56 Free or Cheap Date Ideas

You’ll never run out of date ideas with your partner if you save our list of fun, free, and budget-friendly options! There’s one for every week of the year! This week, my husband and I went on a spontaneous lunch date. Our oldest daughter was at school, and our youngest was running errands with Grandma. With a couple of hours to spare (and our stomachs growling), we stopped by the local Subway for an "Italian Hero" sandwich—we’d heard it was back, and it’s a favorite of ours.

My husband and I had a wonderful time—just enjoying each other's company, sharing a sandwich, and catching up.

It’s amazing how we sometimes forget to really talk during our busy days; sitting down for lunch gave us an opportunity we didn't even realize we needed.

It was a simple, inexpensive date, but it turned out to be one of the best we’ve had in a long time!

That got me thinking: why not put together a list full of simple, affordable date ideas? Our list includes 56 activities—at least one idea for every week of the year—ranging from relaxing, fun plans to ones that help burn a few calories.

So, grab your partner and have some fun without spending a fortune!

What can couples do for free?

Believe it or not, most of the date ideas on our list cost absolutely nothing! You don't need a lot of money to make memories or even to check items off your bucket list.

We have plenty of free ideas to get you started, but I bet you’ll come up with some of your own, too! Think of activities that keep you active or allow you to explore your community. Check the schedules for museums, zoos, and other local spots to see when they offer free or discounted admission. Look for clubs to join or neighborhood groups. There are so many fun ways to get to know each other better and discover more about your own city! You might even get some exercise with some of these fun, budget-friendly date ideas!

30 Totally Free Date Ideas

1. Go fly a kite (make your own using this DIY tutorial).
2. Go for a drive: put on some music and hit the road with your partner! You could even test drive your dream car together!
3. Take a sunset stroll: there’s something incredibly romantic about walking hand-in-hand as the sun goes down!
4. Go hiking: hit the trails, get some exercise, and breathe in the fresh air.
5. Enjoy a bike ride. If you don’t own bikes, many big cities offer low-cost rentals to the public. Electric scooters are often an option, too!
6. Go fishing... or buy some cheap fish food and feed the fish—or the ducks! Just make sure the local park pond allows fishing first.
7. Practice yoga: there are tons of free videos online or on YouTube featuring yoga routines or other exercise ideas, like dance classes. My husband and I started doing hot yoga together, and it turned into a weekly tradition that has lasted for years.
8. Volunteer: dedicate your date to a good cause! Help out at a soup kitchen or a local animal shelter... there’s never a shortage of places that need new volunteers.
9. Look for a free movie night: shopping malls, local parks, museums, and other venues often host regular movie nights and fun events. Here are some of our favorite movies to watch together on Valentine's Day.
10. Have an outdoor movie night (drive-in style) right in your own driveway: if you don’t have a projector, try this clever hack to turn your phone into one! You can also connect your laptop to a portable projector if you have one. Have your own car karaoke session: take turns driving and picking songs for the other person to sing. Optional: the passenger can record the driver singing so you can watch the video and laugh together later.
11. Find a free craft class at your local craft store.
12. Host a cook-off using the most random ingredients you can find in the fridge. The best-tasting dish wins! But really, everyone wins when you get to enjoy a delicious meal together! If you have a sweet tooth, you could bake cakes or compete to see who can make the best ice cream sundae.
13. Game night: Break out your favorite childhood board game and have a friendly competition.
14. Celebrate one of these 105 unique holidays.
15. Go stargazing: Enjoy a meteor shower if it’s the right season, or try to spot constellations.
16. Play extreme frisbee: Some of my favorite dates are the ones where you burn calories together!
17. Play at a playground: I admit, I still love going on the swings sometimes!
18. Attend a free concert at a local gallery or coffee shop. It’s also a great way to support local musicians!
19. Give each other massages: Make the moment even more special by setting the mood with candles and relaxing music.
20. Redecorate (or rearrange) a room in the house. Or, build a blanket fort and just have fun like kids!
21. Paint each other's portraits: Gather whatever art supplies you have on hand—whether it's the kids' markers or regular pens—and draw portraits of each other at the same time.
22. Sleep under the stars: If the weather is nice, head out to the backyard and pitch a tent! Play "Truth or Dare": It can be as innocent or as "adult-oriented" as you like!
23. Break out the photo albums: It sounds cheesy, but flipping through your wedding album or old photos is sure to bring a smile to your faces! Take a trip down memory lane together.
24. Play bird-watching bingo: Look up local bird species and make bingo cards for each other. The first person to complete a line on their card wins!
25. Learn about local history: Visit the city's historic district; you're bound to make some interesting discoveries!
26. Watch the sunset: It’s probably the most romantic activity in the world.
27. Grow something: Start a garden, whether in the yard or indoors (like potted herbs for the kitchen). TIP: Check out this list of gardening tips for beginners! Rewatch a full season of your favorite show: get the snacks, sweets, and popcorn ready, and enjoy a marathon of a classic!
28. Spa night: Pamper your partner and enjoy some quality time with this simple at-home date.
29. Visit the library: Borrow a new book or learn something new in a free class (you’d be surprised by everything libraries offer!). Turn this date into a tradition by joining the book club!
30. Find a local festival: Our city hosts literally hundreds of festivals a year, many of them free. Chances are...

14 great, budget-friendly date ideas

1. Share a footlong "Italian Hero" sandwich at Subway (seriously, it’s an amazing sandwich!).
2. Go roller skating: There’s a rink just a couple of blocks from our place, and it’s guaranteed fun for very little money. In winter, you can go ice skating instead!
3. Have a picnic: Remember that "Italian Hero" sandwich I mentioned? It’s perfect for a picnic, too!
4. Visit a farmers' market: Buy fresh produce or simply enjoy the atmosphere and the sights.
5. Visit a brewery: Whether you decide to drink or not, it’s fun to see how the beer is made! Most tours are cheap or even free. If beer isn't your thing, try a wine tasting!
6. Go to garage sales: Pick a weekend morning, map out a route, and head out to hunt for bargains! Bonus points for the most eccentric find! Even if you just browse without buying anything, it’s still a lot of fun!
7. Visit a flea market: They’re a goldmine of interesting things to see!
8. Learn a language: It’s a date you can repeat again and again! Look for affordable language classes in your area, or even find free videos online.
9. Visit thrift stores: Head to a local shop and see who can find the funniest T-shirt hidden on the racks!
10. Go fruit picking: Look for a list of local "pick-your-own" farms. Apple picking in the fall, berry picking in the spring... see what’s in season and enjoy some fresh fruit while you're at it! Open mic night: If you’re feeling brave, head to a local comedy club to watch the show—or even give it a try yourselves!
11. Visit a dive bar: Who needs to get all dressed up for a date? Throw on your most comfortable jeans and enjoy an affordable drink together!
12. Visit the zoo: Our city zoo offers days with free or discounted admission; other zoos might have similar deals!
13. Outdoor concert: This is another activity that can be inexpensive or even free! Check the local aquarium’s schedule, too! Take a ferry ride: For the price of a ticket, you can enjoy a short boat trip together!
14. Go to a fair: An amusement park can be pricey, but a local fair offers fun at a great price!