43 Cheap Date Ideas To Create Memories On A Budget
Cute Date Ideas For Every Season
Every season offers slightly different opportunities to save money on dates, which is why we’ve broken down this list into seasons. Keep reading for a few cheap date ideas for you and your partner to partake in all year long.
Summer Date Ideas
Walk around your local farmer’s market
It’s like window shopping, but for artisanal bread and cheese! What could be better?
Head to a natural swimming hole
Wherever you live, there is bound to be a riverbed calling your name. Remember to swim responsibly and always have a buddy.
Hunt for wildflowers together
Early to mid-summer is the best time to find natural blooms. Check online to confirm which trails near you are best for spotting wildflowers.
Go camping
Nothing is better for the soul than a weekend spent in the woods with your person.
Attend a local festival
In many cities, there are local festivals almost every weekend in the summertime. Whether its arts, jazz, or another cultural festival, check your city’s calendar for a full list of events.
Visit a drive-in theater
Although movie tickets are expensive, drive-ins are a bit more affordable. Many drive-ins also have “throwback” nights where they show your favorite older movies on the big screen!
Try geocaching
Geocaching is just a fancy word for a scavenger hunt. There are tons of online resources for you to browse through, so take a look before diving in!
Go stargazing together
Is anything more romantic than laying on a blanket and staring up into the cosmos with your partner? I think not.
Have a water war
Whether you choose water balloons or squirt guns, you will never be too old to have an old-fashioned water fight with your partner.
Go on a walking tour
You can act like tourists in your own town and learn something new about your neighborhood together.
Try spelunking
Cave exploring can be fun! Be sure to research caves appropriate and safe for exploration opportunities.
Visit an odd tourist attraction
Does your state have the World’s Largest Spool of Twine or some other random attraction? Whatever it is, find it and make an afternoon of visiting it.
Organize a picnic
Somehow, eating cheese and crackers on a blanket in the park is so much more romantic than inside on the couch.
Fall Date Ideas
Hunt for the best autumn leaves
Take a drive through the countryside and try to find the most beautiful autumn leaves. Bonus to whoever finds the brightest or biggest fallen leaf!
Visit a pumpkin patch
Picking a pumpkin is not very expensive, but if you really want a cheap date idea, simply walk around the patch without taking a pumpkin home.
Carve pumpkins together
If you choose to leave the patch with a pumpkin, make a classic autumn evening out of carving them together. Don’t forget the apple cider!
Create a scarecrow
You probably already have everything you need for a scarecrow on hand: a pair of old jeans, a long sleeve button down, big boots and gloves, and a fun hat. Stuff the body of the scarecrow with newspaper and craft the head from burlap and hay. Voila!
Pick apples together
Much like the pumpkin patch, you can also choose to just walk around the apple orchard rather than picking them to take home.
Pick a movie series and watch them all
Whether you like Lord of the Rings or you’re more of a Hunger Games couple, pick out a movie series and watch a marathon together!
Check your local bookstore for author readings
Calling all book lovers! Lots of independent bookstores host author readings. Attend one with your partner then discuss what you thought with one another for an evening of academic conversation.
Create and choreograph a dance together
A secret dance is much more fun than a secret handshake! Bust out your choreography at the next event or wedding you two attend together.
Take turns drawing one another
You don’t have to be the next Michelangelo to create a portrait of your partner. The sillier, the better.
Have a fall photo shoot
Having a fancy camera is not required for a photo shoot. Play in the leaves and take some cute photos of one another with your phone.
Winter Date Ideas
Throw a spa day
Make DIY face masks and complete at-home massages for one another! You’ll never have to spend a penny at the spa again.
Create and present a PowerPoint presentation all about your partner
Maybe it’s just me, but nothing hits all of my love languages quite like my partner giving a presentation all about me. Have fun with it, and make sure to include embarrassing highlights and funny memories.
Thrift the best “ugly” holiday sweaters you can find
Visit the thrift store right around the holidays to find the cutest “ugliest” sweater you can for your partner.
Throw a middle school-style sleepover
Create a pillow fort in your living room and stay up late watching scary movies and eating junk food. Just like seventh grade!
Go to your public library and pick out a book for one another
Whether you and your partner are big readers or not, having your significant other select a book for you may inspire you to get caught up in a book. Then, spend the rest of the day cuddled up on the couch reading!
Discover a new, two person card game
Not every card game needs at least three people! Try playing a new game meant for two and bet on something fun, like who will be doing dishes for the week.
Attend a free class at your local library or rec center
Many libraries and rec centers offer free (or very inexpensive) classes. Ranging from art to poetry, select a class to take with one another.
Go antiquing
Just because you go shopping doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money. See what sort of treasures the antique and vintage stores in your town hold.
Visit a museum
Many museums have discounted or even free days throughout the month. Take a look at the calendar and plan a visit on one of these days to save some cash.
Finish a jigsaw puzzle
Put together the puzzle you’ve had lying around for a while or head to the thrift store to get one secondhand.
Spring Date Ideas
Perform a neighborhood cleanup
Throughout winter, debris and litter may pile up around the neighborhood. Take some time to spring clean your block with your partner.
Try out birdwatching
Spend some quiet time out in nature looking at birds. Spring is the best time to do so because you have a greater chance of seeing baby birds!
Volunteer together
Dedicate a few hours of your time together to volunteer for an organization that you and your partner both feel strongly about.
Declutter your house
While spring cleaning may not seem like the most romantic date, spending quality time together is! Plus, having another set of hands always makes decluttering easier.
Attend an estate or garage sale
After you’ve decluttered your space, check out some garage sales in your neighborhood for some unique finds from others.
Visit the zoo
Take some time to visit your favorite zoo animals and discuss which animal you would be and why.
Plan a scavenger hunt for your partner
Pick out a few meaningful places to you and your partner and leave clues there. Plan a sweet surprise for them at the end of the scavenger hunt, like their favorite dessert!
Go on a hike
By spring, cabin fever is usually pretty bad. Beat it by going on a nice, long hike.
Attend a comedy show
Comedy is usually less expensive than other forms of live entertainment. Better yet, why not attend a free open mic night?
Walk around a new neighborhood
Pick a neighborhood that you either have not been to or simply want to see more of. Really flex your imagination muscles by creating stories about who lives inside each house.
We hope that you can see that finding inexpensive and cute date ideas is not only possible, but also incredibly rewarding. By embracing your creativity, you can create one-of-a-kind experiences without straining your budget. Remember, the most important part of any relationship is the bond and memories you share together. We hope you enjoy these ideas and use one (or more!) to grow closer to your partner.
