Flowers are blooming, days are growing longer, and spring—the season of love—has begun. Whether you are still searching for your perfect match or are three years deep in a long-term relationship, coming up with fun and creative date ideas is a dating must… even if you are on a limited budget. We’ve compiled a list of ten free (or cheap) date ideas to help you woo a woman this spring.
1. Geocaching
Geocaching is a free worldwide treasure hunt and the perfect date for nature lovers. Download the official Geocaching app on your phone to find caches in your area; parks are the perfect place to do this as they often have multiple caches within a one mile radius. The app has GPS and cryptic hints that help guide you to the location of the treasure. Within each cache is a logbook to sign your name and, sometimes, trinkets to trade out—the perfect memento of your date! Not only is geocaching a fun, free activity, it also gives you the chance to show off your master problem solving skills and impress your date!
2. Collaging
Collaging can be an amazing free date because it allows you and your date to be creative while spending quality time together. You can gather old magazines, newspapers, and other materials to cut and paste on a canvas, poster board, or even cardboard to make a beautiful piece of art. If you don’t have the necessary materials, you can often get free magazines and newspapers from the library and in a pinch you can even use junk mail! You can either collage freely or set a theme together, such as manifestation boards, dream boards, poetry collages, or even meme collages for a fun twist. Plus, you can keep your collage or swap collages as a reminder of your fun and unique date!
3. Stargazing
Stargazing is a wonderful free date that offers a peaceful and romantic way to spend quality time with eachother. Grab a comfortable blanket, gather snacks, and head out to a patch of grass to gaze up at the stars together. If you don’t know how to spot the constellations on your own, you can download a free, immersive stargazing app—I recommend Night Sky for iOS or Stellarium for Android—that will tell you what constellations are currently above you. Stargazing is also a good time to discuss your astrological signs… if you haven’t already.
4. Volunteering
Volunteering together can be a great free date that not only saves money but also provides you and your date with a rewarding experience. It can showcase your shared values and offer a chance to work together as a team toward a common goal, which can be a great way to strengthen your bond. Talk to your date about the causes you each care about and your capabilities, and find a volunteering opportunity that embraces both. Plus, unlike a movie or dinner date, volunteering offers a constant flow of activity and discussion topics, reducing the risk of that dreaded awkward silence.
5. Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a free date that can provide a fun and adventurous experience, help build a stronger connection with your date, and give you a chance to explore and discover new things in your city. The thrill of a scavenger hunt can bring out the playful and competitive side of you and your date, creating a fun and lighthearted atmosphere. Additionally, it gives the two of you an opportunity to work together, learn to communicate effectively, and strategize, all of which can help build a stronger connection. You can find scavenger hunt challenges online or you can create your own; write a list of landmarks you want to visit or funny things to find—like someone wearing polka dots with stripes or a person with a peculiar pet—and start your search! For extra fun, and a memento for you both, take photos throughout the scavenger hunt and create a collage!
6. Picnics
Picnics are great, low-cost dates that offer a romantic and intimate experience while also being budget friendly. A picnic can take place at a local park, the beach, or even your backyard, and the location can be tailored to fit the interests and preferences of your date. Find out what kind of food your date likes and create a smorgasbord of snacks; this is your chance to show her that you know and care about her likes and dislikes. Bonus points if you show up to the location ahead of time to lay out a blanket and arrange the food (maybe pick some flowers for her while you’re at it!).
7. Crafting
Crafting together is a fun, low-cost date that gives you the opportunity to bond with your date while exploring your creative side and trying something new. A fun, cheap craft for the spring is flower pounding. Flower pounding is the ancient Japanese technique of hammering plants on canvas, fabric etc. All you need are fresh flowers, a hammer (or a good rock if you’re in a pinch), and some kind of canvas. The Dollar Tree sells canvases and tapestries, or you can use computer paper and frame it afterward. You can start your date with a walk in nature, collecting flowers and greenery together, and then work together to create unique pieces of art.
8. Museums
Museums are a fantastic date that can be free or cheap, depending on what museum you decide to visit and when. They give you and your date the opportunity to explore and learn about art, history, culture and science together. Visiting a museum is a great conversation starter, as you explore the exhibits together and share your thoughts and opinions on what you see. Some museums are entirely free and others offer free or discounted days; the website museums4all.org has a list of all museums with free or discounted days.
9. Art Shows and Theater Performances
Art shows and theater performances make for amazing free or cheap dates that offer an opportunity to experience art and culture together. They also provide the chance to engage in thought-provoking discussions and conversations that can help you and your date get to know each other better. Many art shows have free or cheap tickets either on a specific day or reserved for students, seniors, and EBT card holders.
10. The Thrift Store Date Night Challenge
The thrift store date night challenge is a fun and whimsical cheap date that gives you and your date the opportunity to be light-hearted and playful together. Go to a thrift store with a spending limit of $5-20 and put together outfits for each other, while staying within the budget. The more outrageous, the better. After your date night outfits are complete, it’s time to go out! The second part of your date can be tailored to your budget. You can go on a hike, sing karaoke at the bar, go out for dinner, or even have a photoshoot in your outfits.
