Looking for free date night ideas that you’ll actually love doing? Here are 52 completely free date ideas that cost you a penny!
There’s no need to spend a lot of money on dates or worry about impressing your significant other. Instead, focus on having fun and spending time together.
41. Go on a picnic
Pack up some snacks and head to a nearby park for a romantic picnic lunch. Don’t forget a blanket to sit on and maybe even some candles or flowers to set the mood. This is one of the most popular free date ideas for a reason.
There are so many different types of picnics! You could do a traditional picnic with sandwiches and drinks, or get a little fancier with some charcuterie and cheese. You could even have a dessert picnic with an assortment of sweet treats. Browse Pinterest for ideas and set a cool aesthetic to make this free date even more interesting.
Some of our favorite picnic aesthetics include:
- Garden picnic
- Wine and cheese picnic
- Charcuterie picnic
- Dessert picnic
- European summer vibes
- Cozy Vermont vibes fall/winter picnic
This is one of the best free dates for established couples (because who doesn’t love a picnic), but it’s also a great first date idea that’s super affordable and fun!
Related: 250+ Perfect First Date Questions To Get To Know Your Date
40. Make homemade pizzas
Looking for unique but easy free date ideas? Making pizza from scratch is a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to spend some time together in the kitchen.
If you’ve never made pizza before, don’t worry! There are plenty of easy recipes online that even beginner cooks can follow.
And if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can even make your own dough from scratch.
39. Stargaze in the backyard
If you have a clear night, stargazing is a great way to spend some time together and is one of our favorite low-key free dates. It’s also a great way to relax and appreciate the beauty of the night sky.
If you’re not sure what to look for, there are plenty of apps and websites that can help you find constellations and other interesting objects in the sky.
38. Find free museum nights
Many museums offer free or discounted admission on certain nights of the week. This is a great way to explore your local museums and maybe even learn something new.
Check your local museum’s website to see if they have any upcoming free nights.
37. Play tourist
If you live in a city, pretend like you’re tourists for the day and walk around downtown, checking out all the sights. This is especially fun if you’ve never really taken the time to explore your own city.
You could start with breakfast at a cute cafe, then walk around and people-watch, stopping to get coffee or an ice cream cone. Make sure to take plenty of pictures! Then, find a spot for lunch before doing some shopping or window shopping.
If you don’t live in a city, there are still plenty of touristy things you can do! You could go on a scenic drive and stop at different landmarks along the way. Or, visit a nearby town or city that you’ve never been to before. This is one of those free date ideas that you can do a little different every time.
36. Have a game night
Whether you play card games, video games or board games, spending a night in playing games is always a blast. And it’s even more fun when there’s competition involved.
You could make things more interesting by making it a betting game. For example, if you’re playing Monopoly, the loser has to do whatever the winner wants for the rest of the night.
Some of our favorite games to play as a couple are:
-Card games: spoons, gin rummy, war
-Video games: Mario Party, Rock Band, Dance Dance Revolution
-Board games: Monopoly, Clue, Catan
Make sure to rack and stack your points throughout the night to make it more fun!
35. Go for a walk
Sometimes the simplest free dates are the best. Just put on your walking shoes and go for a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood or in a nearby park. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even go for a hike.
This is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while spending time together. And if you bring along a camera, you can take some scenic couple’s pictures.
34. Visit a farmer’s market
Most farmer’s markets are only open on certain days, so this is the perfect place to go for a weekend date. Plus, it’s free! Browse all the stalls, do some people watching and grab some lunch to go.
You can also buy some fresh ingredients to cook dinner with later. This is a great way to support local businesses and get some healthy food at the same time.
33. Window shopping
If you’re not in the mood to spend any money, go window shopping instead. It can be just as fun (and sometimes even more so) to look at all the pretty things without buying anything. You can also make a game out of it and see who can find the most interesting thing in each store.
This is one of our favorite free dates because we love checking out the different displays and spotting trends.
32. Play video games
If you’re both into gaming, spend some time playing your favorite video games side by side. This is one of those free date ideas that are a great way to bond and have some fun competition at the same time.
Even if you’re not a gamer, find a fun story game and enjoy the night together!
31. Head to a thrift store
Thrift store shopping is always a fun (and cheap) date idea. You never know what you’ll find, and it’s a great way to spend some time together.
