50 Cheap Things To Do On Your Birthday (For An Unforgettable Celebration)
There are plenty of budget-friendly ways to celebrate another year around the Sun! If you’re in the mood to relax, spend time with loved ones, or go on an adventure, you can make your birthday memorable without breaking your budget.
Use this list of 50 cheap or free ways to make the most of your day.
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Self-Care & Budget-Friendly Things To Do
1. Binge Watch Your Favorites
It’s time to re-watch the shows or movies that bring you joy.
2. Give Yourself a DIY Spa Day
Pamper yourself with a face mask, bubble bath, candles, and chocolate.
3. Take a Day Off of Work
If you have vacation days available, use one! Give yourself the gift of an entire DAY off to relax.
4. Read an Inspiring Book
Grab that book you’ve been eager to dive into. Or discover the perfect read from this list of must-reads for women.
5. Make a Gratitude List
Reflect on all of the things you are grateful for.
6. Celebrate With a Workout
Kick off your new year with a workout you love. You’ll feel strong and inspired on your birthday!
7. Enjoy a Nature Walk
Grab someone or go alone, but take time for yourself in the fresh air.
8. Lay Out
Get your hammock out or spend a few hours lounging on the deck with a book, podcast, or music – guilt-free.
9. Eat Your Favorite Foods
Indulge in what you love on this day!
Or taste test your favorite things. Grab three flavors of ice cream, wine, or anything you love! Then, spend your evening deciding on your absolute favorite.
Must-Try Bonus: Sign up for free birthday goodies so that when your birthday rolls around you have LOTS to look forward to!
10. Shop For Less On Your Day
Treat yourself to a birthday discount at your favorite stores like Anthropologie, Barnes & Noble, Kendra Scott, Target, Victoria’s Secret, Ulta, and more.
Keep it budget-friendly by choosing just one special item!
11. People Watch
Head to a place with heavy foot traffic and find a good place to sit. Grab a coffee too! Then, hang out and enjoy observing your surroundings.
12. Have Your Birthday Cake
Treat yourself to your favorite cake. Bake it yourself, enlist your family to help, or pick up a small, decadent slice from your favorite spot.
13. Hang Out at Your Favorite Coffee Shop
Grab a good book, your spouse, or meet a friend, and relax at your favorite spot with a delicious cup of joe.
14. Unplug For The Day
Take a break from social media and be present in the moment.
Affordable Ways To Celebrate With Friends & Family
15. Throw Yourself a Small Party
Invite over your closest friends. Often we wait for others to do the work, but this time, take the reigns and make your birthday get-together exactly how you want it to be.
16. Have a Sleepover
Remember how fun sleepovers were as a kid? Re-create that with your closest friends! Or, if you have kids, enjoy camping out in the living for a family sleepover.
17. Get the Fire Pit Going
Spark that fire pit and sit around it with those you love recalling great memories. Don’t forget the marshmallows.
18. Have a Board Game Tournament
Do you love games? Challenge loved ones to a day of snacks, your favorite board games, and laughs.
19. Have a Karaoke Night at Home
Grab your family or friends and crank up the tunes.
20. Have a Potluck Brunch
Invite your favorite people over for brunch with their best dish. Provide the mimosas!
21. Watch a Baking Show…And Then Re-create It
Time to try that souffle!
22. Have Your Family Make You Dinner
There’s no reason the birthday adult needs to cook dinner!
23. Have a Dance Party
Show your kids the fun dance moves you learned when you were a kid.
24. Enjoy a Fun Progressive Dinner
A progressive dinner with friends involves moving from one house to the next, with each stop serving a different course. Start with appetizers at one house, enjoy the main course at another, and finish with dessert at a third.
25. Play Fun Question Games
Grab these free family favorites and play on your birthday!
