🏠 10 What To Do With Friends At Home
🍼 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. Sometimes, the thought of putting on actual pants and venturing out into the wild world for a “fun night” just feels like too much effort. We’ve all been there, staring at our phones, scrolling through endless possibilities, only to end up on the couch anyway. But what if your couch was the destination? What if your living room became the hottest spot in town?
Forget the reservations and the inevitable hunt for parking. Your home sweet home is actually a goldmine for unforgettable hangs with your besties. Get ready to ditch the FOMO and embrace the JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) with these absolute bangers of at-home activities.
1. Gourmet Potluck Throwdown
Ditch the takeout menus and unleash your inner culinary genius. Assign categories like “appetizer wizard,” “main course maestro,” or “dessert deity,” or pick a fun theme. Everyone brings their A-game dish, and trust us, the competition will be fierce (but friendly, mostly).
Pro tip: Make it a casual competition with silly prizes for categories like most creative presentation or dish most likely to cause a food coma. It adds a whole layer of hilarious bragging rights.
Why it works: Delicious food, shared effort, and plenty of “oohs” and “aahs” over everyone’s kitchen prowess. Plus, minimal cooking for any single person.
2. DIY Spa Retreat
Who needs a fancy spa when you have face masks, soothing tunes, and your favorite people? Gather all your sheet masks, nail polishes, and foot soaks. Take turns giving mini hand massages or just enjoy the collective glow-up.
Pro tip: Whip up some refreshing cucumber water and put on a chill, lo-fi playlist. Bonus points for fuzzy robes and matching headbands.
Why it works: Ultimate relaxation without the hefty price tag, plus endless opportunities for hilarious mask selfies and genuine connection.
3. Board Game Bonanza
It’s time to dust off those forgotten boxes in the back of your closet. From strategic epics like Catan to quick-fire card games like Exploding Kittens, or even classic charades, there’s a game for every mood and every friend group.
Pro tip: Set up a dedicated snack station with easy-to-grab finger foods. No one wants greasy game pieces, right? Think popcorn, pretzels, and maybe some epic dip.
Why it works: Friendly competition, lots of laughs, and a guaranteed way to spark conversation and create inside jokes.
4. Themed Movie Marathon
Popcorn’s ready, PJs are on, and a cinematic adventure awaits. Pick a theme – 80s action flicks, rom-coms that make you ugly cry, a specific actor’s filmography, or even a deep dive into a beloved franchise. Then, settle in for a binge-watching session.
Pro tip: Go all out and dress up according to your theme. Think pink for Mean Girls, leather for The Matrix, or your best wizard robes for a Harry Potter marathon.
Why it works: Pure comfort, shared nostalgia, and endless quotable moments that you’ll be referencing for weeks.
5. Cocktail (or Mocktail) Mixing Class
Become your own mixologist, no bar tab required. Ask everyone to bring one interesting ingredient (a unique syrup, a fancy garnish, a specific spirit). Then, look up recipes online and get experimental. Shaking and stirring never felt so sophisticated.
Pro tip: Challenge everyone to create a signature drink for the night and give it a ridiculous name. Don’t forget the fun garnishes like tiny umbrellas and fruit slices.
Why it works: Learning a new skill, tasting new flavors, and enjoying some delicious concoctions (responsibly, of course).
6. Creative Craft Night
Unleash your inner artist, even if your art skills are, shall we say, “developing.” Think painting mini canvases, tie-dyeing old t-shirts, making friendship bracelets, or even decorating elaborate cookies. Pinterest is your best friend for endless ideas.
Pro tip: Set a small budget for supplies and challenge everyone to make something for another person in the group. It makes for a fun, heartfelt reveal at the end of the night.
Why it works: A chance to create, chat, and end up with a unique souvenir (or a funny story about that one time you tried to knit).
7. DIY Photo Booth Fun
Say cheese! Or, you know, whatever funny face feels right in the moment. Grab some old sheets or blankets for a backdrop, raid your closets for silly props (hats, scarves, sunglasses, wigs), and use your phone for endless selfies and group shots.
Pro tip: Download a photo booth app with fun filters and frames for an instant party vibe. A portable ring light can seriously upgrade your pics from basic to brilliant.
Why it works: Instant memories, belly laughs guaranteed, and plenty of content for your feed (if you’re into that). Plus, no awkward strangers judging your poses.
8. Podcast & Chill Session
Sometimes, the best conversation starter isn’t yours – it’s a captivating story or a hilarious debate from someone else. Pick a compelling true crime, comedy, or discussion podcast. Listen together, then pause for lively debates, theories, and hot takes.
Pro tip: Pair it with a super comfy setup – think blankets, pillows galore, and a big batch of warm chocolate chip cookies for maximum coziness and snackability.
Why it works: Engaging content, deep dives into interesting topics, and a chance to hear everyone’s unique perspectives and theories.
9. Indoor Picnic Extravaganza
Who says picnics are just for parks? Rain or shine, your living room is the perfect spot. Spread out a big blanket on the floor, pack a basket with finger sandwiches, fruit, cheese, and maybe some mini quiches or pastries.
Pro tip: Dim the lights, put on some chill background music, and pretend you’re in a fancy outdoor setting. Bonus points for stringing up some fairy lights to really set the mood.
Why it works: A playful twist on dining, super cozy vibes, and surprisingly chic. It feels special without any of the outdoor fuss.
10. Video Game Tournament
Level up your friendship with some friendly console competition. Bring out the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, or even some retro classics if you’re feeling nostalgic. Think chaotic rounds of Mario Kart, intense battles in Smash Bros., or old-school GoldenEye.
Pro tip: Create a bracket and award a silly trophy (or just eternal bragging rights) to the ultimate champion. Don’t forget the trash talk; it’s practically mandatory.
Why it works: High-energy fun, competitive banter, and a chance to relive your childhood glory days (or discover new talents).
🧩 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, next time you’re wondering what to do with your favorite people, remember your humble abode is a goldmine for good times. Forget the reservations, the dress code, and the small talk with strangers. The best memories are often made right where you’re most comfortable, surrounded by the people who get you.
Go forth and friend-hang, you magnificent homebodies!
