afternoon, take some time to prepare meals for the week.
You can make a big pot of soup or chili that will last a few days.
You can also bake chicken breasts or cook ground beef to use in other recipes during the week.
Having some of the work done ahead of time will make it easier to cook during the week and you are less likely to order take-out.
Plus, you can usually get multiple meals out of one cooking session if you are creative with your leftovers.
#34. Bake A Dessert
Maybe as you were cleaning out your pantry above, you stumbled upon some old pie crusts or chocolate chips.
Why not spend an afternoon making a dessert?
Involve the whole family in the process and the end result will be more enjoyable, even if it isn’t a tasty.
#35. Rearrange Furniture
How long have you had your living set up the way it is?
Or your bedroom?
You might not have the money to buy new furniture, but you can give your home a fresh look by just rearranging what you already have.
Take everything out of a room and then put it back in, but in a different order.
It is amazing how a different perspective on the same furniture can make your home feel new.
#36. Have A Movie Marathon
This idea can consume an entire weekend if you are not careful.
But having a movie night is a great way to pass the time.
Even better, there are many ways you can go about this.
If you are watching with your family, you can have each person pick their favorite movies to watch.
Or if you have Netflix or another streaming service, you can browse through the recommendations for you.
You might even come up with a list of 10 movies, throw the names in a hat, and pick which one to watch.
The possibilities are endless.
#37. Organize A Room
This one is similar to rearranging furniture, but it has the same end result.
Pick a room and spend the day organizing it.
Throw away everything that you do not need and put things you do want in their rightful places.
Whatever you aren’t keeping, you can either toss, donate, or try to sell to earn some extra cash.
It might take some time, but when you are finished you will have a much nicer space.
And it will feel like you got a new room without spending any money.
#38. Plan A Yard Sale
This is a great way to declutter your home and earn some extra money.
Spend a day or two going through everything you want to get rid of and then price it.
On the day of the yard sale, be sure to advertise it well.
Put up signs around the neighborhood and make sure people know when and where it is.
Yard sales are a lot of work, but they can be very rewarding.
Plus, it is a great way to meet your neighbors.
Who knows, you might even make some new friends.
#39. Clean Out Your Phone
Most of us are horrible at backing up and cleaning out our phones.
We take multiple pictures of the same thing hoping to get the best shot.
But then we never go back in and delete the images we no longer want.
Or, you download an app, use it a few times, then never access it again.
All these things take up valuable storage on your device, which can make you think you need a new phone when all you really need is to clean yours out.
Spend an afternoon going through your phone and deleting anything you do not need.
You will be surprised at how much space this can free up.
Plus, it is a good way to declutter your life in general.
#40. Create A Digital Photo Album
While you are going through your pictures, move them into folders so you can create a digital photo album.
You can even create photo albums on Facebook or another social media site.
This is a great way to organize your pictures and keep them safe.
If you ever lose your phone, at least you will have all your memories in one place.
Plus, it is fun to look back on old photos from time to time.
#41. Listen To Your Music Collection
When was the last time you listened to your entire music collection?
If you are like most people, it has probably been a while.
In today’s world, we tend to just listen to the same songs over and over again.
Or we just use a streaming service to listen to a small sample of the type of music we like.
Take some time this weekend to listen to your music collection.
You might re-discover some favorites you had forgotten about.
#42. Do Something You’ve Been Putting Off
We all have those things we have been meaning to do but keep putting off.
Maybe you need to organize the garage or wipe down the ceiling fans.
Or maybe you need to make that doctor’s appointment you have been putting off.
Whatever it is, this is the perfect time to take care of it.
You will feel so much better once it is done and you can relax.
#43. Invite Friends Over
Instead of going out, have your friends come to you.
You can have a potluck dinner where you each make a different dish.
Then you can sit around talking or play games.
#44. Play Card Games
Speaking of games, there are so many great classic games out there.
From solitaire, to spades, even Uno or go fish, there is a card game for everyone.
And the best part is you can play many games alone or with a group of people.
