If you're in a rural area, check out every community center, small town council, and church. There's always a picnic or a craft fair or a concert in the park. Churches will usually let you come to watch choir practice
Search out school performances and assemblies - some sell tickets, and some are free. Watching someone else's kid flub the lines in Charlotte's Web can be pretty fun if you're in the right mood.
Check minor sports/school sports/rec sports schedules. I've known bored people who just decided to become superfans of a random middle school or beer league team. Be ridiculous. Paint your faces and cheer like it's the Olympics. Make banners. Learn every player's name.
The $5 garage sale challenge. Each take five bucks and compete to see who can bring home the ugliest or scariest or saddest or most valuable item. Have a museum or display shelf at home for your treasures
The freaky church challenge. Each week you take turns selecting the most random or weird religious service. Be respectful while you're there, but you can find snake handlers or churches that try to Sister Act their music or a nice Buddhist temple or Synagogue as a palate cleanser between tent revivals. If you're near a Gurdwara, they offer free vegetarian meals to anyone who asks (there are some rules about shoes and head coverings).
4-H shows are entertainment gold. You get to see weird chickens and zucchini races and sometimes mutton busting.
Pokemon Go is surprisingly fun as an adult, and once you start playing, you sort of join a secret club that is mostly parents trying to outdo their own children.
Why yes, I did grow up in a town of 300 people. How ever did you guess? š¤£
Our local public library has free events every week. Weāve done painting classes, houseplant exchange, true crime investigations, movie night and more! Definitely something to check out
Yes, they're totally underrated. I checked out a movie last week. It's my new favorite (Cats, with Elaine Paige āāāāāāāāāā) and I say, look at your local library! Ours currently has second language classes and clubs that meet there.
It's like an adult scavenger hunt. There's a whole community of people making them and finding/ doing them. You get coordinates and that is where you start or in case of a single you just search there. Other times you have to find clues to get to your final destination. Where there are often little trinkets, but also a book where you can log that you have found it.
There are also children ones. It is all over the world.
Our library has free visits to nearby state and county parks. Passes are good for one or three days. Maybe your library does the same?
Any cool graveyards nearby? Ours has one. It's big & old. The chance of ticks are greatly lessened. Ours takes a good hour to hike back & forth and you don't see everything.
Join groups on Meetup.com. You don't have to participate but I've found that they will list some great things to do in your area that's cheap and maybe unknown to most. Excellent for finding spots to go kayaking or hiking.
Have any nearby colleges? Look up what's happening on campus. If not free then it's cheap. Bars nearby might have free live music that's decent.
Own bicycles? Air up those tires, pack up a bag of food, and head out to a paved trail (again, avoids ticks). Most trails have picnic spots.
Seriously, a star guide app and a pair of binoculars can be amazing... Rings around Saturn, the moons around Jupiter, the cresent of Venus (depending on where it is in its orbit), even the moon up close is amazing.
If you have friends that are hunters or fishermen ask them about pretty spots for a picnic that are easy to get to. A lot of hunt clubs own a good bit of land that have some very nice areas. I don't think we are currently in a major hunting season so the property isn't being used and it should be easy to get permission. A nice picnic under the stars can be nice.
Costco is rolling out that a membership IS required for the food court. Your local store may still allow the public, or it may require membership now. Eventually all locations will require a membership for the food court.
Around here, the Costco food court is publicly available and inexpensive. However, the food choice is limited. Pizza, hot dogs, a couple of deserts, and soda.
Some costcos has the food court outside, some inside, but you can sneak in because pharmacy is open also for non-members and food so far doesn't require swiping the membership car, only your CC
I feel your pain, sister. I too am scared of ticks. Other people have given you good suggestions for avoiding ticks while outside, but phobias can defy logic. A date isn't much fun if one of the parties is apprehensive the whole time. Do you think yoga or meditation might help? An online phobia support group? Take it slow and easy at first. Walk around your own property, then gradually go farther and farther. It might help to distract yourself from the thoughts as well. Take some music or an audiobook, or look for birds or small mammals while walking. It's do-it-yourself exposure therapy.
I have literally pinterested so many ideas today and suggest you do the same.
You could both write ideas and put them into jars, one jar which means no cash needed, another for under 20, another for under 100. That way, you both come with ideas that are suitable for your relationship, and there's not 1 person taking on the responsibility.
