✨ 10 Fun Ideas To Do With Friends
🍼 The Newborn Survival Kit
The first six months of parenthood are a blur of exhaustion. Stop trying to tough it out—these are the 5 absolute life-saving baby essentials that experienced moms literally refuse to live without. They will instantly solve your biggest sleeping, feeding, and soothing struggles.
🌙 Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine
The ultimate sleep hack. You can entirely control this white noise machine and dimmable nightlight from your smartphone, meaning you never have to accidentally wake the baby while sneaking back out of the nursery after a 3 AM feeding.
🤧 FridaBaby NoseFrida Snotsucker
It sounds incredibly gross until your baby has their first cold and literally cannot breathe to sleep. Throw away those useless hospital bulb syringes—this doctor-invented tool safely clears congestion in seconds, and yes, the filter absolutely prevents any germs from reaching you.
💧 Haakaa Silicone Manual Breast Pump
Every breastfeeding mom's best kept secret. Simply suction this cheap, cord-free silicone cup to the opposite breast while you nurse to effortlessly catch every drop of liquid gold letdown that would otherwise leak onto your shirt and be totally wasted.
🧴 Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
Forget buying ten different expensive, highly-fragranced creams. This is the only ointment you need. It miraculously cures severe diaper rash overnight, heals cracked nursing nipples, soothes baby eczema, and aggressively protects delicate skin from harsh winter wind.
☁️ Burt's Bees 100% Organic Burp Cloths
You will go through dozens of these a day, so do not cheap out on thin fabric. These thick, ultra-absorbent organic cotton cloths actually catch massive spit-ups before they ruin your only clean outfit, while remaining incredibly soft against your newborn's face.
Okay, real talk. We all love our couch and a good streaming marathon, but sometimes you just need to actually, you know, do stuff with your favorite humans. Beyond just grabbing coffee (though, let’s be honest, coffee is always a win), there’s a whole world of mischief and memory-making waiting. So, ditch the “what do you wanna do” back-and-forth and get ready to level up your friend hangouts. We’ve got some seriously cool, slightly cheeky ideas to get you started.
1. Retro Game Night Extravaganza
Forget your fancy new consoles for a night. We’re talking throwback vibes only. Dig out those dusty board games, fire up the N64 for some Mario Kart chaos, or even brave a round of Monopoly if you’re feeling particularly brave (and ready to lose a friend or two). It’s less about winning and more about yelling at a screen like it’s 1999.
Pro tip: Make it a potluck and have everyone bring their favorite childhood snack. Think Lunchables, Gushers, or Dunkaroos. Pure, unadulterated nostalgia.
This works because nothing sparks joy (and competitive rage) like reliving your glory days.
2. DIY Cocktail Mocktail Masterclass
Why pay exorbitant bar prices when you can become your own mixologist? Assign everyone a different ingredient category (spirits, mixers, garnishes) and let the creativity flow. You’ll need some shakers, some fancy glasses, and a willingness to experiment. Don’t forget the designated taste-testers!
Pro tip: Introduce a “mystery ingredient” challenge. Everyone has to incorporate it into their drink, no matter how weird it sounds. Pineapple and dill? Why not?
You get to learn a new skill, enjoy some delicious concoctions, and probably discover who’s secretly a bartending prodigy.
3. Themed Potluck Dinner Party
Eating is always a good idea, and when everyone contributes, it’s even better. Pick a fun theme – “Taco Tuesday but make it bougie,” “Around the World in 8 Dishes,” or “Comfort Food Clash.” Each person brings a dish fitting the theme. It’s a culinary adventure without anyone having to cook a full feast.
Pro tip: Assign categories (appetizer, main, dessert, drink) to avoid ending up with five main courses and no dessert. Organization is key, even for fun.
This is perfect for feeding a crowd, exploring new recipes, and proving your friends actually have cooking skills (or just good takeout numbers).
4. Outdoor Adventure Day
Get off the couch, you majestic indoor cat. Find a local hiking trail, a scenic park, or even just a cool new neighborhood to explore on foot. Pack a killer picnic with all the fixings, good tunes, and maybe even a frisbee. Remember your good walking shoes and sunscreen (or bug spray, depending on the season).
Pro tip: Research a spot with a great view or a hidden waterfall. Nothing says “adventure” like a picturesque backdrop for your inevitable selfie session.
Fresh air, good company, and snacks? That’s basically therapy, but cheaper.
5. Thrift Store Challenge
Unleash your inner fashionista (or comedian, let’s be real). Set a budget (say, $20 per person) and a theme (e.g., “80s prom night,” “business casual but make it wild,” “celebrity look-alike”). Everyone has to create an outfit using only items found at the thrift store. The results are guaranteed to be hilarious.
