13 fun things to do without spending money

Summary:

• Finding fun things to do without spending money doesn’t mean giving up quality time or meaningful experiences.

• Your local community likely offers a variety of no-cost opportunities to explore and learn something new, from nature walks and farmers markets to local festivals.

• Many museums, zoos and cultural attractions offer free or discounted admission on select days throughout the year.

• Volunteering or joining local meetup groups can help you stay active and meet new people while giving back to your community.

Attending the hottest concert in town. Visiting the hands-on STEM museum. Catching a movie at the nearest theater. These activities can be fun—and expensive.

One way to spend less money is to cut back on your entertainment costs. Reducing how often you dine out at restaurants, for example, is among several lifestyle changes that will save you money. It might even improve your health in the long run.

According to a survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spent an average of $3,609 on entertainment in 2024. So, if you have room to cut back, you’re not alone. Luckily, spending less on entertainment doesn’t mean saying goodbye to the good times. In fact, having a social life on a budget is completely possible. There are plenty of ways to have fun without spending money. Many of them are likely in your own community.

“How many New Yorkers haven’t ridden the Staten Island Ferry or gone to a live concert in Central Park?” says Donna Freedman, an author and founder of a blog that focuses on personal finance and living simply.
Maybe you’re short on cash this Friday night and you need to cut your entertainment expenses.

Maybe you’re saving up for a down payment on a house. Or, maybe you just need some staycation ideas to fill the kids’ summer or winter school breaks. Whatever your situation, here are 13 fun things to do without spending money:

A picnic with family or friends is a way to have fun without spending money. You can go to your favorite outdoor spot or use it as an opportunity to explore someplace new. Emma Healey, founder of a money-saving blog for moms, has a specific strategy. She’ll pull up her map app on her phone and look for green patches around where she lives. Then, she’ll search the name of the area to see if it’s a place she can take her kids.

“Once we discovered a nature reserve hidden behind some farmland, with a trail through the woods and a rope swing for the kids at the end,” Healey says. “There was no one else there, so we enjoyed the forest all by ourselves, and the kids thought it was the best thing ever.”

Picnicking is free, especially if you’re walking or biking to your destination. Plus, you can pack your basket full of items already in your pantry or fridge.

If you have museums or zoos in your area, check their websites to see if they offer days when you can visit without paying admission. These days can be popular and crowded, but it’s worth it if you’re trying to find fun things to do. Some companies also have deals with local museums that allow employees and their families to attend without cost on specific days. Check with your employer to make sure you’re taking full advantage of any partnerships.

As you’re searching for fun things to do without spending money, consider geocaching. It’s based on a simple idea: People have hidden more than 3 million treasure stockpiles (known as geocaches) all around the world, and it’s your job to find them using only GPS. If you have a smartphone, chances are you already have all the equipment you need for this hobby. Bonus: When it comes to staycation ideas, this activity is all about adventure and can open your eyes to local spots you’ve never visited.

Many towns and cities offer no-cost festivals, music nights and other events. Taking advantage of these free events is an easy way to enjoy your hometown, socialize with your friends and mix up your activities—all without opening your wallet. Check the website for your local chamber of commerce for a calendar of fun things to do.

Although it’s possible to travel on a budget and visit free or low-cost historical sites around the country, you probably have some closer to home as well. Did you know that no-cost historical walking tours are available in many cities for both kids and adults? These tours are often put together by businesses, chambers of commerce or governments, and they are terrific staycation ideas. To find out if one is available near you, search for “walking tour” on the website of your local historical society, city or chamber of commerce. Keep in mind that sometimes these tours are led by volunteers, while others are offered as self-guided tours.

Checking out the produce and wares at your local farmers market can be one of the best fun things to do without spending money. Plus, they often have plenty of free samples to try.

If those samples have you wanting to pull out your wallet, there’s no need to stress: Cooking at home can be even cheaper than eating out on a budget. Farmers markets can offer affordable, fresh produce, especially if you go at the end of the day when vendors are more inclined to offer discounts to get rid of extra items.

As you’re shopping for produce, why not try something new? Rather than getting your favorite vegetables, try challenging yourself. Pick out one to two vegetables you normally wouldn’t buy, and then find a recipe for them. You’ll save money by not eating out, and you’ll add to your recipe list.

Another couple of staycation ideas: A farmers market is a great destination for a longer walk, and you could even turn your visit into a nice picnic if you pick up an item or two.

Consider finding an outdoor adventure. While some campgrounds charge fees, it’s also possible to find free sites. You can camp on most national forest land for no cost, for example. It’s called dispersed camping. You may have to follow specific rules, such as being a certain distance from water sources and developed campgrounds.

Think camping is only realistic for people living in rural areas? It’s possible to find dispersed camping areas—as well as other campsites with low fees—near many large cities. For tips on recreational opportunities and how to visit public lands, check with your local or regional Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service or state parks office before heading out.

You probably take a lot of photos while you’re away on vacation. Why not take some while you’re home? If you’re looking to boost your photography skills, doing a photography challenge allows you to explore the hidden nooks and crannies of your own hometown. Plus, you can fit it in anytime.

Search “photography challenge” to find lists of things to take pictures of each day for a set period of time. Prompts like “find something red” and “take a picture of something abandoned and forgotten” can turn your photography into a real hometown treasure hunt.

One of the most fun things to do without spending money is visiting the library, Freedman says. “On the way out, I always stop at the ‘new arrivals’ section and scoop up new reading material.”

You might be surprised by how accommodating libraries are, even if your local branch is no larger than a walk-in closet. For example, if you’re interested in reading something that you can’t find on the shelves, most libraries are able to order it for you.

Many libraries are full of even more fun things to do that don’t cost money, like checking out DVDs, cameras or binoculars. And in some locations, “you can get access to free passes to museums and other local cultural attractions,” Freedman says.

Going to the library, instead of downloading content on your devices, can also become an event itself and an opportunity for the family to get out of the house.

Whether you’re looking for affordable ways to spread generosity during the holidays or budget-friendly summer fun ideas, volunteering is a great all-weather activity. There are likely a lot of organizations in your area that could use your help right now. 

Ask at a local nonprofit, such as a food bank or a wildlife rehabilitation center, or use a volunteer website to search for opportunities. You could meet new friends, feel good about helping your hometown and even develop new skills.

Speak a foreign language? Interested in home-brewing beer? How about exploring caves? You can check out social media sites to find and connect with other locals who share similar interests. You could also find new places in your town to explore if you join a club that moves around, such as a running club. Remember: You can carpool to activities with others in the group to save on gas.

Even if you’re not a bird expert, birdwatching could be a new hobby on your growing list of fun activities that don’t require money. There are birds wherever you are (even in the biggest of cities), and all you need is a bird book or app and some binoculars to get started.

Hiking is the perfect combination of nature and exercise, even if you live in a large city. To find trails near you, check out this hiking trail website. It provides detailed trail maps, reviews and photos submitted by hikers. You can carpool with friends to save on gas and even combine hiking with another fun outdoor activity like birdwatching or geocaching.

Whether you need to save a few bucks for the short term or rework your budget to focus on other priorities, these 13 staycation ideas will help you find new and fun things to do without spending money. Some tips to keep in mind:

• You can enjoy meaningful experiences at little or no cost while still creating lasting memories with friends and family. 

• Free outdoor activities—like farmers markets, community festivals and historical walking tours—help you save on entertainment while staying connected to your community and meeting new people. 

• Visiting local parks, libraries and museums offers easy, budget-friendly ways to have fun and explore your area. 

• Choosing low-cost or no-cost outings can free up money for bigger financial goals, such as buying a home or planning a vacation.