10 Things Under $10 You And Your Friends Can Do This Fall/Winter!

It’s always hard to find fun things to do with your friends that don’t involve spending money. Still, thankfully, the Holidays create several opportunities for you and your friends to spend quality time together outside of restaurants. Here are 10 activities under $10!

1. Visit a Local Pumpkin Patch.

Visiting a local pumpkin patch in your area is a great way to enjoy the Fall and, specifically, the Halloween season without spending money! Most patches are located on farms that are typically free to enter for the public, so even if you don’t buy a pumpkin or some apple cider donuts, you can still enjoy a peaceful afternoon with your friends and take some cute Fall photos!

2. Host a Movie Night.

Movie theater tickets can be expensive; sometimes, we can blow over $20 to see the newest film. Instead, invite some friends over, make your room cozy, cook dinner or snacks, and watch a classic film everyone will love. Better yet, have a movie marathon! The best part is that you can laugh, cry, and gossip as loud as you want.

3. Go to a Museum.

Depending on the museums in your area, you could get access for free simply by showing a state or student ID. If not, other museums operate on the Honor System -- just pay what you can. Find local museums that have affordable or free entry and spend the day appreciating art. Walk along freely, picking out your favorite pieces, or follow the audio sometimes provided by the museum explaining each piece. Engage your mind and get quality time in with friends!

4. Painting Night

Invite a group of friends, grab some art supplies, and have an art night! You could do many things with art supplies -- draw or paint portraits of each other, follow along with a tutorial video, or simply create whatever you want while you and your friends chat. This activity heavily relies on the supplies needed, but you don’t need to break the bank to have an art night! Get a kids set of art supplies like paint, crayons, markers, and a paper pack.

5. Go on a Hot Girl Walk or Run.

If you are looking for a way to get your steps in or get up and move, schedule a time with your friends to put on your cute workout fits and go on a walk. Find a trail, path, or even a local neighborhood you’d dream of living in. You can check exercise off your to-do list and have fun with your friends. If you want to make this free activity under $10, find a smoothie or coffee place after you finish as a treat!

6. Bake

Baking can get complicated when you don’t have enough room in your fridge or pantry to store all the food you just made. Instead of trying to reconfigure measurements to make a personal batch of cookies or cake, invite your friends over, have everyone bring one ingredient, and bake a dish everyone will love! There are many recipes online, in cookbooks, and even on TikTok. Simply find one everyone will love and leave with a personal batch!

7. Visit Your Local Holiday Market.

As someone who lives in NYC, I love the Union Square Holiday Market every year. Now, while it’s a market, my friends and I typically never buy anything; we just love walking around. When it comes to window shopping, I find it’s easier to do so at farmers markets, as there’s less advertising and you aren’t shopping for name-brand, trendy products. If you do leave your local market with something, you just supported a small business!

8. Drive Through Christmas Light Neighborhoods.

We all know that one neighborhood or town nearby that has every single house on the block decked out in lights and decorations. If you’re from the suburbs and are looking for something fun for you and your friends to do while visiting home for the Holidays, this is the thing to do. If you don’t know where to go exactly to find these neighborhoods, I’ve found that it’s best to look at older, more “historic” towns in your area, as they are more likely to follow those traditions. Blast your Holiday music while you have your Christmas light show!

9. Go to a Corn Maze.

Sometimes, haunted houses are too expensive, and entry fees are high, so the next best option could be a local corn maze! Some are haunted and you can go through them at night, and some are just fun daytime mazes to complete with your friends. Local public farms usually have this sort of attraction during this time of year, and not only can this be a great photo opportunity, but it’s also a perfect way to spend time with your friends.

10. Take Fall Photos.

If you have been meaning to take photos for Instagram or even headshots for a business or LinkedIn, grab your digital camera or smartphone and take photos around your area! Bring different outfits, plan out various locations, and create a Pinterest board of poses. The photos don’t even have to go anywhere! Take them for fun or for Holiday cards, the world is your oyster!