Practically Free Date Ideas

Date nights are a rarity around here. #1 because life, #2 because babies, and #3 because money. So when Kelly mentioned sharing 50 practically free date ideas with us I loved the idea and asked her to send it on over!

I don’t know about you, but I’m all about free or practically free, and I do enjoy date nights. 🙂

Please welcome guest blogger Kelly, from Kelly Cox at Home.

Life is busy!  If I was not intentional, days, weeks and months could fly by without my husband and I enjoying a date night.  (This so wouldn’t work for me!)  I’m completely crazy about my husband and my desire is to love and respect him well.

As a couple, we try to consistently spend time together.  Despite busy schedules, home life, church work and more, we think it’s important to have date nights.

I encourage couples to take time out of “life” to enjoy each other.  My husband and I have a blast no matter what we do and sometimes don’t even leave the house!  In other words, we enjoy date nights out and in.  The goal is to just be together regardless of where and how.

I’ve heard lots of excuses from couples why date nights just don’t work for them.  Check out a few of these excuses and my rebuttals below!

Date Night Excuses:

• No child care
• Not enough time
• Too tired
• Can’t afford the date

Date Night Rebuttals:

• Swamp child care with another couple when it comes to date nights. (FREE)
• Your spouse is your number 1 relationship besides God. Be intentional and make it happen.
• Take a quick nap together first.
• Dates can be low-cost or FREE! (Ideas below)

Money is usually the number 1 issue that I hear excuse wise.  I can relate.  However, don’t lose heart because time with your spouse is essential and it is possible.  My husband and I live on a pretty strict budget because we have several financial goals we are working toward.

We typically pick low-cost or free dates to enjoy as a couple.  You can too!

Check out my list of 50 practically free date ideas that you can do with your spouse.  My hope and prayer is that you’ll find several date night ideas that will bless you and your husband with flexibility when it comes to planning time together.

50 Frugal or  Practically Free Date Ideas:

1. Picnic in the park, a field or your backyard
2. Go for a hike
3. Attend free, local events like parades, concerts and festivals
4. Read a book together or your Bible
5. Go for a scenic drive
6. Take turns cooking a meal for each other
7. Go out for coffee
8. Play cards or board games
9. Watch the first movie you saw together
10. Make and then fly a kite together
11. Put a puzzle together
12. Volunteer together
13. Go ice skating or roller skating
14. Watch a movie marathon
15. Do a house project together
16. Visit model homes for decorating ideas
17. Go to the local farmer’s market
18. Have a devotional time together
19. Play 20 questions
20. Appetizer night at home
21. Bowling
22. Strawberry or apple picking
23. Drive around and look at Christmas lights
24. Build a snowman then enjoy hot cocoa snuggled up on the couch
25. Cook a new cuisine together
26. Play Frisbee golf
27. Go for a run or walk
28. Play Truth or Dare
29. Make sushi at home
30. Do something touristy in your hometown
31. Go fishing
32. Sit by a fire pit and roast marshmallows
33. Watch the movie War Room and create a prayer strategy for your home
34. Go to the gym
35. Take a “how to” class as a couple
36. Have a camp out
37. Spend a day at the beach or in the mountains
38. Retrace your first date
39. Plant a garden
40. Attend a sporting event
41. Miniature golf
42. Go swimming
43. Enjoy a day at the lake
44. Have a fondue night at home
45. Visit a historical district
46. Plan a day trip, pack your lunch, don’t make plans and explore
47. Get all dressed up and go our just for dessert and coffee
48. Color, paint or do an art project together
49. Attend a free, church marriage conference
50. Go for a bike ride

Be intentional, carve out time for date nights and enjoy those precious moments together.  Your marriage is worth the effort it takes and you CAN afford time together especially when dates can be practically free!

Kelly is a Christ follower, blessed wife, mom to-be and a lover of all things home.  She blogs over at www.KellyCoxAtHome.com about her journey at home and passion for debt-free living.

She hopes to encourage others in that goal, while sharing tips on how to manage and enjoy all things that make up HOME!  Follow along with Kelly on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.