What would you call the object of an activity one does for fun?

Solution 1:

Timepass is a useful little noun in Indian English that encompasses all the things you do just to pass the time. You could go for a walk, read a book, or go out to a restaurant, and if someone asked you what you were doing, you'd say, "Timepass".

The word does not include in its meaning activities that may be fun but require a high level of strenuous exercise. If you were climbing Mt. Everest, you would probably not call it timepass.

In fact, it only includes activities done for leisure. If you are young, it sometimes carries the sense of doing something (like hanging out at the local pub) because you have nothing better to do and don't really care. College students spend most of their time doing timepass. If you are older, timepass is an indulgence, like drinking coffee and reading a book on a rainy Sunday afternoon. And if you are older still, you sort of look down on all the kids wasting their lives away doing timepass, instead of something more constructive (like cleaning the house).

Solution 2:

The best word is recreate or recreation, but it's rarely used the way you're talking about.

You could say, "we need time for recreation" or "I recreated this weekend." That's odd to say, but the meaning is clear. While you're at it try "Let's recreate!" That should get some interesting reactions.

That's the word you're looking for, but for whatever reason we don't use it that way.

The more common word we use is "play," as in "Let's play," or "I'm just going to play all weekend." The only problem with this word is it is heavily connoted as a child's activity.

Solution 3:

I think it would be simplest just to say

I had fun last weekend.

You don't do fun in English, you have it.

I didn't get to have any fun this weekend. I had to do some work.

Solution 4:

In the words of Mary Poppins, "A lark! A spree! Its very clear to see."

A fun thing can be a thrill, lark, spree, delight, joy, pleasure, laugh, joke, spectacle, amusement, binge, splurge, adventure, orgy, or escapade. Use a thesaurus with those words to find a lot more.

"Last weekend was a thrill; a spectacle; an orgy of delight."

"What's your pleasure?"

"Why did you do that?" "For amusement." (Just like "For sport.")