Whether you are someone who tries to go out with your significant other as much as possible or are someone who saves up and splurges for one fancy meal once a year, we can all agree: cute, unique and affordable date ideas can be tricky to come up with. I’ve done the work for you and have 10 affordable date ideas you’ll want to try!
1. Hike and Picnic
Hiking makes for a great date, as you and your special someone can get outside and get moving. You can enjoy a nice scenic walk or a more intense adventure, but either way, you should definitely end the activity with a picnic!
You can even get yourself an insulated backpack to carry on your hike, which can hold your food and drinks!
2. Get Crafty
A unique way to spend time together would be to create a craft, a piece of art or a DIY project together. You can find easy projects online, you could buy a puzzle or you may even have some work around the house that needs to get done; as long as you two are spending quality time together, that is all that matters.
3. Game Night
Similarly, you two can pull out classic games like Scrabble, Trouble or Uno and enjoy some friendly competition!
4. Movie Marathon
Most people think of dinner and a movie when they think of dates, but that can get expensive. Instead, I suggest having an at-home marathon, and I love the idea of making it themed: Eat candy while watching movies like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Wreck-It Ralph, or grab some green gelatin and watch the Jurassic Park film series!
5. Plan it Out
Another original idea that can be considered a date is to plan your future. Name your kids, create a Pinterest board of a dream house, mark a map with all the places you want to go, then start turning your dreams into realities!
6. Reminisce
On the other hand, you could take a trip down memory lane by getting out old photo albums or looking through old notes you wrote each other. How sweet!
7. Restaurant Hop
If the idea of going out to eat still sounds appetizing to you, mix it up a bit. Find out when happy hours are at nearby restaurants, then you can go have chips & dips at one place, a shared entrée somewhere else and a dessert at a final locale – all for cheaper than usual!
8. Get Cultured
Many museums offer free days, when visitors can take in exhibits all for free, and that sounds like a perfect day date to me.
9. Volunteer
A great way to spend quality time together is to spend that time volunteering. Research some opportunities around you, and enjoy a special day of giving and sharing time.
10. Hide Away
Life can get busy, but dates really are important; they allow for you and your loved one to stop and be, as you spend real, quality time together. The best way to do this is to hide away: Make a fort, turn off all technology for the weekend and just enjoy truly being together, with no distractions!
Have your own idea for an affordable date? Tell us!
Originally published June 14, 2018