#45. Exchange Massages With Your Partner
This is a great way to relax and spend some quality time with your partner.
Massages can be very relaxing and therapeutic.
Plus, it is a great way to get rid of any tension you might have.
Just dim the lights, pull the blinds down, and put on some soft music.
#46. Do A Themed Dinner
This is great fun, especially if you have kids.
You have one person pick the theme for dinner.
For example, maybe the theme is black tie affair.
Here, everyone has to show up to dinner in their fanciest outfit.
Or the theme might be ’80s night and everyone has to dress like they are in the 1980s.
Note this is only about dressing up, not the food.
You have a regular meal, you just dress up for it.
#47. Have A Photo Shoot
Related to the above, you each pick a theme, get dressed accordingly, and then pass around the camera or phone to take pictures of each other in your outfits.
You can also take action shots while doing silly things too.
Then you can make a photos album of the events so you can look back whenever you want.
#48. Hold A Talent Show
Pick a Saturday night and hold a talent show.
Each person picks a different talent and they show it off to the group.
If you have kids, you could have them show off their talents and the parents act as judges.
You could even invite friends over and have them act as judges for you.
Or you can just have everyone perform without judging.
Free Personal Finance Things To Do
Depending on how you look at personal finances, working on a budget, investing and saving, and planning for retirement can be a fun activity or a boring one.
Regardless of which side you are one, knowing and taking control of your financial situation can do so much good for your long term wealth, health, and happiness.
Here are some free personal finance activities you can do to help you get on better financial ground.
#49. Create A Budget
This is the first and most important step to getting your financial life in order.
A budget will help you track where all of your money is going each month.
It can also help you find places to save, which can free up more cash flow for other things down the line.
There are a lot of different ways to create a budget.
- Read now: Learn now to start budgeting
You can use a software program, or you could use a pen and paper.
Tiller Money makes spreadsheet budgeting simple and fast. Use their pre-made budget and let Tiller automatically import your transactions. All you do is categorize them and you are done. No risk 30 day free trial.
The important part is to actually do it and stick to it.
A budget is not effective unless you use it on a regular basis.
- Read now: Here are the different types of budgets you can create
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#50. Review Your Budget
As mentioned, creating a budget is great.
But if you don’t review it, it’s not going to be much help in improving your financial life.
At least once a month, take some time to sit down and look at your budget.
See how you are doing with meeting your goals.
Make changes as needed so that you can continue to strive for success.
If you find that things are not going well, do not get discouraged.
There is always room for improvement.
#51. Cancel Or Reduce One Expense
Here is an easy thing you can do over the weekend.
Look over your monthly expenses and find one you can cancel or will put some effort into lowering.
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For example, maybe you see you have a magazine subscription that you no longer read.
Take a few minutes and cancel it.
Another option is to lower a bill or two.
Maybe you see that your electric bill is high.
You could shop around for lower prices if you live in a state that deregulates it.
Or you could lower your cable bill.
Simply call your cable provider and negotiate a lower price.
And if you don’t feel like negotiating, use Rocket Money.
This AI assistant will negotiate your cable bill for you, among other things.
The average savings is over $350 a year.
Rocket Money is your assistant to help you find and cancel subscriptions, track your spending, create a budget, and more. Join the other 80% of people saving money thanks to Rocket Money.
#52. Set Up An Automated Savings Plan
This is arguably the easiest thing you can do as it will only take you less than 10 minutes.
Log onto your bank account and schedule a monthly transfer from your checking account to your savings account.
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Don’t focus on the amount, just make it a habit.
If you can afford $100 then save that.
If you can only save $10 then save that.
As your finances improve over time, you can start increasing the amount you are saving.
And if you don’t have a bank account, you need one.
It is the foundation of your financial life.
Below are some of the best online banks to consider.
#53. Calculate Your Net Worth
Do you know what your new worth is?
Do you know why it is important to track?
Your net worth is simply all the assets you own, like your house, your car, investments, etc. minus your liabilities, or the money you owe, like debt.
The higher your net worth, the better off you are financially and the better a saver you are.