- 100 Family Feud questions
- Kid-friendly trivia questions
- Would You Rather Questions
- 5 Second Rule Game
26. Have A Date Night At Home
Set up a movie for the kids and enjoy a cozy date night at home with your spouse. Try a new cocktail recipe or whip up a simple dinner. Then relax and savor some quality time together.
27. Have a Tea Party
Invite your girls over and get out the good china for a fun tea party.
28. Murder Mystery Game
Add some excitement by turning dinner into an interactive mystery game where guests play different roles and solve a fun case.
29. Host a Make Your Own Pizza Party
This makes for a great meal with your family and the perfect way to jazz up a birthday dinner that everyone will love.
30. Go to a Local Pool
It’s a cheap and fun way to spend a hot birthday afternoon with family.
31. Go Out for Ice Cream
Get a scoop of your favorite on your big day.
Look here for more affordable birthday party ideas adults love PLUS tips to make many of these ideas even more budget-friendly.
Adventurous & Cheap Things To Do On Your Birthday
32. Go for a Hike in a New Location
Grab your gear and hit the trails for a beautiful scenic hike.
33. Find a Treasure at a Thrift Store
Spend your birthday afternoon leisurely searching for treasures. You’ll love the rush as you hunt for gold!
34. Visit A Beach Or Lake
Sunbathe, get a game of frisbee going, or swim in the lake or ocean.
35. Try A New Outdoor Activity
Enjoy a budget-friendly outdoor adventure with activities like pickleball, ultimate frisbee, paddleboarding, or bike riding.
36. Be a Tourist in Your City
Most of us never see everything inside our own city. Now’s your chance to scope it out!
Many museums offer free admission on certain days or times. It’s a great way to explore exhibits without spending money!
37. Pack A Picnic
Find a pretty spot and bring your favorite picnic foods.
38. Walk Through Open Houses
If you love home design or are dreaming of an upgrade, spend your birthday walking through different styles of homes. And don’t be afraid to go through your dream homes too! It costs nothing to dream!
38. Visit an Arboretum or Beautiful Garden
Walk through a sea of flowers and enjoy nature at its finest.
40. Go For a Scenic Drive
If your birthday is in the fall, this can be breathtaking. Pack a picnic or stop at a small restaurant to stretch your legs.
41. Explore A New Town
Sure, you might have seen everything there is in your town. But what about just 15-20 minutes away?
42. Stargaze
Looking out at the stars takes no planning. Plus, there’s something meaningful about remembering how big the universe is on your birthday.
43. Visit a Dog Park
Connect with your furry friend on your special day!
Creative & Cheap Things To Do On Your Birthday
44. Dream Big
Spend your afternoon dreaming up your perfect vision board and giving yourself the gift of intention for your life!
Set new goals for the year ahead to manifest success in all areas of your life.
45. Decide on a Word For The Year
What’s your mantra for the coming year? Thrive? Focus? Love? Simplify?
Find your perfect word and then plan out how you’ll live it out.
46. Write a Letter to Your Future Self
What are your deepest hopes and dreams? What values do you want to always stay true to?
Use these questions for your future self. Write down your thoughts and stick it in a drawer. Then, set an appointment on your calendar to get it out in a year.
47. Make Something Creative
If you are a creative type, use your day to indulge in your imagination. Paint, write, or craft.
Related: Fun DIY Birthday Gifts Kids Can Make
48. Enjoy Your Favorite Hobby
Do you love photography but never have time to do it? Set aside a block on your birthday to lose yourself in what you love.
See more great money making hobbies for women.
49. Do a Random Act of Kindness
Make yourself feel like a million bucks by leaving a large tip or carrying someone’s groceries.
How old are you? Try doing that many small acts of kindness!
50. Volunteer
Volunteer at a cause close to your heart. Giving back will not only uplift your spirits but also set a positive tone for the year ahead.
More Epic Ways to Save On Birthdays
- Affordable Birthday Party Ideas For Kids
- Money Gift Ideas That Are Totally Clever
- Cheap Birthday Gift Ideas For Friends
What’s Next?
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