If there’s one thing I’ve learned from living in a small town, it’s that coming up with things to do with girlfriends this fall that are fun, time-flexible, and don’t always require money. It makes it easier to spend time together, no matter what. It also takes the pressure off when someone has a season of wanting to budget differently, or maybe you’re just like us and want to do things that keep you mentally and physically healthy.

Bonus point for options that don’t center around alcohol (or finding fun mocktail alternatives).

Really, you could do these with any season. But I find that there’s something about a cozy evening in or a themed walk that just hits differently after a summer of non-stop heat. I’d love to know if you have a go-to for your girls’ night, so please feel free to share it with us in the comments.

For now, though, let’s talk about some of my favorite things to do with my girlfriends in the fall.

10 Things To Do With Girlfriends This Fall

Decor Walks

We do this for both Christmas and Halloween. It’s also one of my favorite things to do with girlfriends this fall. My neighbors love a holiday decoration. It’s a great way to walk and talk. And honestly, it’s a regular plan for me and one of my besties. It’s just the perfect way to catch up and chat about what you’re watching, what you’re dreaming of doing, or any fun plans you have coming up.

But for us, these often go deep, and we just have a good ole fashion girl therapy.

Depending on the time of the year or what we’re feeling, I’ll grab a fun drink at the store. Apple Crisp Olipop and Cranberry Fizz Poppi are my current go tos for sharing. Maybe I’ll make them a tea to go or an adult bevy. And we just walk.

It honestly takes the pressure off anyone who is maybe trying to cut back on spending, doesn’t have a lot of energy to give, or just needs a safe space to process things. Bonus points because it keeps us mentally and physically healthy. And it helps make it easier to fall asleep.

Baking Party

I am the baker of the friend group, but I only ever want a small portion and to share everything. My best friend is a food sharer, so it’s perfect. I feel like Instagram and TikTok have created a version of parties that looks like a lot of work and less like just enjoying life together. So aside from our tea parties (something we did to celebrate watching Bridgerton Season 3), it’s really just a fun excuse to spend time together.

Either I pick the recipe or I ask the group what they’re feeling, and then we gather to bake it.

So far this fall, I’ve made a Kahlua Cake, Dirty Espresso Martini Cake (everyone in my world RAVED about this), Spiced Pumpkin Cookies, Apple Maple Blondies, and a few other random recipes. I’ve been baking from Sweet Tooth (a cookbook just for sweet recipes) for the past few months and it’s quickly become a favorite for me.

If you’re a baker who hates cleaning, this is also a wonderful way to do things to do with girlfriends this fall. It’s because I rarely end up being the dishwasher. But it’s also my favorite thing to do while everyone watches football games. If you follow me on socials, you’ll know I have zero idea what’s happening. I’m just happy to be with the people and the puppies.

Go To Michaels & Pick Out Something To Paint

Last year, after unknowingly planning a crafty day only to find out the clay we were using was beyond saving, a friend and I ended up wandering the aisles of Michaels.

Here’s the thing: it’s actually a lot less expensive than you’re probably thinking. And your investment gives you a project that covers more than one weekend of activities.

Highly recommend signing up for Michael’s rewards so you have a coupon to use. You’ll also find there’s almost always some kind of sale happening.

I went rather elaborate with a light-up house that I added a foil to last year (and probably need to finish this fall if I’m honest). But you could go with something simple or practical. We’ve also done birdhouses, small decor pieces, and holiday ornaments.

If you’re thinking, Savvy I’m not creative and this doesn’t sound like me, I promise you can consider yourself as someone who has zero creative bones in the body and still have fun. My friends all range on the scale of “I am creative for a living” to “I’ll be creative if I have boundaries or can’t fail” to “I am not creative,” and there’s still something for everyone.

Speaking of painting. . .

Paint By Numbers (It’s For Everybody)

A million years ago, when we were all doing Paint and Sip, I think I went with friends every other weekend. So many of my loved ones with gifted those paintings (and kindly still display them).

But these days I’m much more particular with what I want to paint and try to pick things that I’ll actually use in my house. Which makes the more popular than ever Paint by Numbers option amazing.

I discovered Paint like Frida a few years ago, and it’s one of my go tos for this. If you buy more than one, there’s typically a discount. Plus, they ship from the States, which is good because quite a few places ship from China, so it takes weeks to get them in.

Michaels has some great options if you’re looking for a lower price and don’t mind that your painting doesn’t come framed already.

ArtSpark has an entire Halloween section with a pay-what-you-can option as well as both framed and unframed designs.

Do An Online Workout Class Together

I know it harks back to Covid times, but sometimes you just need things to do with girlfriends this fall that are time-flexible and budget-friendly. While I do adore a reformer pilates class, it’s often challenging for us to find several spaces if we don’t book way ahead of time. Or the timing ends up being a bit off for everybody.

Bonus points if you find a space outside that everyone can enjoy.

Sometimes I think we fear being too much or too extra. Or being seen doing something. So instead of simply enjoying ourselves and having fun in our lives, we’re afraid to take our ridiculousness outside.

There are tons of classes online available or apps with free trials.

Pick a theme. Dress up for it. And just have fun with it. Whatever you do, it’s almost always more fun simply because you’re with friends.

