25 Fun Things to Do With a Drone

By Beginner Drone Guide editorial teamUpdated November 10, 20269 min readFun Things to Do

Once you can take off, hover and land without worry, the real fun starts. A drone is a flying camera, a skill game and an excuse to go outside, all in one. The challenge for many beginners is knowing what to do next.

Here are 25 ideas, grouped by type, each with simple steps and a safety note where it matters. Some are solo projects, some are great with friends or family and some are best for building piloting skill. Always fly where it is allowed, within sight, below 400 feet and away from people and crowds; the US drone rules explain the basics. If you are still building confidence, work through the beginner flying guide first.

Photo and video ideas

1. Create a "my neighborhood from above" series

Take one top-down photo and one angled photo of a local landmark in open, allowed spaces. Do it each season to build a before-and-after set.

2. Shoot a sunrise or sunset time-lapse feel

Fly gently at golden hour and record a 10 to 15 second slow move. Speed it up in editing for a time-lapse style. Read aerial photography composition tips for light and framing.

3. Film a 30 second "cinematic short"

Choose three of the shots from 10 easy cinematic drone shots and edit them with music. Keep it short, and aim for one smooth idea.

4. Find patterns from above

Search for stripes, circles and repeated shapes: parking lots, farm rows, waves, shadows. Take 10 pattern photos and pick your favorite.

5. Make a "hidden place" tour

With permission, show a friend's farm, a camp or a park from a bird's-eye view. It is a nice gift and helps you practice planning a shot list.

6. Capture a family or group photo from above

Ask everyone to stand in an open spot and wave. Hover at a safe height and distance, never directly above heads. Take several frames and thank everyone.

7. Build a time-of-day comparison

Photograph the same scene at morning, noon and evening. It teaches you how light changes the same place.

8. Make a travel postcard

When you are on a trip, capture one clean wide shot and write a short caption. See travel and vacation drone tips for rules and packing.

Skill-building games

9. The square drill

Fly a slow square at about 15 feet, pointing the nose in the direction of travel. Time yourself for ten laps and try to keep your altitude steady.

10. The figure-eight challenge

Draw a figure eight in the air at a steady speed. Start with large loops. Smaller loops increase difficulty.

11. Land on a target

Draw a circle with chalk, or place a mat on the ground. Try to land in the center. Keep score for 10 attempts and try to beat your own record.

12. The slow-motion challenge

See how slowly you can fly across a 30 foot distance without stopping. Control at low speed is a sign of real skill.

13. Altitude ladder

Climb in steps of 10 feet and hold each level for 3 seconds. Then descend the same way. It trains your fine control of the throttle.

14. The obstacle slalom

Place cones, buckets or sticks about 15 feet apart and weave through them at a safe height, well above head level and with nobody nearby. Start wide, then tighten the spacing.

You can find more structured practice in 10 drone practice drills. If the weather is bad, simulators and indoor practice can fill the gap.

Outdoor adventures

15. A picnic or park day

Bring snacks and take turns flying in a permitted, open area, away from crowds. Keep flights short and polite, as explained in drone etiquette and privacy.

16. Hiking and scenic overlooks

Pack the drone on a hike and capture the view from a trail, if drones are permitted in that area. Many parks restrict launching, so check first. See where you can fly a drone.

17. Lakes and shorelines

Fly along the shore to record a reveal of the water. Stay away from swimmers and boats and keep the drone over land when possible. Water landings usually end badly for electronics.

18. Fall colors and seasonal scenes

Photograph leaves, snow or spring blossoms from above. Cold weather shortens battery life, so keep spare batteries warm.

19. Camping trip memory video

Collect short clips of the campsite, a trail and the stars if conditions allow. Combine them into a short story.

20. Sports field or practice with permission

Film a friend's training, a local team that has agreed or a solo activity like running on a quiet track. Never fly over crowds, and keep a safe distance from players.

Creative and community projects

21. A "learn to edit" challenge

Set a goal to turn one flight into a finished 60 second video within a week. Follow the steps in how to edit drone footage.

22. Property or project documentation, for yourself

Document your own garden, build project or yard changes from above over time. Keep within the rules, and avoid capturing neighbors' private spaces.

