Cozy Night-In Hangout Ideas
As the weather gets colder and the nights grow longer, it’s easy to feel like curling up on the sofa and enjoy your own space. However, staying in doesn’t have to be dull. There are so many activities you can do with your housemates to bring the fun to a night in.
We’ve pulled together a list of enjoyable yet cozy ideas for a great night in that won’t break the bank and get you through the autumn/winter season.
10 ideas for a fun night-in with your housemates:
Movie Night (Free - £)
The classic idea of a night in – imagine homemade popcorn, fluffy blankets, and a cozy film on the TV. A film night is a great way to include everyone in your house, as there is no pressure to get involved and you will all have something to talk about afterwards.
If you’re stuck for ideas, why not suggest a theme for the night – Halloween, rom-coms, comedy. Or you could ask everyone for their favourite film and pull one out of a hat!
Karaoke (Free)
If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, you could turn your living room into a karaoke booth for the night! There’s no need for any fancy equipment, a laptop or TV with access to YouTube will be everything you need.
You can always find a cheap karaoke mic online, or even use a tv remote to sing along for fun. Just remember not to go full Mariah! Not all your neighbours will appreciate those high-hitting whistle tones.
Games Night (Free - £)
Everybody loves a board game, plus it’s an easy way to get people together and spark some conversations. Whether its trivia, comedy, drawing or teamwork – there will be something that will suit everyone.
If you need some inspiration, check your local charity shop for cheap, second-hand board games – or, you’d be surprised what you can do with just a deck of cards and some dice.
Presentation Night (Free)
If you haven’t seen this concept trending on Tik Tok then you’re missing out! The basic idea is that you and your housemates all make PowerPoint presentations (either on a special interest or something unique to you) and deliver them over the course of the night.
Why not teach each other about your degrees, fun facts about where you’ve come from, or mix it up with a silly theme like these options from Microsoft 365.
Indoor Pub Quiz (Free - £)
If someone in your house fancies themselves a bit of an MC, why not ask them to write up a pub quiz for the house? Whether you want to go solo or pair up into teams, it’s the perfect excuse to get your house together.
You could also learn more about each other by each hosting a round of the quiz on one of your interests, or something about you!
Get crafty (Free - £)
Whether it’s making your own decorations for the holidays or inviting your housemates to bring their own hobbies to the table – working on a project together is fun and rewarding. You could tie dye your old clothes, practice your origami skills, or try your hand at crochet!
Most people will have some sort of creative hobby, so it can be good to learn a new skill from someone else, or share your skills with others.
Baking (£ - ££)
Bake-off season is already in full swing, so why not take inspiration from the show and create your own show-stopping masterpiece (No pressure, of course!). Get your housemates to chip in for the ingredients, put some music on, and spend some time together whipping up your favourite sweet treats. Even if baking is not your thing, half the fun is giving it a go and getting to taste the end product!
You don’t necessarily need all the equipment either, see if you can get creative with recipes you can make on a baking tray, or an oven proof dish. (Don’t forget the mug cake trend!)
Spa/Self Care Evening (£ - ££)
Looking after your wellbeing is so important when you are busy with your studies. Get together for some dedicated time to relax and unwind, listen to calming music, wear a face mask, and have some healthy treats and snacks!
Why not hop on the Hwachae trend – a Korean drink which is designed to boost your hydration with lots of fresh fruit and vitamins, ideal if you’ve had a long week or a late night.
Dinner Party (££ - £££)
Take the pressure off your housemates for a week and organise a Come Dine with Me style dinner party! If each of you choose a main meal to make, plus some entertainment for the evening, this can end up being cheaper than planning your own meals for the week.
Each of your housemates can have one night each, so you will get a chance to relax and enjoy someone else cooking for you for a few nights. No need to rate each other, just appreciate the effort!
Cocktail/Mocktail Night (££ - £££)
Not everyone enjoys a big night out, so having cocktails or mocktails at home makes the fun vibes of a bar more accessible! You could always make a menu of options with your own funny names, or ask your housemates to come up with their own.
Everyone can host their own round and show off their bartending skills, or you could pool some money together to get a selection of pre-mixed drinks to share.