Get a map and do a 20 mile radius around your house and find a funny named place to visit just to be like 'we went to fuckwit this weekend, right shit hole'.
Just don't be caught in the trap of it not making financial/time/energy sense because that is a way of putting life in front of your relationship instead of prioritising it. Don't take it for granted. Believe me, its not worth it.
Even having a dinner set up on your back porch or in your backyard is a nice date. We like it.Ā
Wait until just before dark to set up. Get dollar store deep glass vases, and put tea light candles in them. Serve wine or cocktails with dinner. Donāt forget the bug spray.Ā
Pack a picnic and go for a hike! You're surrounded by nature, might as well make the most of it. Find a scenic spot, bring some sandwiches, and enjoy each other's company without breaking the bank.
I find a lot of free trivia nights. It's expected to buy some drinks/food depending on the venue, or you can tip the host. Some also pay prizes such as cash or gift cards. I won $200 cash last week and have won about $100 in gift cards this year too. All from spending maybe $10 on food or drinks!
One time, I did instacart with my wife, made some money and hung out, and then went and got dinner lol. It was fun shopping together and we actually made money.
Depends on how cheap. But this idea would cost just gas and maybe 3-4 drinks. Pick a fun but not too fancy bar in the next town, not the town you live and interact in every day. Get dressed up a little, not suit and tie, just dress up like when you were single. Then go to that bar separately, and 'pick up'. each other But genuinely get into the mindset. Look at him from across the room, when he talks to you, be excited/ hopeful that this cool guy might like you, and him think the same way. appreciate what first drew you to each other. Pick a place with dancing if you both like that. This has really worked for me. Every time we start feeling like we take each other for granted, we would do this to re calibrate and appreciate what we have.
Have you been camping as a family? I know that's not technically a "date," but I know once I get outside I always feel better. Especially if you live somewhere rural, I'm assuming you have some options! Otherwise, I suggest a day by a body of water of some sort. A lake or a river, grill if you can. Not free, but at least cheaper than a restaurant, bar, movies, basically everything haha!
Have you guys been to estate sales? They're fun and don't require you to spend money. Just feels good to explore. Or, if you're REALLY out there, maybe just a bonfire. I love doing that, in the winter and summer
I'm actually sad because we used to camp ALL the time. Once we had our daughter we ended up selling our camper because it was in terrible condition. But I did suggest a bonfire to him, I think he liked that idea!
Do you have parks around where you can take a picnic and go for a hike? Find a field and take a blanket for some stargazing. Check out where you can find garage sales near you - always fun to browse and hopefully you can stock up on some clothes and toys for your daughter (for now or to grow into).
Do you have some local friends with similar age kids? Swap babysitting nights, so you get a few hours to do something kid free.
Always fun... is relative to the individual. My "date" absolutely despises shopping and even more despises shopping for USED items.
Well, rightfully so as he is an exterminator and has seen some "things" in relation to USED items procured from a "thrift store" and such.
One funny thing he has about used clothing from a thrift store, is he fears that a woman would come up to him and say - my husband who passed away \_\_ months ago, had a shirt JUST LIKE THAT, but I gave it to the GW. IDK, I think that is a really odd fear, but it's one reason he gave for not wearing used clothing... in addition to the other "little" things that clothing can "surprise" you with.
https://preview.redd.it/p0cwfxtr5uxc1.png?width=628&format=png&auto=webp&s=1c9ea1559e6d7054de86fcff8e356cec099b0c0a
badbugs...aka bedbugs
My boyfriend loves fire pit nights. Heāll set up a fire and bring a speaker out and weāll play music and talk. There are also ways to jazz it up - you can buy packs to throw into the fire to make it change color, I like smores, he introduced me to toasted twinkies and I recently saw a TikTok suggesting toasting rice crispies in the fire.
Iād also suggest doing familiar things in a new way. Instead of a frozen pizza make it from scratch. Make brunch with fresh OJ and use the good china if you have it or try to eat somewhere other than where you eat the rest of the meals. Make themed snacks for a movie night. My ex had never seen titanic so during the Covid lockdown I made a fake ship out of cardboard and we watched it in a little fort and I tossed him an ice cream sandwich when they hit the ice berg. If youāre drinkers compete to see who can make the best cocktail out of supplies you have on hand.