I love tracking my bet worth because it makes me want to improve my number every month.
As a result, I am more aware of my spending and I try to save more money.
- Read now: Discover how easy it is to calculate your net worth
- Read now: See the difference between income vs. net worth
#54. Start Investing
Investing is critical to help you meet your long term financial goals.
Unfortunately, many people are scared of losing money or they think they need thousands of dollars to invest.
The reality is, if you stick with investing long term, you will make money and you don’t need a lot of cash to start.
In fact, with Acorns, you can simply invest your spare change.
They will round up your purchases and invest the difference.
In just over a year, my spare change added up to over $750.
So take the 5 minutes to open your free account and start building wealth.
As a bonus, new accounts get a $5 just for signing up.
​Acorns changed the game when they allowed you to start investing your spare change. With a simple to use app and effortless ways to invest, Acorns is a solid choice for many investors just starting out without a lot of money to invest.
#55. Create A Goal List
What do you want out of life?
Instead of just going through the motions every day, why not live a life where you are doing the things you want to do?
Sit down this weekend and think about some goals you want to achieve.
Maybe you want to pay off debt.
Or maybe you want to visit Australia.
Whatever you want, write down your goals and then start working on trying to achieve them.
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#56. Think About Your Values
Do you know where your values lie?
Most people don’t.
This is why they fall into the trap of keep up with others.
They buy the bigger house or the luxury car just to show that they are successful.
But in most cases, buying these things doesn’t make them happier.
They still long for something more.
- Read now: Learn how much happiness costs
So they mistakenly buy more things, thinking they just haven’t bought enough yet.
In reality, if you knew what you valued, you could buy less stuff, have more money, and be happier.
For example, I realized I didn’t need designer clothes.
I was spending so much money on certain brands because I thought it said something about me.
But it didn’t.
So I stopped doing this and am happier and have more money.
Take the time this weekend to figure out what you value in life and then align your spending with it.
You’ll be amazed at how much better your life becomes.
#57. Plan Your Next Vacation
It is never too early to start thinking about getting away.
Start planning your next vacation now and you will be able to save up the money you need to pay for it.
Think about where you want to go, what you want to do, and how much it will cost.
This will help you set a realistic savings goal.
Once you have a goal in mind, start setting aside money for it.
And if you don’t have any idea for where to go, spend this time researching different places to find a place that looks interesting and has fun things to do for you and your family.
#58. Set A Plan To Pay Off Debt
Do you have debt?
If so, take the time now to create a plan to pay it off.
While this might not sound like the most fun thing to do, look at it this way.
The sooner you can pay off even one debt you have, the sooner you free up money in your monthly budget.
This money can be put towards another debt, savings, or even just daily life.
So take some time and figure out how you can pay off some of your debt so you don’t have the weight of it hovering over your head.
#59. Consider Starting A Side Hustle
There is never a bad reason to bring in more income.
With more money coming in every month, you can save more or pay off debt faster.
You might even be able to change jobs and do something you love too.
But where do you start?
There are countless ways to make extra money on the side these days.
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Just think of things you enjoy doing and then see if there is a way to make money from it.
You might be surprised with how many times you can profit doing this.
And if you have no idea what you would like to do, check out this site, which lists a ton of ways to make extra cash.
#60. Make A Will
This is not a fun task by any means, but it is one that is very important.
If something happens to you and you do not have a will in place, your loved ones will have to go through the courts to get what is rightfully theirs.
And this process can be long and costly.
Take some time now to make a will.
- Read now: Learn how to easily write your will
It does not have to be complicated and you can do it on your own.
Just make sure that everything is in order so your loved ones do not have to go through the hassle after you are gone.
#61. Learn About Taxes
OK, taxes are not fun, but learning about them doesn’t cost any money.
And I’m not saying you have to dig in deep to learn specific points about tax law.
But you should learn about the basics, including deductions and credits you might qualify for.
Why?
Because making small changes could end up saving you thousands of dollars on your taxes.
For example, if you have kids in child care, you could set up a dependent care spending account.
