25 cheap date ideas for couples

Not wanting to blow the budget with date night? Check out these 25 cheap date ideas for couples.

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Have you been hanging out for a date night with your spouse – but don’t have the big budget to spend on it?

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Date nights don’t need to cost the earth.

That’s because date night is all about connecting with your spouse – about making your world smaller for that sweet pocket of time so that your focus is on each other – not on that report you have to write for work, the plumber to call to fix that dripping tap, or the ballet recital you need to get all Dance Mom over.

You might also like: How and why to have a regular date night.

While dressing up and taking a limo to that restaurant you booked five months ago might seem like the stuff of date night dreams, in reality it doesn’t get you any more connected than grabbing a burger from a food truck and eating it on a park bench while you share your hopes for the future.

Date nights that don’t cost the earth should be part of every couple’s date night plans.

I recommend that you compile a list of date ideas on a budget from the selection below, put it somewhere you can see it, and every 2-4 date nights pick one from this list.

Alternatively, when you’re creating your date night jar, make at least half from here and these free date ideas.

Cheap date ideas to get you started

Do a coin walk

Start off in a predetermined spot – in the middle of town works best. Walk until you reach a crossroads and then flip a coin. Have heads equal left and tails equal right. This works best if you have some guidelines on your walk – for example, you’ll keep going for X number of turns and then you’ll find the nearest coffee shop and grab a drink.

Do a coin drive

This is the big brother to the coin walk and uses the same principle, only this time you’re in a car! Because of the speed and distances, with this version of the game, you might want to drive for 3 blocks before you flip a coin. Again, having a predetermined number of tosses worked out is a good idea. Once you reach that amount, look for the nearest food truck, diner, or other low cost eating option.

Grow your love

Head to the local nursery and pick a plant together that can take pride of place in your yard, then go home and plant it.

Dessert and disco

After dinner, go for a drive and get dessert at a place that has live music (maybe not disco – I simply liked the alliteration). We love heading to Eat Street in the town a short drive from our home, where the whole street is food venues that take up the pavement and live musicians play in the evening. You can experience a great atmosphere for minimal money.

Do a $5 challenge

Head to a local store and see what you can get for each other for your princely sum. You could also try this in thrift stores. You’ll have a blast seeing what the other comes up with and why. Do consider selecting something of value, not something you will trash later.

Go out for breakfast or brunch

A breakfast or brunch date is a low cost, low pressure option compared to going out for dinner. Plus bacon. What else needs to be said?

(Here’s other morning date ideas.

Go into a specialty food store

Buy one item each that you’ve never tried before.

Grab takeout

After you’ve picked it up, take it to the park for a cheap meal in a beautiful location.

Hit Happy Hour

Check out local spots for their happy hour deals and then go enjoy.

Have a weekly ice cream date

This is perfect over the summer months. Find a local ice cream store and make it a mission to taste a different flavor every time you go.

Pick seasonal fruit

Enjoy picking whatever is in season. This is a fun activity that keeps on giving – when you get home with the produce you picked, you can whip up a tasty treat with it.

Take part in a trivia night

It’s the perfect opportunity to show off your in-depth knowledge of New Zealand test cricketers between 1974-1999. He’ll fall in love with you even more.

Make a bonfire on the beach

Amp it up with some of these magical flames. Simply throw an unopened pouch into the fire and enjoy the long-lasting colors.

Learn something new

Find a class you can take as a one off such as yoga or a DIY lesson at a local hardware store. Then go out and try it. You might stumble across a new passion.

Plan a picnic

Make up a basket of your favorite picnic foods and head to a scenic spot.

Go tandem

Look sweet on a bicycle made for two – hire a tandem bike for a few hours and have fun on the bike trails.

Buy the ingredients for s’mores

Add some tasty treats to your bonfire date with these tasty s’mores recipes.

Play miniature golf

This fun cheap date idea brings in the competitive element into your date. I’ve had to tell my husband he needs to play to beat his own previous score, as otherwise it’s a hiding to nothing.

Search deal websites

Look for low cost ideas for attractions that are usually at a much higher price.

Head to a pool hall

Have a couple of sessions of pool. Challenge each other or make a team and play against another couple.

You might also like these Double date ideas.

Taste test your favorite low cost treat

Whether it’s brioche or brownies, purchase 3 different types and then taste them all before voting on the best.

Watch an amateur sports game

Whether it’s a high school game or local team, you can usually find a game to watch at free or low cost. Up the ante by betting on the outcome with each other.

Walk and talk

Take a bus to a nearby town and check out their local guided walking tours.

Visit local markets

See if you can pick up any treasures.

Make a book club for two

Buy two copies of a book you’ve both wanted to read (you can also try getting one or both copies from the library) and create your own mini book club. You can read for a set period of time and then discuss what you’ve read so far. Alternatively, you can start reading the book beforehand and spend your date answering questions about it – just like a ‘real” book club.

(It’s a great date idea for book-lovers).

Cheap date ideas are fun and inventive! These 25 cheap date ideas for couples give you the chance to connect without breaking the budget.

Enjoyed these date ideas and want more? Try these date ideas for couples.