You’ve heard of a cheap date, but not all cheap dates need to feel cheesy! Here are some ways to have a memorable date without breaking the bank!
- Visit an arcade armed with a pocket of quarters. Bring back those memories of being a teenager and playing video games! It may just bring out the competitor in you both!
- Check out Netflix or RedBox Instant and pick a TV series you haven’t seen before- spend the day watching a marathon of them.
- Dates don’t need to be in the evening- what about getting up early and enjoying a cup of coffee and a pastry on the porch and watch the sun rise?
- Work out together. Many gyms offer a free trial.
- Learn to cook a new dish together. Choose a menu, shop and cook it together.
- Volunteer together. Few things make us feel as good as helping others! Volunteer to clean up a local park or help at a charity event. Many times volunteers at large charity events get free admission! Help out for a few hours and then enjoy the event.
- Check out daily deal sites like Groupon for more than 50% off events, restaurants and more!
- Renting a movie, and popping some popcorn is a great idea, that not only costs next to nothing, it’s also much more romantic. It also can be more fun than sharing a movie with 100 strangers in a dirty movie theater.
- Pack a picnic lunch or dinner, and take a walk at a local park, or hike a nature trail.
- Find a local coffee shop, and find out when they’re having live entertainment. It’s cozy and fun, costing only a cup of coffee or Danish.
- If you’re looking for a great dinner out, why not look at Restaurant.com to find some cheap rates on gift cards?
- If you like Karaoke, find a great bar, and sing to your heart’s content.
- Pretend to be a tourist in your own town. Look up local tourist spots that you haven’t visited and start visiting them all. There are always hidden gems in every town that we overlook because we live there!
- If you’re competitive, why not make dinner at home, and then play your favorite board games together.
- Create a bucket list. Sure, you think you know each other, but why not compile a list to learn what your partner’s biggest dreams are. Then start checking them off that list!
- Sign up for a class together. Learn how to brew your own beer, make pottery or paint! Not your thing? Check out classes on archery, gardening, DIY projects. Besides getting to spend time together – you will learn a new skill!
- Visit a museum. There are many free museums or those with low ticket fees.
- Head to the local farmers market and sample all the wares! Besides having quality time outdoors surrounded by fresh food- you can leave with some local honey or fresh baked goods (along with all that produce)
- Go “Pick Your Own”. Go apple picking or whatever fruit is currently in season. Get some fresh air and enjoy nature while filling your basket of fresh fruit!
- Check offers at your local library. Many offer book readings, poetry readings or presentations on a variety of topics. My local library has even been holding piano recitals!
- Recreate moments from your past. Maybe your first date was at Sonic- go back and reminisce about how you felt back then. Maybe you always spent Friday nights at the high school football field- head back there and relive those nights!
- Check out a new town. You may pass through all the time but never stop- check out the parks, stores, little diners and more. You may find a new favorite spot!
- Plant a memory. At each house we have lived in we’ve planted something and watched it grow together. Head to a local nursery and pick a rosebush or small tree. Plant it together and watch it grow over the next years.
- Go Paintballing. I was amazed at how inexpensive it actually was when we got this for the fathers in my family for Father’s Day!
- Restaurant Hop. Visit several restaurants and enjoy appetizers at each of them! Visit ones you haven’t been before. Be sure to look for coupons! Many restaurants will offer free or reduced prices on appetizers when you sign up for their newsletters!
- Read a book together.
- Take turns picking Youtube videos to watch.
- Act like kids. Have a water balloon fight, play with water guns, play tag.
These are just a few great ideas to spruce up your date nights, without going broke. I’m sure you can add to the list, so leave some of your ideas in the comments!
These are great ideas! Especially love the apple picking one. It is so great to get outside together and have fun. I have found it is not so important WHAT you do but THAT you do SOMETHING! Gotta keep that flame burning! Thanks for sharing. We will pass them along too.
Steve