8 Fun night in ideas with friends
For you, a good Saturday night doesn’t involve standing in queues and shouting over music in an overcrowded bar. Instead, it’s staying at home and chilling on the sofa with your friends. Because being a homebody doesn’t mean you don’t want to socialise - it just means you’d rather do it in comfy socks with full control of the snacks. So, if you and your friends are looking for ways to have a great night in without scrolling through Netflix for two hours, here are eight fun ideas that make staying in the new going out.
Bring a food board
This is like a potluck, but with more of a snacky vibe. Everyone picks a theme and creates a snack board around it. For example: A taco board, or a best of British board, or an ice cream sundae board. You could even theme each board on a colour if you like. It’s a great way to spread the cost of feeding everyone, and it’s fun for everyone to get creative.
@swyfthome Strict Doctor's orders 🫡 Our Dining Table 01 is the perfect place for unlimited yaps with your best people. #diningtable #diningtableinspo #thisandyap #girltalk #wine #aesthetic #girlhood #bestie #whitewine #sip #happyhour #diningroomdecor ♬ let me prove my love to you - fss
Bring a drink board
Ordering in some pizza instead? You can still have the fun of a board night with this cocktail (or mocktail) edition. Set a theme for the night (e.g. seasonal holidays, ex-partners, or movies) and everyone brings a cocktail to fit the brief. So much fun!
Paint & sip
You don’t need to be Picasso to paint and sip (although, who knows, you might discover a hidden talent). Grab some cheap canvases, your favourite paints, and let loose. If you’re hosting, set up a still-life scene - think fruit bowls or flowers - and channel your inner artist while you sip on wine or drinks. The beauty of this night? Even if your artwork turns out more abstract than intended, it’s all part of the fun.
PowerPoint night
Before you roll your eyes, hear us out. PowerPoint night is the perfect blend of chaos, comedy, and creativity. Everyone comes prepared with a short presentation on a topic that speaks to their soul - whether it’s “The case for pineapple pizza” or “An explanation of what I do for work”. It’s not work - it’s your chance to be the keynote speaker at the most exclusive event in town.
Challenge night
Forget those long, drawn-out board games that take hours to play - try these quick, snappy challenges that are sure to make you all laugh.
In the “Don’t get caught in the photo” challenge, one person’s blindfolded as they hold their phone in front of them with the camera on. As they spin taking photos, it’s everyone’s task to stay out of the frame and avoid being in the frame. As you can imagine, the pictures afterwards are hilarious.
You could also play, “I make the face, you make the sound”. In this challenge, one person makes a face. And the next makes a sound that they think would match the face their friend’s making. You’ll be sending these videos to each other in the group chat for weeks.
Book and yap night
It’s simple. You all bring a book, and enjoy reading on the sofa in each other’s company. Light some candles, put out some crisps and take some breaks between chapters to catch up with one another.
@swyfthome Happy #WorldBookDay 📚 Get you besties who can do both - reading in silence together AND a good ol' yap. #bookday #bookclub #booktok ♬ Easy Lovers - Alternate Take - Piero Piccioni
Article club
Love the idea of a book club but struggle to finish a book? Enter article club: the lower-lift alternative for busy friend groups. You all decide on one or two articles to read on the week before your get-together, then chat about them like you’re in a highbrown literary salon in your living room.
Repair night
Yes, repair night is a thing - and it’s surprisingly satisfying. You and your friends come together to fix all those little things you’ve been putting off: sew on that button, patch up that shirt, or glue back together that vase your dog knocked over. It’s the ultimate form of self-care, plus you get to catch up while crossing off those pesky to-dos.
@swyfthome This and do not disturb 🌙 #homebodylife #stayingin #slowliving #cosyliving ♬ original sound - Swyft Home
Who says you need to go out to have an amazing time? Not us.