Pro tip: Host a fashion show afterward and vote for categories like “Most Avant-Garde,” “Best Value,” or “What Were You Thinking?”
It’s sustainable, budget-friendly, and provides endless laughs as you discover some truly questionable fashion choices.
6. At-Home Spa Day Retreat
Pampering without the price tag? Yes, please. Gather all your favorite face masks, nail polishes, foot soaks, and essential oils. Put on some chill background music, light a few candles, and just relax. Cucumber slices over the eyes are practically mandatory for the full experience.
Pro tip: Have everyone bring one unique spa item they love to share. You might discover your new favorite sheet mask.
It’s the perfect excuse for some much-needed self-care, gossip, and maybe even a nap.
7. Creative Craft Session
Tap into your inner artist (or at least attempt to). Whether it’s painting, pottery, jewelry making, or even just decorating plain canvases with glitter, a craft session is a fun way to get creative. Pinterest is your best friend for finding easy, achievable projects. A little wine (or sparkling cider) always helps the artistic juices flow.
Pro tip: Watch a Bob Ross tutorial together and try to follow along. There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents.
You end up with a unique keepsake, some serious bragging rights, and a deeper appreciation for actual artists.
8. Blind Taste Test Challenge
How good are your taste buds, really? Gather a variety of similar items (different brands of chips, sodas, cheeses, cookies). Cover the labels and have everyone blind taste them, guessing the brand and rating their favorites. Blindfolds add to the drama and make it extra fun.
Pro tip: Throw in some truly bizarre items for extra laughs, like a weird-flavored chip or an obscure soda. The reactions will be priceless.
It’s a hilarious way to discover new favorites, mock each other’s palates, and prove that brand loyalty might just be a myth.
9. Volunteer Together
Sometimes the best way to bond is by doing good. Find a local animal shelter, food bank, park clean-up, or community garden that needs volunteers. Spending time helping others not only feels amazing but also strengthens your bond as friends. Making a difference together is incredibly rewarding.
Pro tip: Choose a cause that everyone genuinely cares about. It makes the experience even more meaningful and enjoyable.
You’ll get to give back to the community, feel warm and fuzzy inside, and create memories that are truly impactful.
10. Build a Fort and Movie Marathon
Reclaim your childhood and build the most epic blanket fort known to humankind. Gather all the pillows, blankets, fairy lights, and snacks you can find. Pick a movie series (Harry Potter, Marvel, Lord of the Rings) or a themed marathon. PJs are the official uniform, obviously.
Pro tip: Assign snack duty to different people. Someone brings the popcorn, someone else brings the candy, someone else brings the actual food. Teamwork makes the dream work.
Cozy vibes, endless nostalgia, and the perfect excuse to regress to your happy, fort-dwelling days.
🧩 The Toddler Sanity & Learning Kit
Toddlers are tiny tornados. Instead of turning on the iPad in a moment of desperation, these 5 open-ended toys and clever tools foster independent, screen-free play while simultaneously saving your house from milk spills and crayon disasters.
🧱 Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Building Set
The undeniable king of open-ended play. It is the one single toy that a 2-year-old and a 10-year-old will both happily play with for an hour straight. They develop spatial reasoning, math skills, and independent focus—worth absolutely every penny.
🥛 Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cups
Stop wiping up milk puddles. These genius, dentist-recommended cups allow kids to drink from anywhere around the rim like a real glass, but they instantly seal themselves the second the child stops drinking—even if they drop it on the floor.
🎧 Yoto Mini Kids Audio Player
The ultimate distraction for car rides or quiet time without the guilt of handing over a glowing screen. Kids control it completely by inserting physical cards to play audiobooks, music, and educational podcasts completely independently.
🧹 Melissa & Doug Wooden Cleaning Set
Toddlers desperately want to do exactly what you do. This kid-sized, highly durable wooden sweeping and mopping set redirects their chaotic energy into productive, confidence-building life skills while you actually get the real cleaning done in peace.
🎒 Montessori Travel Busy Board
The secret to surviving restaurants and airplanes with a two-year-old. Packed with buckles, zippers, shoelaces, and snaps, this soft, lightweight 'briefcase' develops critical fine-motor skills and keeps busy little hands occupied for surprisingly long stretches.
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks. Ten totally awesome, slightly silly, and genuinely fun ways to spend time with your friends that don’t just involve staring at your phones (unless you’re taking hilarious photos, which is encouraged). Life’s too short for boring hangouts, right? Grab your crew, pick an idea, and go make some memories. Your future self (and your Instagram feed) will thank you.
