30 Cheap Date Ideas (Most Under $20)

Great dates are not about money. They are about attention, a little novelty and doing something together. Here are 30 cheap date ideas, most of them free or under $20, that feel anything but cheap.

Free date ideas

1. Sunset walk with a playlist you made for each other.
2. Picnic in the park with food from home.
3. Stargazing with a free star map app and a blanket.
4. Game night with couple games on your phone.
5. Free museum day. Most cities have one.
6. Photo walk. Take photos of each other around your neighborhood like it is a fashion shoot.
7. Deep questions night. No TV, no phones, just questions.
8. Sunrise date. Wake up early, bring coffee, watch it together.
9. Library date. Pick books for each other.
10. Living room dance party.

Under $10

1. Street food crawl. One small dish at three places.
2. Thrift store challenge. $5 each to find the most ridiculous outfit for the other.
3. Ice cream taste test. Three flavors each, rate them.
4. Card game at a café. Buy one drink each and stay for hours.
5. DIY pizza night. Dough, sauce and whatever is in the fridge.
6. Karaoke at home. Free lyrics online, cheap snacks.
7. Bike ride with a city bike share.
8. Paint night with cheap supplies.
9. Farmers market and cook what you find.
10. Movie night at home with homemade popcorn.

Under $20

1. Mini golf with a bet on the outcome.
2. Bowling where every gutter ball is a dare.
3. Cooking class online and make it together.
4. Trivia night at a local bar.
5. Wine and cheese tasting from the supermarket.
6. Day trip by train to a nearby town.
7. Arcade date. Pool tokens, winner picks dinner.
8. Open mic or comedy night.
9. Rock climbing day pass (sometimes cheaper than you think).
10. Hot chocolate and a winter walk.