6 Creative, Affordable Date Night Ideas

Picnics are versatile, creative, and stress-free—perfect for a date. (Biba Kayewich)

My husband and I have always tried to live a simple, frugal lifestyle. It can be challenging at times but if you can manage it, the rewards are priceless. Date nights, for example, became an adventure in creativity to come up with a grab bag of possibilities while keeping within our budget.

Fortunately, there are lots of free events, such as concerts, festivals, coffee house comedy shows, and movie nights in the park. And since date nights are all about connection, there’s no need for a fancy backdrop.

If you need a little inspiration, here are some of our all-time favorite ways to enjoy a sweet, romantic evening together.

Have a Picnic

The beauty of a picnic is its simplicity. We love going on picnics because we can just be ourselves; no fancy shoes or necktie is required. Our favorite foods are always on the menu and leftovers pair especially well.

You can have a picnic pretty much anywhere. You can have a picnic in the backyard under the moonlight, by candlelight in the family room, or in your boat on the lake at sunset. It gives you true quality time together to talk, catch up, or just sit quietly and bask in your blessings or the beauty of nature all around you.

Go Stargazing

The awe-inspiring beauty of a starlit night is the perfect setting for a romantic date night. Years ago, I became fascinated with the constellations when we learned about the night sky in our homeschool.

Ancient Greeks and Romans assigned names to the constellations to honor their mythological gods and goddesses and other heroes such as Andromeda the princess, Queen Cassiopeia, and Orion the mighty hunter. For a bit of background, I suggest “Classic Myths to Read Aloud” by William F. Russell. (Though meant to be read aloud to kids, the stories are fascinating and a good introduction to mythology.)

Once star struck, always star struck. The Perseid meteor shower in mid-August is by far the most spectacular, with the possibility of seeing dozens of meteors per hour. Also, the Orionids in October and the Geminids in December put on an admirable show; stars appear brighter when temperatures are cooler and humidity is low.

Have a Game Night

A bit of friendly and light-hearted competition will keep the spark alive. (Biba Kayewich)

Do you love a little friendly competition? Then, the name of the game is board games.

There are board games to match every interest, and if your game closet is sparse, you can find great deals throughout the year at local yard sales or online on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Amazon.

Try some of our all-time favorites like Backgammon, Carbles (similar to Parchesi, but uses playing cards instead of dice), Rummikube, and Catan.

If cards are more your style, try Gin Rummy, Hearts, Spades, or Poker. My husband and I have had a perpetual Gin Rummy tournament going on for more than a decade. Who’s currently ahead? I’ll never tell!

Have a Conversation

Well-known Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde said, “Ultimately, the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or friendship, is conversation.”

In the everyday business of life, sometimes it’s not easy to keep up with your spouse or significant other. Conversations may be brief. So, let the focus of your next date night be conversation. It doesn’t have to be deep and serious. It can be light and uplifting. To get you started, visit the WinShapeMarriage website and try some of their 240 conversation prompts for couples.

Have a Movie Marathon

My husband is a science fiction buff. Me, I love a good thriller with a lot of plot twists and a surprise ending. Put them together and what do you have? Classic black-and-white science fiction movies from the 1950s. Yes, the plot is a bit primitive, and the acting leaves a lot to be desired, but we always share a good laugh together.

Whether your preference is documentaries, international films, romantic comedies, or mysteries, a single streaming service such as Amazon Prime (about $15 per month) will provide you with countless choices as well as channels like Freevee, which offers a wide variety of television shows and movies for free (includes ads).

Begin a New Hobby or Sport

In 2020, when we were in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, we sought out new things to do to keep us active and entertained. I remembered playing bocce ball as a child in my grandparents’ backyard. So, we bought an affordable set online and the game served as a favorite pastime and today, we play as often as possible.

We’ve also taken up pickleball, a popular alternative to tennis, which is played on a smaller court and doesn’t require the complex overhead serve.

Planning and implementing regular date nights doesn’t have to cost a fortune or involve elaborate plans, it’s simply about spending quality time together. So, invite your sweetheart on a creative affordable date night and relax and enjoy the simplicity.