The money comes out of your paycheck and avoid paying taxes on it.
Then when you use the money to pay for child care, there is no taxes owed.
The bottom line is, there are a lot of easy things you can do to lower you tax bill.
- Read now: Here is how to save on your taxes like the wealthy
- Read now: What is a tax credit vs. tax deduction
#62. Start Christmas Planning
Do you go into debt buying Christmas presents?
Is this time of year financially stressful for you?
If so, you may want to start planning now so you can avoid the stress and headaches.
Think about what you want to get your loved ones and look for deals.
You don’t have to buy anything now, but you should start saving.
Consider opening up a savings account and transferring some money each month into it so that when you do go shopping, you have some cash to pay for the gifts.
#63. Increase Your Retirement Savings
This is the best thing to do that as it will have a huge impact down the road.
Log onto your company’s website and increase the amount you are putting towards your 401k plan by 1%.
While this amount is small, over time it will add up to tens of thousands more for retirement.
- Read now: Here is how much you need for retirement
- Read now: Discover the best retirement calculators to use
If you don’t want to increase your 401k contributions, you could instead open a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA.
Then set up a small monthly transfer and let your money grow.
Free Ways To Improve Yourself
Improving yourself is a great way to live a fuller, and more meaningful life.
But many people are overwhelmed at the idea of getting started.
Here are some simple free activities you can do to better yourself.
#64. Take Free Online Courses
Here is a fun way to pass the time that doesn’t cost any money.
Many colleges offer free courses to take.
And these aren’t just colleges you’ve never heard of before either.
Large universities, including Harvard offer free classes for anyone to take.
So find something you are interested in and then do an online search to see which colleges offer a free course.
#65. Read A Book
This is another fun and free way to spend your weekend.
Head to the library, look on your bookshelf, or go online and download a book for free.
You can even look around your town as many places have books that you can take for free to read.
There are many different genres to choose from so find one that piques your interest.
Start reading and see how much you can get through by Sunday night.
#66. Find A New Podcast
If you are someone who loves to learn, then this is the perfect weekend activity for you.
There are so many different podcasts out there on every topic imaginable.
Plus, most of them are free to listen to.
So find a podcast on a topic that interests you and start listening.
You might be surprised at how much knowledge you can gain for free.
#67. Learn A New Language
This is another great way to spend your weekend.
Many websites offer a variety of languages to learn for free.
Plus, Rosetta Stone offers a free trial so you can try out their software before deciding if you want to buy it or not.
Or you can download an app for your phone that will help you learn the language of your choice.
So find a foreign language that interests you and start learning this weekend.
#68. Download Apps That Challenge Your Mind
I’ll admit, there are a lot of apps out there that are nothing more than time wasters.
And you could argue the games I mention below are wastes of time too.
But I see them as beneficial because you are not aimlessly doing something.
You are actively thinking and strategizing trying to solve a problem.
So what are some good games?
Word search games, crossword puzzles, memory games, Sudoku, and Wordle are just a few ideas.
In most cases, you can find apps that offer these games for free.
#69. Learn A New Skill
This is another great way to spend your weekend.
You can find a number of different skills to learn online for free.
You can also find many how-to videos on YouTube that will teach you just about anything you want to know.
So if there is something you have always wanted to learn how to do, this is the perfect weekend to start.
- Read now: Learn why you are your greatest asset
There are endless possibilities when it comes to learning new skills.
#70. Update Your Resume
When was the last time you updated your resume?
Chances are it’s been years.
So take a weekend and update it with current information.
Be sure to include your accomplishments, not just your job duties.
Why is it smart to do this?
You never know when a job opportunity will present itself to you.
It could be the busiest time of the year and you don’t have the time to properly update your resume.
By making it current now, you don’t have to worry when your dream job presents itself.
#71. Reconnect With Old Co-Workers
Want to increase the chances of finding a new job?
Get back in touch with old co-workers for networking purposes.
You can find and connect with most on LinkedIn.
Send them a message and set up a phone or video call.
Or if they are local, schedule a lunch meeting.
