40 ways to make friends over 40

Matt Sanita
Jan 5
2 min read

Updated: Jan 5

It's no secret that the older we get, the harder it can be to make friends. And for plenty of reasons. We're tired, we're busy, we're mentally stretched. But for many of us, that doesn't change the longing we feel to connect and share with other people. And so, it also makes so much sense that I'm frequently asked in sessions "how does someone my age make friends?"

I've made a list of 40 very real ways that clients/friends/family have shared with me that they've made friends over the age of 40.

Hobbies & Skill Building

Join a class or club:
- Cooking / Baking
- Chess
- Hiking
- Knitting
- Woodworking
- Pottery / Ceramics
- Improv
- Bowling
- Photography / Film
- Birdwatching
- Painting / Drawing
- Sailing / Rowing / Kayaking / Canoeing
- Golf
- Cars
- Climbing
- Yoga
- Workout / Exercise
- Swimming / Water Aerobics
- Video Games
- Tabletop Games: Magic the Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons
- Languages
- Theater
- Gardening
- Genealogy
- Poetry / Writing
- Dance / Choir
- Tai Chi / Karate
- Continued Education
Join or host a local meet-up.
Attend a comic-con or hobby convention.
Join a Discord server related to your hobby.
Attend a wellness retreat.
Join a therapy-related group.

Local Community

Attend a local trivia night.
Join a book club at your local library.
Attend a dating meetup.
Go to a pub for a "Sunday lunch".
Join a community garden.
Be a regular at a local coffee shop or public space.
Attend "live music in the park".
Attend a town hall meeting.
Get involved in a political campaign or advocacy.
Join a religious/spiritual group.
Attend a nearby event from a local listing.
Be a regular at a local farmers market.
Set up a neighborhood library box.
Participate in a community cleanup.
Strike up conversation with locals while doing day-to-day activities.
Give back by volunteering.

Work & Career

Spend more time with coworkers.
Attend professional lectures/conventions.
Help out at a work event/party.
Attend industry networking events.
Join Toastmasters to enhance public speaking.

Utilizing Social Supports

Tell your current friends your trying to expand your circle.
Reach out to former colleagues for coffee/dinner.
Ask your siblings/cousins to invite you to hang with their friends.
Attend an event/club/activity your family/friends are involved in.

Kids & Pets

Be a regular at a nearby pet park.
Help out at an animal shelter/rescue/habitat sanctuary.
Attend a PTA/PTO meeting at your kids school.
Chaperone at your kids school events/field trips.
Join a local scouting troop.

Websites & Apps

Meetup: An app for finding social groups realted to your interests.
Bumble BFF: An app specifically for finding platonic friends.
Nextdoor: An app with a "group" feature for local hobbyists.
Reddit Meetup: For local postings about events/gatherings related to your interests.

This post is not intended to diagnose or replace mental health treatment.