Have a few friends who are sticks in the mud, what's the best way to handle these situations?

Just because you've taken up some exciting new activities like ballroom dancing, scuba diving, or paint ball doesn't mean you have to drop the friends with whom you used to enjoy bowling, movies, or bicycling. Even if you and these friends can't agree on having an outing together, you can agree on having dinner together and enjoying each others company. Enjoy the activities that most please you, but also cultivate the friendships that don't include these activities.

You don't have to see each other every weekend or even every month to remain friends, but you do need to make enough effort to spend time with them to make it plain that you still like them and value their friendship.

Also, keep in mind that a good friend is the person who is loyal and understanding, the person who who is there for you when you need someone. An activity partner type friend may be this kind of friend or may just be someone you spend a lot of time with but don't have a "good friend" type relationship with. Good friends don't happen along every day, so hang on to them even if you no longer share the same recreational interests.

You're not much of a friend, if you think that your friends who like different things are 'sticks in the mud'. I'm sure they'll get along just fine without you if you leave them alone to do what they want.