Then stay in touch and let them know you are interested in finding a new job.
Be sure to ask them if there is anything you can help them with as well.
#72. Volunteer
There are a number of places that allow you to volunteer your time.
You can find opportunities in your local community or online, and there are countless number of tasks you can do to help out.
If you have a family, schedule a meeting and find a common cause everyone would like to support.
Or make the commitment to volunteer on an ongoing basis.
Each week, someone else picks the volunteer opportunity that the family will assist.
So take this weekend and find a place to volunteer.
It’s a great way to give back, meet new people, and learn new things.
#73. Take A Nap
I know this seems like a waste of time, but hear me out.
If you are constantly on the go, your body and mind never get a chance to rest.
And since most people don’t go to bed at a decent hour or eat a healthy diet, they don’t get the sleep they need.
This can lead to burnout.
So this weekend, take some time for yourself and take a nap.
Find the coziest place you can, be it on the couch, in your bed, or outside on a blanket, and just rest.
#74. Write A Letter To Your Future Self
This is a powerful tool in self improvement.
Take some time to craft a letter you want your future self to read.
Write in it what you have learned, or hope to learn.
Put in your goals, or wisdom you want to remember.
Then seal it up and set a date to read it.
If you worry about losing the letter, use FutureMe.
This allows you to write an email to yourself and schedule the date you want to send it to yourself.
#75. Do Something To Make Your Week Easier
One of the best ways to reduce stress is to be prepared.
So this weekend, take some time and do something that will make your week easier.
This could be meal prepping, doing a load of laundry, or cleaning up your house.
Or it could be as simple as reviewing your week ahead and knowing that Wednesday is going to be a bear, so you need to make it priority to go to bed early Tuesday night.
By taking care of things now, you won’t have to worry about them during the week.
And that will leave you more time to relax and enjoy yourself.
#76. Get Lost On Wikipedia
This is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Start with a topic you are interested in, then click on the links within that page.
Before you know it, you will have spent hours learning about things you never knew existed.
And the best part is, it’s all free!
So take this weekend and explore Wikipedia.
#77. Go To An Apple Workshop
Apple regularly offers free workshops at its stores.
From tips and tricks to using your phone or tablet smartly, to learning how to take photos or create music, Apple has you covered for free.
And who knows, you might be able to use this skill to get a raise, land a promotion, or even start a side hustle.
At the very least, you can be better at something you do on a regular basis.
Free Family Activities
If you have a family, here are the best family activities that you can do without spending money.
Most of these can be done inside your house or even outside in your yard.
I’m certain you will find some great ideas here to try.
#78. Play Board Games
One of the best things about board games is that they can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
And just like with some of the other ideas, you can vote as a family for which games to play or each person can pick their favorite and the family plays each one.
So this weekend, break out old board games like Monopoly or Scrabble and have some family fun.
#79. Set Up A Scavenger Hunt
This is a great way to get everyone up and moving.
Split into teams or have everyone work together and come up with a list of items to find or tasks to complete.
You can do this inside your house, outside, or even in your town.
With so many possibilities, you could spend hours searching for various things.
#80. Play Charades
This is another game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
And it’s a great way to get everyone laughing and talking.
Plus, it’s a good way to learn more about your friends and family members.
And if you don’t want to write things down to draw out of a hat, you can simply download a free app and play that way.
#81. Make A Time Capsule
This is a great way to document your life.
Choose a container, something that will be safe from the elements, and put in some items that represent you or your family at this moment in time.
It could be photos, drawings, articles you’ve cut out, or anything else that is special to you.
Seal it up and make a note of the date.
Then dig a hole in your backyard and bury it.
Make sure you pick someplace where you will remember it, like by a bush or a large rock.
Come back to it in a year, five years, or ten years and see how much has changed.
#82. Have A Dance Party
Turn on your favorite music and have a dance party.
You can either do this by yourself, with friends, or with your family.
It’s a great way to get moving and have some fun.
Plus, it’s always more fun when you’re dancing to your favorite songs.
