10-07-2025
7 Low-Key Activities That Make Female Friendships Stronger Over Time, a Psychologist Says
7 Low-Key Activities That Make Female Friendships Stronger Over Time, a Psychologist Says originally appeared on Parade.
It's no joke: making friends as an adult is hard. Between busy schedules and jobs and kids, it can be tough to make those meaningful connections. And when you've sparked with someone, then there's that time of getting to know each other and seeing if it's a friendship that might last. It's enough to make even the most secure person doubt themselves. And then there's the question of how to strengthen that friendship if you feel like it's a relationship worth exploring. You may think that you need to go all-out to make this friendship stick—tons of planning, worrying if they'll enjoy the activity—but you actually can go with something casual and low-key, which can take the pressure benefits are seemingly endless. As Gilly Kahn, Ph.D., psychologist and author of Allow Me to Interrupt: A Psychologist Reveals the Emotional Truth Behind Women's ADHD, puts it, female friendships can be extremely fulfilling—that is, once you finally find one or more reliable, loyal and trustworthy friends. Related: 75 'Thank You for Being a Friend' Messages That Are Heartfelt and Sincere
Dr. Kahn says that it can be easy to get lost in daily obligations and to lose track of 'watering the plants' of friendship. 'The problem with not tending to friendships is that then the friendship bond can become weaker over time, until the friendship may eventually dissolve. This is why intentionally scheduling in activities, calls or even texts with friends can be helpful,' she Open Up That Group Text! 250 Interesting Questions To Ask Your Friends When You're Bored
This tried-and-true friendship-building activity can 'strengthen a female friendship because the activity provides an opportunity for both women to talk while also interacting face to face,' Dr. Kahn
Maybe in your case, knowing that there will be structure in place will take the pressure off the friend date. Something like mini golf or getting a manicure provides a guaranteed activity.'I recently went to play indoor mini golf with my best friend, and I found this to be the perfect activity. It lends to catching up on life while also celebrating and praising the other person when she succeeds in the activity,' Dr. Kahn says.
But maybe less structure feels pressure-free when it comes to getting together with a friend. Dr. Kahn says, 'Shopping is less structured than mini golf, so if you and/or your friend dislike structured activities, this can be a good choice. Walking and looking at items while shopping can encourage conversations about interests and personal lives. For example, your friend might walk into a store and mention that their partner loves that store, or walking by a children's store might start a conversation about the kids.'
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Ask your friend to go for a walk outdoors, or go hiking or go to the beach. This is a particularly perfect activity if your friend lives nearby and you can meet in the middle or plan to walk your dogs or babies together.'I like this option because it can be planned quickly and on-the-fly (i.e., you can just text your friend and say, 'Hey, are you free to walk?'), which is perfect for busy women who are not too great at planning,' Dr. Kahn says.
'The nice thing about female friendships is that you really don't need to plan anything fancy for the bond to remain,' Dr. Kahn says. 'The most important thing is that you are giving you and your friend the chance to connect and talk, whether it is face to face or by phone. If you live near each other, you can absolutely just invite the other person over and enjoy a coffee, a glass of wine or any other treat together while catching up.'
Maybe the idea of talking non-stop during an activity isn't all that appealing, particularly if you both identify as introverts. In this case, Dr. Kahn recommends going to a local park (or anywhere for that matter) and bringing along independent activities. Think: books you are independently reading, a journal or a
Dr. Kahn advises engaging in a shared-interest activity that involves less talking (i.e., going to a museum, going to the park or the beach and bringing a book you are both reading simultaneously, going to the movies, etc.).Related: 250 Good Morning Messages for Friends To Start Their Day Out Right
'This really just depends on the preferences of each person in the friendship, the closeness or strength of the relationship and on geographical distance between friends,' Dr. Kahn explains. 'More generally though, I think that to really nurture a best friendship, you should aim to catch up at least every month, even if you are reaching out to make plans over the next couple weeks.'
Up Next:Gilly Kahn, Ph.D., psychologist.
7 Low-Key Activities That Make Female Friendships Stronger Over Time, a Psychologist Says first appeared on Parade on Jul 10, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
