Budget friendly date night ideas

Date nights don’t have to be extravagant or expensive, in fact some of the best dates are those that are out of the norm and on the cheap.

No matter how you and your partner like to spend time together, we’ve gathered up some of our favourite fun date night ideas to help you get a little romantic without breaking the bank.

Picnic

Whip up some of your favourite foods and head down to the park or beach for an afternoon in the sun.

Karaoke

Love to out-sing each other? After heading out for dinner, pop into a karaoke bar for a few hours of hilarious fun – you may even make some new friends.

Take a class

Whether it’s cooking, dance, art or something else you both love, you can find cheap classes at local community centres that both you and your partner will enjoy.

Make your own cooking show

Don’t spend all your money out at a dinner that costs a fortune for tiny portions, jump online and find a recipe you both will love and cook together. Don’t forget the wine.

Treasure hunt

If you have a friend who is particularly creative, ask them to create a treasure hunt for you and your partner. Leave them alone in your house for an hour or two to hide some clues, goodies and dares around your home and prepare for a night of laughter.

DIY backyard movie

Have a nice backyard and some fairy lights? Hang a sheet up over your fence and project a movie onto it for a free night at home. Crafty people have come up with hundreds of ways to create your own projector so jump on YouTube, do some DIY and get a little romantic with some popcorn, blankets, and cocktails within walking distance to your bedroom.

Make it a games night

For a fun night that mirrors every teen movie ever, head down to a carnival or your local arcade for an evening of games. These don’t take your fancy? Try playing mini golf, laser tag, bowling or going ice skating for something a little different.

Wine tasting

Jump on Grabone or TreatMe, purchase a voucher and treat yourselves to an afternoon of lunching and wine tasting.

Go on a day trip

Fuel up the car and go on a trip to see some of the country’s most beautiful spots. Keep it within two hours of your home so you don’t chew through your petrol and pack a picnic to avoid spending too much money on food.

Camping

Turn date night into a weekend by packing up your camping gear and heading to some of the beautiful sites around the country.

Become an artist!

For an adventurous date idea, try out a paint-and-sip experience at Pinot and Picasso. It’s great fun and you’ll get to keep the artwork afterwards too! (Sponsored link)

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What’s the best date you’ve ever been on?

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Written by Steph Graham

The girl you want by your side during any major life event, Steph is a decorating boss and a baking Queen. You’ll usually find her getting tipsy at a bottomless brunch, playing basketball and Insta-stalking the Hemsworth brothers.

Favourite 90s rap song: No Diggity by Blackstreet