OTL Things To Do Guide
52 Fun Things to Do for Under $20 or £20
Budget-friendly ideas for food, entertainment, outdoor adventures, UK days out, and at-home fun when you want plans without giving your wallet a dramatic monologue.
Fun does not have to require a “check account balance first” moment.
When we are not actively looking for something to do, hundreds of ideas swirl around our heads. Then the weekend arrives, everyone asks, “What should we do?” and suddenly our brains become a blank loading screen.
So here it is: a pocket guide to 52 fun things to do for under 20 dollars or 20 pounds. Some ideas are date-night friendly, some are great with friends, some are family-friendly, and quite a few are free.
The goal is simple: shake things up without shaking every coin out of the jar. Pick one idea this week, make it happen, and let your routine know it has been politely interrupted.
Things to Do
Need real-time ideas near you?
This list is great for inspiration, and OTL’s public event calendars can help you find actual events happening in the US and UK, including concerts, theatre, comedy, festivals, markets, and community happenings.
Public event listings are separate from OTL Seat Fillers membership. Ticket links and public listings are handled directly by the venue, artist, promoter, ticket source, or event organizer.
Open the Event CalendarsFood and drink ideas under $20 or £20
Food and drink plans are easy wins because they can feel social, cozy, adventurous, or slightly fancy without needing a big night-out budget.
1. Coffee or tea date
Have a cozy conversation at a local café with affordable drinks.
Cost: $5–10 / £5–10 per person
2. Local brewery or winery tasting specials
Some breweries and wineries offer affordable tasting options, especially during slower hours or weekday promos.
Cost: $5–15 / £5–15 per person
3. Farmer’s market stroll
Sample local goods, listen to live music, and pick up a small treat or two.
Cost: $0–15 / £0–15
4. Happy-hour appetizer crawl
Visit a few places and only order happy-hour specials to keep the night cheap and fun.
Cost: $15–20 / £15–20
5. Try a new cuisine on a budget
Visit an affordable restaurant, split dishes, or choose a lunch special instead of a full dinner.
Cost: $15–20 / £15–20
6. Food-truck sampling
Visit a food-truck park and share a few small items from different vendors.
Cost: $15–20 / £15–20
7. Food-truck vs. home-cooked showdown
Buy one dish from a food truck, then try to recreate it at home and compare. Points for taste, presentation, and pretending you are judging a very serious cooking show.
Cost: $15–20 / £15–20
Arts and entertainment ideas under $20 or £20
Entertainment does not have to mean premium seats, pricey cocktails, and a parking bill that thinks it is rent. Look for local, community, student, open-mic, and off-peak options.
8. Join OTL Seat Fillers
OTL Seat Fillers is a private membership club. Membership dues provide access to the private members-only area, where complimentary ticket invitations will be offered when available. Invitations are occasional and vary by city and partner need.
Cost: Varies by location and membership option
9. Visit a museum with free or discounted days
Many museums have specific days or hours when admission is free or reduced.
Cost: $0–15 / £0–15
10. Visit a local library
Browse the shelves, attend a free workshop, borrow a movie, or enjoy a cozy reading session.
Cost: $0 / £0
11. People watch
Find a bustling spot and enjoy observing the local activity like you are casting extras for a show.
Cost: $0 / £0
12. Go on a scavenger hunt
Create a city scavenger hunt to explore quirky landmarks, murals, historic signs, statues, or oddly specific shop windows.
Cost: $0 / £0
13. Take a photography walk
Explore your city and capture interesting moments with your phone or camera. Bonus: it gives your camera roll a reason to exist beyond screenshots.
Cost: $0 / £0
14. Visit a local sports game
Catch a high school, college, semi-pro, minor league, or community sports event.
Cost: $5–15 / £5–15 per person
15. Attend a local event or festival
Check community calendars for free events, concerts, markets, parades, seasonal festivals, or neighborhood gatherings.
Cost: $0 / £0
16. Attend an open-mic comedy night
Laugh together at local open mic comedy nights. You might discover the next big name, or at least a brave person with a microphone.
Cost: $0–20 / £0–20
17. Local art gallery hop
Visit free or low-cost galleries and pick a favorite piece in each one.
Cost: $0 / £0
18. Public lecture or book talk
Look for free or low-cost talks and author events at libraries, universities, bookstores, museums, or community centers.
Cost: $0–5 / £0–5
19. Free or cheap live music
Check out bar gigs, open mics, community concerts, park performances, or student recitals with little or no cover.
Cost: $0–15 / £0–15
20. Planetarium or astronomy night
Find a low-cost show at a planetarium or an astronomy club event for an immersive night-sky experience.
Cost: $5–20 / £5–20
21. Discount-day aquarium visit
Use off-peak, local, student, or weekday discounts to visit an aquarium without blowing the budget.
Cost: $10–20 / £10–20
Fun things to do in the UK under £20
UK days out can get expensive quickly, but there are still plenty of low-cost ways to explore, wander, snack, learn, and feel like you planned something charming on purpose.
22. Explore a free London or UK museum
Take advantage of free-entry institutions like the British Museum and many local museums across the UK.
Cost: £0
23. Walk along London’s South Bank
Stroll beside the Thames, enjoy street performers, browse book stalls, and stop for a budget-friendly coffee.
Cost: £0–10
24. Visit a UK botanical garden or park
Spend a day wandering through botanical gardens, city parks, or grand green spaces. Many are free or low-cost.
