Frugal Date Ideas

Whether you’re in a relationship or casually dating, going out and doing stuff all the time can be expensive. All it takes is a few drinks here, a trip to the cinema there, and a meal in a reasonably nice restaurant and before you know it you’ve blown a hefty chunk of your wages. Well the good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way!

Here are just a few ideas for frugal date ideas so that you can spend quality time with your date without burning a hole in your purse or wallet.

A picnic

Depending on where you are in the world, it may not exactly be picnic weather at the moment, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying some nice sandwiches and the outdoors. Wrap up warm, take a couple of blankets and settle down in the park for a few hours with tons of home made grub.

For couples: Definitely

First date: Definitely

Get lost

Hop on a random bus to a place that neither of you have heard before and get off when you see something interesting that you’d like to explore. Turn your phones off so that you aren’t tempted to use a map until it’s time to go home again. This is obviously a challenge you want to start early in the day so that you have plenty of time to find your way back. Also, avoid Sundays when transport times are likely to be less frequent.

For couples: Definitely

First date: Maybe not

Become Urban Explorers

This is something I’ve always wanted to try, but it also looks kinda scary and is a bit naughty and won’t be for everyone. In fact, if you do this and you get your iPhone nicked, please don’t go telling everyone that you heard about it on my blog. Urban Exploring is basically where you wander around old abandon buildings or derelict ruins just because you’re a curious daredevil looking for adventure. (I’m not encouraging you to trespass as that is very bad and you can get in serious trouble)

This is 100% something that you should only do if you know your date well, as you will be wandering around very quiet places that you’re unfamiliar with. For your own personal safety, please, promise me you won’t agree to do this with a bloke you’ve only just met from Plenty of Fish. It’s also worth noting that even if you’re accompanied by someone you know extremely well and trust, you may encounter shady characters on your adventure. Jesus, I’ve ruined this blog post a little bit, haven’t I?

Anyway, there are plenty of forums where people discuss places that they’ve explored before, so they could be worth a look. 28 Days Later is one of the most popular, though if you’re anything like me and the first thing you thought of when reading those words is the terrifying theme tune from the movie, then you may want to pick something else off this list.

For couples: This one is up to you

First date: Hell. No.

Find hidden treasures

If you’re looking for some adventure, minus the danger, then Geocaching is a much better idea than Urban Exploring. Basically, Geocaching is an activity where you go hunting for an item that someone else has hidden. Take a look at the Geocaching website, and you’ll gain access to a map showing hidden treasures in your area.

You’re not allowed to keep the item once you’ve found it, and instead are encouraged to sign the accompanying log book and put the item back where you found it for someone else.

I searched my address and was pleased to see that there’s loads of Geocaches in my area. One is hidden just a few minutes from where I live! Don’t go telling your mum that you went Geocaching in the woods with your date though. She’ll think that it’s something dodgy.

For couples: Definitely

First date: If this seems like their cup of tea, why not!

Art galleries and museums

I know that not all galleries or museums are free, but there’s quite a few free ones in Manchester where I come from. One of the best things about a date to a gallery or museum is the fact that there’s plenty to talk about, meaning that if you’re on a first date, there’s no awkward silences. You can point at crap paintings and say things like: “How crap is that painting?” And you can point at big naked statues and say: “That’s what I look like, you know”. And if you do have awkward silences, then who cares? You’re supposed to be fairly quiet in those places anyway. So shh!

For couples: Definitely

First date: Definitely

Charity shop/thrift store treasure hunt

Go to a thrift store/charity shop/vintage shop with friends and and take it in turns to dress up as a particular character that the other person has chosen for you. You could also make a list for the other person of things that they need to find. For example:

• Something green
• Something from the eighties
• Something that already has a use, but could be used as something else

I’ve just thought of these off the top of my head and so I know they aren’t very good. If you can think of better, let me know.

For couples: Definitely

First date: If you think that’s their idea of fun

Go on a bike ride

If you don’t have a bike already, there’s no need to skip this one. There are loads of websites where people are giving bikes away for free, and I’ve seen quite a few on Facebook Buy, Sell and Swap groups for about £10 each.

For couples: Definitely

First date:Can your date ride a bike? If yes, then this is perfect.

Graveyard?

A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I went for a wander around a graveyard one afternoon. While some might think that’s depressing, I enjoy reading the headstones and imagining what that person’s life was like. I make up little scenarios in my head for adventures that they had.

For couples: Definitely

First date: Might be considered a bit creepy

Bookshop or library

A visit to a library can actually make a pretty cute date with someone you’ve been with for a while and can share comfortable silences with. Pick books out for each other and spend an afternoon just flicking through random stuff.

For couples: Definitely

First date: You’ll probably fail to impress

Go hiking

Not that much to say here really. Dig out your walking boots and go on an adventure in the mountains or woods.

For couples: Definitely

First date: If you know each other well

Board games

Hey! Don’t knock the board games. You don’t have to play them all the time, but dig a few out of your parents’ attic and you’ve got at least a few hours of fun there. If you no longer own such games, pay your local charity shop a visit. I spotted Uno, Hungry Hippos, Monopoly and Operation in there the other week for just a couple of quid each.

For couples: Definitely

First date: If you think they’re game for a…game, then yes. But don’t blame me if your date is less than impressed by this idea!

Photo credit: Couple on stilts, Creative Commons

Do you have any better thrifty date ideas? If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below 🙂