Think you have to spend money to have a fun weekend? Think again!
After becoming a mom, our weekends have been filled with finding fun and creative ways to keep my toddler entertained without always spending money.
My husband and I realized that some of the best weekends are the ones that cost absolutely nothing (even before we became parents).
No need for big shopping tips, going to expensive brunches, or checking out high-cost family attractions. Sure, there’s a time and place to enjoy those things, but if you want to save money or work towards a financial goal this year, there are plenty of ways to have fun without opening your wallet.
Here’s a list of 25 free no-spend weekend ideas that prove you can make good memories without spending money.
Table of Contents
1. Have a “No-Spend Date Night”
You don’t have to go to a restaurant or order take-out to make a date night feel special. The key is to turn an ordinary evening at home into something that feels different from your normal routine.
You can set the mood by lighting a candle and turning off the big overhead lights. Play some soft music or put on a classic playlist that makes you feel good.
Even though you’re spending the night in, you can dress up anyway. Put on something you wouldn’t normally wear at home to make it feel like an actual date.
Cooking dinner together can be romantic. Check to see what you have in your fridge, freezer, or pantry to make something delicious with ingredients you already have.
You can make drinks like homemade mocktails, cocktails, lemonade, or coffee.
Sometimes it’s fun to make it feel like you’re dining in a restaurant. Set the table, create a menu, put out the nice dishes and cutlery.
If you prefer, have a dessert date instead. You can make cookies, brownies, ice cream sundaes, or another favorite dessert using items you have at home.
End the evening by watching a movie under a cozy blanket.
2. Have Breakfast-For-Dinner Night
Most breakfast food is affordable and easy to make using basic pantry staples. Check your fridge for items like eggs, milk, cheese, fruit, or leftover veggies. Check your pantry for flour, pancake mix, potatoes, oats, or potatoes.
We like having breakfast for dinner at least once a week. Our favorite items are pancakes, scrambled eggs with crispy breakfast potatoes, waffles, frittatas, hashbrowns, baked oatmeal, breakfast burritos, or toast.
You can make it feel special by putting on some fun music or making decaf coffee or tea. The best part is you can make an extra batch of pancakes, hard-boiled eggs, or muffins and enjoy them for lunch the next day.
3. Have a “Childhood Day”
This is a fun way to slow down, get nostalgic, and rediscover the things you used to love when you were a kid.
You can start the day by making your favorite childhood breakfast. Mine was chocolate chip pancakes.
Watch your favorite movie that you loved as a child and make popcorn at home. My favorite childhood movie was The Parent Trap.
Play old games, such as video games, board games, or puzzles that you already own. I used to love playing Guitar Hero.
Another popular activity many children love is building a fort. Use blankets and pillows from around the house to build an epic fort. This can be a cozy little reading nook.
If the weather is nice, get outside. Go for a bike ride, fly a kite, build a sandcastle at the beach, play catch, or explore a nearby nature park.
Make a homemade snack that you used to love as a kid, such as homemade chocolate chips cookies, rice crispy treats, or peanut butter toast.
Look through old photos, watch family home videos, or a make a time-capsule box. If you have children, this can be a fun thing to do together. Add drawings or small keepsakes, then set it aside to open years from now.
4. Visit your local library
The public library has tons of free resources to help cut everyday expenses.
Browse books instead of buying them. You can get new releases, bestsellers, personal finance books, books to learn a new hobby, or cookbooks – the library has lots of different genres.
Borrow movies and TV shows. The library has DVDs and Blu-rays available, which is a nice alternative to renting movies or paying for streaming services.
Download free e-books, magazines, or audiobooks. You can access digital downloads to read or listen from your phone, tablet, or e-reader without having to buy individual titles.
Attend workshops or free events. Libraries often free story times, activities for kids, author talks, craft sessions, learning workshops, lectures, and book clubs.
Use the Wi-Fi and workspace. I used to study for my college exams at the local library. This was a great way to work in a quiet space without feeling the pressure to buy coffee.
Borrow things besides books. Some libraries lend museum passes, toys, video games, musical instruments, language learning tools, board games, puzzles, and more.
5. Start a free hobby
You don’t have to by a bunch of supplies, sign up for classes, or purchase expensive equipment to start a new hobby.
A no-spend weekend is the perfect excuse to try something new using items and resources you already have.
Some possible hobbies include drawing, journaling, creative writing, photography, gardening, writing, birdwatching, or learning a new skill from free online resources.
6. Declutter one small space
We all have that one space in our home that’s been driving us crazy – a junk drawer, nightstand, bathroom cabinet, kitchen cupboard, or purse.