#83. Sing Karaoke
Karaoke is loved by so many people and you don’t have to be a great singer to have fun.
Just pick your favorite tunes and start singing.
Don’t know the words?
Look for the song on YouTube.
There are many YouTube channels that have videos of just song lyrics that you can use to follow along.
You can even make it a competition by seeing who can get the highest score.
Either way, you’re sure to have a blast.
#84. Call A Family Member Or Friend
With today’s technology, there is no excuse not to stay in touch with your loved ones.
So this weekend, take some time to call a family member or friend that you haven’t talked to in a while.
Catch up on their life and let them know what’s been going on with you.
You might even make some new memories in the process.
#85. Do A Jigsaw Puzzle
Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to spend some time and they can be very challenging.
So this weekend, find a puzzle that you think you can complete in a few hours.
Then see how long it actually takes you.
You might be surprised at how difficult it is.
And even if you don’t finish it quickly, you have something to come back to during your week or the next time you are bored.
#86. Create A Family Tree
Curious about your family’s past?
Then this weekend, create a family tree.
You can start with yourself and work your way back as far as you can.
If you hit a roadblock, ask other family members or look online.
You might be surprised at what you find out about your ancestors.
#87. Play With Your Kids
This might sound weird to put on a list, but when was the last time you actually played with your kids?
So many times they play on their own while you are on your device or are busy doing other things.
Take the time to engage with your kids.
Let them lead the way with their imagination and you go along for the ride.
You might be pleasantly surprised with how much fun you end up having.
#88. Practice Yoga
You could do this alone to better yourself and get into a better mental state.
Or you could do it with your family and make it something more fun than relaxing.
Just clear some space in your living room and lay down a mat or a towel.
Then find a class on YouTube and start practicing.
Ideally you will want to pick a beginner’s course if you’ve never tried yoga before as the move will be easier for you to complete.
#89. Have A Paper Airplane Competition
Remember making paper airplanes as a kid?
Why not relive those memories and have a paper airplane competition with your family?
You each make 2-3 airplanes and then set the rules for how the winner will be determined.
It could be based on distance, height, speed, time in the air, or something else.
Then when you are done, just online to find a free tutorial to make the best paper airplane and see how it compares to the ones you made.
#90. Build A Blanket Fort
Grab as many blankets and bed sheets as you can, along with some pillows and chairs.
If you have large cardboard boxes around, grab them too.
Then get to constructing your fort where you can hide away from the world.
You can even build this and then play board games in it, take a nap, or pretend play.
And depending on your set up, you could watch movies in there too or even spend the night.
#91. Play Video Games
Playing video games is always a good time.
And today, you have a lot of options.
You could download games on your phone to play or you could play the video games you had as a child on a retro gaming system they now sell.
You might even find some for free to play online too.
You could also go to a friend’s house and play their video games if they will let you.
#92. Write Poetry
This is a great activity to do if you are feeling creative.
You can either sit down with a pen and paper or type on your computer.
And you can write about anything you want.
It could be something that’s been on your mind, a memory, or just a made up story.
There are no rules when it comes to writing poetry, so just let the words flow.
You might be surprised at what you come up with.
You could even have your family participate and each person writes their own poem and shares it with each other.
#93. Play Beauty Salon
This idea is bound to be fun.
Pull out some makeup, like blush, eye shadow, lipstick, fingernail polish, etc. and have a beauty salon.
This works best with your family as your kids will love getting made up.
And it will be interesting to see how they put make up on you too.
#94. Create Artwork
If you are feeling creative, and poetry doesn’t interest you, why not make some artwork?
You could use whatever materials you have around the house, like crayons, markers, paint, etc.
And you can draw or paint whatever you want.
It doesn’t have to be perfect, just let your imagination run wild.
You could even frame it and hang it up when you are done.
#95. Play Hide And Seek
This classic kids game can be played indoors or outside and can be hours of fun.
Just set some ground rules, like the boundaries of where you can hide and then have one person count and everyone else hides.
Once the person who is counting finds everyone, they become the hider and someone else becomes the seeker.
