Cheap Date Ideas

Dating is fun, but we often get caught up in feeling like the only date options are ones that cost money. While a nice dinner or expensive activity is great, it can add up quickly. If you are looking for more cost-effective date ideas that are still great for spending quality time together, here are a few options. 

A Picnic

Having a picnic is a great way to do something different without having to spend a ton of money. You can even make food at home, pack it up and take it to your favorite location. You can have a picnic anywhere, whether it is in a park or if you are lucky enough at the beach. If you don’t live in an area where these places are close, try to think of anywhere that is relaxing, especially if it is in nature. All you need is some snacks and a blanket and you are good to go. It is a great way to have an intimate time that is still casual. Depending on the weather you can go in the afternoon or watch the sunset, and if you bring a speaker it can really add to the mood. 

Cook Dinner at Home

Everyone has to eat, but that doesn’t mean that you have to go out to a restaurant all of the time. Making a meal at home is a great way to enjoy quality time together without having to spend a ton of money, or deal with the hassle of getting ready to go out. You can mix it up by trying to make something you both have never cooked before, or stick to a classic that you both love. If you have a favorite restaurant, try to make something that you love off of their menu, it might not taste exactly the same but you will have fun doing it. 

Go for a Nature Walk

If sitting down for a picnic isn’t what you are looking for, you can still enjoy the beauty of nature for free by going for a walk. This is a great activity when you feel comfortable and safe enough with a person to just walk and talk. If you want to add something to it you can bring a book and look for different kinds of trees or wildlife. If you have a hiking trail near you this is a good way to get some exercise while enjoying each other’s company. Taking a nature walk as a date is completely free and it gets you out of your comfort zone for a bit. 

Go on a Store Scavenger Hunt

Once you know someone a bit better, going to a department store and separating to do a scavenger hunt can be a lot of fun. This is a fantastic activity if you and your partner enjoy sharing your love by gift-giving. Basically, you make a list of things like their favorite drink, snack, color, something that you think they need, and more, and then you shop for these things and check them out separately. Then you can exchange your purchases in the car, at home, or in a local cafe. It is a good way to do something unique, and you each get gifts out of it. 

Learn Something New

Learning can be a really great way to spend time with someone, and you both get to walk away with a new skill or knowledge. Now, this certainly doesn’t mean you have to take a class on chapter 13 bankruptcy or watch a video about how gravity works unless of course you both like these things. Learning can mean a variety of things, whether it is an in-person cooking class or a video that will teach you both how to knit. The point is to pick something you both don’t know how to do but would like to learn. Doing it together will make it a lot more fun than by yourself.

Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beach goer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

*This is a collaborative post.