Go Antique Shopping & Tell Stories

You could do this in a few ways, but sometimes the entertainment comes from the simple experience. And while I haven’t done this activity specifically this way, it would 1000% make me feel better if I did it. It’s one of my favorite things to do with girlfriends this fall.

When I was in college and of course, on a shoestring budget, we would sit in our cars before going into the freshman dorms, telling stories. And I would help my friends dream of their futures. With boys, with families, with relationships. I would help them picture what might possibly be if they could only imagine it.

Now you could do the same with antique shopping or any kind of shopping.

Or you could go antique shopping and make up a history of where you think the objects lived. The people. The places. What were they like? What did they eat? Where did he work? Where did she work? What kind of life did they live?

Did he buy it as a gift for her? Or perhaps she secretly borrowed it from her sister. Maybe she read sneaky romances in the corner of the couch for hours at a time. Or hide her favorite candies in the drawers so her sisters didn’t steal them?

You know when you buy something unique, put it in your house and then somebody compliments it. Of course, you tell them the story of how you acquired it. But who says you can’t have fun and imagine the life it’s already lived without ever buying it?

And who knows, maybe someday that item you found becomes another story because of you discovering it while doing something unusual but fun & cheap.

Themed Movie/TV Night

We are getting closer to the Wicked Pt 2 premiere, and I’m very excited for the girls’ night we have planned to see it. Will we dress up? Of course. But you don’t have to go out to have an excuse for a theme.

Although if you need an excuse, Tuesdays are normally the budget days.

Depending on the week and how much effort we have to put in, our themes often involve beverages suitable for whatever we’re watching. Not that my best friend wasn’t already a pro with bourbon beverages but there are a lot shows that feature it (and she’s become an expert the cocktails we need for watching them).

To be honest, outfits and beverages are easier if you are also a fan of shows like Outlander, Vampire Diaries, and The Summer I Turned Pretty. I don’t think I want to try to replicate a meal from Outlander or the effort required to make it.

You could draw a paper out of this bowl to pick the color theme for the evening. Or if you feel like you want to have more fun with it, have everyone dress up as someone from the show or movie you’re watching.

Go For A Picnic

I don’t suggest this enough, but really, it’s nice to touch grass and just get outside. This can also be very casual if everyone wants to bring their own meal or if each person is assigned something to grab & bring from the deli.

If you’re a Southern gal, you’ll know Publix and Whole Foods have great options in the grab & go section.

You could be slightly more put together and bring a traditional picnic basket to serve with. Which reminds me, I should also do this because mine has not gotten nearly enough use.

For me, the question is how can I slow down and be present with my quality time? You could easily pack a box of cards and play a game or three after you’re done eating. Or just sit and catch up about life. It doesn’t have to be perfect or elaborate. It just needs to bring joy to you.

Host A Game Night

My best friend’s parents have a standing Saturday night adult game night. The same-ish people show up every week, and everyone has a rough idea of the foods they are bringing. If it’s football season, it’s on in the background. If it’s not, everyone is outside grilling. Then we spend a few hours with drinks, playing games and trying not to yell if we’re losing.

It’s only mildly intense and is one of the highlights of my week.

Now I know not everyone loves games. And to be honest, some of them are either way too long or you end up being over it quickly.

We’ve been playing Mexican Train Dominoes for months and we’re still not over it. It happens to be one of those games that even the one person in the family who never wants to play will play.

Choosing the Right Game

If you’re not sure what game you’d like or if games are really your style, and you don’t want to buy & try a bunch of games in the process of it, check to see if there’s a local place that hosts game nights or has a lot of them you can just try.

We have two places in our small town that do this. One, The Portal Downtown, is literally packed with games where you pay for time to play and they have HUNDREDS. I’ve never seen so many different board games in my life.

But one of our local coffee shops also has a wall filled with them.

It may take a bit of trial and error but eventually you’re bound to find something you love and can share with family & friends. And honestly, it’s such a nice way to spend time with everyone that doesn’t require people to feel like they have to be perfect to show up.

Host A Kitchen Sink Dinner

I always meant to do this when I lived in Atlanta and never got around to it. But we all have the one or two things that end up in our fridge that we aren’t sure what to do with. Maybe you got it but changed the recipe. Or you wanted to try it but keep forgetting it.

If you’ve got a friend who is creative and loves to cook, ask them to help you host a kitchen sink dinner. Everyone brings one or two things you have to cook with. And see what you can create with it.

If it doesn’t all fit into the same dish, you can always make more than one.

There are a lot of ways this could go wrong but also just as many where it could go right. Plus, at the end of the day, it’s guaranteed to make for a very entertaining night.

Just make sure you’re prepared to order pizza if needed.

Share Your Favorite Things to Do With Girlfriends This Fall

Wherever this finds you this week, I hope you’re feeling inspired with unusual ways to spend quality time with your favorite humans. I know I can’t wait to add picnic to the list of must do things with my girlfriends this fall, now that the weather is finally nice outside.

If you have any unusual suggestions or fun things you & your girls love to do, let us know in the comments. Until next time. Lots of love from me. Xoxo, Savvy

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