How to Make the Most of Your Free Time with Affordable Activities
Whether you have an unexpected free afternoon, a quiet weekend, or you’re simply feeling bored, there are plenty of enjoyable ways to spend your time without spending much money. Free time is an opportunity to relax, learn something new, be creative, or get organised.
From creative hobbies and outdoor adventures to free learning resources and entertainment, these affordable activities can help you make the most of every spare moment.
Be Creative
- Start a journal and write down thoughts, goals, or gratitude lists. Writing can be both therapeutic and rewarding.
- Try painting or drawing and experiment with different colours and textures.
- Make a vision board. Collect inspiring images and quotes that you would like in your future.
- Write a short story or poem and let your imagination flow freely.
- Try to craft something. Knit, crochet, make handmade cards, or recycle household items into something new.
- Take photos and capture everyday/interesting moments around the home or outdoors.
- Build the perfect playlist for workouts, relaxation, road trips, or studying.
- Make a short Video. Record a vlog, cooking tutorial, or travel montage using your smartphone.
- Cook or bake a new recipe. Challenge yourself to create a meal using ingredients already in your kitchen.
- Start a small DIY project. Build, paint, or repurpose household items.
Learn Something New
There are countless free tutorials on topics like photography, cooking, coding, drawing, and more.
- Take a free online course.
- Learn a new language.
- Watch documentaries and discover new cultures, science, or history.
- Read blogs or articles on topics that interest you.
- Listen to inspiring podcasts.
- Or you could try puzzles, crosswords, or brain games. Crosswords, Sudoku, and brain teasers are great for keeping your mind active.
Get Organised and Refresh
- Clean your room or workspace. Decluttering your room or workspace can make you feel more productive and less stressed.
- Declutter a room and donate or recycle unused items.
- Rearrange furniture to give your space a fresh look.
- Clean out the fridge or pantry and restock any essentials.
- Sort out your digital files and organise photos, emails, or documents.
Connect with Others
- Call or video chat with friends or family members and catch up with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.
- Host a game night and play board games or online trivia with friends. Gather family or friends for some classic entertainment.
Relax and Recharge
- Read a book or magazine. You can visit your local library or pick up a book you’ve been meaning to read. Reading is an inexpensive way to escape into another world.
- Take a long bath. Add candles or essential oils for relaxation.
- Meditate or practise deep breathing, which helps to reduce stress and refocus.
- Listen to calming music or a podcast.
- Watch a comfort film or series and enjoy a quiet evening in.
Go Outdoors/Get Active
- Go for a Walk. A simple walk around your neighbourhood, a local park, or a nature trail can clear your mind.
- Try yoga or stretching. This helps to calm the mind and improve flexibility.
- Have a picnic and enjoy a meal in the park or garden. Pack simple snacks and enjoy a relaxing afternoon outdoors.
- Visit a local museum or gallery. Discover something new nearby. Many museums and art galleries offer free admission days or permanent free exhibits.
- Go hiking or cycling and explore nature trails.
- Do a home workout and follow free routines online.
- Try gardening. Connect with nature and enjoy fresh air. Even a few herbs in small pots can be a fun and rewarding project.
- Watch the sunset or sunrise and appreciate quiet moments.
- Spend an evening under the night sky watching the stars.
Be Productive
- Update your CV or LinkedIn profile to prepare for future opportunities.
- Set financial goals and review budgets or savings plans.
- Plan a trip. Research destinations and create an itinerary.
- Learn basic home repairs and gain practical skills.
Below are links for free entertainment.
Reading for Children
- Oxford Owl: A fantastic free eBook library for children aged 3–11
Reading Magazines
- Zinio: The app is free to download and offers a rolling selection of complimentary and free-to-read magazine issues without a subscription.
- Readly: Often offers long free trial periods (usually ranging from 1 to 3 months) without charging a fee. It features over 7,000 top UK and international magazine titles.
Free Music Apps
- Spotify: You can play any artist, album, or playlist on demand on your computer or tablet. On mobile, free listening is shuffle-only (you cannot pick specific songs).
- YouTube Music: Lets you watch and listen to millions of songs and official music videos for free. It is great for finding live concerts and rare remixes.
- Amazon Music: Offers free access to thousands of top playlists and music stations. If you already have an Amazon Prime subscription, you get even more ad-free songs.
Radio & Podcasts
- BBC Sounds: You can stream all live BBC radio stations (like Radio 1, Radio 2, and 6 Music) and listen to on-demand music mixes and podcasts with no adverts.
- TuneIn Radio: Lets you listen to thousands of local, national, and global radio stations for free.
Free TV Apps
- Plex – Free films, TV shows, and live TV channels supported by adverts.
- Pluto TV – Hundreds of live TV channels plus thousands of on-demand films and series.
- Tubi – Large library of free films and TV shows supported by adverts.
Note: While these apps are free to download and use, you must have a valid UK TV Licence to watch or record live TV channels, or to watch any BBC programs on BBC iPlayer.
Education
- Coursera – Provides free access to university-level courses from institutions like Yale, Google, and Imperial College London.
- Udemy (Free Courses Section) – Udemy hosts thousands of paid and free courses across nearly every subject imaginable.
- OpenLearn – Run by The Open University, OpenLearn provides hundreds of free courses across subjects such as psychology, business, and science.
- Duolingo – A fun, gamified app for learning over 30 languages. Lessons are short, engaging, and designed to build vocabulary and grammar.
- BBC Bitesize – A UK-based educational resource covering subjects from primary school to A-level.
Free time is one of your most valuable resources. Whether you choose to learn a new skill, enjoy the outdoors, organise your home, or simply relax with a good book, you don’t need to spend a fortune to make your day worthwhile.
The next time boredom strikes, challenge yourself to try something different from this list. You might discover a new affordable activity, improve your wellbeing, or even develop a skill that benefits you for years to come.
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