Things to do with friends under 21
The best things to do with friends under 21 are low-cost, daytime or early-evening plans with no bars: bowling, arcades, mini golf, movies, parks, museums, food trucks and trampoline parks. Pick a few options, check each place's age rules and hours, and let the group vote on one.
What can friends under 21 do during the day?
- Bowling, then lunch at a food hall
- Mini golf or a go-kart track
- An arcade or a trampoline park
- Indoor climbing gym or a skate park
- A zoo, aquarium or science museum
- A matinee movie, then a walk
- A picnic in a park with lawn games
- A bike ride on a local trail
What can friends under 21 do at night without bars?
Night plans work best when they end at a fixed time. Pick a place that is open late and has a clear closing time, and check it before you vote.
- An evening movie, then a late dessert or diner stop
- Bowling or an arcade after dinner
- A karaoke room or a game night at a friend's home with a parent's OK
- A comedy show or live music at an all-ages venue
- A late-night diner or food truck meet-up
- A lit-up walk in a busy park before it closes
What are free or cheap things to do with friends under 21?
- Free museum days and free library events
- Public parks, beaches and trails
- Community festivals and free summer concerts
- Cooking dinner together, then a card or board game night
- Pickup basketball or a game at a public court
- A group photo walk around a neighborhood you haven't explored
How do you stay safe when you're out with friends under 21?
- Check the age rules and closing time for every stop before you plan.
- Know your curfew, and plan the end time with travel home included.
- Tell a parent or guardian the plan, the places and the time you'll be back.
- Share your live location with a trusted adult while you're out.
- Agree on a meet-up point and a ride home before you leave.
- Stay in busy, well-lit places after dark, and don't leave anyone behind.
Can Squad Plan build plans for friends under 21?
Yes. On Squad Plan, pick "Some are under 21" under "Who's coming?" and the plans leave out bars, pubs and clubs. Enter your city, the date and what you want to do, and Squad Plan builds Plan A, Plan B and Plan C from real places, each with a rough cost per person.
You must be 13 or older to make an account. Share one link with the group, and friends vote without making an account. Check opening hours before you go, because map data can be out of date.
Under-21 ideas by city
Each city guide has an under-21 ideas section built from real places, plus three ready-made plans:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Toronto, ON
- Montreal, QC
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Guadalajara, Jalisco
- All city guides
Questions
Are bars and clubs part of Squad Plan for under-21 groups?
No. Bars, pubs and clubs only appear when everyone in the group is 21 or older. Choose "Some are under 21" and they are left out of your plans.
What are good things to do at night with friends under 21?
Try a movie, bowling, an arcade, a karaoke room, a comedy show at an all-ages venue or a late-night diner. Check each place's age rules and closing time first.
What time should friends under 21 be home?
Follow your curfew, and check it with a parent or guardian before you make a plan. Set the end time so there is enough travel time to get home.
Last updated 2026-10-17.