Many people may think of a date as something extensively planned for and quite expensive. However, by just staying within your budget, you can make many great memories from a not-so-expensive date. Below are some date ideas that you can use when on a budget.

Create artwork together

If you want a more engaging date idea, doing artwork together is a fun and creative option especially for a first date. There are many businesses that provide art classes for a fee or you can put together your own art date from the comfort of your home. All you need is paint or colored pencils along with some type of material to create your artwork on. Don’t be afraid to get creative with materials! There are many cheap options you can pick up from arts and craft stores that are reusable and allow you to enjoy creating art without paying additional money. If possible, you can also buy some inexpensive takeout food and play some great music while you spend time together. During these moments, you can challenge each other on what to make and you will be able to learn about each other’s creativity .

Watch a movie together

Keep your date low-key by swinging by a Redbox and picking out a movie together. Watching a movie at home is a much cheaper option than going out and allows you and your date to pause anytime you like for snacks, bathroom breaks, etc. Consider a movie that neither of you have seen or possibly a movie from your teenage years that you have not seen for a long time. Regardless of your age, watching a movie from within a blanket fort or small tent can bring an extra bit of fun to your date!

Support your local community theatre

Watching a community theatre play can be quite exciting and fun. It also does not require you to spend a lot of money planning for it. You can still dress well for your date and have time to chat and catch up while you drive to the location before the play begins. You can also decide to follow it up with dinner at a local restaurant that maybe neither of you have tried. Besides, you will get more time to engage one another and get the best out of the date.

Explore the town

In many cities, there are bikes or electric scooters you can rent to ride around town. Consider renting a couple and then explore an area of town together. Find a local thrift store and buy each other a funny or cool outfit for just a few bucks. You can learn more about your area while spending time with your date. Be sure to wear the right type of clothing for this type of activity and inform your date as well so they can be prepared.

Play a questions game

If you are just starting to get to know one another, it is important to ask plenty of questions in order to get to that point. If you are shy or not very talkative, be sure to remember some questions you can ask your date so there isn’t a point where there is awkward silence while on your date. There are fairly cheap games you can pick up from general stores or online that are created for couples to learn more about each other. If you don’t want to spend any money, consider doing online personality tests and then compare your results. Another option is to find out your Zodiac signs or even check out your daily horoscope . It can be fun to see how well your zodiacs get along or what your horoscope says for the day.

Visit an art museum

If you are moved by art, you can consider visiting an art museum in your area. However, it is very important to know if your partner also has some interest in art so that they are not bored. If so, you can buy a membership and save big on your visit. For instance, most museums charge roughly $60 for a full year membership. This would be a good option as you will be able to visit a museum for free for a whole year as long as you have paid for the membership fee. However, it would be very cheap to get special events tickets. If you do not pay the annual membership, museum fees are generally affordable and can be an ideal location to take your first date or lover.

Engaging in a creative and easy going environment with your date will relieve the typical stress and pressure that stereotypical dates cause. Doing an activity other than the typical sit, eat and talk setting at a restaurant will provide you a more fun and casual time with your significant other while saving some money.

Author's Bio: 

Katie earned a BA in English from WWU and loves to write. She also adores hiking in redwood forests and photography. She feels happiest around a campfire surrounded by friends and family.