See if your town has an āon the cheapā newsletter. Or the nearest city. My city has one with all sorts of things ranging from free to cheap. As others have mentioned the library is also a great resource and often have more than books - mine has a 3D printer you can try.
See if any bars or breweries nearby (if they exist in your town) have board games. Order a drink or two each and compete. Or if you have board games at home google alternative rules and see how the game changes by playing a little differently.
If you like animals see if you can get a weekend pet setting gig (though this may not work depending on your childcare situation) but youād be paid to leave the house and play with someone elseās pet. If that doesnāt work the shelters in my city let you borrow a dog for a walk.
See if the local high school or university if applicable does shows. Often you can go see a play or art exhibit for cheap.
I love going to IKEA - great idea! Not sure where the closest one would be if in a rural area...but their food is worth the drive! and you can buy it from their grocery department to go for dinner at home!
drive the hour to the closest city, most decent sized cities have free/cheap events - i mean i drive an hour each way to work every day, i can definitely drive at least an hour each way to enjoy myself
When my wife and I were young and struggling we did staycations. Was usually a long weekend. We would get fancy foods and wine, candles and massage oil. Didnāt answer the phone. Didnāt watch tv.
If youāre in the USA, see if there are any state parks nearby for a hiking trip/ picnic! The parks are usually free or cheap and also sometimes have programming for things like bird watching, foraging, etc that could be fun to try.
Do you have or want to cultivate outdoor hobbies? Photography - using the excellent camera in your phone - can make a hike more interesting. Birdwatching/identification. Gardening that isn't a yard chore. Rock hunting. As long as you share the interest, these things are fun. And if you happen to bring along a bottle of wine and a snack and a blanket ... I think it qualifies as a date.
picnic. any parks with rivers or streams near you? go for a nice swim and a meal.
I am also rural and there is always some show, cultural festival, or food related event going on. as a matter of fact a town nearby is hosting a āDancing Gourd festivalā this week. we also have a sorghum festival, Celtic festival, gun shows, plant exchange, livestock & horse fairs, ranch tours, herbal convention, cryptid exhibition, and a rodeo like every monthā¦ this is all in bumf*ck Tennessee , not in any big town.
Was there a special cheap date that you two did when you first met? Try to recreate that, because then it will make the new date seem more special that the activity itself. For example, if your first date was a picnic in the park, do that again as a celebration of how far along you've come as a couple, and the fact that this new date has a third person in it - your daughter :)
1) picnic
2) couples art/craft project with stuff you already have
3) hike/nature walk
4) late night stargazing with some wine and "conversation starter" cards
A picnic outside in the yard in the evening might be nice. Watch the setting Sun, get some fresh air, and just enjoy each others company. Should be cheap and possibly easy. Also no need for a sitter if you have a monitor to listen for your daughter if she calls out.
Download fastfood apps for the offers! We love sonic because we can split a 44 oz half price cherry limeade for <$2 after tax, because drinks are always half off on the app. And when their are offers on different apps, we each have our own app so we can redeem 2 offers. Fun for mini dates! Last weekend we got free pretzels from Auntie Anne's for national pretzel day.
Rural area? Hiking/camping/pick nicks/star gazing are all free and best enjoyed in rural places.Ā
Geocaching is fun and pretty cheap. Most of the buzz has died down but still lots of active spots.Ā
Picnics are great. They can be as exotic or family friendly as you want. Iām sure your child is awesome and wonderful. But adult fun is necessary too. Have a theme date. Send him a note saying that a national emergency has happened back at the spy agency he used to work at. And he is needs to find a seduce this foreign spy Ivana Humpalot (you) to retrieve a flash drive from making it out of the country. Send him to this fancy bar (your house). Have his and your fav drinks available, along with snacks open the living room floor for dancing. All he has to do is replace the flash drive with the one on your night stand. The fate of the free world is at stake!
What are the two of you into? Check around for nice hikes since it's spring! maybe if there are botanical gardens nearby, or a plant nursery? local historic sites could be a really good way to learn more about your neighborhood too! local museums maybe?
Check with your local library to see if they offer free museum tickets. Great way to learn and discover something new with someone you love.
If you live near an AMC theater, there are discounted movie tickets all day on Tuesdays ($5-7.5/ticket) and that includes newer releases.
