Cute Date Ideas That Don’t Need a Car or Much Money

No car, not much money, and “want to hang out?” turns into “idk, what do you want to do?” Sound familiar? Good dates don’t need a fancy restaurant. They need something to do together, so there’s always something to talk about.

Here are 40 ideas you can walk, bike or take the bus to. Most are free or under $10.

Best for a first date

First dates are easier when they’re short, in public and have a built-in activity. That way there’s no pressure to fill every silence.

1. Get ice cream and walk around while you eat it.
2. Go to a farmers market and each pick one thing to try.
3. Play mini golf.
4. Browse a bookstore and pick a book for each other.
5. Go to a school game, play or concert together.
6. Visit a pet store or animal shelter that lets you visit the animals.
7. Try a new snack from a bakery or corner store and rate it.
8. Go thrifting with a $5 challenge: find the best outfit for the other person.

Free outdoor dates

9. Have a picnic with snacks from home.
10. Watch the sunset from the best spot in your town.
11. Go on a walk and take photos like you’re tourists in your own town.
12. Ride bikes to somewhere you’ve never been.
13. Stargaze in a backyard with a free stargazing app.
14. Feed the ducks at a local pond (bring peas or oats, not bread).
15. Race each other on the swings at a park, then sit and talk.
16. Shoot hoops, kick a ball around or play frisbee.
17. Do a scavenger hunt you make for each other.
18. Go to a free outdoor movie, concert or festival in your area.

Cheap dates under $10

19. Split a pizza and rank the toppings.
20. Go bowling on a discount day.
21. See a matinee movie (often cheaper than evening shows).
22. Get boba or hot chocolate and walk around downtown.
23. Visit a museum on a free or student-discount day.
24. Go to an arcade with a set budget for each of you.
25. Paint rocks or mugs with supplies from a craft store.
26. Take the bus somewhere random for an afternoon.

At-home dates

Hanging out at someone’s house is easier if a parent knows and is around. That’s normal, and it takes the pressure off.

27. Bake cookies or a cake from scratch.
28. Have a movie night where each of you picks one movie.
29. Make friendship bracelets or matching keychains.
30. Play a two-player video game or board game.
31. Cook a meal together from a recipe neither of you has tried.
32. Do a puzzle with music on.
33. Draw each other in 60 seconds and compare.
34. Make a shared playlist where each of you adds 10 songs.

Rainy-day dates

35. Go to the library and find the weirdest book.
36. Build a blanket fort and watch something inside it.
37. Visit an aquarium, planetarium or indoor garden.
38. Answer fun questions together. Try our This or That game.
39. Have a taste test of chips, candy or sodas.
40. Walk in the rain with one umbrella. Classic for a reason.

Stay safe and keep it chill

• Tell a parent or friend where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
• Meet somewhere public for the first few dates, especially if you met online.
• Have your own way home, like a bus pass, a parent on call or a friend nearby.
• Keep your phone charged.
• You can always leave. If something feels off, that’s enough of a reason.

A good date should feel fun and easy, not stressful. If the person you’re seeing pressures you, gets angry about small things or doesn’t respect your “no”, that’s not okay. See the green flags that actually matter.

Questions people ask