The best activities for a girls’ night in
You don’t need a crowded bar or an expensive dinner for a fun girls’ night. Staying in can be just as memorable and gives you the freedom to relax and chat in safe, familiar surroundings, supporting deeper shared experiences. Discover some of the best activities to suit all interests, from the classic ‘movie marathon’ to new sustainability-inspired initiatives like clothes swapping.
Get creative with DIY crafts
Creative activities foster social connection through common interests and easy emotional expression, the ideal choice if you’re looking to inspire a calming atmosphere. Conversations flow naturally without effort when creativity is high and the hands are busy.
A baking corner could invite guests to decorate cupcakes or biscuits with icing, fruit and toppings, while a crochet or knitting setup offers a calming, mindful activity for those who enjoy working with their hands. For something more artistic, you could set up a guided painting session with individual canvases and quality materials, giving everyone the chance to create something they’d be proud to display at home.
If you prefer something more low-key, a journalling or memory book table with photos, textured paper and decorative accents can be a nice way to reflect and unwind. Just be sure to lay down old sheets or towels to protect your surfaces from any inevitable spills or stray flour.
Host a themed film marathon
Inviting friends round to watch a film or a few episodes of your favourite TV show is a classic option, and a way to connect without needing to make conversation. Incorporating a theme is a great way to add a sense of occasion to this overdone activity and make the experience more personal.
You might choose a series you all loved growing up, in line with the trend for nostalgia, or focus on a specific genre that unites you, such as romantic comedies from the early 2000s, musicals or fantasy epics. Suggest fancy dress and enhance the theme with small details that make all the difference, like matching snacks, entrance music and mini quizzes about what you’re about to watch. Choose the theme together in advance so everyone feels included in the plan.
Explore online games & activities
Digital entertainment is a fast and fun way to encourage interaction, for nights where the energy is low or there’s competitive spirit in the air. Collaborate on puzzles, play casual games like online spins or challenge each other in a multiplayer video game. Shorter formats with easy rules and mechanics are best for ensuring everyone feels comfortable and for maintaining engagement. You can also explore more active options, if you’ve got the space. Embrace party-style quiz games involving acting or compete on drawing challenges.
If you don’t want to be competitive, why not take a virtual tour of a world-class museum, or watch a tutorial video on a topic you’d all love to know more about?
Pamper yourselves inside and out
Slow down and find a few hours of restoration with a complete at-home spa experience. This should include nourishing food and drinks as well as the usual face masks, nail painting stations and foot spas, so it’s a truly pampering experience inside and out. You should also focus on creating that all-important spa atmosphere, with a strategic layered lighting scheme, scented candles and soft towels and robes.
You don’t need expensive products to create this experience. A homemade face mask using ingredients like yoghurt and honey can feel just as effective as a shop-bought version, and getting stuck in and making masks together just adds to the joy! Lay out towels and products in advance so the transition into this part of the evening feels seamless.
Celebrate sustainability with swaps
Clothing swaps add a practical benefit to your night because everyone leaves with something new without spending money, and you do your bit to reduce the negative impact of fast fashion. As you try on each other’s pieces, you also get fresh ideas on how to style items you already own. One friend might show you how to layer a dress you rarely wear, while another might turn an oversized shirt into something more fitted with a simple adjustment.
Upcycling takes this a step further by encouraging creativity and sustainability. Why not paint stained, chipped mugs to give them a new lease of life as mini plant pots or candle holders, or use a label maker to turn old glass jars into everyday kitchen storage? There’s a host of easy upcycling ideas you can try.
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