Cost: £0–20
25. Trampoline park session
Book an off-peak hour at a trampoline park for an energetic afternoon.
Cost: £10–15 per person
26. Canal-side walk and pub stop
Walk along canals in cities like Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, or London and end with a drink in a cozy pub.
Cost: £5–20
27. Budget river or harbour cruise
Look for short, affordable river trips or harbour cruises that come in under £20.
Cost: £10–20
Helpful UK Resource
Looking for free London museum ideas? Try this resource: Free Museums in London.
Outdoor things to do under $20 or £20
Fresh air is still one of the best free upgrades available. Outdoor plans can be simple, flexible, and surprisingly memorable when you add snacks, a route, or a little made-up mission.
28. Explore a park or garden
Stroll through beautiful landscapes, have a picnic, and enjoy the fresh air.
Cost: $0–10 / £0–10 for snacks
29. Take a walking tour
Join a free walking tour, use a self-guided app, or make up your own route around architecture, history, murals, or local legends.
Cost: $0 / £0
30. Go ice skating
Visit an outdoor rink during the winter months or look for discount sessions at indoor rinks.
Cost: $5–15 / £5–15 for skate rental or admission
31. Movie night at the park
Check for local park screenings, summer movie nights, or indie-theatre matinee deals.
Cost: $0–10 / £0–10
32. Go for a bike ride
Use your own bike, rent one affordably, or try a local bike-share for a short city ride.
Cost: $0–15 / £0–15
33. Stargazing in a darker location
Find a spot away from city lights and admire the night sky. Astronomy clubs sometimes host free public nights too.
Cost: $0 / £0
34. Explore a village or nearby town
Take a scenic drive or train ride to a nearby town and enjoy cozy cafés, historic streets, markets, and one-off shops.
Cost: $5–20 / £5–20 for transport or snacks
35. Local hiking adventure
Find a nearby trail, pack water and snacks, and enjoy the views.
Cost: $0–10 / £0–10
36. River, lake, or beach day
Relax by the water, skim stones, bring a book, pack snacks, or make it a low-key picnic.
Cost: $0–15 / £0–15
37. Street-art or mural tour
Search for murals in your area, map them out, and take photos at each stop.
Cost: $0–10 / £0–10 for transport
38. Picnic with frisbee or ball games
Pack simple snacks and play frisbee, catch, football, or whatever game does not require a committee meeting.
Cost: $5–15 / £5–15
39. Bird-watching in a park or nature reserve
Bring binoculars if you have them and see how many species you can spot.
Cost: $0 / £0
40. Budget river or harbour cruise
In some cities, short river or harbour cruises are available for under $20 or £20.
Cost: $10–20 / £10–20
Fun things to do at home under $20 or £20
At-home plans count. In fact, they are sometimes the best option when the weather is rude, everyone is tired, or the couch has made a compelling argument.
41. DIY crafts
Try creative DIY projects using inexpensive materials from home, a craft shop, or a dollar/pound store.
Cost: $5–20 / £5–20
42. At-home cook-off challenge
Pick a theme and see who can make the best dish with a small grocery budget.
Cost: $10–20 / £10–20 for groceries
43. DIY pizza night
Buy simple ingredients and create your own custom pizzas at home.
Cost: $10–15 / £10–15
44. Board-game or card-game night
Play classic board games or card games and battle for bragging rights.
Cost: $0–15 / £0–15
45. At-home spa night
Face masks, foot soaks, DIY treatments, tea, candles, and calm playlists can turn your place into a mini spa.
Cost: $5–15 / £5–15
46. Learn a new dance from videos
Use free online lessons, move the furniture, and try salsa, hip-hop, ballroom, line dancing, or whatever makes the pets judge you.
Cost: $0 / £0
47. DIY home photo booth
Use a sheet as a backdrop, grab props, and take fun photos with your phone.
Cost: $0–10 / £0–10
48. Puzzle or building-set night
Work together on a jigsaw puzzle or small building set while you chat.
Cost: $10–20 / £10–20
49. Themed movie marathon at home
Pick a theme — rom-coms, horror, musicals, 90s classics, dance movies, terrible sequels — and binge with homemade snacks.
Cost: $5–15 / £5–15
50. DIY trivia night
Use online trivia questions, form teams, and compete for silly prizes.
Cost: $0–10 / £0–10
51. Volunteer together
Sign up to help at a community event, garden, shelter, library, charity shop, or local organization.
Cost: $0 / £0
52. Library movie or game borrowing night
Borrow DVDs, games, puzzles, books, or other media from the library and have a stay-at-home entertainment night.
Cost: $0 / £0
Budget Fun
Streaming is great, but there are plenty more things to do.
Living a rich life does not have to mean having deep pockets. Whether you are exploring London, finding a hidden trail, trying open-mic comedy, or turning your living room into a DIY pizza parlor, these ideas prove that a little creativity goes a long way.
The best memories usually come from the experiences we share, not the amount we spend. Grab your twenty bucks or quid, pick an idea from this list, and make something happen this week.
Find More Things To DoOTL Seat Fillers
OTL Seat Fillers membership is separate from public event listings.
OTL Seat Fillers does not sell tickets. Public event listings, calendar links, ticket links, and event resources on OTL pages are handled directly by the venue, artist, promoter, ticket source, or event organizer.
OTL Seat Fillers membership is a private, dues-based service. Members receive access to the private members-only area, where complimentary ticket invitations will be offered when available. Invitations are occasional and vary by city, timing, and partner need.
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