These social activities are universal, and they can work for people of any gender or age. With some creativity, they can also fit any budget or schedule.

1. Going out to eat We all have to eat, and enjoying a meal with friends can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Invite your friends to dinner and make an effort to try new restaurants regularly to keep things fresh.

2. Board games Grab your friends and host a board game night. See if you can rotate who hosts each month and have each person sign up to bring specific snacks and drinks.

3. Meeting up for coffee Not everyone has the time for a full meal, but most people can meet up for a cup of coffee for half an hour. This is a low-commitment activity that can be great if you’re meeting up with someone new or trying to get to know someone better.

4. Movie nights Instead of going to the theater, round up your friends to come over and watch movies at home. It’s obviously cheaper, and you can stop, talk, and rewind parts if you want.

5. Pick-up sports Whether it’s soccer or basketball, almost every city has local parks where you can pick up and play. Separate the groups into teams. You can make a friendly bet where the losing team buys dinner afterward.

6. Volunteering together as a group This social activity will help you connect with your friends and make the world a better place. Sign up for a beach clean-up or offer to do a local walk/run that supports charity.

7. Video games Even though they sometimes get a bad rep, video games can be a great way to socialize with friends, especially if you live far apart.

8. Hiking If you have local trails, see if a friend wants to join you on a weekend morning. Make sure you have a pair of hiking boots (you’ll need to break them in) and plenty of water and snacks.

These social activities are universal, and they can work for people of any gender or age. With some creativity, they can also fit any budget or schedule.

1. Going out to eat We all have to eat, and enjoying a meal with friends can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Invite your friends to dinner and make an effort to try new restaurants regularly to keep things fresh.

2. Board games Grab your friends and host a board game night. See if you can rotate who hosts each month and have each person sign up to bring specific snacks and drinks.

3. Meeting up for coffee Not everyone has the time for a full meal, but most people can meet up for a cup of coffee for half an hour. This is a low-commitment activity that can be great if you’re meeting up with someone new or trying to get to know someone better.

4. Movie nights Instead of going to the theater, round up your friends to come over and watch movies at home. It’s obviously cheaper, and you can stop, talk, and rewind parts if you want.

5. Pick-up sports Whether it’s soccer or basketball, almost every city has local parks where you can pick up and play. Separate the groups into teams. You can make a friendly bet where the losing team buys dinner afterward.

6. Volunteering together as a group This social activity will help you connect with your friends and make the world a better place. Sign up for a beach clean-up or offer to do a local walk/run that supports charity.

7. Video games Even though they sometimes get a bad rep, video games can be a great way to socialize with friends, especially if you live far apart.

8. Hiking If you have local trails, see if a friend wants to join you on a weekend morning. Make sure you have a pair of hiking boots (you’ll need to break them in) and plenty of water and snacks.