50 Inexpensive First Date Ideas

To make a first date successful, it has to be fun and inexpensive. It must be a date that lets you and your potential partner get to know each other and still keep both of you occupied.

As you finally mustered the courage to ask the guy out, now your ultimate problem is this: what should you do on the date? If you need some ideas, we have put together 50 activities that you can choose from. And once you have selected the activity that you want, make sure that you have a matching outfit, too.

Always keep in mind that safety is your priority. This is followed by comfort. And of course, all first dates must happen in public places. And with all these being said, the 50 first date ideas we have on this list fulfill these three necessities.

1. View local comedy shows at the bar or night club

Go to a local club where there is a stand-up comedian. You can save cash watching instead of watching popular big-time comedians. Have some beers. You will have a good laugh and many moments to remember.

2. Cuddle up with Netflix

Watch shows that you and your date like. You pick own movie and you let her pick her movie. Toss a coin to determine which movie to watch first. Do not forget the popcorn.

3. Head out for a hike

Walk in a park together. If both of you are looking for something challenging, hike up a trail together. Make sure to wear the appropriate attire and bring water with you. And of course, do not forget that you should hike in places where there are other hikers. Make sure it is a safe and guarded place.

4. Go to a playground

Just visit the community playground and be kids once again. Play in the swings and the slides and just be silly about it.

5. Go out for a swim

Either you go to the beach or go the nearest pool. Unwind and cool own. This is best done during summer. If there are no pools, rent a room with a hot tub.

6. Visit the farmer's market

Do this on a beautiful Sunday morning. Stroll down avenues where you can see fresh produce. Support your local farmers and buy home grown fruits and vegetables. This is also the best time for you to go organic.

7. Set up a trivia team

Get your friends together and pop those questions. Have fun guessing the right answer and enjoy a night out with your friends.

8. Shop around at a record or music store

Pick the kind of music that both of you will enjoy. You can talk about music, your tastes, what you dislike, and even music from the past that bring out good memories. You can also share your favorites with one another.

9. Hit up some bowling

This is a fun activity that both of you may be terrible at. And that makes it more fun. Select a time of the week when you can get a good deal. Drink some beer and finish a few games.

10. Visit the movie matinee

You can benefit from the cheap tickets and the almost empty theaters. You can expect lesser crowds and cleaner floors. Then have dinner afterwards and discuss what you liked about the show.

11. Experience a planetarium or go to an observatory

Gaze at the stars and marvel at their beauty. You can also go to an observatory and look at the different planets that the telescopes can reach at night. This usually comes at a very affordable entrance fee.

12. Play a round of mini-golf

There must be an indoor sports area near you where you can play this. If not, go find some cheap golf paraphernalia and play outdoors. This is best done over the weekend and in the afternoon.

13. Ride bikes

If both of you can ride, rent a bike and just stroll through town or a State park. Take a break and get some cool refreshments.

14. Hit up a picnic

Prepare the basket and ready the sandwiches. Go to a park and stay there the whole afternoon. You can save a lot and you can wear comfortable clothes in the park.

15. Volunteer clean up

Participate in community drives and help clean your neighborhood. Prepare your bags and your gloves. Pick up dirt and clean up your streets.

16. View a local theater play

Look for schools hosting a play. It can be a local high school or a university. The tickets are cheap and the shows are carefully rehearsed. Enjoy the art and the acting and discuss it. Bring out the critiques in you.

17. Attend free concerts and live music outings

There must be some concert sponsored by a municipality. This is an inexpensive way to watch artists perform live. You can also watch musicals, choral concerts, and piano recitals.

18. Head to a mall, buy some exotic outfits to wear out together

This is fun. Go to a shopping mall especially Halloween. Or go visit a thrift store and shop for some wacky clothing. Wear it while drinking or while doing some other creative activities. Take pictures of both of you and post it in social media.

19. Go out people-watching

Sit on a park and or on a bench inside the mall. Enjoy the sights and talk about people who pass by. Create backstories for each person and have fun with your imaginations.

20. Do some gaming - play video games

You can easily do this in arcade shops. Compete with each other. If one of you owns a console, you can do this at home.

21. Arts and crafting together

Bring out the best of your artistic abilities and make something. You can paint or create sculptures. Go to a hobby shop and look for something that the two of you can take on as a project.

22. Play a basketball game or another sports game

Get sporty and hone your dribbling skills. If you are good with getting sweaty, get those shorts and play one on one against each other. This should bring out a healthy competition between the two of you.

23. Go Kayaking or canoeing

Go to a nearby lake and rent boats or canoes. Do not be worried toppling over. Make sure you are wearing floaters for your safety.