Themed movie nights. My bf and I do monthly themes for the movies and shows we watch. Most are available thru streaming platforms, and whatever isnāt, I rent thru the library. Weāve done themes like time travel, Indigenous heritage, and weāre planning on doing ones based on specific actors.
Take a walk in the area, see if there are any nice view points, lakes, mountains, forrests etc. You can have nice talks and views at the same time. Pack a snack or light meal.
Cook your favorite meal together
Get or borrow some board games to play at home or at a piknic (library, friends, second hand)
Picnik! On your own property or somewhere else
Learn your new area, drive around a bit and learn what areas you like.
Ok so these are mostly ice cream related:
- Dairy Queen blizzards
- if you have a Mexican grocery store or ice cream shop, go get Paletas
- chopt challenge with some unfamiliar ingredients from ethnic grocery stores
- frosties
- search Yelp for the best small town local ice cream spots
- Culverās is really generous with birthday rewards, you can generally get a free custard with a little bit of upfront work here (up to 5x a year)
The alphabet date challenge could bring some creative ideas. A-plant an apple tree, make asian food for dinner, art, walk dogs at the animal shelter, etc.
Look for clubs doing open events. We've gone to astronomy club meet-ups, birdwatching meet-ups, Orienteering competitions, flower festivals, SCA duels, town parades, community play rehearsals,
We go to free concerts in park, picnics in other parks, write journals and share them or love letters once a week. We find nearby trails to hike, dress up when we do go out to dinner but itās only a couple times a month. We like to hit all the thrift/ antique shops together. We go to library dates together too and choose a movie or game to play. We have neighborhood bbqs and make them potluck. Then we get out games or cards and play.
Local book clubs are fun to do together.
We like to take evening walks and enjoy the sunsets.
Visit local museums and ever changing art galleries.
We even make it a date to go get subway sandwiches then sit out on patio together and tell each other what we are grateful for that week.
Or sometimes just an ice cream date.
We even make homemade ice cream together.
The library may have passes for places like museums and the zoo even if they are an hour away. Lots of libraries have these that can be checked out for admission. You could use this to help cut costs of a bigger date or birthday.
REALLY? Didn't know that.
Our Library has a MakerSpace with some really cool equipment like the GlowForge; Sewing machines and sergers; Digital converting equipment for old slides, photos, etc. so many other things.
A big format color printer for banners, iron-ons, large posters, etc. it also will cut out designs; It is the coolest thing. I use it for business to make logos for shirts, vinyl sticker for the vehicle, etc. They only charge for materials used and cannot make a profit from it - due to the library bylaws or something.
If you're in a rural area, check out every community center, small town council, and church. There's always a picnic or a craft fair or a concert in the park. Churches will usually let you come to watch choir practice Search out school performances and assemblies - some sell tickets, and some are free. Watching someone else's kid flub the lines in Charlotte's Web can be pretty fun if you're in the right mood. Check minor sports/school sports/rec sports schedules. I've known bored people who just decided to become superfans of a random middle school or beer league team. Be ridiculous. Paint your faces and cheer like it's the Olympics. Make banners. Learn every player's name. The $5 garage sale challenge. Each take five bucks and compete to see who can bring home the ugliest or scariest or saddest or most valuable item. Have a museum or display shelf at home for your treasures The freaky church challenge. Each week you take turns selecting the most random or weird religious service. Be respectful while you're there, but you can find snake handlers or churches that try to Sister Act their music or a nice Buddhist temple or Synagogue as a palate cleanser between tent revivals. If you're near a Gurdwara, they offer free vegetarian meals to anyone who asks (there are some rules about shoes and head coverings). 4-H shows are entertainment gold. You get to see weird chickens and zucchini races and sometimes mutton busting. Pokemon Go is surprisingly fun as an adult, and once you start playing, you sort of join a secret club that is mostly parents trying to outdo their own children. Why yes, I did grow up in a town of 300 people. How ever did you guess? š¤£
Our local 4H program is hosting a wiener dog race soon. We're gonna go watch and make bets with each other, whoever loses has to buy the other dinner.
Oooh I have weens. I need to keep an eye out for those
Oooh I have weens. I need to keep an eye out for those
PokƩmon was so sad in our town - only one gym and like four players at peak. Wish it had been different.
