I mean, come on. Who doesn’t want or need more alcohol-free activity ideas if they’re sober? Some of these are super simple, some are free, and some are neither simple nor free. Some are meaningful, while others are downright silly. All of them can be done with a friend, a group, a partner, a spouse, or even your whole squad—whatever your vibe. Most importantly, they just require a bit of planning ahead and are sure to leave a lasting impact.
1. Trust Exercise
Find a local spa, wellness center, or resort offering a day pass for group activities. Many places provide yoga, meditation, and trust-building exercises. Sign up, give it a go, and grab a wellness smoothie after to reflect on what you learned. These activities combine clear communication, physical trust, and a healthy dose of humor—the holy trinity of sober fun.
2. Horseback Riding
Channel your inner Wyatt Earp, or pretend you’re part of the Yellowstone cast. Book a guided horseback ride at a local ranch. If you’re so inclined, hit up a Western store for cowboy boots or a hat before your ride. Top it off with dinner at a local BBQ joint, and maybe even consider booking a massage for the next day when you’re saddle-sore. (Remember: the friends who chafe together stay together!)
3. Taco Truck Crawl
Pick 4–6 taco trucks and organize a taste test. Bonus points if you show up in a sombrero and sarape. Triple bonus points if you bring a third friend and reenact The Three Amigos, of course, in matching outfits. End the night with flan or churros and collapse into a food coma.
4. Sunrise Coffee & Closet Date
Start with coffee, a sunrise, and a meditation. Then, remember Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret? In the book, author Judy Blume mentions a game called “Two MINUTES in the Closet,” and instead of making out, I offer you an alternative game called “Two HOURS in the Closet.” Here’s how you play: grab some trash bags and purge your closets together. Upon completion, dress up in black outfits and hold a mini “funeral” for pieces you’re donating. Fun, productive, and cathartic.
5. Get Tied Up (Platonically)
Hit up a rock-climbing gym or ropes course and practice your Stand by Me trust-building skills. Afterward, refuel with a protein-packed meal. Who doesn’t feel heroic after conquering a climbing wall?
6. Acroyoga
Try aerial yoga or couples’ acroyoga at a local studio. It’s all about trust, balance, and awkward-but-hilarious bonding. Bonus: cook a DIY dinner afterward, with one person wearing a blindfold and following the other’s instructions. Trust me, it’s a riot.
7. Thrift Store Treasure Hunt
Turns out, Macklemore was right about popping tags; it’s a blast! Hunt for velvet pimp coats, vintage hats (avoid head lice, mmkay?), or Richard Simmons’ dolphin shorts. Turn it into a game by making a bingo card of obscure finds. (A sudden death round may involve multiple stores and may take all weekend, but it will be one heck of a good time!)
8. Statue Tag 2.0
Head to a park, mall, or iconic public spot. Snap stealth photos of people in funny poses, then recreate them yourself. Compile side-by-side collages and turn them into a photobook later to commemorate the experience and relive all the laughs. It’s free or cheap, and it’s one heck of a hilarious time.
9. Geriatric Game Night
Embrace card games like bridge, pinochle, or gin rummy. Pair it with retro food—meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and canned green beans. Want extra laughs? Dress up like one of The Golden Girls or wear something your grandparents might have worn. Come up with an “old person name” or steal one of your grandparent’s names for the evening. (Don’t forget the nametags!) Have a groovy time, Gertrude.
Sober Curator Pro Tip: Did you know The Sober Curator is throwing a Golden Girls Themed Birthday Party on the Hooked on Travel x Princess Cruise to Alaska in July? Cabins are still available! The cruise directly follows the International AA Convention in Vancouver BC July 8 – 15, 2025.
10. Trivia Night
Host trivia with an absurd twist: serve “brain food” by overcooking spaghetti and dumping it into a bowl to mold it, and then let it cool. Turn the bowl upside down onto a platter, carefully remove the bowl, and present it to your guests. (I swear, this looks like a brain. I’ve done it.) Enjoy their confused and slightly horrified faces for a moment before announcing that you’re just kidding. Then, serve the pizzas you ordered instead. Follow up the dinner with trivia games. (Our particular family is a fan of Mind the Gap for multi-generational fun.)
11. Escape Night
Watch Escape to Witch Mountain before heading to an escape room. Test your teamwork and keep cool under pressure. Pro tip: curate an escape-themed playlist. (Start with Rupert Holmes’s Escape—aka The Piña Colada Song.)
