55 Cheap Date Ideas That Are Fun And Create Connection

Dates, whether you’re deep into a relationship or just starting out, deepen your bond with your partner even more than before. They’re also a lot of fun. But coming up with fresh, cheap date ideas can be tough, and we wanted to help you with that. So, here are 55 cheap date ideas that are fun and create connection.

As a quick side note before we get started, please know these cheap date ideas aren’t in any particular order. For example, number one isn’t the best of this bunch of cheap date ideas, it’s just what popped into our heads first. If it’s not to your liking, then feel free to skip it. We promise we won’t be upset if you do.

#1 - Browse At A Bookstore

Bookstores are warm, intimate spaces where you can cozy up to each other while having a look around. There’s always gentle music playing and a variety of good books to look through. So, see what catches your eye and run it by your partner.

#2 - Hit Up A Garage Sale

Even if you don’t find anything worth buying at a garage sale, you’ll still find items worth talking about. The weird, the unique, the just plain crazy, all of them and more are out there somewhere. It just takes someone like you and your partner to find them. Also, this is one of those fun date ideas you can make a tradition of year after year after year.

#3 - Visit An Animal Shelter

If you’re both thinking about getting a pet or two, head to a shelter. These animals just want a good home, and it’s a great opportunity to bond with your partner by bringing some lonely animals joy and maybe even taking one home with you!

#4 - Watch The Sunset Or Sunrise

There’s something magical about the sun setting or rising. It’s even more magical sharing that easily accessible but rarely seen event with your partner. And if you’re looking to take the fun and connection even further with this one, try watching the event silently.

#5 - Volunteer Together

Is there a cause you’re both passionate about? Or a new one you’re inspired to help out with? Doing what you care about is even better when you’re doing it with someone you care about.

#6 - Do A Puzzle Together

There’s a reason puzzles are still around today. If you’re looking for something relaxing that still requires communication and teamwork, you know, the same things a good relationship needs, then a puzzle is a great way to do just that.

#7 - Look Through Old Yearbooks

This activity brings couples together because it takes them down memory lane. It’s a great opportunity to see what your significant other looked like when they were younger, tease them about it, and swap stories of how those looks even happened. As a bonus, why not look through each other’s scrapbooks too?

#8 - Go Antiquing Or Thrifting Together

Similar to garage sales, antiquing or thrifting together is like a scavenger hunt where you don’t know what the items are you’re supposed to find. So, go see what you dig up, laugh about, and bond over.

#9 - Enjoy A Hike

We like a good challenge with a bit of adventure if you couldn’t tell, and hikes are a great way to combine both. Spend some time searching up trails together, then get packed, and head out for a day of exploration, nature, and spending quality time with your partner. 

#10 - Visit a Public Garden

If you and your partner are looking to take a stroll and enjoy some well-maintained spaces, then public gardens are a great option. They’re peaceful, beautiful, and will let you enjoy their space at you and your partner’s own pace.

#11 - Grab A Cup Of Coffee

No one says dates have to be complicated. If anything, this list of cheap date ideas proves that many times over. So, why not stick with an oldie but a goodie? You can even head somewhere new you’ve both always wanted to try.

#12 - Take In A Concert In The Park

There are always events going on in town or in those nearby. Local concerts are a blast. They’re a great way to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and see lesser-known acts from passionate people doing what they love. 

#13 - Walk A Nature Trail

Maybe hiking isn’t what you’re looking for right now. That’s completely okay. There are plenty of easy trails to leisurely enjoy with your partner. If there’s an arboretum or park nearby, these offer plenty of options for these types of walks.

#14 - Feed Ducks At A Pond

Head to a local pond and bring along some duck feed. Relax on the bank and take in the day with your partner while seeing how many ducks you can get to enjoy the day with you.

#15 - Feed Birds In The Park

Maybe ducks aren’t your thing, or maybe ponds aren’t. Either way, it’s fine with us. As an alternative, you could relax with your partner on a bench in the park while feeding the birds. 

#16 - Arcade Night

Go retro with your partner and hit up an arcade. More and more are popping up all the time, and they aren’t expensive either. They have lots of game options, and some even have food too. So, give this fun date idea choice a try.

