As parents, finding time for a date night can be tough. Life with kids is wonderful, but it often makes it harder to have quality time alone. Not only is it challenging to carve out time, but it can also be expensive with the cost of sitters and the date itself. Here are some fun and affordable date night ideas for your next outing.
Experts say that having a weekly date night helps couples maintain intimate and lasting relationships. It’s crucial to keep your relationship healthy by spending time together, maybe even bringing back some of the spontaneity from your early dating days.
Since spending time together is important, I’ve compiled some fun date night ideas that are easy on the wallet and don’t require much effort. Some are perfect for staying in, while others involve going out. Try these ideas for your next date night.
Before kids, going on a date was simple. You didn’t need much planning, and it wasn’t as costly since you didn’t need a sitter. It was easy to grab dinner and a movie or enjoy some live music. Life was less demanding, and dates didn’t require much prep work. Spontaneity was effortless!
Now, with kids, dating requires more thought and planning. It feels like a ten-step process, and the cost can be higher. Without the need for a sitter, dates were more affordable. Sometimes, the effort to plan a date adds pressure to make it perfect, often leading to more expensive outings.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth going out without the kids. You just need creative, low-cost ideas that don’t require much work. If staying in is more practical, there are still ways to make it special without repeating the same old routine.
Want to prioritize date nights with your partner, whether weekly or monthly? Start by coming up with creative ideas that don’t break the bank. Often, this means home date nights. You save money and time, and you don’t have to stay out late!
Sometimes, you might be able to leave the house, and you’ll need some fun, inexpensive date night ideas. I’ve included creative ideas for dates outside the house, beyond the typical dinner and a movie. These are especially great if you can swap babysitting with a friend.
These cheap date ideas don’t require much money, and you don’t even have to leave home. Put the kids to bed early and enjoy some time alone together, reconnecting and sharing. There are plenty of fun things to do at home.
As a mom, this is one of the best dates. Being pregnant, nursing, and carrying toddlers is demanding, and every mom could use a good massage. There’s a lot of research about the healing properties of touch and its importance to our nervous system. Unfortunately, a good 60-minute massage can be pricey.
While there are great massage devices for home use, a more romantic option is an at-home massage course. The Melt Massage for Couples course, taught by a husband and wife team, is easy to learn and keeps on giving since you’ll know how to give good massages anytime.
Games are a blast to play together! Break out the board games you can’t play with the kids. Think of games that require attention and skill, like Chess, Mancala, or Battleship. Or take a trip down memory lane with Monopoly, Scrabble, Yahtzee, or Life.
Try a new game like Ticket to Ride or Forbidden Island. Or have a trivia night at home and test each other’s knowledge. You’ll have some laughs and might even learn new strategies!
Have a fire pit in your backyard? It’s a fun way to enjoy a date night at home. Make s’mores, drink wine, talk, and stargaze. Twinkling lights aren’t just for Christmas! Hang some strands or make homemade tiki torches for a romantic backyard atmosphere.
Do you and your partner enjoy watching documentaries? This can spark a good conversation about a controversial topic. There are many great documentaries on Netflix or Amazon to stream.
Find a topic you’re both interested in and pick a show. Or choose something you don’t know much about and want to learn more about. Then, spend time discussing it afterward, sharing thoughts and observations.
Sitting on the couch tonight? Try one of these free online personality tests, either for fun or to learn something about each other. It’s a unique date idea, and you might discover things about your spouse you never knew, which is always enlightening and fun!
It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s relaxing and cheap! Spend time on the couch watching a show together. Love to laugh? Watch a comedy! Interested in drama or mystery? Find something suspenseful. Ask friends for recommendations to find new shows to try.
You can even make a homemade charcuterie board, churn ice cream, or pop popcorn while you relax together.
Feed the kids early, then cook together after they’re in bed. Try a new recipe or take an online cooking class. It’s a great chance to try new cuisines your kids might not enjoy. If you love wine, pair this idea with a nice glass as you cook.
