19 Ideas for Frugal Dates
Dating doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you are single and dating or married and wanting to spend special time with your spouse without spending a fortune, many activities are free or cheap. Here are a few ideas:
- Pop some popcorn and spend the evening playing your favorite board or card game or watching a movie. Check your library for any movie you would like to see.
- Pack a picnic and take a hike in a beautiful natural area. Take along cheese and wine to make it more romantic.
- Cook a meal at home together. Get out the fancy tablecloth and light some candles to make it more special.
- Visit historic buildings and sites in your area. Most are very inexpensive or free.
- Go to a park and play a sport together. Throw a Frisbee, softball, basketball or football. Play badminton or hacky sack. Ride bikes or go swimming together.
- Visit local museums. History museums, art museums, science museums…. Many have a free day once a week or once a month.
- Take dancing lessons together. Many dance halls have free lessons on certain nights.
- Lie on a blanket outside after dark and watch the stars. Try picking out different constellations.
- Fly a kite or if you are near a beach, build a sandcastle together.
- Attend a local street fair or festival.
- Take a tour of a local factory. These tours are usually free and may include samples at the end.
- Put a puzzle together with at least 500 pieces. Try to find one with a lot of variety in color. The ones with 1000 yellow daisies get to be tiring quickly.
- Volunteer your services at a local charity. Animal shelters, homeless shelters, and nursing homes are always looking for volunteers.
- Go to garage or estate sales on a Saturday morning. Or thrift stores in the afternoon. You never know what treasure you might find.
- Go to the zoo or circus.
- Go pick berries or other fruit at a farm. Apples, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or pumpkins. Or if you know of a public place where they grow wild…even better.
- Take a class together. Many colleges offer inexpensive continuing-education classes.
- Play miniature golf or ride go-carts.
- Visit the local farmers’ market and walk amongst the exotic fruits and vegetables.