23. Mapping-style grids

Fly a slow, straight-line "lawn mower" pattern over an empty field at constant height and take overlapping photos. It trains precision, even if you do not use special software.

24. A local meetup

Look for model aircraft clubs and hobby groups. Many welcome beginners and can share good flying sites. Ask about their rules before you attend.

25. Teach someone else

Show a friend or relative the basics with the drone on a very low hover while you hold the controller. Teaching reinforces your own skills. For younger pilots, see flying a drone with kids and family.

Seasonal ideas through the year

A drone hobby stays fresh when you match it to the season. Each season has its own look, its own challenges and its own gear needs.

Spring

• Photograph blossoms, new green fields and swollen streams from a medium height.
• Watch for nesting birds and keep away from them. Spring is a sensitive time for wildlife.
• Expect gusty, changeable wind. Fly short sessions and keep an eye on the sky.

Summer

• Aim for early morning or evening, when the air is calmer and the light is softer.
• Heat can shorten battery life and make the drone and controller hot. Keep them out of direct sun between flights.
• Beaches and lakes are busy, so choose quiet times and keep well away from swimmers.

Fall

• Fall colors look striking from above, especially on a clear, low-sun afternoon.
• Days are shorter, so plan your flights to finish well before dark.
• Fallen leaves and damp grass can hide small parts, so use a landing mat.

Winter

• Frost, snow and mist create beautiful, minimal scenes with lots of negative space.
• Cold weather drains batteries faster. Keep spares warm in a pocket until you need them and land earlier than you would in summer.
• Snow can trick the camera's exposure. Raise exposure slightly so white snow does not look gray.

A 30 day beginner challenge

If you like structure, try this plan. Each session takes roughly 15 to 30 minutes and works in a safe, open place.

1. Week 1, control: do the square drill, the altitude ladder and five target landings per session.
2. Week 2, camera: take 10 photos using thirds, 10 using leading lines and one top-down pattern shot.
3. Week 3, video: record three simple moves, such as a reveal, a fly-over and a reverse pull-back, with three takes of each.
4. Week 4, finish: edit your best clips into a 60 second film, and share it with a friend.

Keep a short notebook or phone note after each session. Write down what went well, one mistake and one thing to try next time. This habit speeds up your progress more than any single piece of gear, and it makes it easy to see how far you have come.

How to choose the right idea

Use this quick guide.

A simple plan for an outing

1. Choose one idea and write it down.
2. Check the rules and weather. See flying a drone in wind if it is breezy.
3. Charge all batteries and run the pre-flight checklist.
4. Set a time limit and a goal, such as "10 good photos" or "five clean landings."
5. Fly, review and decide what to do next time.

Safety reminders

• Keep the drone in sight and below 400 feet.
• Stay away from people, roads and animals.
• Do not fly under the influence or when tired.
• Land if the battery is low, rather than trying to squeeze in one more shot.
• Respect no-drone signs and local rules.

Frequently asked questions

What can I do with a drone besides taking photos?

You can play skill games, practice precision landings, film short stories, take part in club meetups, document your own projects and teach others. Many people enjoy the challenge of improving their piloting just as much as the pictures.

What are good drone activities for beginners?

Start with low-risk activities in open spaces: the square drill, landing on a target, simple top-down photos and easy video moves. These build skill and confidence without needing advanced features.

Can I fly a drone indoors for fun?

Small, lightweight drones with propeller guards are better suited to indoor use. Larger camera drones are not a good idea indoors because of safety and GPS issues. A simulator is a safer way to practice if space is limited.

Is it okay to fly a drone at a party or event?

Usually not. Flying over crowds is unsafe and generally prohibited. If an event is on private land, you might film with the organizer's permission from a safe area away from guests, but think carefully about safety and local rules.

How do I keep my flights from getting boring?

Give each outing a goal: a new shot, a new skill or a new place. Review your results and set a small challenge for next time.

How long does a typical fun flight last?

Typical consumer batteries last roughly 10 to 30 minutes depending on the drone and conditions. Plan your ideas around that time, and bring spare batteries if you can. See drone battery care and flight time.