Every Saturday morning, do you find yourself stumped about what to do with your weekend? We’ve been there too! Instead of sitting around aimlessly binge-watching Netflix, take a look at our top ideas for fun and affordable activities you can do on the weekend, even when social distancing.
- Take a hike – Get some fresh air for this fun and free weekend activity! Whether you live in the country, the suburbs or even the city, you can surely find a hike (or just a nice walk) in your area. Feeling more motivated? Make it a run or bike ride instead!
- Have a picnic – Instead of cooking up your normal meal indoors, gather up some goodies to take to your local park (or even your backyard!) for a quaint picnic! Don’t forget a blanket to sit on and some lawn or card games for after you’re finished eating.
- Explore your city – Even if you don’t think of your city as a tourist destination, there’s surely something you have never seen in it! Do a quick Google search of the history of your town for inspiration, or simply go visit somewhere you’ve heard of but never been to. If you aren’t able to visit all the places you’d like to due to COVID-19, research those places and make a plan to visit when it’s safe.
- Try a new recipe – Always reaching for the same ingredients at the store? Before you make your regular grocery run, take some time to research a dish you love but have never made at home or a cuisine you’d like to try. You’ll (hopefully!) have a great new dish to add to your repertoire, but if not, it’ll surely make for a good #cookingfail memory!
- Set goals for the coming year – There’s a reason top-class athletes, successful businesspeople and driven individuals all swear by writing down goals. Setting goals for yourself gives you something measurable to work towards, while also boosting your self-confidence as you reach and achieve the goals you’ve set out to. Goals don’t have to just be financial or career-oriented – try and compose yours within the categories of family, physical, self-care, attitude and public service just to name a few!
- Host a game night – Board games aren’t just for kids anymore! Pick a few of your favorites and play with your family for a fun-filled evening. Pro tip: For times when it isn’t safe to enjoy a game night with friends, look for online board or card games that you can all play together while social distancing.
- Volunteer your time in your community – Easy and fun while also giving back to your community, volunteering is a great way to spend your weekend. Look for a local homeless shelter where you can help serve or deliver food, take care of animals at a local animal shelter, or write letters to seniors at a nursing home. The options for volunteering are endless, and many of them are still a possibility even while social distancing!
- Do a closet cleanout – Don’t wait until spring to Marie Kondo your closet! Look for items that are damaged, no longer fit or you haven’t worn in the last six months to get rid of it first. Not sure what to do with the stuff are your closet is cleared? Check out our tips for how to get rid of things without throwing them away!
- Read a new book – Chances are you have a stack of books somewhere that you always intended on starting or finishing, but you haven’t quite gotten to them yet. Take one off that pile and get reading, or visit your local library to pick up a new one!
- Visit a museum – While the type and size might vary, almost all cities have a museum of some sort. A quick look online will tell you about one in your area or close by that you can visit to stay busy on the weekend! And in a word where museums or closed for physical visits, check out these famous museums that are offering virtual tours!
- Give a loved one a call – Don’t call your mom, grandpa or long-distance friend as often as you should? Take this time to call them and catch up. They’ll be just as happy to hear your voice as you are to have an activity for your weekend.
- Rearrange the furniture or decor in your home – Depending on your space this can be a tough one, but even rearranging small items in your home can have a big difference in how you view it. Don’t want to mess with the motif of your space? Try re-arranging the items in your fridge, your closet or garage to make those places more efficient for you.
- Clean up trash in your neighborhood – Not only does this activity get you outdoors, but it also lets you do good at the same time! Bring along some rubber gloves and a trash bag and collect any trash you find along your way. Want to take this up a notch? Share the idea with your neighbors to have an even bigger impact!
- Complete a task you’ve been putting off – Have you been avoiding laundry this week? Getting groceries? Making your next dentist appointment? While this one might not be as much fun as other weekend activities, you’ll be relieved afterward to have crossed something off your to-do list!
It doesn’t take much planning to have a fun and affordable weekend activity, but sometimes the drive to be lazy at home is very tempting or during times like COVID-19, you might be limited to your own home. Instead of sitting around all weekend, pick on of these ideas for activities you can do inexpensively and easily in your own neighborhood this weekend!
Erika focuses on email marketing, copywriting and merchandising at Zazzle, but she has a secret obsession with all things wedding! During the week you can find her writing punny subject lines while also pinning the latest wedding trends, and outside of the 9-5, she is usually cheering on the San Jose Sharks, reading a good murder mystery, or hunting for the best Philly Cheesesteak in the Bay Area.
These are great ideas! I wanted to share with you something that my daughter and I used to love to do when she was still at home. I was a waitress and divorced mom at the time so money was a little tight but we found a way to have a good time on a Saturday afternoon by just visiting the mall for a strictly window shopping tour. The only thing we were allowed to buy was a piece of chocolate from Godiva’s and an Orange Julius for a grand total of about $25. Then we would window shop and people watch giggling and having a wonderful time the rest of the afternoon. I never even realized what an affect it had on her until a couple years ago when she told me that she passed the tradition on to some of her girlfriends who thought you couldn’t have fun without spending a lot of money and they also had the best Saturday afternoon they had ever had together.
Now I am ready to try a few of your ideas!
Many areas have hiking clubs that put on hikes non-members can participate in. It’s a way to meet new people and have company during your hike. You may even decide to join the hiking club.
As an author I have to say I am one hundred percent in support of the read a new book suggestion! Also, I find that when I have folks from out of town visiting, I’m always looking up touristy things to do around here always forgetting that I don’t have to wait for someone to visit to be a tourist in my own backyard.
I spend my weekends on a kayak… fishing! A lot of areas have kayak fishing clubs/groups. The kayak fishing community is wonderful, especially if you are a newcomer to the sport and just want to learn. Not everyone has the space to store a boat, a kayak is easier to store and transport, it’s great exercise and a way to explore nature!