Do you ever get tired of the same dates over and over again? Don’t get me wrong, I love a good dinner and a movie date. But sometimes we are just craving something to switch things up. I thought it would be fun to put together a list of our favorite 15 budget-friendly date ideas.
We love a fun budget-friendly date idea that allows us to spend quality time together without breaking the bank. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun and creative ways to enjoy each other’s company without spending a lot of money. Some of these might be a no brainer but I love to have this list on hand for when we’re feeling stuck and need a last minute idea. So make sure to bookmark this page for the future!
Here are 15 budget-friendly date ideas that you can try:
#1 Have a picnic in the park
Now that summer is here, it’s the perfect time to have a sunset picnic. Pack a basket with your favorite snacks and drinks. Bring along a blanket, a good book or game, and head to your local park for a romantic afternoon picnic. We love to head to our favorite park or take a drive to the beach. Soak up some sun and enjoy!
#2 Take a hike
I’m generally not the outdoorsy type. But I do love to go on an occasional hike with Adam. It’s always nice to explore the great outdoors and get some exercise by taking a scenic hike together. Find a nearby trail and spend a few hours enjoying the beauty of nature. We also love to do “urban hikes” when we’re in new cities. It’s the perfect way to explore a new city and spend time together.
#3 Go stargazing
I have always loved stargazing. There is nothing quite like looking up into space. It is pure magic! Find a spot away from the city lights and spend a romantic evening admiring the stars. Bring a blanket and some hot cocoa or tea to keep warm on colder evenings.
#4 Have a game night
Challenge each other to a friendly competition with board games or video games. This is a fun way to bond and spend time together. We love to play video games after we put the kids to bed. We both use a Nintendo Switch Lite to play and can’t recommend them enough if you’re in the market for a travel friendly gaming system. Fortnite is our go-to game to play together but there are so many fun ones to choose from!
#5 Attend a free concert
Many cities offer free concerts in public spaces during the summer months. Check your local listings and enjoy some live music together. We love discovering new bands or musicians this way as well!
#6 Go for a bike ride
Rent a couple of bikes or take your own and explore your city or town on two wheels. I’ll forever remember the staycation Adam planned for my birthday years ago. We rented bikes in Venice Beach and rode everywhere. It was such a fun way to explore and enjoy the outdoors.
#7 Cook a meal together
We love going out to eat or ordering in but it’s so fulfilling to actually take the time to cook together. We always have so much fun trying new recipes and seeing how they turn out. Sometimes they’re delicious and sometimes they’re not, but we genuinely have the best time trying out new recipes together.
#8 Have a movie marathon
Choose a theme, such as romantic comedies or action movies, and spend a lazy day watching your favorite flicks. Write down your favorite movies on slips of paper, put them in a jar, and then draw one at random!
#9 Visit a museum
Many museums worldwide offer free admission on certain days or at certain times. Take advantage of this and explore the exhibits together! If you live in or near a big city especially, look into all of the surrounding museums. There are probably more than you think and sometimes the smaller museums are just as wonderful as the more well known.
#10 Have a bonfire
Build a fire in your backyard or at a nearby park with fire pits and enjoy a cozy evening roasting marshmallows and enjoying each other’s company. I grew up having bonfires out in the desert and they are some of my favorite memories. Just please make sure to be incredibly careful when starting a fire anywhere!! Follow local guidelines, have emergency extinguishers on hand and fully put out the fire before you leave!
#11 Take a free class
This is something we would love to do more of. Local community centers and libraries offer free classes, such as yoga or dance, that you can take together. It might be a bit out of your comfort zone but definitely give one a try. You might be surprised how much you enjoy it!
#12 Go on a scavenger hunt
Anyone else’s inner child LOVE a good scavenger hunt? I know I’m not the only one! Create a scavenger hunt for each other and explore your city or town while searching for clues. This is the perfect date for both partners to get involved in the planning. A scavenger hunt is a guaranteed fun time!
#13 Volunteer together
This is not only a great bonding experience, but also a way to give back to your community. Volunteer together at a local shelter, food bank, or animal shelter. Volunteering also makes such a positive impact on the world around you. Whether you are passionate about helping people, animals, or the environment, there are countless opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
#14 Visit a farmer’s market
One of my favorite things to do in any city I’m in is find a local farmer’s market. Explore your local farmer’s market or take a mini road trip to a nearby market. You can sample fresh produce and purchase homemade goods from local vendors. I love to purchase fresh bread from our farmer’s market. There is nothing like homemade!
#15 Take a DIY class
Learn a new skill together by taking a DIY class, such as woodworking or pottery. My goal this year is to take a few DIY classes. I took ceramics in high school and loved it so much! I can’t wait to take a class with Adam and see what we both create. It’s basically the more grown up version of Color Me Mine 🙂
I hope this list was helpful! These budget-friendly date ideas are a great way to spend quality time together without spending a lot of money. Choose one or more of these ideas and enjoy a fun and memorable date with your partner!
*If you enjoyed this post with 15 budget-friendly date ideas, make sure to check out this post for another date idea!
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