How to talk about your free time activities
Free time activities in English: words and phrases
One of the popular topics when conversing is discussing what we do in our free time. To be able to talk about yourself in an interesting way in English, this article offers many interesting phrases and words that you can use when communicating. At the end of the article, complete the exercise. Read the text on the topic: “What do you do with your free time?”. Then, based on the provided list of words, write in the missing words. The peculiarity of this task is that you need to understand what the text is about in order to write the correct word.
If you are interested in how to tell about yourself (Self-Introduction), read the article: How Can I Introduce Myself in English?
How to answer the question what do you do in your free time?
- Watching TV: Viewing television programs or series for entertainment.
- Listening to Music: Enjoying music for relaxation or pleasure.
- Painting: Creating artwork using paints and brushes.
- Drawing: Making sketches or illustrations with pencils, pens, or other drawing tools.
- Dancing: Moving rhythmically to music for enjoyment or exercise.
- Flying a Kite: Controlling a kite in the air for outdoor fun.
- Taking Photos: Capturing moments or scenes using a camera.
- Spending Time with Family: Engaging in activities or conversations with family members.
- Taking a Nap: Resting or sleeping briefly during the day.
- Writing Stories: Creating narratives or fictional tales.
- Reading a Book/Newspaper/Magazines/Comics: Consuming written content in various forms.
- Reading News Online: Keeping up-to-date with current events through internet sources.
- Watching Videos Online: Viewing videos on platforms like YouTube or streaming services.
- Surfing the Internet: Browsing websites and exploring online content.
- Checking Social Media Accounts: Reviewing and interacting with social networking platforms.
- Sending Messages to Friends: Communicating with friends via text or instant messaging.
- Chatting with Friends: Having conversations with friends in person or online.
Where we go in our free time
- Going to the Movies/Cinema: Watching films in a theater for entertainment.
- Going to a Museum: Visiting institutions to view exhibitions and artifacts.
- Going to the Gym: Exercising and working out in a fitness facility.
- Going to the Park: Spending time outdoors in a public green space.
- Going to the Beach: Visiting a coastal area for sunbathing, swimming, or relaxation.
- Going to a Café: Socializing or enjoying refreshments in a coffee shop.
- Going to the Library: Borrowing books or resources and reading/studying.
- Going to the Zoo: Visiting a facility to see and learn about animals.
- Going to an Amusement Park: Enjoying rides and attractions for fun and excitement.
- Going for a Walk: Taking a leisurely stroll outdoors.
- Going Shopping: Purchasing goods or items from stores or markets.
- Going Fishing: Engaging in the activity of catching fish.
- Going Swimming: Swimming in a pool, lake, river, or ocean.
- Going Skateboarding: Riding a skateboard for recreation or transportation.
- Going Hiking: Walking or trekking in natural environments.
- Going Tenpin Bowling: Playing bowling with ten pins.
- Going Camping: Spending time outdoors overnight in a tent or camper.
- Going Skiing: Participating in skiing activities on snow.
- Going Scuba Diving: Diving underwater with breathing apparatus for exploration.
- Going Rafting: Riding on a raft on a river for adventure.
Our free time hobbies
- Playing Cards/Dominoes/Scrabble: Engaging in board or card games for entertainment.
- Playing with Dolls/Toys: Interacting with dolls or toys for imaginative play.
- Playing with a Frisbee: Enjoying outdoor play by throwing and catching a Frisbee.
- Playing Hopscotch: A traditional sidewalk game involving hopping through numbered squares.
- Playing Rock, Paper, Scissors: A hand game used to make decisions or play for fun.
- Playing on a Swing: Swinging back and forth on a suspended seat for recreation.
- Playing with a Dog: Engaging in activities and games with a pet dog.
- Play Sport / Do Sport: Engage in physical activities for exercise and recreation.
- Play Tennis: Participate in the game of tennis, either casually or competitively.
- Play Soccer / Football: Take part in the sport of soccer (known as football in many countries).
- Play Cricket: Participate in the game of cricket, a bat-and-ball sport.
- Play Basketball: Engage in the game of basketball, involving shooting hoops.
- Play Darts: Throw darts at a target board for fun or competition.
- Do Rope Courses: Navigate obstacle courses involving ropes and challenges.
- Play Chess: Engage in the strategic board game of chess.
- Play Video Games: Enjoy electronic games on consoles, computers, or mobile devices.
- Play Board Games: Participate in various tabletop games with friends or family.
- Play in a Band: Perform music together as part of a musical group.
- Play Musical Instruments:
- Play the Piano
- Play the Guitar
- Play the Drums
- Play the Trumpet
- Play the Flute
- Sing: Perform vocal music, either alone or with others.
- Sing Karaoke: Sing along to instrumental tracks for entertainment.
- Whistle: Produce musical sounds by blowing air through pursed lips.
Active recreation in free time
- Do Gardening: Engage in planting, cultivating, and caring for a garden.
- Do Cartwheels: Perform acrobatic maneuvers where the body rotates sideways.
- Do Yoga: Practice physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation for relaxation and health.