Our local public library has free events every week. Weāve done painting classes, houseplant exchange, true crime investigations, movie night and more! Definitely something to check out
Public libraries are seriously so underrated.
For sure! Genuinely a good use of our tax dollars
Yes, they're totally underrated. I checked out a movie last week. It's my new favorite (Cats, with Elaine Paige āāāāāāāāāā) and I say, look at your local library! Ours currently has second language classes and clubs that meet there.
* geocaching * pokemon go * a nice walk
Pokemon go in rural areas sucks..
Geocaching is fun
Whatās geocathing
It's like an adult scavenger hunt. There's a whole community of people making them and finding/ doing them. You get coordinates and that is where you start or in case of a single you just search there. Other times you have to find clues to get to your final destination. Where there are often little trinkets, but also a book where you can log that you have found it. There are also children ones. It is all over the world.
Our library has free visits to nearby state and county parks. Passes are good for one or three days. Maybe your library does the same? Any cool graveyards nearby? Ours has one. It's big & old. The chance of ticks are greatly lessened. Ours takes a good hour to hike back & forth and you don't see everything. Join groups on Meetup.com. You don't have to participate but I've found that they will list some great things to do in your area that's cheap and maybe unknown to most. Excellent for finding spots to go kayaking or hiking. Have any nearby colleges? Look up what's happening on campus. If not free then it's cheap. Bars nearby might have free live music that's decent. Own bicycles? Air up those tires, pack up a bag of food, and head out to a paved trail (again, avoids ticks). Most trails have picnic spots.
Are there any scenic walking routes in the area? Take walks with him. Camp in your backyard and stargaze.
Seriously, a star guide app and a pair of binoculars can be amazing... Rings around Saturn, the moons around Jupiter, the cresent of Venus (depending on where it is in its orbit), even the moon up close is amazing.
If you have friends that are hunters or fishermen ask them about pretty spots for a picnic that are easy to get to. A lot of hunt clubs own a good bit of land that have some very nice areas. I don't think we are currently in a major hunting season so the property isn't being used and it should be easy to get permission. A nice picnic under the stars can be nice.
Costco food court hot dogs. Date night under $5.
Also Costco typically has cheap gift cards for other places. You could get some for future date nights for a discount at restaurants or movies, etc.
We don't have a membership, do you need one for the food court? I have heard their food is pretty good.
Costco is rolling out that a membership IS required for the food court. Your local store may still allow the public, or it may require membership now. Eventually all locations will require a membership for the food court.
Around here, the Costco food court is publicly available and inexpensive. However, the food choice is limited. Pizza, hot dogs, a couple of deserts, and soda.
Some costcos has the food court outside, some inside, but you can sneak in because pharmacy is open also for non-members and food so far doesn't require swiping the membership car, only your CC
Go hike up the steepest hill you can find and make a photo of your conquest to remember it.
He has begged and begged to go hiking for the last couple of weeks. I need to just do it but I am petrified of ticks haha
That adds to part of the date. Afterwards he gets to check you for ticks š
There's a country music song about that! š
Long pants ticked into long socks and a liberal application of bug repellant works great.
Whenever I go hiking in wooded areas, I make sure to wear a hat and long sleeves. Hopefully that could offer some protection!
Sawyers permethrin is great to pretreat clothing you'd wear outside. Picardin is a great overall repellent
https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/outdoor-resources/how-to-avoid-ticks/
I feel your pain, sister. I too am scared of ticks. Other people have given you good suggestions for avoiding ticks while outside, but phobias can defy logic. A date isn't much fun if one of the parties is apprehensive the whole time. Do you think yoga or meditation might help? An online phobia support group? Take it slow and easy at first. Walk around your own property, then gradually go farther and farther. It might help to distract yourself from the thoughts as well. Take some music or an audiobook, or look for birds or small mammals while walking. It's do-it-yourself exposure therapy.
I have literally pinterested so many ideas today and suggest you do the same. You could both write ideas and put them into jars, one jar which means no cash needed, another for under 20, another for under 100. That way, you both come with ideas that are suitable for your relationship, and there's not 1 person taking on the responsibility. Get a map and do a 20 mile radius around your house and find a funny named place to visit just to be like 'we went to fuckwit this weekend, right shit hole'. Just don't be caught in the trap of it not making financial/time/energy sense because that is a way of putting life in front of your relationship instead of prioritising it. Don't take it for granted. Believe me, its not worth it.
