The Iglu Guide | Blog
7 Ways To Entertain Your Flatmates
Living in shared student accommodation is an incredibly exciting experience. You’ll get to meet new friends from all over the world, and there’s always an opportunity to make memories and have some fun. Living in a harmonious and supportive household is an important aspect of uni life, and really helps to make the daily grind that bit more bearable. But finding ways to keep the good vibes rolling can sometimes be a challenge, particularly when you’re balancing a roomful of different personalities. So, whether you want to deepen relationships, shake up the routine, or simply inject some fun into the week, here’s 7 tried and tested ways to keep your flatmates entertained.
1. Movie night
Possibly the easiest and most relaxing way to spend time with your flatmates, movie nights are a great opportunity to get the household together for some shared bonding moments. And it really doesn’t have to be hard work.
- Agree on a movie choice – Go with a theme such as classics, romcoms or horror. If indecision strikes, let the robots take over and try using a handy randomiser app such as Pickster.
- Choose the snacks – This is where the important work begins: think popcorn, lollies, drinks and chips. Go large, and be prepared to share.
- Prepare the area – Take some time to make your space nice and cosy, dim the lights and you’re good to go!
Top tip: Decide your watch party rules up front. To dual screen, or not to dual screen? And if you’re not partial to a running commentary, make sure your flatmates all have the same memo.
2. Themed dinners
Cooking and eating together helps build stronger relationships and can transform your student accommodation from a shared flat into a welcoming home. Trying out new cuisines through themed dinners is a great way to expand your cultural knowledge – and you get to have a whole heap of fun along the way. Plus, you’re saving oodles of dollars on restaurant bills, whilst benefitting from amazing home-cooked food.
- Pick a theme based on cuisine, movies, or pop culture. It might be Italian or Mexican one week, or Harry Potter or James Bond-themed the next
- Allocate the cooking tasks so that everyone has a job to do. Keep a note of the rotation so that you can vary it for the next time
- Get inventive with your theme! Use what’s around you to decorate your space such as candles, lamps, music and more – and don’t forget to dress for the occasion!
Top tip: Elevate your dinners by encouraging everyone to include themed costumes
3. Competitive cook-off
If you prefer an element of healthy competition while you’re chowing down on some delicious food, why not suggest a house cook-off? Interactive and easy to organise, a bit of friendly rivalry is the perfect way to get the house banter going.
- Decide your format:
- Head-to-Head – All flatmates compete as individuals
- 3-ingredient challenge – Everyone has to create a dish from 3 named ingredients
- Themed cook-off eg. best pasta, dessert wars, formal dinner
- Time-limit challenge – What can you pull together in a set amount of time?
- Agree to your rules upfront, such as the budget, timing allowance and judging criteria
- Make sure everyone has the same amount of space to cook, with enough utensils to go around
Top tip: Assign an impartial judge in advance to allocate immediate bragging rights!
4. Chill hangout
After a busy day on the study grind, there’s nothing better than hanging out with your support squad to recharge your social and emotional batteries. This type of lowkey entertaining can be as big or small as you choose – all depending on the levels of energy and appetite for fun. It might be as simple as a glass of wine and a snack-board to share, or a small gathering with music and games. Tune into the mood and see what would work best on the night.
Top tip: Use this quieter time for deeper conversations that you wouldn’t normally have time for.
5. Games night
Retro straight back to your childhood, and bust out the board games for a fun-filled night of friendly competition. Think Monopoly, Uno, Game of Life and Trivia – and when you’ve had enough of IRL, you can transition to video games for some on-screen rivalry instead. Play for points, or spice up the stakes with some household chore trading. The possibilities are endless, and it could get serious.
- Play as individuals or form small teams
- Make your game selections in advance of the night
Top tip: Jointly agree how points are allocated to avoid any household disputes
6. Fitness challenge
Stay active and motivate each other with a friendly fitness competition that puts the fun into healthy living. You could even encourage everyone to contribute a few dollars into the winner takes all jackpot!
- Step count challenge – Track your progress with smartphones and watches
- Plank hold – Who can hold for the longest?
- Flexibility challenge – Set some yoga poses and judge the holds for duration and posture
Top tip: Suggest a group personal fitness goal to build up the team spirit
7. Explore and discover
Head out as a group and uncover hidden gems around the city. Be a tourist for the day and take turns to plan the group itinerary!
- Take a random bus or train together and see where you end up
- Pack a picnic and go for a scenic walk
- Try a new method of transport – hire some electric bikes or scooters, or take a group surfing lesson
- Take a landmark tour and tick off the city sights
Top tip: Don’t forget to snap yourselves out and about to add to the memory bank
