Look, these aren't new, crazy out-of-the-box ideas. They are meant to be simple little reminders to do something different this weekend, especially if you're like me and often find yourself sticking to the same old routine, or easily reverting to laying on the couch binging Netflix.
1. Game On
Dust off those board games or puzzles and prepare some tasty snacks, it's time to get competitive! Gather friends or family for fun game night and try to finish up with everyone still liking each other, haha.
Some of our personal favourites are: Catan, Ticket to Ride, Code Names, Cards Against Humanity, Guess Who (classic), Spot It (kids), Monopoly (jks, no one actually likes playing this, right?)
2. Tourist for a Day
Are there places in your town or city that you've always considered visiting but have taken for granted because you live there? It's time to pretend you're new here and venture out as if you're a tourist. Walk through suburbs or gardens you’ve never explored, visit landmarks, information centres, heck, even just head to a shop you've never stepped foot in and look around. Who knows what hidden gems you may uncover..?
3. Starry Night: Backyard Camping
Set up a tent in your backyard OR better yet during winter, build a cubby in your living room - yep, even if you don't have kids, let your inner child embrace it!! Heck, grab some star fairy lights to really set the mood. Then enjoy your night under the stars with stories, snacks, playing cards and maybe even a little fire pit with marshmallows (obviously if outside and it's safe to do so).
4. Nature's Therapy
Spend your day really soaking in the great outdoors. Whether it’s planning a hiking adventure on a new trail, a quiet picnic in the local park, a fun day at the beach or by a lake, or simply relaxing under a tree with a good book, the great outdoors offer the perfect refreshing escape without costing a thing.
5. DIY Cooking Challenge
Now, there are 2 options I'd like to suggest here and personally, I love them both!
- Pick a recipe you’ve never tried before that you can cook from scratch, go all out and really test those culinary abilities OR
- Have a cook off with a friend or family member where you choose a cuisine or food (let's say, cookies) and you both make your favourite or what you deem to be 'the ultimate' recipe and have everyone judge who's was the best! Nothing like a bit of friendly competition.
6. Treasure Hunter
I am an absolute sucker for a bargain. One of my favourite things to do since young has been visiting Op Shops and browsing the electric mix of items or exploring garage sales and seeing what treasure can be found. Often I might not buy anything, but I love admiring quirky pieces imagining the stories behind them or even have some items spark buried memories of my own.
7. Embrace Your Inner Artist
Gather up any art supplies lying around your home and get creative. Whether it’s painting, knitting, or making jewellery, crafting is a fun, inexpensive and I even find calming and therapeutic way to spend time. Don't have any craft supplies? Yeah you do, grab a pencil/pen and piece of paper and get sketching something you can see.
Want to make this a little more 'fancy'? Visit a Kmart or discount store to buy supplies to create your own little 'Sip + Paint' set-up and find a video on YouTube to guide you and don't forget drinks 🥂
8. Photo Scavenger Hunt
We've all got a phone or maybe you even still have an old digital camera from the mid 2000's laying around? Spend 10mins creating a list of both simple and unique things to find + photograph around your suburb or in a nearby park. Pack a water bottle along with your camera/phone and the list, then head out to try and capture everything. This is such a fun way to sharpen those photography skills, play with some new styles and even experience your surroundings from a new perspective.
9. Freshen Up
How do I make doing 'jobs' sound fun? Haha. This idea is all about clearing out the old and making your home/bedroom/phone feel lighter (obviously energetically, not physically).
- Go through all your phone apps, messages and photos and bin all the excess crap you just don't need but never make the time to get rid of.
- Clear out your wardrobe! If it doesn't fit, you haven't worn it 12mths or it's worn out its welcome, it's got to go. Create piles for donations, to sell or to shred up and turn into rags. Make sure you drop the donations off the same weekend! Don't let those bags sit in your car for the next 2mths and list items for sale the same weekend too.
- Choose another space in your home to clean and sort on a deeper scale than usual or even go outside and give your car some love - take everything out, vacuum, wipe, glass clean and at the end give it a loving little bath 🧽
10. Couch Cinema
Ok, I'm going to allow the Netflix and other streaming services now haha. Create a list of movies or a TV series you’ve been sooooo keen to watch but it just hasn't happened yet, today is your day! Make some delicious smelling popcorn, rip open that bag of Maltesers, change into the comfiest clothes you own and turn your phones on silent, it's time block out the world and enjoy a marathon - you've earnt it.