24. Get grocery samples and make a meal out of them

Go to a grocery and get freebies. Out of these things, try to make a meal and eat it. This should bring out the creativity in you.

25. Eat out in the morning, play a game or do a crossword puzzle together

Get your morning coffee in a serene restaurant. Eat your eggs and bacon while both of you are solving a crossword puzzle together. It is a nice way to start the day before you go to your office or school.

26. Check out an animal show

From time to time, there will be dog shows, cat shows, and other shows that the two of you can enjoy. Admission is usually free or inexpensive.

27. Attend a local factory tour

Look for a factory and get to know what is done inside. Be amazed at how beer is made. Or take a look at how soft drinks are made. Tours are often cheap and you usually end up with samples of the company's products.

28. Hit up an arcade

This is a good way to enjoy and just play like kids, collect the tickets and swap them for stuffed toys. This is an experience that you will always remember. It is a great bonding experience as the two of you neutralize enemies together in shooting games.

29. Sing some Karaoke together

There are many family-oriented places where you can rent a room and sing your hearts out. Never mind if you cannot never really sing. Make it fun and show off what you got. You can also drink while singing to remove some inhibitions.

30. Go out to the park and walk your dogs

Though not both of you may have dogs, one should be enough. Take it to the park and walk or jog with it. Chat with each other as you take a break and go back to sweating it out. You may even meet some interesting people.

31. Walk to your date or take a scenic route

This is ideal for those who want to date in nearby destinations. You can walk and get to know each other as you do. You can save on gas and parking fees. You can also walk back home or cab it if you like.

32. Hit up the library or book store

Books are a good way to get to know each other. Each person can discuss why he bought the book or why it is an important choice. You can also pick a book for each other to make it fun.

33. Baking some cookies

Do this together and bake your favorite chocolate chip cookies. Enjoy playing around with flour and wait until you get to enjoy your creations.

34. Donate some volunteer work together

There are many non-profit organizations where you can volunteer. These can be soup kitchens or animal shelters. Spend some time together in these institutions and enjoy doing charity work. Help out in preparing meals or helping poor children.

35. Attend college or high school sports games

There is no need to have a relative playing. The tickets here are more affordable and enjoyable than national or state-wide games. They are also not as packed as national games.

36. The zoo or aquarium

Check out the zoos near you or visit huge aquariums. Marvel at the beauty of animals and marine life.

37. Head out to view live music

There are many venues in your local area that both of you can enjoy. Choose ones that feature local artists. Support them and one day, they might become famous.

38. Watch a game show and play along

Watch a game show together like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Track who wins in the end and let him pay for snacks.

39. Attempt to cook new foods together

Try cooking something that neither of you has done before. This must be experimental and fun. If it turns out bad, just order from fast food and laugh about it.

40. Visit the museum

There are many interesting things to know about your history. Most museums are cheap and you can wander around and gawk at paintings and old technology. Share your interests about history and learn something new.

41. Go out camping, make a fire

Camp at night and make a bon fire. Make s'mores and tell ghost stories. If you have no fire pit, a fire place will be a good alternative.

42. Hit up a coffee house, play a board game

Look for a coffeehouse nearby and bring a board game if they do not have any. Play scrabble together while enjoying your cold drinks.

43. Head out skating

Whether it is rollerblading or ice skating, this will be a fun exercise. Both of you can end up getting hurt so be careful.

44. Play a game of geocache

This is an outdoor activity. Participate in treasure-hunting adventures. If you ever find the treasure, you will be sharing not just money but a relationship.

45. Go out for a drink at your favorite hangout, and their favorite hangout

Go bar hopping. You can spend a few hours at your favorite place and then move on later to his favorite place. You can reach share some memories and get to know more about each other.

46. Go out for a walk - anywhere

Step out and just keep walking. If you think you have gone too far, you can begin heading home.

47. Visit a local flea market

Go and shop for antiques. This should open doors for a second date since both of you need to refurbish the material you bought. Buy old furniture and turn it into a project.

48. Try some frisbee golf

Find one that is near your place and play. Play some holes and sweat it out.

49. Attend an arts, recreational or self-improvement class

Time to learn something new and wear the thinking hat. You can join free classes in anything you want. You can try yoga, cooking classes, DIY, arts, and other home improvement or self-improvement classes. You can continue learning and applying what you have learned together on your succeeding dates.

50. Visit a local fair, carnival or convention

This is a great way to participate in social events, especially if it has a cultural theme. Buy some mementos and take pictures. You can also attend some poetry reading and look at paintings from exhibitions.

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