Who doesn’t love a good date night?
The average American spends $102.32 on a date, but some can cost as much as $300 or more! Over the course of the year, that really adds up!
Now don’t get me wrong, date night is certainly one of my favorite things because it’s a time that we can connect with the ones we love, unwind, and simply enjoy each other’s company.
For my boyfriend, John, and I, that usually consists of margaritas and burritos at our favorite Mexican restaurant, but every now and then, we like to step outside of the box and try something different.
The good news is, date night doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, some of my favorite date nights didn’t cost a penny. That’s right, they were free!
I put together some of my favorite frugal date nights because I want you to be able to enjoy some quality time together without worrying about your wallet.
Now I’m not saying you can’t go out all of the time, because believe me I love margaritas and burritos, but opting for a cheaper date night every now and then can really help you save some cash.
Date Night Ideas on a Budget
1. Watch a Movie
Now I know this one sounds cliche since the average date is “dinner and a movie.” I get it. Plus if you’re at home, in your jammies, on the couch, watching a movie, are you really doing date night?
If you’re anything like John and I, you probably watch TV together all the time, and if you have kids they’re probably are right there with you too. That’s not the kind of date night I’m talking about.
I’m talking about when you get on Netflix or you go to the local video rental store (old school, I know), and going all out. Make snacks, turn the lights off, turn the sound up, and most importantly no kids!
This is just you time; the two of you. If not, then it’s probably family time, not date night.
Then snuggle up on the couch, get comfy, and enjoy the show. The best part is, you don’t even have to leave your house, so you don’t have to really spend any money and you can wear whatever you want!
2. Go to a Local Farm
There are so many fun experiences you can have at a farm!
Whether it’s fruit picking, going to a pumpkin patch, learning about honey, or tasting homemade cheese, the opportunities are endless. There is just nothing like a day in the great outdoors supporting the local community.
These are dates that John and I do all of the time. One of our favorite things to do in the Fall is go to a local pumpkin patch in someone’s backyard farm and across the street is their apple orchard. We end up spending a whole day pumpkin and apple picking for only about $40, which is amazing!
Plus there’s just nothing like fresh picked fruit and vegetables or freshly made cheese and honey!
3. Get Outside
It doesn’t matter what you do, just go outside. Most of the time, you can do this for free at local parks or even in your own backyard! At most, you should really only have to pay a small park entrance fee or for parking, depending on where you live.
- Take a hike
- Go to the beach
- Build a snowman
- Go skiing
- Have a snowball fight
- Take a bike ride
- Have a picnic in the park
- Go for a walk
- Watch the sunset
Now I realize that some of this is seasonal and it’s much more difficult to get outside during some seasons than others.
In Western New York, we have brutally cold and snowy Winters so we are pent-up inside a lot. But that doesn’t stop John and I from getting our cross-country skis out for a day or having a snowball fight. Sometimes you just have to get outside and get some of that vitamin D!
There’s nothing like feeling like a kid again, except maybe doing it with your best friend. The two of you can relive your childhoods together and make new memories at the same, all while saving money!
3. Have a Game Night
Take time to play and be kids again. Whether it’s board games, video games, or something like a scavenger hunt around town, do something together to really bring out the best parts of one another.
There is nothing like some good, clean, fun and genuine laughter every now and then. And best of all, it’s free most of the time!
You won’t have to spend one penny on this date night because you probably already have at least some games at home.
Even something as simple as Googling some trivia questions and playing some online trivia can do wonders. It’s also amazing on long road trips to help pass the time!
John and I like to play Song Quiz on our Amazon Echo. We see who can beat the other and what songs we know from each decade. John is very competitive so I usually end up losing, but that’s okay because it’s still just fun to play together!
4. Take Relationship Quizzes
This is one of my personal favorites because it’s something that lets you get so intimate with one another, and it really lets you connect and get to know each other all over again.
Now, I’m not talking about some simple trivia questions. I’m talking about some deeper personal and relationship questions.