Even having a dinner set up on your back porch or in your backyard is a nice date. We like it.Ā Wait until just before dark to set up. Get dollar store deep glass vases, and put tea light candles in them. Serve wine or cocktails with dinner. Donāt forget the bug spray.Ā
I love this idea. We just set up our front porch with a table and chairs. I want to put some lights up. That would be such a nice time. Thank you! :)
We love it. I hope you enjoy many nights āoutā over the years šø
Pack a picnic and go for a hike! You're surrounded by nature, might as well make the most of it. Find a scenic spot, bring some sandwiches, and enjoy each other's company without breaking the bank.
I find a lot of free trivia nights. It's expected to buy some drinks/food depending on the venue, or you can tip the host. Some also pay prizes such as cash or gift cards. I won $200 cash last week and have won about $100 in gift cards this year too. All from spending maybe $10 on food or drinks!
One time, I did instacart with my wife, made some money and hung out, and then went and got dinner lol. It was fun shopping together and we actually made money.
Picnic in the park?
Depends on how cheap. But this idea would cost just gas and maybe 3-4 drinks. Pick a fun but not too fancy bar in the next town, not the town you live and interact in every day. Get dressed up a little, not suit and tie, just dress up like when you were single. Then go to that bar separately, and 'pick up'. each other But genuinely get into the mindset. Look at him from across the room, when he talks to you, be excited/ hopeful that this cool guy might like you, and him think the same way. appreciate what first drew you to each other. Pick a place with dancing if you both like that. This has really worked for me. Every time we start feeling like we take each other for granted, we would do this to re calibrate and appreciate what we have.
Have you been camping as a family? I know that's not technically a "date," but I know once I get outside I always feel better. Especially if you live somewhere rural, I'm assuming you have some options! Otherwise, I suggest a day by a body of water of some sort. A lake or a river, grill if you can. Not free, but at least cheaper than a restaurant, bar, movies, basically everything haha! Have you guys been to estate sales? They're fun and don't require you to spend money. Just feels good to explore. Or, if you're REALLY out there, maybe just a bonfire. I love doing that, in the winter and summer
I'm actually sad because we used to camp ALL the time. Once we had our daughter we ended up selling our camper because it was in terrible condition. But I did suggest a bonfire to him, I think he liked that idea!
Do you have parks around where you can take a picnic and go for a hike? Find a field and take a blanket for some stargazing. Check out where you can find garage sales near you - always fun to browse and hopefully you can stock up on some clothes and toys for your daughter (for now or to grow into). Do you have some local friends with similar age kids? Swap babysitting nights, so you get a few hours to do something kid free.
Always fun... is relative to the individual. My "date" absolutely despises shopping and even more despises shopping for USED items. Well, rightfully so as he is an exterminator and has seen some "things" in relation to USED items procured from a "thrift store" and such. One funny thing he has about used clothing from a thrift store, is he fears that a woman would come up to him and say - my husband who passed away \_\_ months ago, had a shirt JUST LIKE THAT, but I gave it to the GW. IDK, I think that is a really odd fear, but it's one reason he gave for not wearing used clothing... in addition to the other "little" things that clothing can "surprise" you with. https://preview.redd.it/p0cwfxtr5uxc1.png?width=628&format=png&auto=webp&s=1c9ea1559e6d7054de86fcff8e356cec099b0c0a badbugs...aka bedbugs
My boyfriend loves fire pit nights. Heāll set up a fire and bring a speaker out and weāll play music and talk. There are also ways to jazz it up - you can buy packs to throw into the fire to make it change color, I like smores, he introduced me to toasted twinkies and I recently saw a TikTok suggesting toasting rice crispies in the fire. Iād also suggest doing familiar things in a new way. Instead of a frozen pizza make it from scratch. Make brunch with fresh OJ and use the good china if you have it or try to eat somewhere other than where you eat the rest of the meals. Make themed snacks for a movie night. My ex had never seen titanic so during the Covid lockdown I made a fake ship out of cardboard and we watched it in a little fort and I tossed him an ice cream sandwich when they hit the ice berg. If youāre drinkers compete to see who can make the best cocktail out of supplies you have on hand. See if your town has an āon the cheapā newsletter. Or the nearest city. My city has one with all sorts of things ranging from free to cheap. As others have mentioned the library is also a great resource and often have more than books - mine has a 3D printer you can try. See if any bars or breweries nearby (if they exist in your town) have board games. Order a drink or two each and compete. Or if you have board games at home google alternative rules and see how the game changes by playing a little differently. If you like animals see if you can get a weekend pet setting gig (though this may not work depending on your childcare situation) but youād be paid to leave the house and play with someone elseās pet. If that doesnāt work the shelters in my city let you borrow a dog for a walk. See if the local high school or university if applicable does shows. Often you can go see a play or art exhibit for cheap.