Pick one small space and set a timer for 15-30 minutes. Pull everything out and toss any trash. Put misplaced items back where they belong and make a small pile of things you no longer use. You might even find something you forgot you had.
Donate the items you no longer use to a local thrift store or sell them on Facebook (if they have value).
The goal isn’t to declutter your entire home. Instead, you’ll just make one small space noticeably better. This can be a free activity to do that gives you a little more breathing room.
7. Do a closet remix challenge
This can be a fun way to give your current wardrobe a fresh look without spending money.
Create five completely different outfits from clothes you already own. Mix pieces you normally wouldn’t pair together, switch up your shoes and accessories.
I like to use Pinterest for inspiration, or you can take inspiration from your favorite celebrities.
Turn this into a challenge: “How many outfits can I create without buying anything?” You might discover that you have more clothes than you thought.
8. Have a DIY Spa Night
Turn your bathroom into a luxury spa without spending money. Dim the lights, light a candle, and put on a relaxing playlist. Take a long shower or bath and use what you already have for self-care.
You can make a cup of herbal tea, put on a face mask, wear cozy pajamas, and paint your nails.
9. Have a board game tournament
You can turn a regular night at home into a fun family competition. Pull out your favorite board games or cards. If you don’t have any, you can borrow games for free from your local library or find free board games on Facebook Marketplace.
Instead of playing Monopoly for six hours, you can play several shorter games to keep it lively and fun.
Keep score throughout the evening and crown an overall winner at the end. The prize? It can be bragging rights, or the winner chooses the next family movie to watch.
This can be a great no-spend weekend activity that keeps everyone off their phones without spending a dime.
10. Create a family recipe night
If you don’t mind experimenting in the kitchen, you can turn dinner into a free family activity by having everyone help put a fun twist on a family favorite recipe.
Pick out some ingredients you already have in your pantry or fridge and let each person choose what goes into the dish.
Obviously, you don’t want to be wasting ingredients with yucky food combinations, but you can add items that pair well.
Such as a clean-out-the-fridge fried rice, stir fry, frittata, omelet, soup, stew, or tapas board.
11. Have a pantry baking day
Skip going to the local café and create the experience at home. Pick a tasty recipe that uses ingredients you already have, such as chocolate chip cookies, blueberry muffins, banana bread, or homemade granola.
You can make it together as a family or let the kids decorate the finished treat. Make a cup of coffee or tea and this can be a fun way to enjoy a delicious sweet treat without spending money.
12. Have a No-Spend Brunch at home
Instead of waiting in line at popular brunch spots that cost and arm and a leg, turn your kitchen into your favorite weekend café.
Use what you already have in your pantry and fridge to make a gourmet brunch at home. This includes classics like pancakes, French toast, waffles, eggs, avocado toast, breakfast sandwiches, or fruit and yogurt parfait.
You can make your favorite coffee, tea, or pop open sparkling wine to make mimosas. Put on a fun brunch playlist, set the table nicely, and enjoy spending time together.
13. Have a cozy movie marathon
Skip going to expensive movie theaters and turn your living room into a cozy cinema, complete with snacks.
I recommend picking 2-3 of your favorite movies – you can choose a theme like childhood favorites, scary movies, classic trilogies, comedies, or movies that feature a particular actor.
Make popcorn or other popular concession snacks using what you already have. Get comfortable under a blanket, dim the lights, and enjoy a cozy night at home.
14. Try a “Use What You Have” Cooking Challenge
Instead of going to the grocery store, challenge yourself to create a meal using only ingredients you already have.
Get the family involved. Everyone can suggest a meal idea or help cook.
Depending on what you have in your pantry or fridge, some ideas include pantry pasta, chickpea curry, lentil soup, beans and rice, black bean quesadillas, loaded baked potatoes, shakshuka, pantry chili, peanut noodles, mac and cheese, or homemade pizza.
15. Go for a long nature walk
Skip going to the mall or other places that will tempt you to spend money. Instead, grab your sneakers or hiking boots and head outside for a long nature walk.
Explore a local trail, park, ravine, or neighborhood you’ve never really walked through. I like to bring a thermos of coffee or a reuseable bottle of water and pack a few snacks from home.
You can turn it into a mini adventure by taking photos, birdwatching, doing a scavenger hunt, or simply enjoying some quiet time outdoors.
16. Make a memory scrapbook
Take a little trip down memory lane this weekend. Gather old photos and other special keepsakes or souvenirs. Think ticket stubs, greeting cards, kids’ artwork, postcards, or newspaper clippings.
You can use an old binder, notebook, or piece of paper that you already have to create your scrapbook. You can look for ideas on Pinterest for how to display your keepsakes.
