LIFE

As a kid, weekends were *everything*. Waking up at 11 a.m. Saturday morning to chocolate chip pancakes and cartoons? That was the dream.

But now that you're older, weekends can be almost as stressful as the days you go to school. Saturday and Sunday sometimes look a lot more like rolling out of bed to a blaring alarm (you never did complete that science project last night since scrolling TikTok took priority) and babysitting your siblings all afternoon before heading off to your part-time job. By the time you and your friends have the time to hang out, all of you are exhausted.

If you're tired of endless hours spent on your friend's sofa Sunday nights and want to revamp your weekend plans to get more out of your friendships, read on!

1. Invite new friends

Your gang is super tight: all of you, all the time. But sometimes it's good to branch out. Rather than always sticking with the same people, use the weekend as a chance to invite friends-in-the-making out. Is your group planning on grabbing boba after a sweaty soccer sesh? Ask your shy teammate who is always posting bubble tea pics on her story to come along. 

2. Drive somewhere

Sometimes, the best way to break out of a boring routine is to *literally* break out of it. Grab your car keys (or your friends) and go somewhere you never have before. Take a day trip down to the mini golf course or head to a hiking trail for some much-needed time outdoors. Regardless of where you decide to go, the people you go with and the journey you make together are what really counts. 

3. Plan a movie night

You can't go wrong with a good movie night. Set up a home theater, grab some popcorn and invite all of your besties to screen your fave film. If that's not enough to elevate your weekend hangout, make it a themed movie night. Invite your besties to a rom-com night where you stream anything from 10 Things I Hate About You to Clueless. Or better yet, do an outdoor screening and set up a mini picnic. Watching a movie under the stars with all your friends? That's how you take your weekend plans to the next level. 

4. Make it a game

You can make any weekend plan all the more exciting by turning it into a game. There's nothing wrong with a bit of friendly competition, right? Maybe you and your besties are headed to the mall. Why not make it a bit of a scavenger hunt? Create a list of items for your friends to find at different shops and challenge each other to complete the list first.

Want more life inspo? Follow us on IG @girlslifemag!

Need more weekend hangout ideas?
💞7 financially friendly hangout ideas
💞The perfect summer jams hangout playlist
💞We planned your next squad hangout based on your fave BTS era

Slider image @sabrinacarpenter | Top image @anaislee_ | All GIFS via GIPHY 

by Madeline Morrow and Mina Rahmat | 2/9/2023