It’s a ton of fun to browse in a thrift or antique store, even if you don’t buy anything! We love checking out old furniture.
30. Browse at a bookstore
Who doesn’t love a good bookstore? There are so many things to look at, and it’s the perfect place to find a new book for each other.
You can also have a lot of fun just browsing and seeing what kinds of books your date is interested in.
29. Go sledding
If you’re lucky enough to have snow where you live, take advantage of it! Sledding is a blast, and it’s even more fun with someone you love. Plus, it’s completely free!
Don’t forget to pack some hot chocolate to warm up afterward. This is one of the best free date ideas during the winter for sure! It’s just so much fun to get active and cozy up afterwards.
28. Do a tarot card reading at home
This is a fun (and free) way to spend some time together and get a little bit of insight into your relationship. You can find tarot decks online or at many metaphysical stores.
If you’re new to tarot cards, I recommend starting with the Rider-Waite deck. My fiance is definitely not into many spiritual things and even he had tons of fun doing tarot readings!
27. Go hiking
Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and spend time together in nature. If you live near mountains or forests, take advantage of it! Choose an easy hike if you’re not super athletic and make sure to pack some snacks and water.
26. Take a cooking class together
If you’re both foodies, then taking a cooking class together is the perfect date idea. Not only will you learn some new skills, but you’ll also get to spend some quality time together.
There are plenty of different classes to choose from, so you can pick something that interests you both. Here are a few ideas:
– Pizza making
– Cake decorating
– French cooking
– sushi making
– Thai cooking
Plus, you can find virtually all of these cooking classes right on YouTube, so you won’t have to buy anything except the ingredients.
25. Play trivia
Looking for free date ideas that test the mind? Give trivia a try!
You can find trivia nights at many bars or you can even make your own at home. This is a great way to test your knowledge and have some fun competition. This is one of our favorite at-home trivia games.
Make sure to come up with a fun prize for the winner!
24. Attend a concert in the park
During the summer, many cities have free concerts in the park. This is a great way to enjoy some live music and spend time together.
Check your local paper or city website to see if there are any concerts happening near you.
23. Play pickup basketball
Playing sports is a great way to get some exercise and have some fun competition. If you’re into basketball, find a local park or court and see if you can get a game going.
You don’t need to be super athletic to play pickup basketball, so don’t be discouraged if you’re not the best! I’m literally terrible at sports and we still have a blast playing together.
22. Have a board game marathon
If you’re tired of watching TV, have a board game marathon instead. This is a great way to spend some time together and bond over your shared love of competition.
Some of our favorites include Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate.
21. Watch a new movie together
Looking for free date ideas that are super low-key? Staying in and watching a movie is always one of our favorite free dates and is a classic go-to. But instead of just watching any old movie, try to find one that neither of you have seen before or try a completely new genre.
This way, you can watch it together and then discuss it afterward. You might be surprised by how much you have to talk about!
20. Check out a new local neighborhood
Wandering around a new neighborhood is a great way to explore your city and maybe even find some new places to eat or shop.
It’s also a great way to get some exercise and fresh air. And if you’re lucky, you might even stumble upon a cute little cafe or park that you didn’t know existed.
19. Go to an open house
If you’re into real estate or just like looking at pretty houses, going to an open house can be a lot of fun. You never know what kind of incredible homes you’ll find, and it’s always fun to dream about what you would do with the space.
18. Ask questions to learn more about each other
If you’re running out of things to talk about, ask each other some questions to learn more about one another. This is a great way to get to know someone on a deeper level and maybe even learn something new.
17. Give each other massages
Giving and receiving massages is a great way to relax and connect with your partner. It’s also a great way to show your love and appreciation for one another.
If you’re not sure how to give a massage, there are plenty of tutorials online. And if you don’t have any massage oil, coconut oil works great!
16. Find free movies in the park
During the summer, many cities have free movies in the park. This is a great way to enjoy a classic film together and spend time outdoors.
Check your local paper or city website to see if there are any movies playing near you.
15. Go to a local art show
Many cities have local art shows, which are usually free to attend. This is a great way to support your local artists and maybe even find some new pieces for your home.
You might be surprised by how much you enjoy looking at art together and it can be a fun way to bond over your shared taste.
14. Play strip chess
Chess is a classic game, but it can be even more fun when you add a little bit of stakes.
To play strip chess, simply remove an article of clothing for each piece that gets captured.
