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This is a cross-post from my blog on Spartan Connect. Check out the original post here.

My past seven entries have mostly featured things to do for some form of a fee. However, we can’t always afford to go out and do things that cost even a bus ride. Sometimes it’s nice to know that you won’t spend a penny to have fun.

Campus Center Cinemas feature movies every weekend, Thursday through Sunday. They generally run 3 or 4 films, all of which were released in the last 6 months (you can expect HPDH pt 2 in late November). All you need is a student ID for access, and it’s free for students who live on campus. Other students can come as well for the ticket price of $2. They also provide free popcorn at their main center in Wells Hall (which wasn’t open last year, but should be available this year). It’s a great way to catch up on those movies you meant to see on a big screen. Posters are put up at the beginning of each week that list all of the movie times, as well as other events going on that week.

Or, if you fancy a movie without leaving your room, rent one from the RHA movie offices. There is one in each neighborhood and they have everything from the Lord of the Rings trilogy to Amelie to The Sound of Music. All you need is your student ID.

The Botanical Gardens are located behind the library, and are a beautiful place to take a walk. Explore various fauna and flora, some of which is endangered. You can visit it right behind the library (take a study break!)

Get active. You can play volleyball at a sand court located by almost every dorm. Play ultimate frisbee in one of the fields. Go running on a track in one of the IM buildings, or take a run around campus. There are also outdoor soccer fields and basketball courts that you are free to use.

There is free bowling and pool once a week at the Union. For the 2010-2011 school year, this was featured on Thursday nights. Be sure to get there early, because everyone wants in on the fun!

If you want to help plan many of the events offered on campus, head to a University Activities Board meeting. They’re the ones who bring you free movies and free bowling. They also help plan several concerts that happen through the year and Sparty’s Spring Party.

Several dorms and locations have media lounges with big screen TVs and game systems (Sparty’s in Holmes or the Pillar Room in SnyPhy). Friends can lounge on the couches and play video games or watch TV. There is a rumor that they’ll be building a lounge in Linton Hall for College of Arts & Letters students, so be sure to listen up to any upcoming news.

Every semester, MSU takes part in Humans v Zombies, a two week long event where students fight for survival. Hundreds of students participate (as noted by their bandanas and nerf guns) and it’s completely free to sign up. Think of it as a giant game of moderated tag. A Facebook event is created closer to the date, but in the meanwhile, check out the main website. Several of my friends have played and love it.

Later this week, I’ll have my final series post about Lansing entertainment. Feel free to tweet me at@heyawhite with any follow up questions or conversation!