John and I started doing this on date night after we got The Quiz Book for Couples as a Christmas present one year. We only did a few sections at a time, so it took us a full year to get through the entire book, but it was so much fun to learn things that we didn’t know about each other!
Now, we’ve moved on to a new book, 101 Quizzes for Couples. I believe that taking some time to continue dating each other and connecting on a deeper level has really made our relationship stronger.
Plus, you can save all the quizzes or books that are filled out. That will make such a cute momento when you get older and share them with your children, which is very sweet!
5. Camp Under the Stars (Even if it’s in the Backyard)
Depending on where you live, you may only be able to do this during certain times of the year, like Summertime.
There is just something about being outdoors that brings a sense of peace. Plus, who doesn’t love a campfire and some s’mores?
Taking time to unwind and having a night to yourselves can do wonders for your relationship!
Getting a tent setup and a fire going both require teamwork. You also get a chance to disconnect, eat some good food, and enjoy each other’s company without any of your normal distractions.
I highly recommend the Ozark Trail 6-Person Instant Cabin Tent because it gives you enough room to stand up and move around, and have your kids in there also. You can also take the rain cover off and look up at the stars all night long through the screen roof.
You don’t need to go to the campground for this either! You can save money on a campsite, by just setting it up in your backyard. This way, you can have an amazing night together while still having access to the luxuries of home. Plus, you will have so much less packing to do, since everything is just a few steps away inside!
6. Volunteer Together
Giving back feels great, but it feels even better when you are doing it with the one you love.
Find a cause or charity that you both are passionate about and dedicate a few hours for your date night. You will love spending time together and helping others at the same time.
John and I are huge animal lovers, so we like to volunteer at local animal shelters. We get to spend time together playing with dogs and taking them for walks. What could be better than that?!
Not only do we have a blast together, but we feel good knowing that we are helping the animals socialize and get exercise.
It doesn’t only have to be volunteering at animal shelters though! There are so many causes, charities, and organizations that rely on volunteers, and any of them would make for a great date night.
Feed the hungry, build homes for the homeless, help provide safe activities for children, the possibilities are endless. Just pick one, give back, and spend time together.
7. Exercise
As someone who hates exercise, I have to say, this date is actually so much better than it sounds.
There is something so motivating and subtly sexy about working out together.
Not only do you get to push each other to be better, but you are getting an adrenaline rush and saving money at the same time.
A lot of the time you can work out right at home outside, so you don’t even need a gym membership!
Believe me, there is no better feeling than achieving a new personal best with your best friend and biggest cheerleader by your side. Often times, John is the only reason I keep going when I want to quit!
8. Get Nostalgic
This one is so much fun! You get to relive your glory days together and reminisce about all of the great things from your childhood.
Recreate your first date, look at your old yearbooks together, or even watch one of your favorite movies or TV shows from when you were younger. Do things to stir up memories and learn more about each other’s past.
You might even come across of few surprises. I learned John’s never seen The Goonies before!
Best of all, you can usually do this for free, from the comfort of your own home!
9. Watch for Deals
Groupon is a treasure trove of discounted activities that you and your partner can do together.
Scroll through the deals every now and then and see if there is something that sounds fun or appealing to you. Whether it’s bowling, a cooking class, comedy tickets, or more local experiences (in WNY it’s usually winery/brewery tours and boat rides around Niagara Falls), there is something for everyone.
Often times, you can find deals for things that you might never tried otherwise, and those turn out to be some of the best dates.
Spending a little one-on-one time during date night is important to any relationship. It gives you a chance to connect on a deeper level, have fun, and simply enjoy each other’s company. But it can get pricey!
By getting a little creative, you can have an amazing date night on a budget. You don’t have to worry about your wallet, you simply need to spend some quality time together.
Next time you’re planning date night, try some of these! I’d love to hear how it goes and if you have other budget-friendly date ideas!
Leave a Reply