My friends always want to go out to eat as a way to get together. With my food allergies, this isn’t an option and bringing my own food isn’t always possible (they’re often spontaneous). Do you have any fun outing ideas that we can do? I want to hang out with my friends, but food seems to always be the focus and it’s taking a toll on me.
Hi! This is a great question. I’ll start with this first: I hope you don’t take any of this personal. Often times, people who don’t manage food allergies and dietary restrictions have no idea how much something like this can affect us. The fact that they keep inviting you means they really want you around. It sounds like you have good friends, and I’d bet they’re willing to do food-free events with you.
Take a Skills Class Together
Building new skills can be challenging, rewarding, and lots of fun. As a group, you could take a pottery class together, glass blowing class, a private lesson from a carpenter, and so on.
Depending on the hobbies/combined interests of the group, you could even hire a chef or mechanic to give you guys a really fun group lesson.
The key is to make sure everyone will have some kind of fun, that it’s lighthearted, and that you can all be in the same room together.
Volunteer at an Animal Shelter Together
I hear people love helping animals (I’m allergic), and this could be a great way for your group to spend time together. Not all shelters can take large groups of volunteers, so call ahead.
Go to an Arcade Together
An arcade together can be lots of fun as you challenge each other to beat a high score. There are usually loads of games to choose from, so there’s a good chance everyone will enjoy your time together.
If you happen to be at an arcade that gives out prizes, even better. You can all work together to bring home something to remind you of the good time you had.
Play Sports Together
Depending on the size of your group, a small basketball game could work. Alternatively, mini golf, bowling, tennis, batting cages, and low impact paint ball could all be options as well. I also hear frisbee games are super fun with friends.
Go Geo Caching or to an Escape Room Together
Nothing tests a friendship like a timed escape room, right? Work with your friends and try to escape (it’s often easier said than done). Most people come away having had a fabulous time with their teammates.
Geo caching is along the same lines in that you’re looking for something together. Geo caching is done outdoors, so you’ll have to plan outings when the weather is nice.
Online Gaming
It used to be that online gaming was mostly for first person shooters. However, these days you can play a huge range of games online with friends. Make sure you choose a format where you can all verbally talk together.
I recently learned that tabletop/boardgames can be played online with friends. This is a great option for those times when someone may be sick, the weather isn’t great, or you’re separated by distance.
When Food Free Isn’t an Option
There will always be times where food has to be involved. A little tip for you: keep a few meals in your freezer for these specific moments. Hopefully you’ll have enough time to heat/thaw the food before meeting up with friends.
When my kids were little, I always kept cake, brownies, and cookies in the freezer for those moments when friends wanted to invite them out, or if there was a last minute party to attend. Sometimes, the real challenge is that you don’t have anything prepared and it’s not feasible for everyone to wait for you.
Hopefully something here will work for you and your friends. As I said, they sound like great people, and I get the idea they’re going to want to do a lot of these activities with you.
Have fun!
~The Allergy Chef
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