20 Free Date Ideas That You May Want To Try This New Year

People tend to associate the idea of date with a lavish meal at a fancy (and pricy) restaurant, and though there’s nothing wrong with that, going out on a date is not really about spending a ton of money on a dress or a meal in order to impress the person you are going out with. The whole idea behind dating is to get to know one another better and have fun while doing it, and there are a lot of possibilities out there that won’t max out your credit card. Read on for 20 free date ideas you will definitely want to try this year, regardless of the fact that you have money to spend or not, as they are guaranteed fun.

College is a fantastic time to try new things and stretch the boundaries of both your mind and your comfort zone. Unfortunately, it is also a time when you are perpetually short on funds, so here’s a list of guaranteed fun date ideas you simply have to do, and what’s best that won’t break the bank. 

It can’t get more romantic than that: you and your date, under the starry sky lying on a blanket, side by side. And the bonus is: it is absolutely free. Just grab a blanket, pick a quiet and darkish part of campus, and lie belly up gazing at the stars. Be sure to see the weather forecast beforehand and learn a thing or three about all the different constellations, so as to impress your date.

Think about the films you both like, rent or download a few, and make a marathon out of it. How about some classic movies: you can pick a theme, be it Sci-Fi, Drama, Musical, Western, Horror, etc, and you are sure to find a great pick. You can even go for the worst films ever, so you can comment on the worst scenes. Microwave some popcorn, find a cozy spot and while the night away watching and discussing what you have watched.

Select a great place (views are optional but won’t hurt), prepare a hamper complete with appetizing finger food and drinks, or a backpack if you plan on doing some hiking to get to that perfect spot, get a blanket and off you go. Remember to pack plenty of water and sunscreen as well, we wouldn’t want to ruin the perfect day with sunstroke.

Museums are great places to visit on colder days and rainy afternoons, and also when it is too hot to be outside. You can find free museums all over the place, or use your student card for special rates, and enjoy soaking up a bit of culture with your favorite person by your side.

You’ve got to eat, right? So, why not make a date out of it? Decide on the theme of your dinner: Italian? Mexican? Vegan? Bring all the ingredients together and prepare dinner with the person you like. If cooking isn’t your strong suit, you can always find recipes online and have a go.

Besides helping others, volunteering is a great way to acquire different experiences, impress your date and make you feel good about yourself. If you do it with that special person, the experience becomes even better, as you learn a lot about yourselves in the process. Take your date to a soup kitchen to help those less fortunate than you, or walk the dogs of your local animal shelter for an afternoon, who knows you might even enjoy it and become a regular.

Dancing is an exhilarating and thoroughly sexy activity to do with a date. Most colleges have clubs you can join that are absolutely free, and chances are some of the clubs are dance-related, presenting swing, salsa or even ballroom dancing. They usually have a dance instructor to teach you the moves and some might even lead up to regional or national meet-ups.

If you are still in high school chances are your pocket money is rather limited, but spending time with a significant other doesn’t necessarily require money to be fun and exciting, so, have a look at our list and enjoy as many as you can. (Free of charge!)

Walking hand in hand in a city park is a great way to spend time with a special someone, and most city parks have no admission fee but plenty of private spots to cuddle for a bit.

Studying is, well, inevitable, so make the most out of it by doing it together. Gather some snacks and quiz each other for prizes to make it more enjoyable and fun. Who knows, you might even learn something.

The emphasis here is on the cheap! Getting tickets to your favorite bands might be a bit above your pay grade, however, a live concert is always fun and exciting even if it is from a lesser-known band, so, check what’s happening near you and have a go at it. It will give you something to talk about to your friends and to each other.

All in the spirit of good fun, of course, pulling a prank together is highly exciting and it will be your little secret, at least until the cat comes out of the bag.

There’s something stimulating about being fed while blindfolded, so make a date out of it, picking both savory and sweet treats, soft and strong tasting drinks, but leave gross things out, as they might kill the mood.

“Best things in life are free”, according to the song, and those of you who are already married know that for a fact, as waking up next to the one you love is priceless. You might have more money to spend, but you might be saving up for that special something, or to get that house you wanted so you can start a family. Whatever the reasons, have a look at our list of activities for married couples that don’t put a dent on the family budget.

I mean this literally, so choose a new path, according to your level of expertise, and take a hike. An invigorating walk through nature is sure to keep you feeling energized and, if done regularly, will help prevent those extra pounds, married life always brings, from creeping up.

Just because you’ve been together for a while, it doesn’t mean you can’t teach each other new things. Have a go at the sport he/she enjoys doing. Having him/her for a coach must sound fun and it is something you might enjoy doing together later on.

Give yourselves a small amount of money and go to a thrift shop and see who can find the best and the worst outfit. Don’t forget to establish a prize for the winner (ice cream is always a good choice, according to all sources).

Science tells us that working out with a partner is the best way to keep motivated and achieve those all-important fitness goals. Need I say more?

Though it is always good to spend summer days lazing by the sea, I am talking about going to the beach out of season. Pick a nice sunny day, dress appropriately and walk by the seashore, with or without shoes enjoying the quietness of the deserted beach and the completeness of being with that special someone.

You don’t need a passport, or an expensive plane ticket to go places. Drive or take the train to nearby towns and explore the streets, the parks, the landmarks, totally free of charge.

Go back in time by visiting a farmer’s market. Maybe there’s one in your town or two towns over. Apart from the incredibly fresh produce, dairy and meat you are sure to find, just the visit is worth it even if you don’t really want to buy anything. Meant to bring rural and urban communities together, these markets contribute to the development of the local farms and arts and crafts industries, offering diverse and entertaining programs.

This might be the trickiest of all ideas, but it is sure to impress your significant other, both by your thoughtfulness and the enjoyment you get out of it. There are endless possibilities, and you might even have a theme (a movie, a book or a song they particularly enjoy). All you need to do is come up with clues that have special meaning for that person, such as “go to the place where we had our first kiss” and this will lead them to that particular bench in the park where it happened and where your significant other will find another clue that will take them to another and another, and another until finally, they come to the place where you created a special atmosphere with fairy lights, blankets, and pillows, or a candlelight table with a special meal. It is all up to you, but it is guaranteed to be memorable, and romantic, as you’ll bring back all those wonderful memories.

As you can see, there’s no need to break the bank and get expensive balloon rides, or fancy gourmet dinners, to have fun on a date. Giving that special someone your undivided attention, your time and using your creative juices goes a long way in turning free dates into treasured moments.