Add funny captions, little stories behind each photo, or record your favorite memories. There’s no need for fancy supplies. Use glue, tape, markers, and other craft supplies you already have.
17. Have a DIY Pizza Night
Turn dinner into a fun no-spend weekend activity. Use what you already have in your fridge and pantry.
If you don’t have time to make pizza dough from scratch, you can use bread, naan, tortillas, or English muffins as the base. Then add all your favorite toppings – tomato sauce, cheese, crisp veggies, leftover chicken, onions, olives, pineapple, or deli meat.
You can make a delicious tomato sauce by using a small can of tomato paste. Or you can use BBQ sauce, basil pesto, or alfredo sauce as the base.
Set everything out on the kitchen counter like buffet-style and let each person build their own pizza.
18. Create a Dream Vision Board from old magazines
Turn old magazine or newspaper clippings into a fun dream board for your future.
If you don’t have any magazines, you can grab free ones at local community groups, the public library, little free libraries, or “Buy Nothing” Facebook groups.
Flip through the pages and cut out anything that inspires you: travel destinations, cozy homes, exciting hobbies, fashion outfits, healthy meals, nature, happy moments, or anything the represents the life you want for yourself.
Arrange the cutouts into a collage. Your board can represent one BIG goal or you can create sections for each area of your life, such as family, health, finances, home, or travel.
19. Explore your own city or town like a tourist
You don’t need to leave town to have a fun adventure. Pretend that you’re visiting your city for the first time. Pick a neighborhood or landmark you’ve never properly explored and make an afternoon of it.
You can check out a free museum or historic site, explore a local market, discover a scenic walking trail, or photograph interesting buildings or wildlife.
Download a free walking tour, pack some tasty snacks and water from home, and see how many new places you can discover without spending any money.
20. Find free things to do in your city or town
For one day, challenge yourself to say “yes” to all the free stuff. This may include free events or workshops at your local library, visiting a museum or art gallery during their “free hours”, attend a free concert or outdoor music festival, join a free community gym class, or grab a sample a local farmer’s market.
21. Have a living room (or backyard) campout
If you have a tent and the weather is nice, turn your backyard into a fun campsite. No need to make camping reservations or spend any money!
Alternatively, you can build a fort in the living room with blankets and pillows, turn off the lights, and use a flashlight to give it that cozy, campsite feel.
Check to see what you have in your pantry or fridge to make snacks like popcorn, trail mix, or walking tacos. Tell spooky or funny stories, play card games, or watch a good movie together.
Sleep in sleeping bags or blankets on the floor and pretend that you’re camping somewhere in the wild.
22. Have a backyard picnic
Skip the restaurant or takeout and turn your backyard (or balcony) into your own cute picnic spot. Grab a blanket and use ingredients you already have at home to pack sandwiches, fruit, or yummy snacks.
You can put on a good playlist, read a book, play a card game or outdoor game, throw a frisbee, or pull out your sketchbook and draw a picture of the natural scenery.
No picnic basket? No problem! Use a cardboard box to carry everything, a baking sheet, or even a reusable shopping bag.
23. Rearrange a room
Give a room in your home a little makeover without spending a dime! Pick a room that you’ve been wanting to remodel.
You can plan the layout and focus on how you want the room to function. Move the furniture around, switch out the decorations, rearrange the shelves, or create a cozy reading nook or workstation.
Take a before and after photo and discover how easy it is to create a fresh-looking space without buying anything.
24. Have a phone-free afternoon
Have a relaxing, phone-free afternoon by putting your device away for a few hours. This will give you a break from automatically reaching for your phone to open social apps and doom scrolling.
Put it on silent and tuck it away in a drawer so you won’t be tempted to check whenever you receive a notification.
Things you can do without your phone include going for a walk, reading a book, baking something from a cookbook or laptop, playing a family board game, working on a hobby or craft project, cleaning, doing laundry, or relaxing with a cup of coffee outside.
Set a clear start and end time for yourself, such as 2 or 3 hours without your phone, so it feel manageable.
25. Start a free hobby
There are tons of hobbies you can start without spending money. You can pick something that you’ve always wanted to try and use what you already have at home to get started.
This is also a good opportunity to see if you actually enjoy it first before buying anything. Below are some fun ideas to get you inspired:
- Start a free personal blog
- Sketch or paint a picture of nature using what you already have
- Journal or write short stories
- Do a puzzle, sudoku, or crosswords
- Teach yourself a new song using a musical instrument you already have
- Learn a new language using a free app or online program
- Do yoga, stretching, or walking, or your favorite free at-home exercise routine
- Learn to knit or crochet using supplies you already have
- Take a photo walk around your neighborhood
- Start a small herb garden using kitchen scraps
- Try writing poetry
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