Going out to an ethnic restaurant can be tough with little ones. Plan a fun date themed around your favorite ethnic foods to enjoy at home once the kids are in bed.
Make your own sushi and eat on the floor. Make healthy Mexican food and watch a movie in Spanish, or eat fondue by candlelight. Or do a combination, serving a different ethnic group for each course. Set the mood with music and decorations to make it fun!
Feel awkward staring into each other’s eyes? Painting a portrait is a perfect excuse. Reconnect in an unusual way by reviving or learning a new skill. Lots of laughs are guaranteed! It’s okay to have fun with it, but I also recommend an online class from Udemy if you want to learn new skills.
Seriously, all parents know it’s harder than it sounds! Once the kids are in bed, choose to de-stress by ignoring everything else that needs to be done. Ignore electronics, too—hide them if you have to!
Dim the lights, light beeswax candles, turn on your favorite relaxing playlist, and just hang out together. Talk, laugh, cuddle, explore each other—just like the old days.
Have a friend to swap childcare with or family in town? Or a babysitter your kids love? These creative date night ideas include going out, but most don’t cost much.
Love nature? Go for a hike, kayak, or paddleboard. Hop on bikes and take a spin. Spending time outdoors and disconnected from technology is a great way to reconnect. Look up local parks and try a new spot.
Exercise can be fun as a couple! Pick a new sport to learn: tennis, pickleball, basketball, or swimming. For an active date, play mini-golf or laser tag, try axe throwing, take a dance class, enjoy bike riding or canoeing, or go horseback riding. These are great times to talk and develop a new hobby or skill.
Typically, dinner is the date meal, but why not try something different? Breakfast is healthier and cheaper. Head to a diner or local restaurant for brunch, and reserve the rest of the day for couple time. It’s also easier to get babysitters on a Saturday morning or set up a playdate at a friend’s house.
This is a fun way to share experiences instead of gifts for birthdays or holidays. It’s fun to get out of your comfort zone with an adventurous date. Visit an indoor rock climbing gym, go kayaking, race go-karts, try ice skating or roller skating, visit an escape room, or if you’re brave, go to a karaoke bar and sing your heart out!
This isn’t for everyone, but it promises to be a bonding experience and is healthy too. Always fun as a family, but if you can sneak away, go camping as a couple. The alone time around the campfire lets you catch up and stargaze. The potential for unforeseen circumstances makes it an adventure.
This is a great way to get closer as a couple. Focus on a cause you both believe in and volunteer together. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, raise money for a cause, or pick a service project at your church. It might make you grateful for what you have, and you’ll have quality time with your love! Another advantage—spreading love doesn’t cost a thing.
We often forget about local attractions. Make a bucket list of things to do in your area and act like a tourist. Visit a drive-in if your town has one. Tour the art gallery or local museum. Find an arboretum or botanical garden and walk around.
Browse a local bookstore together, read excerpts from favorite books, then chat over coffee. If it’s in season, visit an orchard or pick-your-own farm, or tour a local brewery or vineyard for a wine tasting. Check out the local amusement park if you’re feeling adventurous!
Want to travel back in time? Relive your first date by visiting your first date spot if possible. If it’s in another city or no longer open, find something similar and talk about your memories. Share what you felt when you first met. Discuss how you’ve grown and your hopes and dreams for the future.
A date with another benefit—healthy food! Check out local farmers’ markets for fresh foods. Walk the aisles together, find new things to make, and explore local farmers and ranchers. Sample food from food trucks before heading home with your bounty.
Another fun way to explore your city is with a scavenger hunt. There are many online options for inexpensive scavenger hunts in various cities. Don’t have one in your city? Create a DIY one! When you’re done, visit a local food truck for lunch or dinner to finish your date.
Making time for each other can be more challenging than it should be, especially with kids. Make your relationship a priority. Brainstorm new date ideas and make them happen—no need to wait for Valentine’s Day to spend time together!
What was your best or worst date ever? Would you try any of the date ideas above?