This is a great way to add a little bit of spice to your game night.
13. Go ghost hunting
If you’re into the paranormal, going ghost hunting can be a lot of fun. You might even find some real ghosts!
There are plenty of resources online that can help you get started, and many cities have ghost tours that you can take. You can also create your own ghost tour with a bit of research! Don’t forget the EMF reader to test for energy disturbances.
12. Binge-watch a reality show together
If you’re looking for a guilty pleasure, binge-watching a reality show is a great way to spend some time together.
You can bond over your shared love of drama, and you might even learn something new about your partner. Just make sure you have plenty of snacks – this is one of the free dates where you need them!
11. Check out a new town in your area
If you live in a big city, there are probably a lot of neighboring towns that you haven’t explored yet. This is a great way to spend an afternoon together and maybe even find some new favorite places.
10. Visit a local farm
Many farms offer tours and events that are open to the public. This is a great way to learn about where your food comes from and maybe even meet some new animals.
You might be surprised by how much fun you have on a farm, and it’s a great way to support your local farmers.
Even if there aren’t any local events, it’s always fun to check out the local farm animals! You never know: you might make it a weekly ritual.
9. Check out local garage sales
If you’re a fan of bargain hunting, garage sales are a great way to spend some time together. You never know what you might find, and it’s a great way to get to know your community.
Plus, it’s always fun to see what people are getting rid of!
8. Host a themed dinner night
If you’re looking for a fun way to spend an evening together, why not host a themed dinner party?
You can choose any theme you like, and it’s a great way to show off your cooking skills. Plus, it’s always more fun to eat dinner when there’s a bit of excitement involved.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
– Italian night
– Mexican fiesta
– Sushi-making party
– Tapas night
– Curry night
This is one of the best free dates to do with just the two of you or as a double date idea.
7. Take an online quiz about each other
This is a fun way to learn more about each other and have a good laugh at the same time.
You can find online quizzes on just about any topic, so there’s sure to be one that’s perfect for you and your partner. Here are a few to get you started:
– The Love Language Test
– The 5 Love Languages Quiz
– The Relationship Type Test
– The Myers-Briggs Compatibility Test
There are also “riskier” quiz options that are fun if you’re in the mood.
This is one of our favorite free date ideas when we’re having a low-key night in but want to get our minds working!
6. Play never have I ever
This is a classic party game that’s perfect for couples. And it’s lots of fun to play with even just two people, making for one of the easiest free dates!
To play, each person takes turns making statements about things they’ve never done. If the other person has done it, they take a drink.
5. Make s’mores over the stove
There’s no need for a campfire to make delicious s’mores. Just fire up the stove and get cooking.
You’ll need graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. Toast the marshmallows over the flame of the stove, then sandwich them between two graham crackers with a piece of chocolate.
This is one of the best free date ideas if you have a backyard/patio idea. Don’t forget the bug spray!
4. Do some DIY projects together
Working on a project together is a great way to spend some quality time together. Plus, it’s a fun way to show off your creative side.
There are plenty of easy DIY projects you can do, even if you’re not particularly crafty. You can make fun, decorative items for your house, scrapbook, or do a project outside. This is one of our favorite free date ideas because you’ll have a lot of fun together while also doing something useful!
3. Make homemade ice cream
Making ice cream is a fun and easy project that you can do together. Plus, it’s a great way to treat yourself!
You’ll need an ice cream maker, which you can find online or at most grocery stores. However, you can also find some recipes without an ice cream maker if you don’t want to spend the cash. Simply follow the instructions to make your favorite flavor of ice cream – it’s way easier than it sounds. Top it off with some sprinkles or chocolate sauce, and you’ve got yourself a delicious treat.
If you really want to go get ice cream and don’t mind spending a few bucks then this can also be one of the best free date ideas to get out and about during the summer.
2. Ride your bikes around town
This is a great way to explore your town or city and get some exercise at the same time. It’s one of our favorite active free dates! See how many different landmarks or sights you can find, and make sure to take plenty of pictures. You can even turn it into a bit of a competition to see who can find the most interesting things.
1. Puzzles
Puzzles may not seem like one of the best free date ideas but it’s actually really fun to work on a puzzle together. You can find puzzles with different levels of difficulty, so you can choose one that’s just right for you and your partner. If you want to make it more challenging, try timing yourselves to see how fast you can finish the puzzle.