20 Unique Date Ideas That Won't Break The Bank
Affordable yet still romantic date ideas that will impress your partner
- Cyra Sanchez
- 7 min read
Dates don’t always have to be expensive. Sometimes, you just need to be more creative to make your dates fun and romantic without spending a lot of money. But with limited options and other difficulties, you might find it hard to come up with a plan to impress your date. That’s why this tips are here to help ensure your date goes smoothly.
1. Cook a meal together
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Find out your partner’s favorite dishes and choose something that you’ll both enjoy. You can either do the groceries together or you can simply surprise them by inviting them over when the ingredients are ready for cooking. When everything’s prepared, have fun learning a new dish that both of you can eat later on while watching a movie and maybe cuddling on the couch.
2. Go on a simple hike or nature walk
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If you live near hills or mountain areas, consider taking your partner on an easy hike. You can pack your meals so you can also eat along the way while enjoying the view. If both of you are feeling adventurous enough, you may also bring along a tent and go camping together as part of your date.
3. Plan a picnic
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Picnics never go out of style no matter the era, it’s always something a couple should try at least once in their lives. So start deciding on the snacks and drinks you can bring and choose the location for your picnic. It could be a field of flowers or even the local park, just about any outdoor area that can keep you both relaxed.
4. Do a photoshoot
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Taking photos is one way to capture your memories and preserve them for as long as possible. So why not turn that entire concept into a fun and affordable date? Plan an outfit together with your partner and start taking photos together, regardless if you plan on posting them or not.
5. Play a new game together
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Whether both of you are gamers or not, this is your sign to try a new game with your partner. It could be any game, a board game, an online mobile game, an arcade game, or anything else both of you can possibly think of. Games are fun when they’re free, but it’s even more fun if you can enjoy them with your partner too.
6. Schedule a game night
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If you already have games you normally play with your partner, it’s time to make them more memorable and special. Invite them over or if you’re living together, plan a game night where both of you spend the rest of the evening enjoying different games. Set up goals and have a casual competition between you and your partner, it’s extra fun when both of you have a challenge to accomplish.
7. Watch a movie at home
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With so many sources online, you can find a lot of free-to-watch movies nowadays. So find movies that both you and your partner would enjoy, you can even binge-watch with homemade food on the side. If you want to spice things up, set up a blanket tent and watch movies while inside, that makes it feel more like you’re in the cinema!
8. Stroll around nature
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Enjoying nature costs nothing. So if you live in an area with good scenery around you, find a nice spot to take your partner to and stroll around and watch the sunset together. If you can see more stars at night, go stargazing too, or moon watching, cloud watching, or animal spotting, those things can be enjoyed together for free.
9. Have a spa day
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Have a relaxing spa day with your partner at home, all you need to do is prepare a nice bubble bath and add in your partner’s favorite scented candles. If you want to make it more fun, you can also bring along your favorite mugs and fill them with drinks you can enjoy during the bath.
10. Create art together
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Whether you or your partner is an artist or not, taking an art lesson together can be a fun activity for a date. You can either buy a simple sketchpad or use an old notebook to use for the activity. Try setting cute challenges such as drawing each other, guess what the other person is drawing and drawing simple objects.
11. Visit a museum
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In some places, museums are open for everyone to visit. Check your local areas for tourist spots that are accessible to the public for free and choose the best location for you and your partner. Bring your camera and take photos together to immortalize your simple yet romantic date.
12. Volunteer at an animal rescue
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Do you both love animals and enjoy doing volunteer work? You can try searching for local rescue groups that work together to save animals in your area and go together as volunteers for a day. While it sounds like more of a chore than a date, some couples might find this a fun activity to try at least once in their lives.
13. Go ice skating
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If you live in an area where winter freezes the lakes and creates a make-shift ice skating rink for everyone, it can be a fun idea to go ice skating together. Just bring along your pair of skates and make sure the area is safe or stable enough before you start your activity.
14. Play sports
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For couples who love physical activities, trying out a new sport together can be a good idea as a date. You can even go down to the local park and play basketball, volleyball, or any other simple game together. What matters most is that you’re both having fun with the activity that you choose.
15. Attend an upcoming festival
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In some places, there are festivals that anyone is allowed to attend. In that case, it’s time to check on your local news and see if any festival is coming up. For example, you can go to music festivals, performance festivals, parades, competition shows, or such while having fun with your date.
16. Set up a romantic park date
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Going to the local park may seem too simple, so why not add a romantic twist? Bring some special snacks and drinks to surprise your partner by inviting them to have dinner at the park. Not only will it brighten their evening, but it’s also a good way to take something simple and make it special and romantic.
17. Walk around the beach
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Always take advantage of nature if you have access to it. So if you live near the beach, just bring a clean blanket, pack some food and drinks, and invite your partner to watch the waves with you. You can have a deep, romantic conversation while listening to the ocean or watching the sunset together.
18. Take them for a tour of your hometown
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Most people only visit the same familiar places in their hometown, but they rarely explore the rest of the place. In that case, this is a sign to walk around with your partner and explore the places you have never visited before. Who knows, you might stumble upon an underrated cafe that you can turn into your new hangout spot or discover a fun place for spending quality time together.
19. Visit a coffee shop
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If both of you are coffee lovers, you can always avoid breaking the bank by simply taking each other out for a coffee date. If there’s a new and affordable coffee shop in town, then make a plan to visit it for your next date. It’s always fun to have long conversations with your partner while sipping on your delicious coffee.
20. Go on a late night drive together
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If you have enough gas and the energy to drive, how about a late-night drive with your partner? This way, you can also stop by a convenience store to grab some affordable snacks and drinks when hunger strikes. For some couples, it’s relaxing to drive without a destination, just listening to music while having a fun conversation with each other.