Money is not a necessity. There are many things we can do that we do not need money for. Below you will find a list of things you can do for free (listed alphabetically)
Alphabetize
Alphabetize the books on your shelf.
Back yard camping
Get out your tent and camp in the back yard. The beauty of back yard camping is that there is a toilet nearby and we can’t forget the shower too!
Bake
Head to the pantry and see what baking supplies you have. You can make 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies with three ingredients you may already have in your cupboards.
Beach/Lake
It’s always fun to swim at a local watering hole – whether it be the beach or a lake. Remember to be safe and take another person with you.
Bike ride
The miles will zoom by as you bike ride on trails or in your neighborhood.
Bird watch
Learn the names of the birds in your area and keep a log of the birds you see. We recently bought a hummingbird feeder and it has been so fun watching the tiny little hummingbirds fly around our back yard. Prior to having the feeder our back yard was hummingbird barren. It didn’t take long for them to find the feeder! I wish we had done this years ago!
Board games
From solitaire to gin there are so many card games you can play. Cribbage is my favorite card game (and I promise I am in my 30’s – my friends tell me I am too young for that game). Surely there is an old favorite board game sitting on a shelf that you could dust off.
Bon Fire
Make a bon fire in your back yard. Go on a nature walk and collect branches and wood for this fun night activity. You could even roast marshmallows or hot dogs!
Create a budget so you are on the road to financial success. I won’t lie. It’s not the most fun thing on this list, but it is a life essential to have a good budget in place.
Catching crawdads
Head to a river and see if you can catch crawdads. They are fast and you will be amazed at how quickly time passes.
Clean out your closets
It’s time to purge those clothes you don’t wear. If it stained….you need to get rid of it. If you have clothing in good condition consider hosting a clothing swap with friends or finding a local consignment store.
Check the community calendar
Living in a digital age means finding activities on community calendars is easy! See if there is BINGO, movie night, or another activity being held in your local community.
Compliment a stranger
Happiness is an unexpected compliment. Make someone’s day by giving them a compliment. That mom with three kids in the store? Compliment her children on behaving well or helping their mom. The elderly gentleman you see at the coffee shop? Tell him you like his shirt or his smile. Go ahead and make someone’s day.
Cut coupons
You can save money by cutting coupons. Go through your coupon inserts and cut out the coupons that you know you will use. Print coupons from the following websites: Redplum | Coupons.com
Create origami
Make a paper boat and have a boat race, make paper hats and decorate them, or learn something more elaborate like a paper swan or turtle. You can always pretend you are back in elementary school and make cootie catchers. 🙂 If you get nostalgic with that cootie catcher you may find yourself playing M.A.S.H. too!
Download Money Saving Apps
Take a few minutes to make sure you are saving money at the grocery store and beyond when you download our favorite money saving apps.
Draw
It doesn’t have to be ornate or detailed just start sketching and see where that takes you. Visit the library and check out a learn to draw book. The You Can Draw in 30 Days: The Fun, Easy Way to Learn to Draw in One Month or Less book looks great and is very highly rated.
Exercise
Running is great but if that is too much for you go for a walk. If you start to like walking consider doing a Couch to 5K program. There are so many great workout videos on YouTube that you are bound to find something that is your style (and that you can do in the comfort of your own home).
Fly a kite
A windy day calls for some kite flying. Untangle the kite in your closet and take it for a whirl.
Fishing
Find a local fishing pond, grab your tackle and fishing pole, and go fishing. Be sure you know your state laws regarding fishing licenses.
Geocache
One of our favorite family activities is geocaching. If you really like this free activity you can spend money on a geocaching GPS just for the occasion.
Go to the park
Parks are a great place to relax with a picnic or burn calories with a game of catch.
Hang out with friends
In the age of technology sometimes it’s just awesome to put it all away and to just hang out with our friends. Real talking, real eye contact, and real laughter.
Head to the library
The library is one of the most magical places you can go. Utilize the librarian to help find a great book or series of books to read. See if your library lends DVDs or CDs. Libraries often host activities for patrons including book clubs, debates, speakers, and more.
Iron your clothes
Get a head start on the week and iron some clothes that need to have a few wrinkles knocked out. The next time you are in a hurry you can grab your favorite clothes without having to think twice about their level of wrinkle.
Imagine
We see kids imagining all the time. Go back to your childhood roots and imagine. You could even play with some toys, work on an art project, or plan your perfect house.
Juggle
Get out a few washcloths or balls and learn the art of juggling. It’s a skill that has been amazing people for years….surely we could learn it too?
Knot tying
A piece of rope is all you need to learn a few new knots. Knot tying comes in handy more often than we realize.
Listen to podcasts
Ted Talks are great podcasts. There are thousands (if not millions) of podcasts that you can stream or download and listen to at home or on your way to work.
Look at old photos
Find some (gasp) printed photos that you have around your house and share memories with your family. If you don’t have any printed photos or photo albums head to the computer and look at digital photos.
Make a magazine collage
Make a dream board from a magazine using pictures of items that inspire you.
Make paper planes
There are so many different paper airplanes to make. Make several and have a contest to see which one(s) fly the best.
Mall Play Center
Head to the mall and let your kids play in the indoor play center. This is a great way for everyone to make a new friend!
Meet your neighbors
Head outside and talk to your neighbors. Your new best friend could be right next door!
Metal detecting
This one requires a metal detector, so find a friend who has one to borrow (or you can buy your own). You never know what kind of treasures you will find when metal detecting!
Movie night
Dust off an old VHS or DVD and watch an old family favorite.
Nature Hike
Head outside to hike in nature. Enjoy the sounds of the wildlife and look at all the flowers and shrubs.
Organize a yard sale
Go through your house and organize a yard sale. Ask your neighbors to join you and have a neighborhood sale that will draw lots of people. Don’t miss these Yard Sale Tips for the Perfect Sale
Pick up the phone and call someone you love
When was the last time you called a friend or relative? Call someone you haven’t spoken to in awhile and make both of your days much happier!
Picnic
Pack a picnic and eat at a local park.
Precook meals
Get a head start on the next week and precook your meals. Create a meal menu (consider Aldi or Costco meal plans)
Quote your favorite movies
Go through some of your favorite movies and write down the quotes that inspire you or make you laugh.
Read a book
Kick back in a comfy place and be taken away to a magical land of make believe or read about a non-fiction event that intrigues you.
Resume
Update your resume
Scavenger Hunt
Set up a scavenger hunt. There are probably a million scavenger hunt ideas on Pinterest. Be sure to follow Coupons Are Great on Pinterest while you are there!
Splash Pad
Beat the heat and go to a community splash pad to cool off.
Sports
Basketball, baseball, catch, soccer, volleyball, horse shoes, frisbee golf…..the list goes on and one!
Start a blog or YouTube channel
Start a blog or create YouTube content about things that you are passionate about.
Swim
Go swimming in a neighborhood pool (very popular in the south), back yard pool, lake, or the beach.
Take a walk.
Burn a few calories and go for a walk around the neighborhood.
Unfold and refold.
Go through your dresser and make it nice and neat. Get rid of things you haven’t worn recently.
Volunteer
Find an agency to volunteer with. DoSomething is a great company that has several volunteer opportunities that you can do from home.
Watch the sun rise
Start the day early and watch the sun as it rises. The colors are always spectacular!
Do you have any suggestions to add to this list of things you can do for free?
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Leandrea is a married mom of two girls, ages 13 and 12, living in Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about helping people save money one coupon at a time. Read more