- Do Pottery: Create ceramic objects using clay and a pottery wheel.
- Do Jigsaw Puzzles: Assemble puzzles composed of many interlocking pieces.
- Learn a Language: Study and acquire proficiency in a foreign language.
- Ride My Bike: Cycle for exercise or transportation.
- Ride a Horse: Engage in equestrian activities such as horseback riding.
- Climb Mountains: Trek up mountains or hills for adventure and exploration.
- Feed the Birds: Provide food to birds as a hobby or to attract wildlife.
- Jump in Puddles: Playfully splash and jump in rainwater puddles.
- Make a Snowman: Create a figure out of snow during snowy weather.
- Look at the Stars: Observe and stargaze to appreciate celestial objects.
- Get a Massage: Receive a therapeutic treatment to relax muscles and reduce stress.
- Get My Nails Done: Visit a salon to have nails manicured or decorated.
- Juggle: Practice the skill of throwing and catching objects like balls or clubs.
- Knit: Create fabric by interlocking loops of yarn with knitting needles.
- Tell Jokes: Share humorous stories or anecdotes to entertain others.
- Have a Water Fight with Friends: Engage in playful water battles for fun.
- Blow Bubbles: Create soap bubbles using a wand and soap solution.
- Relax in a Bathtub: Take a soothing bath to unwind and relax.
- Bake Cookies and Cakes: Prepare sweet treats in the kitchen for enjoyment.
- Collect Stamps: Gather and preserve postage stamps as a hobby.
- Plant Trees: Engage in tree planting activities for environmental conservation.
- Wear Costumes: Dress up in different outfits or costumes for fun or events.
Vocabulary expansion for conversations about in free time
Hobby
- Meaning: An activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure.
- Example: “Reading is my favorite hobby; I always have a book with me.”
Leisure
- Meaning: Free time when one can relax and do activities of choice.
- Example: “I like to spend my leisure time hiking in the mountains.”
Recreation
- Meaning: Activities done for enjoyment and relaxation.
- Example: “Swimming and painting are popular forms of recreation.”
Pastime
- Meaning: An activity someone does regularly for enjoyment during free time.
- Example: “Playing chess is a relaxing pastime for me.”
Interest
- Meaning: Something that arouses curiosity or concern.
- Example: “Her interests include gardening and photography.”
Relaxation
- Meaning: The state of being free from tension and anxiety.
- Example: “Yoga helps me achieve relaxation after a busy day.”
Exercise
- Meaning: Physical activity done to stay healthy and fit.
- Example: “I go jogging every morning as my exercise routine.”
Craft
- Meaning: A skill or activity involving making things by hand.
- Example: “Knitting and woodworking are popular crafts.”
Pursue
- Meaning: To engage in an activity or course of action.
- Example: “She decided to pursue her interest in learning the piano.”
Passion
- Meaning: A strong enthusiasm or liking for something.
- Example: “His passion for gardening led him to start his own nursery.”
Entertainment
- Meaning: Activities that provide amusement and enjoyment.
- Example: “Watching movies is a popular form of entertainment.”
Explore
- Meaning: To travel through or investigate a place or subject.
- Example: “We like to explore new hiking trails on weekends.”
Challenge
- Meaning: Something that tests one’s abilities, skills, or knowledge.
- Example: “Learning a new language can be a rewarding challenge.”
Unwind
- Meaning: To relax and release tension.
- Example: “After work, I like to unwind by listening to music.”
Socialize
- Meaning: To interact and spend time with others.
- Example: “He enjoys socializing with friends at weekend gatherings.”
Reading
- Meaning: The activity of looking at and understanding written words to gain information or enjoyment.
- Example: “Reading novels is a relaxing way to escape into different worlds.”
Hiking
- Meaning: Walking for long distances, especially in natural environments like mountains or forests.
- Example: “Hiking allows me to connect with nature and enjoy beautiful landscapes.”
Cooking
- Meaning: The process of preparing food by combining ingredients and using heat.
- Example: “I find cooking to be a creative and enjoyable way to unwind after work.”
Satisfying
- Meaning: Giving fulfillment, pleasure, or contentment.
- Example: “Baking a cake from scratch was a satisfying experience.”
Yoga
- Meaning: A practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation to promote health and relaxation.
- Example: “Yoga helps me improve my flexibility and reduce stress.”
Photography
- Meaning: The art or practice of capturing and producing images using a camera.
- Example: “I love photography because it allows me to capture special moments and express my creativity.”
Inspiration
- Meaning: A sudden creative or imaginative idea, or the act of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something.
- Example: “Nature often serves as inspiration for my artwork.”
Responsibilities
- Meaning: Duties or tasks that one is required or expected to fulfill as part of a job, role, or obligation.
- Example: “Balancing work responsibilities with personal interests can sometimes be challenging.”
Exercise – Essay on “What do you do with your free time?”
Read the essay and write the missing words using the list of words: passions, reading, cooking, hiking, responsibilities, satisfying, yoga, time, inspiration, photography
