Unique Spring Roommate Bonding Activities You Haven’t Done Yet

By Garth Brunner

The snow is starting to melt, which means that you and your roommates can finally venture out of your dorm to do some fun and well-earned bonding activities. Spending nights inside watching movies and playing video games is fun and all, but take this opportunity to enjoy the fresh, spring air.

If you and your roommates haven’t been able to bond yet this year or you’ve just changed roommates at the start of the new semester, then take the changing of the seasons as a sign that you should change as well. You have to live together for a few months, so make it enjoyable! There are plenty of fun and unique ways you can bond with your roommate this spring, and you definitely haven’t done them yet.

Spring Cleaning “Party”
I’m sure spring cleaning doesn’t exactly sound like a fun roommate bonding activity, but turn it into a party and do it together! First, turn on some fun and upbeat music to get you pumped. If you and your roommate have the same musical tastes, put on a playlist of some of your shared favorite songs. If you listen to different stuff, take this as a chance to listen to some new tunes and learn about new artists! You never know when you’ll find your new favorite band or song. Prepare some of your favorite snacks and sodas to munch on while you clean together as well.

Once you’ve got your music playing, go through some of your clutter. When spring cleaning alone, it can be difficult to decide what to throw out. It’s very tempting to try to keep everything, even if you never use or wear it. Your roommate gives an external point of view and can help you get rid of junk you’re holding onto for no reason. Plus, your roommate might want something you want to get rid of, or vice versa, and you can swap! Give them the shoes you got that are too small for you but fit them perfectly, or take that old t-shirt they don’t really like anymore. While decluttering, you can still get something fun and new out of it.

Now, you two get to live in a nice, clean space for the rest of the semester… Or at least until the clutter builds up again. Try to make it last!

Local Trip
There are probably a lot of great views and sites to visit in your college town that you haven’t gotten to see in the cold and gloomy weather. Use the spring to change that, and who better to go with than your roommate? Local trips are always a great way to bond, as you can chat in the car and bond over crazy things that happen. Even if you plan out your trip, unexpected happenings like people watching, weird experiences with a waiter, or who knows what else, can make you laugh and bring you closer.

If neither of you has a car to use, don’t fret. You can still head on a local day trip or weekend excursion together. Look into your public transportation and see if it can bring you somewhere fun, or research local bus trips. Many companies do day trips to nearby sightseeing or hiking spots. Whether there’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to go but haven’t, or you search for new places to go, consider this bonding activity with your roommate.

Paint the Beautiful Scenery
With spring comes beautiful colors filling up our world. Flowers start to bloom, the green in the grass comes back, and the sky shines a beautiful blue, on a sunny day, at least. Do you have a favorite place on campus that you want immortalized? Why not paint it? You and your roommate can take a quick trip to the craft store, buy some cheap canvases and paint, and pick out a fun and beautiful spot on campus to paint.

Sure, you can each paint a canvas of what you see and show each other the results at the end, but there are a few ways you can make this even more unique. One idea is to swap canvases every few minutes. Not only do you get to see their progress, but you can work together to create a truly unique masterpiece. You can also try not looking at your subject while painting it, but rather be directed by your roommate. They tell you where to dip your brush and how to move in on the canvas to recreate the scene in front of you. See how well your communication skills are and bond over the funny experience!

Use some of these unique bonding activities to strengthen your bond with your roommate this spring. Start the season off strong with a spring cleaning party, then venture outside to find fun and new experiences together.