10 Cheap Date Ideas Anyone Can Do

Dating is expensive in the U.S., and Gen Zers are opting for less expensive dates—smart.

Here are ten ideas that won't break the bank when spending time with your significant other! Use these for first dates or to keep the flame alive between you and your partner. 

1. Visit a local night market

Night markets, also known as night bazaars, are open-air markets that take place at night and are typically more conducive to leisurely browsing, dining, and shopping than formal day markets.

Night markets are a fun way to spend an evening with your date, especially in the summer. Night markets are similar to farmer's markets, except they are usually indoors and open late into the night. They have a variety of foods from different cultures, and you can try something new on your date.

Night markets also have live music performances, and there is often dancing in front of the stage. It's great because it provides entertainment while you're eating dinner.

Why should you visit a night market?

• It’s usually free to attend.
• There's a wide variety of food to choose from, so you can try something new.
• Night markets usually have live music performances and often have dancing in front of the stage. It gives you something entertaining to do while eating dinner.
• The atmosphere is vibrant and exciting because there are so many people around.
• Night markets also have a variety of shops that sell clothes, accessories, household items, and more.

2. Go to a free art museum day

If you have free museum days in your area, take advantage of them. If you don't have a local museum but want to go somewhere fun for a date night, check online for museums that offer free admission throughout the year.

Many museums will also have special events on their free admission days. So, you can get double the bang for your buck by checking out an event and perusing the galleries at no cost.

You can also go to a museum on any weekday if you're looking for something low key or are trying to save money (the admissions fees tend to be reasonable). As long as they're open during regular business hours (and open late enough), it's totally fine.

Why should you visit free art museums?

• It allows you to bond over something that doesn't cost anything.
• You can learn about art, culture, and history together.
• It's a terrific way to leave the house and have fun as a couple.
• It's a way to have an adventure and explore new places together.
• You can learn more about each other through conversation and sharing experiences while visiting museums (and maybe even getting some inside knowledge on how they think about art).

3. Get dressed up and tour expensive homes

Nothing compares to strolling into a posh home, taking in all the pricey furnishings, and daydreaming about what it must be like to live there. If you want to tour some homes on your date night but don't want to spend money, this is a great way to do it.

You can find homes open to the public and tour them for free. You'll get to see how people live in a city like yours, which can be a fun way of learning more about what life is like there.

4. Board game night

Board game night is a classic date idea. It's easy to set up and can be played in many different settings, from the dining room table to the living room couch. You can have multiple games at once, so it's not so much about keeping track of who won or lost as it is about having fun with your partner.

You can also use board games to introduce your partner to new things you enjoy, like strategy or competition.

5 reasons why you should play board games:

They help you connect with your partner. Playing a board game together is a great way to connect with your partner. It enables you to get to know each other's personalities and what kinds of things you enjoy doing together.

They're great for building up communication skills. You need to communicate clearly with your partner, so they know what move you're making or what pieces you want to be moved. You also have to be able to interpret each other's moves and figure out how best to use them in your favor.

5. Download a constellation app and watch the stars

Constellations are often beautiful and fun to look at in the night sky, so why not try some tonight?

There's nothing like gazing up at the night sky and seeing the stars twinkling above you. And if you need to learn more about constellations, then a constellation app is worth downloading. It will show you exactly where all the best constellations are located and how to spot them in the sky.

There's no need for expensive telescopes or fancy equipment. Just download one of many free constellation apps on your phone or tablet, find some constellations in the sky, then use this information to find planets like Mars or satellites like Hubble.

6. Watch the sunset

The sunset is a beautiful and magical sight to behold. It's one of nature's most spectacular shows; anyone can see it if they go outside at the right time. The best part about watching sunsets is that it doesn't require much effort; all you have to do is unwind, sit back, and take it all in.

Sunset is a romantic time, and it’s free! Grab your loved one, find a park or beach with an unobstructed view of the horizon, and enjoy watching nature's yellow-orange light show together.

The sun setting over seawater or a city skyline are both great times for reflection on what you've accomplished in your day (or even during life). It can also be an excellent time to share that sweet first kiss before heading home for dinner.

7. Give each other massages

Massages are a great way to show your partner that you care. Spend some time together and give each other a back rub; it doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate. Suppose you both like the same kind of massage, even better. You can give each other Swedish massages, deep tissue massages, or even foot massages (if both of you like those).

How to give a massage

If you're giving a massage to someone you love, make sure they are comfortable and relaxed. Find a quiet place where you can both relax and enjoy the experience.

Make sure they have no distractions or interruptions while receiving their massage. If possible, dim the lights and create some relaxing music in the background to help create a more calming effect on your loved one's mind and body.

Importance of massages in a relationship

Here are some reasons why massages are essential in a relationship:

They create a bond between you and your partner. Massages are one of the best ways to connect with your significant other and eliminate any stress that may have built up over the week.

They help relieve stress, which can be harmful to your health. Massages have been proven time and time again to reduce stress levels in both men and women.

They can help you sleep better. A study by the University of Michigan found that massages helped people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer than those who didn’t receive a massage.

They help improve blood circulation, which can lead to better sleep. Massages are great for your health and help you get a better night's rest.

They can be a fun way to spend time together with your partner. You don't have to think of massages as just something that helps relieve stress; they can be fun activities you both enjoy doing together.

8. Take a free DIY class at Home Depot or Lowe’s

If you are looking for a fun and educational project with your loved one, consider taking a free class together at either Home Depot or Lowes. These stores offer many classes to help you learn something new while spending quality time together.

It could be enjoyable to do this with your significant other.

9. Have a Chopped competition to see who can make the best dish with the fewest ingredients

If you’re looking for a healthy and fun date idea, consider Chopped, the cooking competition show on Food Network. The premise of Chopped is that contestants must use four random ingredients to create a dish in 20 minutes.

Who knew that picking the right apple could be so exciting? This show is an excellent way to learn how to cook and will help you put together dishes with only the simplest list of ingredients.

You can do this with your partner or friends, but it's also fun if you watch it yourself and try making some recipes at home.

10. Workout together

If you and your partner are both into working out, then this is an excellent way to bond. Whether going for a run together or doing bodyweight exercises at home, getting fit together can be very rewarding.

You can spend time together while working out, which is a win-win. You’ll get to know each other better and get in shape.

If you are not into the gym, try other activities like hiking or biking. Or even something simpler, like walking will do the trick.

Try to make it fun by trying new things together or setting up a competition between yourself and your partner.

Conclusion

If you can’t afford a big vacation or fancy dinner, don’t worry. There are plenty of inexpensive ways to enjoy yourselves without spending too much money on one night out.

I hope these ideas have inspired you to think outside the box and find cheap date ideas that are perfect for your relationship and your budget.

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