Eunoia Diaries #4: 11 Budget Friendly Hangout Ideas

Written by: Goyal Naina (24-A2), Jayakody Arachchige Andrea Himashi Jayaweera (24-A2), Liu Min (24-A2), Joel Keng (24-A2), Justa Wee (24-E4), Hung Jia Xuan (24-I6), Lauren Tan (24-O1)

Designed by: Liu Min (24-A2)

As students with tight budgets, we often end up reusing the same activities over and over again when planning hangouts with our friends. We decided to collate a list of fun, budget friendly hangout ideas for de-stressing and bonding with friends! We added price and enjoyment levels indicators, to assist readers in their choices.    

Price Level:

💸 - $0-10

💸💸 - $10-20

💸💸💸 - $20+

Enjoyment Level:

🎢

🎢🎢

🎢🎢🎢

1. Photo Booths 💸🎢🎢 

Capture long-lasting memories with your friends in a photo booth! Haji Lane is the photo booth hub, bustling with 7 different outlets, each offering exclusive backdrops and props, making it the perfect place to visit. We suggest finding fun-themed photo booths to get the best bang for your buck. Solace Studios (73 Haji Lane, $10 per 2 strips) houses realistic elevator, aeroplane, and even subway interiors for unique shots. Their studio also offers digital copies and even videos too! Another popular outlet is Photobytes (61 Haji Lane, $5 per 2 strips), where photo strips are retro-styled and translucent, providing a novel experience for customers!

2. Karaoke 💸🎢🎢🎢

Whether you're a seasoned singer or just in it for the fun, karaoke brings people together in a way that’s both entertaining and interactive. You can sing your heart out to your favourite tunes, cheer on your friends, and enjoy the thrill of being on stage, even if it’s just for a few minutes. HaveFun Family Karaoke ($10 per pax/ $22++ per room) provides the lively atmosphere along with food and drinks to energise singers.  

3. Beach 💸🎢🎢🎢 

The beach offers an array of activities perfect for youths. For those who are more active, the prospect of playing beach sports such as volleyball by the ocean and swimming would really appeal to them. Even for those who are not especially sporty, the beach offers activities such as sunbathing. All in all, the beach is a fun place to unwind with friends, even at night when the ocean is not open for swimming, it provides the perfect atmosphere to have meaningful conversations with your friends. The best part is that going to the beach is completely free so there is no need to worry about saving up for it!

4. Pool 💸💸🎢🎢

Playing pool can be a fantastic way to spend time with friends as well as explore something different. Places like King’s Pool and Snooker Zone are located near school and offer hourly table rental. It is a relatively affordable and fun activity to enjoy with loved ones, and you may discover a hidden talent for pool, billiards, or snooker, which are all available at the above locations.

5. Ice Skating 💸💸🎢🎢🎢

Priced at $20 for 2 hours, ice skating is a perfect way for students to take a break from the heat. The cool, indoor environment provides a comfortable escape from Singapore’s heat, making it a great way to recharge after classes or exams. Ice skating is both affordable and beginner-friendly, allowing students of all skill levels to join in without feeling out of place. Furthermore, it’s an ideal setting to bond with friends, laugh over wobbly first steps, and make lasting memories.

6. Bowling💸💸🎢🎢🎢

Bowling is the ideal hangout spot for students who are looking for a way to relax after school or during school holidays. It is priced at $18 an hour for students during off peak hours, making it a perfect activity for students on a budget. If you are going with a group, you can split the cost of it, making it even more affordable! Additionally, straightforward gameplay makes it enjoyable for everyone, from beginners to seasoned players and bowling’s team-oriented nature fosters camaraderie as friends cheer for spares and strikes or share a laugh over unexpected gutter balls.

7. The Movies  💸🎢🎢

Going to the movies is a staple activity for just about everyone, especially for students where movie tickets only cost $7 from Monday to Friday before 6PM! The movies provide a fun and relaxed environment for friends to unwind and bond. Watching a movie together gives everyone a shared experience to discuss afterward, sparking conversation that could deepen friendships. The dim lighting, comfortable seats and a chance to lose yourself in a captivating story provide a great place to hangout, and not to mention the variety of snacks offered that make it the perfect package!

8. Go Karting 💸💸💸🎢🎢🎢 

Go-karting is an exciting and affordable hangout activity for students in Singapore, offering a fun break from the usual routine. The cost typically ranges from S$20 to S$40 for a 10-15 minute session, with discounts often available for students or group bookings. Venues like The Karting Arena* and *KF1 Karting Circuit offers competitive racing experiences that are perfect for friendly rivalry and team-building. It’s a great way to bond with friends, challenge each other, and enjoy some thrills in a safe, controlled environment. With options for both casual racers and more serious competitors, go-karting is a perfect choice for a memorable, action-packed outing.

9. Picnics 💸🎢🎢

A picnic in Singapore is a fantastic hangout idea for students, offering a refreshing break from the usual indoor meetups. With its abundance of scenic parks like Marina Barrage, East Coast Park, or Botanic Gardens, students can enjoy lush greenery and open spaces, perfect for relaxing and bonding. Picnics are also budget-friendly, as everyone can bring homemade snacks and drinks, making it an affordable option. The casual atmosphere allows for conversations, games, and activities like frisbee or kite-flying, fostering stronger connections. Additionally, Singapore's year-round tropical weather provides ample opportunities to plan a picnic, making it a versatile and fun idea for any group of students.

10. Kayaking 💸🎢🎢

If you want a break from the usual hangout activities that Singapore offers, kayaking is a great alternative activity to explore with friends and family. Singapore Sports Hub has single or double kayaks for $8 per non-peak hour for children under 18 or with a valid student pass. No additional certifications are required as long as participants are all aged over 12 years of age. Kayaking is extremely fun and beginner friendly, and is a good way to exercise while having a good time.

11. Cycling 💸🎢🎢🎢

Cycling in Singapore has become an activity that many youths have come to enjoy. With apps such as Anywheel, cycling is made easy as youths are able to rent bicycles at extremely cheap prices of just a dollar for every hour. Not only does cycling provide an opportunity for youths to fit exercising into their likely busy schedule, but it allows them to enjoy scenic routes through places like East Coast Park. All in all, it's a fun and cheap activity that provides youths with benefits like maintaining fitness and even discovering hidden gems around Singapore by exploring new routes.