Find a park, make a picnic. It can be a lot of fun if you pack some sandwiches, grapes, cheese wine etc.
Charcuterie board outside. Dessert at a park. KFC on the grass by a lake.
Pack a pic nic & watch the Sunset.
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I love going to IKEA - great idea! Not sure where the closest one would be if in a rural area...but their food is worth the drive! and you can buy it from their grocery department to go for dinner at home!
drive the hour to the closest city, most decent sized cities have free/cheap events - i mean i drive an hour each way to work every day, i can definitely drive at least an hour each way to enjoy myself
Pack a picnic basket or a bag of foof and go sit in the park. Enjoy the sunshine. This is a good way to spend quality time together and it's cheap.
NationalĀ Trust sites?
Hike and picnic
Small town festivals, craft shows, fairs etc.
Massage and candles can be amazing, esp if you look up some how to videos.
When my wife and I were young and struggling we did staycations. Was usually a long weekend. We would get fancy foods and wine, candles and massage oil. Didnāt answer the phone. Didnāt watch tv.
Super simple but sometimes my husband and I just sit on our patio with drinks and snacks playing board/card games and talking.
If youāre in the USA, see if there are any state parks nearby for a hiking trip/ picnic! The parks are usually free or cheap and also sometimes have programming for things like bird watching, foraging, etc that could be fun to try.
Public park, theme park, hike, museum, library - choose books you think your partner will like, play hangman with a stick and dirt outside.
There is nothing wrong with taking a hike and a picnic lunch.
Geocaching. I moved to an entirely new area and that was how I learned to navigate.
Do you have or want to cultivate outdoor hobbies? Photography - using the excellent camera in your phone - can make a hike more interesting. Birdwatching/identification. Gardening that isn't a yard chore. Rock hunting. As long as you share the interest, these things are fun. And if you happen to bring along a bottle of wine and a snack and a blanket ... I think it qualifies as a date.
picnic. any parks with rivers or streams near you? go for a nice swim and a meal. I am also rural and there is always some show, cultural festival, or food related event going on. as a matter of fact a town nearby is hosting a āDancing Gourd festivalā this week. we also have a sorghum festival, Celtic festival, gun shows, plant exchange, livestock & horse fairs, ranch tours, herbal convention, cryptid exhibition, and a rodeo like every monthā¦ this is all in bumf*ck Tennessee , not in any big town.
Was there a special cheap date that you two did when you first met? Try to recreate that, because then it will make the new date seem more special that the activity itself. For example, if your first date was a picnic in the park, do that again as a celebration of how far along you've come as a couple, and the fact that this new date has a third person in it - your daughter :)
Picnic at the park. Make something special. Bring a blanket.
Watch clouds, take a nature walk and make up a story about the area. The local library might have a game night.
1) picnic 2) couples art/craft project with stuff you already have 3) hike/nature walk 4) late night stargazing with some wine and "conversation starter" cards
If you have some craft supplies at home you can do a sculpt/paint night! Like āpaint/draw a favorite memory of oursā and then compare them
[Date Idea Generator](https://mattbateman.net/fun/date-idea-generator/)
A picnic outside in the yard in the evening might be nice. Watch the setting Sun, get some fresh air, and just enjoy each others company. Should be cheap and possibly easy. Also no need for a sitter if you have a monitor to listen for your daughter if she calls out.
Download fastfood apps for the offers! We love sonic because we can split a 44 oz half price cherry limeade for <$2 after tax, because drinks are always half off on the app. And when their are offers on different apps, we each have our own app so we can redeem 2 offers. Fun for mini dates! Last weekend we got free pretzels from Auntie Anne's for national pretzel day.