#17 - Go Stargazing

In case you didn’t know, there are places called dark sky parks. These are protected spots where you can see the night sky courtesy of the park’s lack of light. Or you can just head to your backyard and enjoy a night on the patio or deck with your partner while looking up at the stars.

#18 - Enjoy A Brewery Or Winery Tour

Learn about beer- or wine-making while getting to taste some of what’s on offer. Sharing the experience with your partner is even better because you’ll get to talk about what you both think of the drinks.

#19 - Try A New Eatery

For one of these cheap date ideas, why not try a local restaurant? Maybe a new spot that just opened or an old favorite you haven’t been to in a while? Food and unique ambiances are always good choices for cheap date ideas. 

#20 - Go Mini Golfing

Find a nice putt-putt course, grab some putters and golf balls, and have a blast trying to score better than each other and watching it all go hilariously wrong.

#21 - Go Bike Riding

No need to hit the trail with this one, although you can do that too if you want. Just grab a pair of bikes, put on your helmets, and go for a leisurely bike ride around town. You could even stop somewhere for a quick bite or some ice cream.

#22 - Sign Up For Trivia Night

Spending some time with your partner at a trivia night is always a good idea. Grab some drinks, maybe even bring a few friends, and have a blast competing against other teams while laughing at all the surprising things you do and don’t know.

#23 - Check Out A Local Art Gallery

Art galleries are a relaxing way to take in all the ways other people express themselves. Better yet, with your partner, you’ll get new perspectives on those pieces and learn more about how your partner sees those pieces as a result too.

#24 - Cook Something Together

Pizza kits, cookies, and more. It matters less what you’re cooking and more that you’re helping one another make something. And if it doesn’t come out so great, you can always laugh about it together and order in. Or you could use our Adventure Challenge: Dinner Dates book for some unique and fun ideas too. The great thing is it doubles as a scrapbook where you can store any photos you take of the experience!

#25 - Go Window Shopping

Window shopping is as cheap as cheap date ideas come. Looking doesn’t necessarily mean buying, but it does mean spending time with your date checking out storefronts and what they’ve got in store for you.

#26 - Go Ice Skating

This is a classic cute date ideas option for a reason. So, get bundled up and help keep each other balanced as you navigate the ice together. 

#27 - Go Roller Skating

If you’re looking for something a little less daring than ice skating but still a good cute date ideas choice, try a roller rink. You might have to drive a little ways to get to one, but you and your partner will get to enjoy a nice throwback while roller skating together beneath the lights and music.

#28 - Check Out The Latest Movie

Movies don’t have to be expensive. You’ve got plenty of rental and streaming options these days, plus cheap theaters. Wouldn’t you like to spend a little more time close together in the dark?

#29 - Head To The Gym

In the mood for something with a little challenge, sweat, and a whole lot of fun? Well, aside from our In Bed Book, which has 50 ideas just for that very thing, heading to the gym is another cheap date ideas option. Push each other while celebrating each other’s victories. But above all else, enjoy each other kicking some tail.

#30 - Get A Fire Going In The Back

Sometimes, you don’t have to go far for a date. If you’ve got a fire pit or chiminea in the back, get it going, and cozy up to your partner. Maybe cook some hot dogs or marshmallows while you’re at it. 

#31 - Have A Cookout

Cooking out doesn’t have to have a party, just you and your partner. Decide on what you want to cook, then spend time relaxing and taking in the tempting smells until it’s time to dig in. 

#32 - Go On A Picnic

A picnic is another classic cute date ideas option for a reason. You can have a picnic almost anywhere so long as it’s ground you can sit on, and there’s enough of it to have the picnic. So, find somewhere you and your partner want to go, eat, and lie down next to each other afterward.

#33 - Go To A Cafe

Whether it’s a traditional spot or somewhere unique, cafes are a relaxing way to spend time with each other. Who knows, maybe this is the right time to try an animal cafe or a board game cafe. Plus, this is a great choice for first dates. You could even use our Adventure Challenge: Blind Dates book to add even more fun to the experience!   

#34 - Head To A Bar

Bars don’t have to be expensive, and we don’t just mean dive bars either. Head to a bar, enjoy a couple of drinks, the ambiance, and each other, then head back home. 

#35 - Just Drive Around

Actually going somewhere doesn’t have to be part of the cheap date ideas equation. Take in the sights as you drive around and see what’s out there.

