Struggling to come up with unique date night plans? Wanting to show your significant other how much you care about them but don’t have a bottomless bank account? (Join the club). These creative ideas go outside of the box without breaking the bank! Whether you’re still getting to know your significant other or have already spent a lifetime together, there is something on this list for you!
1. GO THRIFTING
You don’t have to buy anything, but it can be fun to look at antiques and nostalgic products from the 90s. You can even have a contest with your date about who can find the ugliest piece of clothing or weirdest accessory. Bonus points if you two buy a cheap something and refurbish it and sell it for a profit!
2. TAKE A COMMUNITY EDUCATION CLASS TOGETHER.
There are tons of cheap or free classes to take at your local community college or community center, with a range of commitments. You can learn how to paint, or take a weekend class on gardening. Or maybe you’ve always been curious about beekeeping, or the secrets of Oriental foil art. Everything from interior design to fly fishing is within the realm of possibilities, and how much fun would it be to learn something new and/or obscure with your loved one?
3. GO TO THE ANIMAL SHELTER AND PLAY WITH THE DOGS THAT NEED EXTRA LOVE.
… Because who doesn’t love playing with fuzzy animals?
(And if your date doesn’t like fluffy wuffy puppies, you may need to rethink the direction of your relationship, am I right?) Who knows! You may just come home with a new family member!
4. STARGAZE
Take a drive out to the country with a blanket and a thermos of hot coco and stare up into the stars! There’s nothing as romantic (or cheap) as an evening impressing your date with your extensive knowledge of the constellations. What’s that? You don’t know the extensive history and mythology associated with the different celestial bodies? Even better. Take turns making up your own constellations!
5. FAMILY OUTING AT THE BERRY PATCH
A fun family date idea is to spend some time at a local berry patch! Not only will the kids get to burn off some of their energy while you and your significant other take a leisurely walk outdoors, but when you get home, everyone can pitch in and make jam or pie! This is truly a win-win.
6. GO TO BINGO NIGHT.
I guarantee you’ll make tons of weird friends. Bingo people are a lot feistier and more interesting than you’d imagine. Wanna spice things up a little? Make up an alias for you and your date. Maybe you’re from Costa Rica, and you’re in town for a cross-cultural farming convention, and you have one last night in town and it has always been a dream of yours to play bingo with the best of them.
7. FILL OUT YOUR BUCKET LIST.
It’s never too early (or too late) to start planning your bucket list. I personally love this idea, and I make a point to go over my bucket list with my husband a few times a year, to make sure we’re both on the same page. This is such a fun way to get to know your significant other, and see their goals, dreams, and crazy wishes!
8. COOK OFF WITH THE KIDS
Whether it’s making mini pizzas to see who has the best combination of ingredients, or trying out all the cookie recipes in the book to see which one is the best, cooking with the fam is always a good time. Plus, if you go the cookie/dessert route, you can always give the extras away to neighbors and friends!
9.GO TO AN OPEN HOUSE
This is probably my favorite one on the list. You may be years away from owning your own home, or halfway through repaying your mortgage, but everyone likes to dream and keep their options open. The best part about this one is spending time getting to know what your date likes and dislikes, and you may even get some fun ideas for decorating your own space. If you’re really lucky, you’ll find a tacky mansion that you can judge together!