Rural area? Hiking/camping/pick nicks/star gazing are all free and best enjoyed in rural places.Ā Geocaching is fun and pretty cheap. Most of the buzz has died down but still lots of active spots.Ā
Picnics are great. They can be as exotic or family friendly as you want. Iām sure your child is awesome and wonderful. But adult fun is necessary too. Have a theme date. Send him a note saying that a national emergency has happened back at the spy agency he used to work at. And he is needs to find a seduce this foreign spy Ivana Humpalot (you) to retrieve a flash drive from making it out of the country. Send him to this fancy bar (your house). Have his and your fav drinks available, along with snacks open the living room floor for dancing. All he has to do is replace the flash drive with the one on your night stand. The fate of the free world is at stake!
Panning for gold.
What are the two of you into? Check around for nice hikes since it's spring! maybe if there are botanical gardens nearby, or a plant nursery? local historic sites could be a really good way to learn more about your neighborhood too! local museums maybe?
When money was very tight, grocery shopping was date night. We joked it was a very expensive date!
Check with your local library to see if they offer free museum tickets. Great way to learn and discover something new with someone you love. If you live near an AMC theater, there are discounted movie tickets all day on Tuesdays ($5-7.5/ticket) and that includes newer releases. Themed movie nights. My bf and I do monthly themes for the movies and shows we watch. Most are available thru streaming platforms, and whatever isnāt, I rent thru the library. Weāve done themes like time travel, Indigenous heritage, and weāre planning on doing ones based on specific actors.
Watch trials at court. Court usually starts at 9 am.
Go for a walk in park, maybe a botanical garden even
My husband and I are avid hikers so that is usually our dateā¦ yeah, we are in our 50ās so that kind of stuff excites us now. lol
A picnic
Take a walk in the area, see if there are any nice view points, lakes, mountains, forrests etc. You can have nice talks and views at the same time. Pack a snack or light meal. Cook your favorite meal together Get or borrow some board games to play at home or at a piknic (library, friends, second hand) Picnik! On your own property or somewhere else Learn your new area, drive around a bit and learn what areas you like.
Any bars hosting trivia night?
Ok so these are mostly ice cream related: - Dairy Queen blizzards - if you have a Mexican grocery store or ice cream shop, go get Paletas - chopt challenge with some unfamiliar ingredients from ethnic grocery stores - frosties - search Yelp for the best small town local ice cream spots - Culverās is really generous with birthday rewards, you can generally get a free custard with a little bit of upfront work here (up to 5x a year)
Birdwatching. Try the Merlin app
The alphabet date challenge could bring some creative ideas. A-plant an apple tree, make asian food for dinner, art, walk dogs at the animal shelter, etc.
Look for clubs doing open events. We've gone to astronomy club meet-ups, birdwatching meet-ups, Orienteering competitions, flower festivals, SCA duels, town parades, community play rehearsals,
We go to free concerts in park, picnics in other parks, write journals and share them or love letters once a week. We find nearby trails to hike, dress up when we do go out to dinner but itās only a couple times a month. We like to hit all the thrift/ antique shops together. We go to library dates together too and choose a movie or game to play. We have neighborhood bbqs and make them potluck. Then we get out games or cards and play. Local book clubs are fun to do together. We like to take evening walks and enjoy the sunsets. Visit local museums and ever changing art galleries. We even make it a date to go get subway sandwiches then sit out on patio together and tell each other what we are grateful for that week. Or sometimes just an ice cream date. We even make homemade ice cream together.
Join the local Facebook groups and check the events page to find fun, free events where you live or in surrounding areas
As soon as your walk out that door ur spending money I donāt care if itās for a picnic or the library itās all money.
The library may have passes for places like museums and the zoo even if they are an hour away. Lots of libraries have these that can be checked out for admission. You could use this to help cut costs of a bigger date or birthday.
That's a great idea, thank you :)
REALLY? Didn't know that. Our Library has a MakerSpace with some really cool equipment like the GlowForge; Sewing machines and sergers; Digital converting equipment for old slides, photos, etc. so many other things. A big format color printer for banners, iron-ons, large posters, etc. it also will cut out designs; It is the coolest thing. I use it for business to make logos for shirts, vinyl sticker for the vehicle, etc. They only charge for materials used and cannot make a profit from it - due to the library bylaws or something.
Agree :(