Memorable Date Ideas That Don’t Cost Money
Relationship experts say that love doesn’t cost money, but sometimes we need to be reminded of this fact. It’s not about how much money you spend on a person, but how you spend your time with them! We’ve compiled a list of 14 cost-free date ideas that are sure to create lasting memories for you and your date.
1. Park Picnic
Parks are a wonderful place for a picnic! Fill a basket with food and relax on a blanket on the grass to watch the sunset or people-watch. If you or your date has a truck, you can turn the truck bed into a romantic space in no time! Use fuzzy blankets and cozy pillows to create a mobile living room. While you relax, take this time to get to know your significant other! Ask them about their interests, hobbies, and dreams, and share yours with them!
2. Carpool Karaoke
This is a great way to figure out your significant other’s taste in music! Do they like rap, country, or pop? Do they scream Justin Bieber at the top of their lungs with you, or do they shyly mumble the lyrics? Whatever your karaoke style is, this date idea is guaranteed to create memorable moments!
3. Hiking
The possibilities for outdoor dates are endless! Hiking is a great way to explore nature and spend quality time with your partner. This date idea is perfect for couples who are just getting to know each other and need an activity to fill the awkward silence. If you don’t live close to hiking trails, visit a botanical garden! Gardens provide a perfect background for a photo shoot or a peaceful afternoon stroll.
4. Draw Self-Portraits
If you aren’t artistically inclined, get outside your comfort zone with this date idea! All you need is some paper and colored pencils. Set a timer and draw portraits of each other! This date idea is sure to evoke laughter and create unforgettable memories. Who knows, maybe your pictures will be worthy of display in your future home together!
5. Go For A Drive
Out of all the date ideas, this one might seem cliché, but it can foster the best memories. Picture a long drive in the car with your favorite person, with no destination in mind; driving just to drive and letting the road tell you where to go. Some of the best conversations and memories happen on nights spent driving around your town. Throughout your drive, you may find your new favorite place to spend uninterrupted time together!
6. Build A Campfire
This date idea is perfect for double or triple dates! Gather up a few of your friends, build a warm campfire, and roast marshmallows under the stars. If you know some campfire songs, you could whip out your guitar and impress your date with your musical talent!
7. Play A Sport
Whether you are athletic or not, chances are that you and your significant other have a bit of a competitive streak in you. Very few date ideas cause tension between a couple, but this one has the potential to foster grudges. Make sure that you hug at the end of each game so that you don’t walk away upset over a loss! For a one-on-one date, you could play a game of tennis or pickleball. Or, grab a group of friends and start a game of soccer or ultimate frisbee!
8. Star Gazing
For couples who want a more peaceful and relaxing date, stargazing is an obvious choice. Grab a lantern and some cozy blankets and pillows and cuddle under the stars. As you watch the stars, try to identify some constellations! Whoever can identify the most constellations by the end of your date wins!
9. Serve Your Community
One of the best ways to see your partner’s true personality is to watch how they interact with others! If you want to see how they act around kids, suggest volunteering with a church carnival or outreach. If you know of an elderly person who needs help maintaining their home, use your date time to bless them by lending a helping hand!
10. Eat Samples At The Grocery Store
Who doesn’t love a free meal? You can eat the equivalent of a meal by trying all the samples at the grocery store. This gives you a chance to learn about your date’s favorite foods and make memories as you try new cuisine!
11. Learn To Dance
Most little girls dream about a prince coming to sweep them off their feet. You can make your date’s dreams come true by learning how to whisk her around the room! Even if you have two left feet, this date idea will create lasting memories as you step outside your comfort zone! Clear out the furniture in the living room, turn on some soft music, and dance to your heart’s content.
12. Create A Bucket List
Most people have individual bucket lists, so why not have a couple’s bucket list? Take this time to dream about your future together! What destinations does your partner want to visit? Do they enjoy camping, or would they rather stay in a hotel? Would they want to do family vacations? This can give you an idea of how well you and your partner’s future dreams line up!
13. Build A Fort
This date idea will take you back to your childhood in the best way possible! Gather up as many blankets, pillows, and sheets as you can find and create a cozy living room fort. Enjoy your new hideout by using it as an in-home movie theater or romantic restaurant.
14. Thrift Store Outfits
Go to your local thrift store and pick out a full outfit for each other. You can be as tame or as crazy as you want to be with the clothes! Make sure that you video your date as they model the outfit you’ve picked. You will laugh over those memories long after they are made!
