Do you enjoy looking for fun new things to do with friends on the weekend? Socialization is an important part of human psychology that can have many important positive effects on your mental and physical health. Your friends are a much-needed lifeline for relaxing and unwinding after a long and hectic work week.
Hanging out with your friend group can help you boost happiness, reduce stress, and decrease feelings of isolation and loneliness. However, a 2023 study by Civic Science found that 43% of Americans surveyed don’t regularly socialize with their friends in person anymore. Well, it’s time to change all of that.
Are you searching for ways to elevate your usual weekend hangouts? Then keep reading below for the most fun and interesting things to do with friends on the weekend.
Escape Rooms
Escape Rooms test your ingenuity and problem-solving skills. They also offer a way to bond and collaborate with your friend group or as an icebreaker and team-builder for co-workers.
With an escape room, you must solve interactive puzzles and challenges together. The ultimate goal is to break out of a locked room in a controlled entertainment center environment within a set timeframe.
As of July 2022, there were a reported 1,900 escape room facilities across the U.S. Although the COVID-19 pandemic shook up these highly interactive group events, they are poised to make a comeback as one of the top things to do with friends on the weekend.
Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger Hunts are timeless activities. They are versatile things to do with friends on the weekend for friend groups of all ages. Simply make lists of odd or interesting items for your friends to search for and send them out to find them.
There are also photo scavenger hunt options available. This involves taking pictures of your friend group and engaging in various funny photo challenges like finding the silliest street sign or the funniest local business name.
If you have a large group of friends, consider breaking them up into teams to compete against one another. Whoever finds or photographs the most items on the list or has the funniest contributions can win a prize.
Geocaching
Geocaching is like a modern-day treasure hunt and scavenger hunt combo. It uses clues and GPS cellphone tracking capabilities to lead explorers to cache boxes in urban and outdoor locations. These caches may not contain any super valuable treasures, but it’s more about the fun of the journey to find them.
Geocache expeditions are fun things to do with friends on the weekend. You can sign up on any one of the geocache sites and easily find local geocaches near you. They are also an inexpensive way to have fun and explore the outdoors.
Karaoke
Karaoke is a standby activity when it comes to things to do with friends on the weekend. Hit the karaoke club with your friend group and sing your heart out to your favorite songs. Make memories and relax and enjoy your favorite karaoke weekend hangouts.
Laser Tag
Laser tag is still going strong on the list of top things to do with friends on the weekend. This thrilling game fosters friendly competition and team building among friends. The fast-paced and competitive nature of the activity makes it the perfect weekend activity for breaking away from the humdrum routines of everyday life.
Paintball
Paintball takes laser tag to the next level when it comes to action-packed things to do with friends on the weekend. You can experience all of the same thrills of laser tag with the added tactical element of the splatter of paintball pellets. It is well-suited for the friend group who loves to engage in friendly competition and camaraderie along with the pulse-pumping adrenaline of simulated combat.
Mini Golf
Mini Golf is a laid-back and passive activity that has become a favorite of things to do with friends on the weekend since its inception as far back as the late 1860s. It was created by the women of the Ladies’ Putting Club of Scotland to fill the time while they waited for their husbands to finish their regular golf games.
To this day, it is still a beloved activity for people of all ages and abilities that is ideal for group events and weekend hangouts alike.
Bowling
If you’re looking for another low-key friend group activity, bowling is probably one of the most traditional things to do with friends on the weekend. Bowling is also one of the oldest activities, with historical evidence dating back over 5,000 years ago.
Today people use bowling alleys as one of the most popular places for weekend hangouts. With regular leagues and enhancements like cosmic bowling blacklights and music, it is suitable for group events of all types.
Arcade Bar
An arcade bar is one of the most unique things to do with friends on the weekend. It brings back those classic feelings of nostalgia from being in the arcade as a kid, except now there’s a grown-up twist involved.
Take your pick of exciting arcade games, pinball, and tabletop sports like air hockey. Challenge friends to try to beat your score or cheer on your friends as they take the lead. Compete in air hockey, NBA Hoops, Skee-Ball, Dance Dance Revolution game tournaments, and more.
Arcade bars are the perfect spot for fun and interactive weekend hangouts. An arcade bar is also a great place for group events like birthday parties. While you’re enjoying your time playing games, you can also enjoy libations from the video arcade bar, such as draft beer, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, and spirits.
You can also experience live music and events at an arcade bar. Everything from DJ sets to dance parties and more, all in a fun, immersive setting.
The Ultimate Venue for Things to Do With Friends on the Weekend
Choosing the right place for all your weekend hangouts is essential. If you’re looking for things to do with friends on the weekend, Emporium Arcade Bar is the place to be.
Emporium Arcade has three locations in Chicago (Wicker Park, Logan Square, and Fulton Market) as well as in New Orleans, Oakland, and San Francisco. Drop by and enjoy our wide selection of games and drinks at our arcade bar. We also specialize in group events like office parties, birthdays, and other special occasions.
Book a party for your next group event, or come visit one of our six locations today.