#36 - Grab Some Ice Cream

If it’s a summer night, ice cream is an especially good choice. You could even get a little adventurous with your partner and try a new flavor. 

#37 - Take In A Local Comedy Act

Comedy clubs are a fun way to get the dinner and live show experience without breaking the bank. Sit down, eat, and just laugh with the one you’re with.

#38 - Head To A Museum

Museums, whether history, art, or science museums or big, small, or medium museums are enjoyable ways to spend an afternoon together. There’s no rush, and there’s plenty to take in as you enjoy a little slice of what the world has to offer.

#39 - Do Pottery Together

Looking for a connection together? Then spend time either making the same piece of pottery or making them alongside each other. As a bonus, you’ll always have a memory of the event once your pottery is done and fired.

#40 - Paint Together

There’s nothing like a little fun with colors. You can get your own sets or find a fun event somewhere to partake in. Some will even have drinks or snacks.

#41 - Head To The Library

Libraries are always free and have grown to offer more than just books and reading events. So, when it comes to libraries these days, you’ve got options, and all of them are cheap date ideas. 

#42 - Check Out Downtown

Sometimes just walking around local shops or a downtown area can be a a great fun date ideas option. You might find a unique street performer or an interesting store to enjoy.

#43 - Teach Each Other Something

Have a unique skill your partner doesn’t know about? Or want to learn something from them? Why not do a little exchange and teach each other? 

#44 - Go Bowling

As far as cheap date ideas go, bowling is always a great choice. Get a lane, grab two pairs of bowling shoes, and you and your date are ready to go.

#45 - People-Watch Together

For this cheap date ideas option, you could go almost anywhere as long as there are people around. Why not pair this with another one of these cheap date ideas for a double whammy? 

#46 - Head To A Carnival

Carnivals are lots of fun. There’s good food, rides, plenty of cheer, and lots of games of skill to play. Maybe you’ll even win your partner a prize!

#47 - Go To A Drive-In Movie

Drive-ins are an old favorite. They’re a cozy way to watch a movie either from the comfort of your car or on some chairs outside. Plus, they’re a cheap date ideas option that still lets you have money left over for some concessions to share with your significant other.

#48 - Learn Something New Together

This could be a list all on its own. Learning things doesn’t have to mean doing so in a stuffy classroom listening to an old professor drone on. Search the internet, find classes you like, and take on the challenge together.

#49 - Do Some Karaoke

Karaoke is great because no one cares how well someone’s singing. It’s just plain old fun, and you could even make a duet of it.

#50 - Rock Climb Together

Whether doing indoor or outdoor rock climbing, you’ve got plenty of options for this cheap date ideas choice. You could even get training and learn how to belay for one another. What better way to deepen your connection with each other than to develop an even stronger trust and bond?

#51 - Go Dancing

This could pair well with learning something new together. There are plenty of dancing classes for beginners, but whatever your current level is, there’s nothing quite like the fun and connection dancing brings.

#52 - Play Some Board Games

There are thousands and thousands of board games for you and your partner to play. They’re fun and a great way to pass the time with the one you want to pass it with.

#53 - Enjoy A Sauna Or Hot Tub Together

If you’ve got a hot tub in the back, then this is an easy cheap date ideas option. You could even bring some drinks or snacks to enjoy, maybe even feed each other. Or you could look for a nearby sauna experience. Whatever you do, you’ll feel relaxed and be spending quality time just enjoying each other’s company.

#54 - Build Something Together

For this cheap date ideas option, you could do anything that fits your budget. Build a gingerbread house together, a birdhouse, a LEGO set, or whatever else strikes your fancy. 

#55 - Head To The Mall

Going to the mall is like window shopping but with easy access to lots of stores and food. You can check out clothing stores together, candle shops, or just hang out by an art installation and people-watch.

Looking For Even More Cheap Date Ideas?

If you’re looking for even more cheap date ideas, then we recommend checking out The Adventure Challenge: Couples Edition. The book includes 50 scratch-off challenges specifically designed for couples looking for cheap date ideas that are fun, unique, and create connection. The only catch is once you scratch off the challenge, you have to do it.

So, are you ready for the challenge? Then get your copy of The Adventure Challenge Couples Edition today!

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