11 Fun Ways to Hang Out with Friends This Winter (For Practically Free)

This article is part of Best Break Ever, a collection of stories designed to help you travel in style and relax to the max over college break. Have the coziest time off!

Spending time with friends always makes the cold winter days feel a little bit warmer. I love making plans with my college friends and always look forward to reuniting with my hometown pals over winter break, but as the days get colder and shorter, it becomes way too tempting to just stay inside and do nothing. Coming up with fun things to do in the winter definitely takes a little extra creativity.

If you’ve ever sat around for an hour trying to make plans that don’t involve freezing outside, you’re not alone. The good news? I brainstormed for you, and thought of plenty of exciting ways to entertain yourself in the winter. Whether you’re in the dorms or home for break, here are 11 cozy, low-effort ideas to keep your hangouts fun all season long.

Gather whatever craft supplies you have lying around and invite your friends over for a night of doing fun, hands-on projects. Collaging is always a good option. You don’t need anything fancy: just paper, glue, scissors, and some old magazines. If you’re short on paper supplies, you can also try making your own digital collage (and turn it into a cute phone wallpaper!). Some other fun craft ideas include making patchwork T-shirts or felt name pennants for your door, or decorating your own hair clips. It’s the perfect way to get crafty and spend some quality time with your friends!

Skip the usual “Secret Santa” and try a “Favorite Things” party, where each person brings a small item they love — like a lip gloss, face mask, or snack — to give to everyone else. It’s a playful way to share your go-to products with the people you care about.

For another twist on your typical gift exchange, try the “Big Four” method. This one is similar to Secret Santa, but with four categories: something the person needs, something they want, something that reminds you of them, and something in their favorite color. It’s a thoughtful, personal way to give gifts, and a heartwarming idea to add to your list of things to do in the winter.

If you’re looking for a fun and unique thing to do in the winter with your friends, spice up your usual hangout with a PowerPoint party! The concept is simple: Each guest prepares a short presentation on whatever they want, and then they usually present it hooked up to a big-screen TV.  Keep everyone’s topic a secret for an extra surprise factor. Grab some snacks, gather your friends, and get ready to learn about all kinds of topics — from “My Hot Takes on Dancing With the Stars” to “Why I Love Molecular Chemistry.” The possibilities are endless!

Who says winter has to be all about being stuck inside with Netflix and fuzzy blankets? For a breath of fresh air, grab your friends, bundle up, and head out for a cafe crawl! Make a list of your favorite coffee shops and cafes (or ones you’ve been wanting to try) and spend an hour or two at each location, sipping drinks and rating your favorites. You can also pack a deck of cards or another quiet table game to up the fun factor.

Sitting inside a warm, inviting cafe is the perfect time to catch up and laugh with friends. It’s a charming thing to do in the winter — and honestly, nothing beats a piping-hot latte on a chilly day. If you don’t want to have too much caffeine in one day, you could also break it up over a weekend and try a couple of spots each day.

From snow-covered lawns to salty sidewalks, the colors in nature can seem to get a little dull in the winter. But if you really look, you can still find colorful moments everywhere you go (think: holiday decorations!). If you’re not afraid of the cold, bundle up and grab your friends for a winter color walk. Pick a color together and challenge yourselves to spot it everywhere, from front doors, to gloves and scarves, or even coffee cups during your stroll. It’s a playful way to make walking more fun, stay active, and spark conversation with your friends. It’s a free way to turn a chilly day into a mini adventure.

Book-lovers, this one’s for you! There’s nothing cozier than curling up with a good book while the temperatures drop outside. Why not get all your friends involved and start a mini book club? Gather your favorite snacks and drinks and whatever books you’re currently reading, and invite your besties over for a day of uninterrupted reading (aka bliss!). You can all read the same book and discuss it together, or read independently and share the juiciest moments as you go.

A fun way to kick off your readathon is with a bookmark-making craft night. You could even make it a whole weekend event where you DIY bookmarks on Saturday and have an all-day readathon on Sunday!

Going out to eat together is always a lovely way to spend time with friends, but hosting a dinner at home is an inexpensive twist, and a perfect thing to do in the winter. It doesn’t have to be a full-out dinner party, but to make the evening extra fun you can turn it into a themed night and dress up to match. If you don’t fancy yourself a college chef, no worries: You can always order takeout or simply heat up some delicious frozen pizzas, or try making one of these low-lift dorm food ideas. 

Assemble all of your nail polish, face masks, and other spa supplies, and get ready for a night of pampering. It’s a great way to chat, laugh, and relax together while taking a little time for yourself. Put on a soothing playlist and sip on some herbal tea for added spa-like vibes. 

Grab your friends and pick a new album (or a nostalgic favorite, or a no-skips album you haven’t gotten the chance to hear yet) to listen to together from start to finish. Chat, dissect lyrics, or just vibe to the music! It’s a free, fun thing to do in the winter and a great way to discover new tunes. Toss in some cozy blankets and a warm drink, and you’ve got the perfect winter hangout.

Declutter your closet, refresh your wardrobe, and spend quality time with friends with an at-home clothing swap! Everyone brings items they no longer wear and trades them for something “new” from someone else. It’s a fun day of hanging out, trying on outfits, and leaving with fresh pieces for your next look, all while giving your closet a little winter refresh.

Finally, a timeless way to spend a chilly winter day: a movie marathon. Watching a feel-good film with your besties is a classic, low-key way to spend time together. Need some watch-list inspo? Check out this list of cozy movies to watch. If you can’t pick just one film and have a day with no other plans, try re-creating this TikTok trend that turns a simple movie night into a full-day marathon. Just grab your popcorn, pull out your comfiest blanket, and prepare to update your Letterboxd.