Here are some phrases and phrasal verbs to describe free-time activities.

Free-time Vocabulary

play in a band: play a musical instrument (or sing) in a group with other people
"He plays in a heavy metal band."

play cards: play a card-game with other people (called "players")
"I like playing cards, but I can't play poker."

play chess: chess is a game with two players where you have to move your "pieces" (like the King, the Queen, the Knight, etc) around the board.

play pool / darts, etc: both pool and darts are games you can play in a pub. With pool you need to get the coloured balls into the holes on a table, while with darts, you throw the darts into a board on the wall
"You can play both pool and darts in that pub."

watch a film / movie / TV: remember, you watch something on a screen
"They like watching films at the weekend."

take part in (an activity): do an activity with other people
"Do you ever take part in sporting activities?"

do something for fun: do something just for pleasure
"They like going hill-walking for fun."

be keen on: enjoy doing something
"He's keen on playing tennis."

be a fan of: like doing something a lot
"She's a great fan of outdoors sports."

Phrasal Verbs

We use phrasal verbs a lot in spoken English. When you use them, you'll sound more natural.

Remember that the word order in phrasal verbs is important. For example, we can say set up a club, or set a club up. In the phrasal verbs below, the word order is shown for you.

hang out (with): spend time with someone
"At the weekend I like to hang out with my friends."

chill out: relax
"This weekend I'm just going to chill out."

get together: meet
"A group of us are going to get together for a couple of drinks."

come round: come to someone's house
"Why don't you come round later?"

get up to: do
"What did you get up to at the weekend?"

catch up with: get the latest news
"It was so nice to catch up with her."

kick (a football) around / kick around a football: play an informal game of football
"The kids often go to the park to kick a football around."

take in a play / exhibition: go to a play or exhibition
"When they go to London they often take in a couple of plays."

set up a club / set a club up: start a club
"My friends want to set up a book club."

be into: be interested in something (inseparable phrasal verb)
"She's really into stamp-collecting."

take up a hobby / take a hobby up: start a new hobby
"He's only recently taken up gardening."

Listen to the audio

Now try the quiz!

There are 10 questions in the quiz. Click on the correct answer, then click the "Check" button. Then click the "Continue" button to go to the next question.

PDF and Digital Flashcards

Do you need more practice with these words and phrases? Download the PDF flashcards and print them. You can study them when you want, or cut the PDF into squares to make paper flashcards. Look at them whenever you need, to help you remember the words and phrases.

Scroll down past the PDF (to the bottom of the page) for your digital flashcards.

Digital Flashcards

If you would like a digital version of these flashcards, click here:

https://quizlet.com/_49d7ur

Learn these phrases on your PC or phone, plus test yourself or match the definitions.