29 Best Cheap Date Ideas for High School and Adult Couples

Start a small garden together, whether it's herbs in window boxes or flowers in the yard. Planning, planting, and watching things grow creates an ongoing project you can work on together. 

It's satisfying to nurture something as a team, and you'll have fresh herbs or beautiful blooms to show for it.

Share your favorite music with each other by making a collaborative playlist. Pick songs that are meaningful to your relationship or remind you of each other.

You can dance, sing along, or just listen while sharing stories about why each song matters to you. If you're more reserved, explore our Low-Key Date Ideas for Introverts for quieter but equally meaningful date options.

Turn bargain hunting into an adventure! Set a small budget ($5-10 each) and see who can find the most interesting item. You might discover unique treasures, vintage finds, or quirky conversation pieces. Make it fun by creating silly categories for your discoveries.

Become tourists in your own town! Walk through different neighborhoods, discover hidden gems, and take photos together. Stop at local landmarks, peek into shop windows, and maybe grab a cheap street snack to share. It's amazing what you might notice when you slow down to really look around.

Wander through antique shops looking at interesting items from the past. Make up stories about unusual objects, guess what strange gadgets were used for, or find items from the decade your parents were born. It's like a museum visit and treasure hunt combined!

Don't let bad weather ruin your plans! See our Rainy Day Date Ideas for Couples for indoor alternatives.

Plan a short road trip to a nearby town or attraction. Pack snacks, create a fun playlist, and take the scenic route. You don't need to go far - sometimes the journey itself is the best part. Stop at interesting roadside attractions or local diners that catch your eye.

We have Hubby And Wifey Matching Hoodies that can boost your journey to be a more memorable experience. 

Transform your living room into a cozy theater by building a blanket fort, making popcorn, and dimming the lights. Choose a movie you've both been wanting to watch, or take turns picking favorites to share. 

Make it special by creating "movie tickets" and setting up a snack bar with treats from the store (way cheaper than theater prices!).

Many bowling alleys offer special weeknight rates or student discounts. It's a fun, laid-back activity that lets you chat, laugh, and get a little competitive.

Even if you're not great at bowling, the bumpers and gutter balls just add to the fun. Grab some shared fries and make it a proper night out.

Find a spot away from city lights and spread out a blanket under the stars. Download a free stargazing app to help identify constellations, or just make up your own. Pack some hot chocolate in a thermos and bring cozy blankets. It's romantic, peaceful, and totally free!

Looking to stay in? Our Date Night Ideas at Home guide offers more cozy indoor date suggestions.

Pick a trending dance and learn it together. You'll laugh a lot as you both try to master the moves, and it's a great way to get close and be silly together. No pressure to post it - though you might want to save the video as a fun memory!

Take advantage of early-bird or matinee prices at your local theater. Many theaters also offer student discounts or special weekday rates. Going to an actual theater makes the experience feel more special than watching at home, but you can save big by choosing off-peak times.

Add some extra touch to your memories with our Roman Numeral Matching Couple Sweatshirt!

Many arcades still have classic games that only cost a quarter. Set a small budget (like $5 each) and see who can make their coins last longest. Challenge each other to win prizes at the ticket games, or team up to beat the high score on multiplayer games.

Getting spooky? Our Halloween Date Ideas for Couples offers themed date suggestions for the scary season.

Break out the board games for some friendly competition. You can make it more interesting by setting small prizes for the winner or creating house rules. Card games work great too! Add some budget-friendly snacks and you've got a full evening of entertainment.

Split the cost of takeout pizza or tacos (or make them at home to save even more) and find a nice spot in a local park. Bring a blanket, some drinks, and maybe a portable speaker for music.

It's like having your own private restaurant under the sky! You can make it extra fun by each choosing toppings for half the pizza or different taco fillings to share.

Hit up your local skating rink or grab your rollerblades for some active fun together. Many rinks offer student discounts or special rates on certain days.

Even if you're not great at staying upright, helping each other keep balance and sharing a few stumbles can lead to lots of laughs and memorable moments.

See our Embroidered boyfriend and girlfriend matching hoodies collection for a more cute & cozy time together. 

Libraries aren't just for studying! Find a cozy corner and share your favorite books with each other. You can have fun finding the weirdest book titles, looking through old yearbooks, or reading interesting passages to each other. Some libraries even have game rooms or media centers you can use for free.

Choose a cause you both care about and spend time giving back to your community. Whether it's helping at a food bank, cleaning up a park, or assisting at a local event, volunteering together shows you care about making a difference. Plus, it helps you learn how your date handles helping others.

For seasonal inspiration, browse our Couples Daytime Activities guide, perfect for winter dates and Valentine's Day celebrations.

Pick up an affordable puzzle and work on it together. It's a great way to chat while keeping your hands busy, and you get a sense of accomplishment when you finish. Make it more fun by racing to see who can complete their section first, or work as a team to tackle the tricky parts.

Get some basic art supplies and try painting together. You don't need fancy materials - even dollar store watercolors can work! Paint portraits of each other (silly or serious), try to create the same scene, or just express yourselves freely. The results might not be museum-worthy, but they'll be meaningful to you both.

Grab some ice cream cones (or bring pints to share) and head to a local park. You can people-watch, chat about life, or play simple games like "Would You Rather" while enjoying your treats. It's simple but sweet - just like your favorite flavor!

Team up to create an amazing spread without spending much. Each couple can bring different items to share - one brings sandwiches, another brings snacks, someone handles drinks, and maybe someone brings a dessert. 

Pack a few outdoor games like frisbee or cards, spread out your blankets, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon with friends.

Find a cozy local coffee shop with a good atmosphere and reasonable prices. You can chat for hours over just one drink each, maybe splitting a pastry between couples. Many coffee shops have board games available too, making it easy to turn coffee into a fun game night without extra cost.

Grab your bikes and plan a route together that everyone can handle. You might explore local trails, cruise through different neighborhoods, or find a scenic path nearby. Stop for photo ops or rest breaks, and maybe pack some snacks to share. It's active, social, and completely free if you already have bikes!

Pick an area with several food trucks and split up to get different items to share. You can usually get great food for less than a sit-down restaurant, and trying multiple trucks means everyone gets to taste different things. Find a nearby spot to sit and have your own food truck festival!

Choose a trail that matches everyone's fitness level and make a day of it. Share the responsibility of bringing water and trail snacks. Having another couple along makes the hike more social and safer too. Take group photos at scenic spots and encourage each other when the trail gets tough.

Host a game night where each couple brings their favorite board game and some snacks to share. Create a mini tournament with silly prizes (like winner gets to pick the next group activity). The competition between couples can add an extra fun dynamic to regular game night!

If you live near a beach, this is a perfect group activity that costs almost nothing. Split the parking fee if there is one, bring your own drinks and snacks, and share beach gear like umbrellas and speakers. You can play volleyball, build sandcastles, or just relax and chat together.