Looking for some cheap date night ideas?
You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a fancy restaurant or an event to have a fantastic time together.
Shake things up and plan a night that is easy on the budget but super creative that will be a night to remember.
Let’s go through a list of things that your budget will love and so will your partner.
At Home
The only downside to inviting your partner into your home is the fact that you may need to clean up a bit.
The best part about staying indoors is the fact that zero gas is required.
Cook Dinner
Yes, this is the most obvious choice.
However, you can invite your partner over while you’re cooking to get an extension out of your time together. Put out some candles, glasses of wine to set the mood, and you’re golden.
Movie Night
Make a pizza and put some pillows and blankets on the couch and enjoy a movie together.
Game Night
Pull out Monopoly or Twister and act like kids enjoying each other’s company for a while.
Truth or Dare is always an exciting one.
Paint A Room
Who cares how much you get done. Have fun messing around and enjoying spending time together.
Don’t focus on actually doing a chore – focus on having fun accomplishing something together.
Paint A Picture
There are paint date night places all over the country.
Create your own at home with your own supplies. Check out videos on YouTube if you’re looking for inspiration or someone to guide you through the process.
Craft Kit
Buy a cheap art kit at your local craft store and complete it together at home. Examples would be “make your own candles” or “tie-dying” kits. These are inexpensive and fun for adults.
Karaoke Night
Start out singing together to get any nerves out. Find some old classics you remember from when you were younger and share your talents!
If you are a horrible singer – that’s even better.
Online Dance Class
Clear out some furniture in your living room and pull up some YouTube dance classes.
Put Together A Puzzle
Find a puzzle that your partner would be interested in.
For example, if they are into Star Wars, buy a $10 Yoda puzzle.
Don’t worry about finishing the puzzle – concentrate on the time you are spending together. When you don’t finish, it’s an automatic second date night.
Indoor Picnic
Move all the furniture out of the way and place down blankets.
Make your own adorable charcuterie boards using ingredients you already have.
Play A Video Game
There’s nothing more fun that a classic game of Mario Kart.
Find some games that you can play together and go against each other.
Play A Sport
Pick up the football and head into the back or front yard to play together.
To make it more exciting, keep score and offer a reward for the winner.
Gaze At The Stars
Sit out back and watch the stars on blanket.
Play soft music and see if you can find any shooting stars.
Try Yoga
There are free yoga classes all over the internet. Clear out the furniture and find a video.
If you think yoga isn’t your thing, it may not be your partner’s thing either. Don’t think it won’t be funny trying all the yoga moves that you know you’ll both fail at. It could be the best laugh you’ve both had all week.
Create New Cocktails
Try out new cocktails together. Pull out ingredients and see what you can make.
Bring out the mini shot glasses and taste each cocktail and try to perfect your drink.
Poker Night
Create a “Poker night” with creative items instead of cash.
Switch card games if poker becomes boring.
Have A Bonfire
Set up a mini bonfire and roast marshmallows.
Walk the neighborhood and collect twigs together.
Out of the Home
Make sure you dress appropriately for the weather. Layering is key.
Go To The Park
Take a small bag of snacks or go full out with a picnic dinner and enjoy walking and sitting in the grass (I’d pack a blanket as well).
Sitting on the swings and gently swinging while enjoying each other’s company sounds magical.
Walk Your Dogs Together
If one of you (or both of you) have dogs, walk them together.
Perhaps you’re close enough to walk to somewhere with a coffee shop that you could sit for a bit and enjoy each other’s company while petting man’s best friend.
Sit By The Beach Or Pool
If it’s summer, the beach or pool are great ideas.
Pack drinks and snacks and enjoy the conversation.
Find A Local Sporting Event
Find a sports game going on around your area.
There are always high school games or rec games being played somewhere that are most likely free. Go support your hometown kids and enjoy the outside.
Visit A Cemetery
This is actually quite fun and interesting.
Read the headstones and walk around exploring.
Go Fishing
It’s likely that one of you has a fishing pole or know someone that does.
Pack some lunch bags and go out for a quite day by the lake.
Volunteer
There are always places looking for volunteers.
Check out your local animal shelter and see if they need people to walk or play with the animals.
Walk Downtown
Go downtown and take a walk around the area like you’re seeing it for the first time.
Most likely you’ll find things you’ve never seen before.
Go Hiking
Go on a nature walk or hiking, depending on your athletic abilities.
Explore a pathway that you have never been down and see what you can discover together.
Local Museum
Find a local museum that is cheap (or quite possibly free) that you can spend the day at.
There are so many places around my city that I’ve never been.
Visit A Bookstore
Go to a bookstore, grab a few books, then find a quiet place to sit down and go through them together.
You don’t have to purchase anything – enjoy the time together.
Visit Your Local Zoo
Check out your local zoo’s website to see when they have “free to the public” days.
Go Camping
Plan a mini camping date.
You don’t have to stay overnight – plan a few hours at a camp site together.
Final Thoughts
What’s important on a date night is connecting and spending time together. It’s not about how much money you can spend.
I do want to add that if your date is disappointed you aren’t going out, share some of your money savings goals with them. It may be a huge red flag if they don’t share your short and long term goals.
Don’t let anyone peer pressure you into changing your habits.
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