Anyone who’s been on a date will know that they can get really expensive, really fast—but not every hangout needs candles or wine. If you’re just looking to have a good time with someone you like, there are many ways to do exactly that without spending much. Here are thirteen unconventional date ideas that cost you less. They’re low-key, low-cost, and actually fun.
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Thrift Store Outfit Challenge
The thrift store outfit challenge involves going to a thrift shop and giving each other ten bucks, then picking out the most ridiculous outfit for the other person to wear—you actually have to wear it. It doesn’t matter if you’re grabbing coffee together or walking around Target, it’ll make both of you laugh. You could try setting a theme for an extra challenge, like “yoga dad in 1994” or “mall goth realness,” which will make it even more fun.
Farmer’s Market Walk
There’s no need to buy all of your groceries at a farmer’s market, as you could just wander & snack on a $1 apple cider donut as you check out what the local artisans are up to. Some booths give free samples and a lot of places have live music or local art for you to enjoy. You don’t have to stay long, but you’ll probably find something cool on the way that you weren’t even looking for.
Coffee Shop Hopping
Rather than getting a full drink at one café, try getting a small thing to split at one, then visit a bunch of different ones and see which ones you liked best. You could get some weird flavor combinations and talk about which one had the best chairs—essentially, you’re sipping your way through town. Some shops have punch cards or weekday deals, so you might end up with a freebie by the end. Perhaps bring a deck of cards or a weird question game to keep it going between sips.
Window Shopping and a Snack Break
You’re not visiting your local store to buy—you’re there to make fun of the $60 candle named “Mountain Rain” and wonder who needs a giraffe-shaped lamp. It’s a great low-commitment date that’s easy to bounce from if things aren’t working between you, and if they are, you could split a pastry or something small from a nearby café. It’s laid-back and gives you plenty of chances to say, “Oh wow, look at this thing.”
Bike Ride With a Mid-Stop
Pull those bikes out of the garage and pick a relaxing route that has a park, mural, or ice cream truck halfway through. You don’t need matching helmets or spandex shorts—just ride and talk as you go through your neighborhood together. Even 30–45 minutes is enough to feel like you actually went somewhere and you may want to time it near golden hour for a photo if you’re into that. There’s no pressure if you’re not.
Local Trail Walk With a Packed Lunch
If cycling isn’t your thing, try walking instead—pick a trail you haven’t gone down yet, then pack a couple of sandwiches & some fruit before you head out. Make sure you don’t pick anything too intense, or at least a trail where you can sit on a bench halfway through and pull out your lunch. You may also want to bring some bug spray & napkins, as well as something to sit on in case the bench is wet.
Puzzle Café Date
Going on a date is the perfect opportunity for you to flex your brainpower, so get a small puzzle (or borrow one) and take it to a café. Try working on it together like two retirees on vacation and you’ll end up talking between pieces, which makes sitting around feel oddly productive. You should probably aim for something 300 pieces or under, unless you plan to stay all day—make sure you don’t drop any pieces under the table.
Game Night at Home
Who says you have to leave for a good date? Just pull out whatever you have at home, like Uno or cards, then include a theme just to be extra, such as “Pajamas and Cereal Night” or “‘90s Music Only.” You could even add silly rules for losers and set up snacks like popcorn or gummy worms & play until you’re both ready for bed. The important part to remember is that you don’t need to be good at the games—being bad is funnier.
Public Library Hangout
Hanging out at the library usually sounds boring until you try it, so try going to a library you’ve never been to and flip through the weirdest books together. It’s an especially great idea during the winter because it’ll keep you cozy, but it’s also a nice date idea all year-round. You may want to keep an eye out for the events calendar, as they sometimes have free talks or movie screenings. Either way, libraries are way more fun when you’re not there for homework.
Outdoor Movie Night at Home
You could try skipping the theater by piling on blankets in the backyard or on a balcony and streaming a feel-good movie under the stars. The popcorn’s already in your kitchen—add a hoodie & a string of fairy lights if you’re feeling extra adventurous. Honestly, there’s nothing quite as magical as cuddling up under the stars and watching your favorite flick together.
Try a Free Class or Workshop
You may be surprised how many free things there are to do in your local area, so check the community board at a local coffee shop or library. There could be a free salsa class or budget cooking night—even if it feels awkward when you’re doing it, you’ll have a story to talk about. Most of these classes are quite short and no one expects you to be good. Just make sure you show up early because it’s usually first come, first served.
Photo Scavenger Hunt Around Town
For this date idea, the pair of you have to write a list of stuff that’s random, but not impossible, to find, such as a crooked stop sign or a garden gnome. The goal is then to look for the weirdness hiding in plain sight and take pictures of each one. For an extra challenge, add a timer, and by the end, you’ll have a phone full of nonsense that makes for great memories later.
Cook-Off Using Only What You Already Have
There’s no grocery shopping allowed for this date idea. To start with, pick a category, like “sandwich” or “breakfast-for-dinner,” then race to make the best version using whatever’s in your kitchen. Feel free to make up whatever rules and scoring system you want, as this date idea turns “we have nothing to eat” into “we made three types of toast and called it love.” The loser has to do the dishes.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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