And you can make it more challenging by adding in a time limit or other rule variations.
#96. Make Pine Cone Bird Feeders
This is a fun activity to do with your kids and you can use pine cones that you find outside.
Just gather up some birdseed, peanut butter, wax paper, toothpicks, and ribbon or string.
Then follow the instructions here.
Then go outside and hang your bird feeder.
Ideally you will hang it by a window where you can watch the birds eat.
When we did this, it was fun watching the birds eat the food that fell to the ground and the ones that would hover in the air eating right from the pine cone.
At one point a squirrel even came by and took some bites.
#97. Do Science Experiments
You can find all sorts of science experiments online that you can do with things around your house.
Many only require basic items like water, food coloring, baking soda, clear glasses or jars etc.
And this one is always a hit with kids, although it does require some adult supervision.
There are so many options out there when it comes to science experiments, so you are sure to find one that will interest you.
Seasonal Free Activities
Up until now, all the ideas I’ve listed can be used just about year round.
But I wanted to include some specific no spend weekend ideas for winter, summer, when it is raining out, etc. as you can have lots of fun during these times too.
#98. Play In The Rain
If it’s raining outside, why not play in the rain?
You can do all sorts of great things, like playing tag, making a mud pie kitchen, or having a water balloon fight.
Just be sure to dress appropriately and have fun.
This is especially great if you have younger kids who love to splash in puddles.
#99. Build A Snowman
If you live in an area where it snows, this is a great activity to do.
You can either build a traditional snowman or get creative and make something else entirely.
And don’t forget the accessories, like a hat, scarf, and mittens.
#100. Go Sledding
This is a classic winter activity that everyone loves.
Just find a hill, grab your sled, and go for a ride.
You can also make it more challenging by doing tricks on the sled or racing someone else down the hill.
If you don’t have a sled, a large piece of cardboard works too, although for not as long.
And if you think sledding is just for the snow, think again.
If it rained really hard, you can sled down a hill using a boogie board.
It’s a lot of fun and usually nowhere near as cold.
#101. Build A Snow Fort
I loved building snow forts when I was younger.
Granted you needed good wet snow that was able to be packed for it to work, but when it did, it was great.
Just pile snow up as high as you can and start digging a hole until it is big enough for you to fit in.
#102. Race Boats
After a heavy rain, you can race boats in creeks and streams.
You don’t need an actual boat here as sticks and leaves work just fine.
Just be careful to stand away from the water as you watch your boats flow on by.
And only do this after the risk of rising water has passed.
#103. Collect Leaves
In the fall, you can collect leaves from around your neighborhood.
You can collect different colors or leaves from different trees.
You could even turn it into artwork if you wanted.
Another option is piling fallen leaves into a pile and jumping into it.
#104. Visit A Pumpkin Patch
This is a great activity to do in the fall.
You can find a pumpkin patch and pick out the perfect pumpkin.
Then you can take it home and carve it into a jack-o-lantern.
You can even roast the seeds for a tasty snack.
And if you don’t want to carve your pumpkin, you can always paint it instead.
Both are a lot of fun and make for a great decoration come Halloween time.
Many pumpkin patches also have other activities too, like hayrides, crafts, and more so there is something for everyone to enjoy.
#105. Look At Christmas Lights
Looking at Christmas lights is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
You can either drive or walk around your neighborhood and look at all the different lights and decorations people have put up.
You can even go on Facebook and find local displays so you don’t have to drive around as much, hoping to find some elaborate lighting.
Final Thoughts
There are 105 awesome money free weekend ideas to help you spend your time.
I encourage you to use the ideas on this list as you not only will have fun, but you will save money too.
And you will even strengthen your relationships and be a better person as a result.
Just remember, you don’t have to spend money to have fun.
You just have to think a little outside the box to discover the many ways you can enjoy your time for free.
- Read now: Discover how to become secret rich
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I have over 15 years experience in the financial services industry and 20 years investing in the stock market. I have both my undergrad and graduate degrees in Finance, and am FINRA Series 65 licensed and have a Certificate in Financial Planning.
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