Best Group Activities for Adult Friendships

The right group activities for making new friends shouldn't feel like networking at all. At Camp Social, women experience this firsthand. They often meet on day one through an activity and leave the camp with real plans to stay in touch.

If you’ve ever thought, “I need more new friends,” this guide will help you connect in a natural, low-pressure way.

Why Group Activities Work Better Than “Just Putting Yourself Out There”

We’ve all heard the advice: Just put yourself out there.

But put yourself out there where, exactly?

The advice sounds like you’re supposed to walk into a room full of strangers and, somehow, leave with a lifelong friendship.

You still have to show up, yes, but there’s a big difference between showing up alone and showing up in a group.

When you join a group, whether it's a creative class or a book club, you're stepping into a setting designed for connection. Plus, there's repetition included, so you’ll see those like-minded individuals again and again.

And that’s usually when social connections begin.

The Best Group Activities to Make Friends (Adults Edition)

Let's get into what actually works. Below are group activities that adults keep showing up to, not out of obligation, but because they want to.

1. Join a sports league (even if you’re “not athletic”)

Recreational leagues in most cities are full of adults who, at some point, thought, “You know what? I miss playing.”

Here’s why a team sport works so well for making new friends:

• You see the same people every week

• You're working toward a shared goal (even if that goal is just surviving the game)

• You have easy conversation starters

• You often end up hanging out afterward, be it Friday night drinks or post-game tacos

2. Try board games and trivia nights

Not everyone wants to sprint across a field after work.

Some of us would rather sit with snacks and argue passionately about whether Lincoln was the capital of Nebraska.

Board games and trivia nights are some of the best group activities at our summer camp because they get adults out of “polite small talk” mode. You see how people think, how they react to winning (or losing), and whether they can laugh when they’re wrong.

At a board game café or a Friday night trivia event, you get:

• Built-in teams (instant conversation)

• Shared wins and exaggerated groans

• A reason to laugh together with strangers

• Something to focus on besides "Do they like me?"

3. Volunteer with groups and community projects

If you’re looking for kindness, look for those who decided to show up and help.

Some great volunteer ideas that you can try:

• Community garden cleanups

• Food bank shifts at the farmer's market

• Animal rescue organizations at dog parks

• Local charity runs

• A neighborhood fundraiser

Volunteer groups and community projects are also an incredible option if you're new in the city and don’t know many people yet. Service cuts through the awkward stage fast because everyone’s focused on the mission, not on impressing anyone.

4. Take creative classes and skill-based workshops

No one walks into a pottery class thinking, "I must impress everyone and make three new best friends tonight". They walk in thinking, "I hope this bowl doesn’t collapse".

That’s part of why creative classes work so well. People are relaxed and open to chatting while their hands are busy.

Think:

• A weekly painting or photography course

• A beginner dance class where everyone is counting under their breath

• A cooking class that ends in a shared dinner

• Horseback riding overlooking the sunset

• A writing workshop where you read your stuff out loud

• A ceramics studio that meets every Wednesday night

You don't need to be super talented, and this is something we tell our women at our adult sleepaway camp all the time.

You just need to show up, and in your case, decide to go back next week.

Your interests, at the end of the day, are usually the fastest path to finding your people. Check out our guide on hobbies to make friends for more inspo.

5. Become a regular somewhere (yes, even at a coffee shop)

Do you have a go-to place?

Maybe it’s:

• A Saturday morning coffee shop

• The same farmer’s market stand every week

• A weekly fitness class

• A neighborhood dog park (if you love dogs, it leads to instant conversation)

Pick a spot and visit it more often. It’s much easier to connect with new friends when you’re not a one-time face in a crowd, but part of the rhythm of a place.

When you notice the same person three weeks in a row, it can feel almost natural to say, “Hey, you’re here every Friday too, right?”

6. Say yes to a weekend retreat

Sometimes, all it takes is 48 hours away from your regular life to realize how much easier friendship can feel.

And spoiler alert: adult weekend retreats are way better than middle school camp.

Because now:

• You're adults, so nobody’s telling you lights out at 9 p.m. (unless that’s your vibe)

• You travel together, so bonding starts before anyone even arrives

• You wake up in the same place as everyone else

• You have an activity board with tons of things to do (chilling and doing nothing absolutely counts as activity, too)

• You end up at a DJ dance party and have fun with the other ladies

• You grab a mocktail or cocktail at happy hour, and the conversation shifts from light to unexpectedly honest

When you spend a full weekend laughing, trying new things, and sitting side by side with the same like-minded people, the “stranger” phase barely has time to exist.

PS: Camp Social has surprise programming alongside the scheduled activities (no spoilers).

Why Showing Up Matters More Than Being Interesting

One of the most reliable findings in social psychology is the “mere exposure effect,” which shows that people tend to develop warmer feelings toward those they see regularly.

A one-time event requires immediate chemistry, but a weekly sports league, book club, volunteer shift, or class gives relationships room to develop gradually.

There is also what researchers call the “liking gap”, the tendency for people to underestimate how much others enjoy their company.

After a group activity, it is common to assume that no one particularly noticed you. But in reality, others may have walked away with a more positive impression than you realize.

Returning the following week builds on that impression.

Consistency does something charisma cannot. It allows conversations to move from surface-level to personal without forcing the transition. And that's exactly what we adults need.

Final Thoughts

Being interesting might capture attention for a moment, but showing up at group activities (repeatedly) is what allows a relationship to take shape.

So if you want new friends in your life, start where your interests already are.

Community is rarely accidental in adulthood, but it is possible, and often closer than it seems.

FAQs

How long does it take to make friends through group activities?

Research suggests it takes about 50 hours to move from acquaintance to casual friend, around 90 hours to become friends, and 200+ hours to form close friendships.

What if I don’t click with anyone the first time attending a group activity?

The first meeting is often the most awkward. People are cautious and still figuring each other out, so give it a few sessions before deciding.

How do I start a conversation with someone in a group activity?

Start with the shared interest you’re already doing. Comment on the game, the class, or the project. Shared activities remove pressure because you already have common ground.