Date night doesn’t have to break the bank! If you’re planning a romantic get-together with someone special, here are seven budget-friendly ideas.

When you’re in college, networking is almost as important as getting a good education. You never know who you might meet that will completely change the course of your future. It could even be the love of your life!

But if you can’t afford to take them on a date, you’ll be too nervous to ask them out. A lack of money should never be the reason you lose out on true love or simply a fun night out.

Let these seven cheap date ideas help you and your date have a good time on a budget.

1. Plan a Picnic

It’s been a cheesy date for decades for a reason: It works!

Planning a picnic involves putting thought into where you’re going to have it and what you’re going to pack. The more effort you put into it, the more the other person appreciates the date. And since you can’t have a real picnic without at least some effort, it’s almost always a success.

Picnics can be inside or outside and perfect for any weather.

When it’s cold, a blanket in front of a blazing fire is a relaxing choice. On hot days, head to the lake or sit by a pool (even if you have to buy a kiddie inflatable one) to cool down.

Planning for the Picnic Basket: Find out your date’s favourite finger foods and invest in an inexpensive picnic basket. The food can be homemade or store-bought, depending on your cooking comfort level.

Besides your food items, don’t forget to pack:

  • A blanket to sit and eat on (to avoid bugs)
  • Plates and napkins
  • Eating utensils and knives to cut or spread condiments
  • Beverages and cups
  • A small trash bag
  • A Bluetooth speaker

Your picnic can be as casual or romantic as you want it to be and as the environment lets you be. The two biggest picnic destroyers are bad weather and pests. So prepare ahead for both of those, and you’ll have an unforgettable date!

2. Enjoy Nature

Unless you have to pay for admission to a state park, you can’t get much cheaper than exploring nature. Even then, park prices are usually only a few dollars.

What kind of nature is around you? Can you make a short road trip to a forest and trek through a hiking trail?

If you’re both into the outdoors, check with local camping and backpacking groups to see if there are any upcoming events. When you go camping in a group setting, it’s a fun and safe date with a mix of alone time and talking with others.

But if you’re not ready for camping yet, stargazing is still a date that’s survived for thousands of years.

There’s just something about lying in a field or on the hood of a car, staring at the vast sky, that brings peace. You never know what kind of conversation this kind of date might deliver!

3. Have a Game Night

Movie nights are relaxing, but you can’t get to know each other that well when you’re both glued to a TV screen.

Game nights are the perfect opportunity to see how compatible the two of you are. If you’re both uber-competitive, you’ll see each other’s ugly side come out!

Grab a pizza or throw some appetizers in the oven. Then, start a game of:

  • Monopoly
  • Jenga
  • UNO
  • Life

For more date, night board game ideas, check out this article.

4. Volunteer for a Good Cause

Volunteering is an excellent “getting to know you” date because it shows your partner that you care about important things.

Even better, though, it shows you if they are empathetic or not. If helping others is a big deal to you, you don’t want to be with someone who considers it a waste of time.

One thing to note with this type of date:

Many of these types of places require you to fill out forms and background checks. Yes, volunteers are essential, but it’s hard to find a place that takes a last-minute helper.

Examples of places to volunteer include:

  • The community centre near you
  • Libraries
  • Animal shelters
  • National parks
  • Disaster relief organizations
  • Faith organizations

You can also volunteer online together. For example, sites like VolunteerMatch let you choose to read to a senior citizen in a nursing home. Find one of the hundreds of other opportunities to make a difference and make it a date!

5. Explore Local Culture

Since you’re in a college town, there are probably lots of nearby cultural sites.

What you might not realize is that many of these places are free or very inexpensive.

Make the most of your student ID with discounts on:

  • Amtrak trains to visit nearby attractions
  • Local museums that usually are free or discounted for college students
  • Movie theatres like AMC and Cinemark that give student discounts
  • Local zoos with student rates

You’ll find a lot of these places listed at your college resource centre. Check it out and plan a date around the kind of culture you both enjoy.

6. Hit Up Garage Sales

What better place to find a lot of hidden gems for cheap than a garage sale?

Even if you’re not looking for anything in particular, it’s always interesting to see what other people have collected over the years.

If you’re unsure where to start, start with garagesalefinder.com to see what sales are going on in your area.

Most of the time, they’re on the weekends from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. or so. So if your date likes getting up early, this could be fun!

Make a list of addresses within a short distance of each other and walk to each house. Or enjoy the drive together. Make sure you have a little cash on hand just in case you see something you have to have and pack a cooler with snacks and drinks.

7. Support Your Local Sports Teams

As a college student, you should get into school games for free.

This is another chance to see how your date feels about things that are important to you. If you are a “school spirit” person or a big sports fan, this date is a must-do early on.

Check out the school’s sports calendar and see what events are coming up. Then, make a date for the game and ice cream or a slice of pizza afterwards if things go well.

Conclusion

You’re on a college student’s budget, but you don’t have to date like a minimalist.

As you’re wooing your potential true love, use these seven cheap ideas to impress the other person and make the date enjoyable for both of you.

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Adam Marshall is a freelance writer who specializes in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with Varsity House Gainesville to help them with their online marketing.