61 Cheap and Zany Things to Do With Friends in the White Mountains
Whether you're trying to cheer someone up, celebrate something special, or just create unforgettable memories, here’s your ultimate guide to 61 cheap and zany things to do with friends in Pinetop, Show Low, and beyond!
This list includes everything from creative craft nights and themed parties to volunteering opportunities and seasonal events. These ideas are low-cost, high-fun, and perfect for friend groups of all sizes and ages.
For many of these activities, you don’t even need to spend a dime—just bring your creativity, a few supplies, and a sense of humor. Many ideas can be done in your own backyard, local parks, or with community support like White Mountains Market and local clubs or art classes.
So gather your friends, print out this list, and start crossing them off one by one. Whether it's a food truck crawl, a spa day, or a marshmallow-fueled bonfire, the best memories are often the ones that start with a little silliness and a lot of heart!
Themed Parties & DIY Events
1. Host a Murder Mystery Night: Buy a kit from Night of Mystery or Amazon. Invite friends, assign characters, serve snacks, and add spooky music!
2. PowerPoint Party: Everyone creates a presentation—wacky or heartfelt—and presents it over snacks and laughs.
3. Puzzle Room/Escape Room: Create one using this DIY tutorial.
4. Mafia Game Night: Learn how to play on Instructables.
5. Vision Board Night: Use magazines, printables, and boards. Get inspired here.
6. Themed Costume Party: From eras to animals to favorite movies, invite your friends and get wild with creative dress-ups.
Crafty & Creative Fun
7. Splatter Paint Party: Use fabric paint and host it outside. How-to guide.
8. Decorate Shoes: Use fabric markers and thrifted shoes.
9. Make Friendship Bracelets: All you need is elastic string and beads.
10. Flower Arrangement Party: Follow this bouquet guide.
11. Scrapbook Night: Collect mementos and create over-the-top pages. Ideas at Scrapbooking Coach.
12. Tie-Dye Shirts or Shoes: Use this step-by-step tutorial.
13. Dip-Dye Hair with Kool-Aid: Follow this guide.
Food & Cooking Challenges
14. Chopped Cooking Challenge: Host your own with surprise ingredients.
15. Bake Sale: Organize your own with Martha Stewart’s tips.
16. Fancy Dinner Party: Invite guests, cook a full-course meal, and dress up.
17. Potluck with a Twist: Each person brings a dish they’ve never made before.
18. Make Homemade Pizza: Try tossing dough in the air! Instructions here.
19. Make Edible Garlic Butter Candles: Imagine a crusty loaf of bread, with a lit candle in the middle of it. You’d probably think that someone was drunk in the kitchen again… but wait, there’s more! The candle is hot and melty garlic butter. That changes the whole thing. Recipe here.
Artsy Adventures
20. Walking Art Gallery: Dress up as famous paintings and walk the town. Gilmore Girls inspo.
21. Host a Photo Shoot: Pick a theme and get creative—flower fields, vintage style, food photography.
22. Take Art Classes Together:
Music & Performance
23. Karaoke Night: Use YouTube karaoke tracks or a karaoke machine.
24. Start a Garage Band: Learn how here.
25. Perform at an Open Mic: Find events on local Facebook groups or bulletin boards.
26. Attend Live Music Events:
Games, Competitions & Challenges
27. Board Game Bonanza: Bring your favorite games and set up a tournament.
28. Try a Weird Sport: Try ultimate frisbee, shin kicking, or cheese rolling.
29. Murder Mystery Dinner: DIY with a theme kit or shop at Night of Mystery.
30. Baking Soda Volcano Contest: Compete using this NASA volcano tutorial.
31. Trivia Night: Host it at home using this HGTV guide.
32. Scavenger Hunt: Themed hunts are a hit! Plan yours with tips from CluedUpp.
Outdoor Adventures
33. Axe Throwing: Book a session at Sweet Slade’s and test your aim!
34. Bug Hunting: Try Woodland Lake Park or Mountain Meadows Park with nets and magnifiers.
35. Pool Noodle Fight: Simple, hilarious fun—bring your noodles to a local park.
36. Go on a Lake Day: Bring floaties, sunscreen, and paddle boards.
37. Thrift for Wild Outfits: Try the Doghouse Thrift Shop or Goodwill and dress each other.
38. Do a Food Truck Tour: Explore options like Jojo’s Tacos or Crunchy Frog Pizza.
Volunteer Opportunities
39. Volunteer at the Ren Faire: Medieval Mayhem AZ has free entry for volunteers.
40. Help at 3E Snacks: Facebook page.
41. Backpack Snacks Program: Facebook page.
42. Find Projects on JustServe: JustServe
43. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter:
Seasonal & Local Highlights
44. Go to a Hot Air Balloon Festival: Rainbow Ryders and local event pages have info.
45. Attend Library Events: Pinetop Lakeside Library Calendar
46. Antique Shopping: Check out Walnut Creek Antique or Vintage Sisters Antiques.
47. Visit Local Historic Sites: Show Low Historical Society Museum or the Show Low Card Game Monument.
48. Go Stargazing: Use a stargazing app or map.
49. Watch a Play or Musical: Village 8 Theater or Show Low 5
Fitness & Wellness
50. Run a 5K: Sign up at Running in the USA.
51. Do Yoga Together: Use YouTube videos or join a local class.
52. Go for a Scenic Hike: Try trails around Woodland Lake or Show Low Bluff.
53. Have a Backyard Spa Day: Light candles, do face masks, and relax.
54. Try a Fitness Challenge: Compete on steps or set a group health goal.
55. Attend a Fitness Class: Search for local Zumba, dance, or strength classes.
Memory-Making & Meaningful Moments
56. Write Letters to Your Future Selves: Seal them in envelopes and set a date.
57. Make a Time Capsule: Use tips from WikiHow.
58. Create a Backyard Theater: Recreate a favorite movie or book and perform it.
59. Do a Childhood Throwback Party: Bring childhood games and favorite snacks.
60. Make Over-the-Top Scrapbooks: Add photos, stickers, letters, and more.
61. Gift Exchange Game: Play White Elephant with under-$5 surprise gifts.
Let the fun begin—there’s something here for every season, every budget, and every friend group in the White Mountains!