12. Art & Wine Festival Remix
Skip the overpriced wine and enjoy gallery hopping with a classy virgin Cosmo. Debate if that abstract masterpiece represents the Louisiana Purchase or Steve Carell in a coonskin cap. Try making this alcohol-free Cosmo recipe and bring it as a roadie: juice of one orange, juice of one lime, 100 mL of cranberry juice. Slice the orange and lime and squeeze them directly into a cocktail shaker over ice. Pour in the cranberry juice, pop the lid on, and proceed to Shake It Off like Taylor Swift.
13. Childhood Throwback Toy Night
Bring your favorite childhood toy (or memory of one). Share its story, then relive the simple joys of playtime. Don’t let this get you all melancholy; even if you had a terrible childhood, come up with a different angle: Maybe it was a book you enjoyed reading or an outfit you liked to wear. No rules here and no prerequisites of any particular kind. Pair with Tater Tots and Capri Suns for the full nostalgia effect.
14. 1990s Staycation Weekend
Turn off your phone, grab an accordion map, and explore your city like it’s 1995. Plan to watch Clueless or Reality Bites. For full effect, record your voicemail greeting with movie showtimes for full immersion, and make your partner listen to the entire thing. Pro tip: Gen Z may have to look up what is meant by a “recording with movie showtimes”…just imagine how we used to have to get information in pre-internet days, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. (Ok, sorry, yes, I’m exaggerating, fact-checkers!)
15. Karaoke Battle
Sober karaoke = peak fun. Go all out with costumes and pick songs that bring the vibes. Competition? Optional. Encouragement and camaraderie? Mandatory.
16. Cookbook Challenge
Blindly choose a recipe from The Joy of Cooking or dig up an old family favorite. Team up to cook it, say a prayer, and hope it’s edible.
17. Drive-In Movie
Set up a backyard drive-in with blankets, snacks, and a projector. Go retro with Grease vibes, but remember: consent is sexy.
18. GooseChase Adventure
Create a custom gamified scavenger hunt on GooseChase. It’s like Pokémon Go but way cooler and entirely customizable. Perfect for squads or family fun…I can validate this as I created one over the holidays for my whole family last year, and we had a blast!
19. Farmers Market Adventure
Find the weirdest vegetable at the market. Cook it together and see if you can make something delicious out of the oddest ingredient. Come on, aren’t we all dying to make rutabaga enchiladas?!
20. DIY Pottery Night
Find your inner Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze by channeling your Ghost vibes (without actual paranormal activity). Shape clay or Play-Doh into charades-inspired creations and guess each other’s masterpieces. It’s like a 3-D game of Pictionary.
21. Axe Throwing
Who cares if your aim isn’t great? It can be about the outfit! Want to dress up like Paul Bunyan with a button-down flannel, boots, and a hipster beanie? (Yes, please!) Bonus points for preparing some lumberjack puns.
22. Go-Kart Racing
Fulfill your Mario Kart dreams on the track. Just don’t toss banana peels or turtle shells at your competition.
23. Charity Run/Walk
Train for a 5K supporting a cause you love. It’s a win-win: quality time and positive impact. To really up the amount of time spent with someone, set up a training schedule!
24. Bookstore Date
Browse books, share your favorites, or read passages aloud over coffee. It’s intimate, intellectual, and fun. (Warning: this can be extremely bonding, so save it for someone you intend to grow closer to.)
25. Winter Igloo Dinner
DIY a backyard igloo with cozy lights, candles, and patio furniture. (You know, remember how we did this during the pandemic?) Serve jambalaya for a particularly spicy night! Whatever the weather, craft some delicious mocktails or warm beverages for the ultimate springtime wonderland vibe.
Sobriety isn’t boring—it’s an invitation to rediscover joy, connection, and creativity. With a little planning and a lot of humor, you can make memories that last a lifetime.
SOBER UNBUZZED FEED:This is a collection of 25 Lists, each featuring 25 inspiring ideas, actions, and motivations to guide you towards being your best sober self in 2025.
This enlightening section is proudly presented by Sober Curator Senior Contributor Amy Liz Harrison, an accomplished author, engaging podcast host, devoted wife, and supermom of eight triumphantly living in long-term recovery (We’re talking double digits, folks!). Join us as we delve into this treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice to empower your journey toward sobriety and beyond. Follow along with Amy on IG @amylizharrison or check her out at amylizharrison.com
Recovery is hard 24/7, 365 – Please know that resources are available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources. If your life or someone else’s is in imminent danger, please call 911. If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call: 988.
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