With rising tuition and increasing loans, we find ourselves making more and more sacrifices in many aspects of life just to save money. Luckily, your love life doesn’t have to be one of them! Rather than going out on dates to expensive places, why not go on dates that are just as fun without spending a dime? After all, “the best things in life are free.”
Her Campus is here to help you by suggesting a list of the top most fun, creative, and best of all, free ideas for dates:
Game Night
Challenge your guy in fun competition by having a game night with him. Rather than be that girl who complains about how her boyfriend spends more time playing video games than with her, why don’t you join in with your gamer boyfriend? You’ll be sure to impress your guy by offering to take him down in a game of Call of Duty or Madden NFL. For the sake of variety, you can add other types of games such as classic board games, charades, or question games. And for more flirty entertainment, make teasing bets and prizes for the winner of your games. The quality time you guys will get to spend together playing games you have for free will be much more rewarding than having to pay to have that same amount of fun and entertainment.
Study Date
As studious collegiettes, your books should always come before your boyfriend, but having study dates together is a good compromise of time between the two. Bring your homework, textbooks, and papers to the library or study lounge and get cracking on schoolwork together. Rather than being distractions to each other, make playful incentives to get the work done. Yes, that means the cuddling, kisses, and other flirty activities will have to wait until everything is finished, but all the more motivation, right?
Dorm Movie Night
Rather than spending money to go watch a movie outside in theaters, why not take advantage of the privacy of your own dorm or apartment? You won’t have to pay the rising costs of tickets and concessions, and you get the benefit of cuddle-friendly seclusion together. If you haven’t brought any movies with you to your school, be sure to ask your dorm or college where you can find movies for free. Many provide free movies that students can check out in the library or a dorm resource center. However, if the two of you do feel like you better enjoy the silver screen there are still ways you can see movies for free. You can sign up on websites where they invite you to free or advanced screenings of new movies.
Explore Your College Town
Be spontaneous and go on an unguided adventure to explore your college town. You can walk, bicycle, or take advantage of free campus transportation if possible. The impulsive nature of the date will add excitement and spark to your relationship, especially if your relationship has become a little monotone. You never know what exciting places you might discover. You could find your own special “secret spot” or perhaps what you’ll discover are new things about each other in your chat together whilst on the adventure. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the special moments and wonderful sights you might find along the way!
Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
Take advantage of the free museums and art galleries in your area available to the public and go on a cultured date. Many places offer specific discounted or free passes for students. Enjoy the simple pleasures of hand-holding and experiencing the museum or gallery together. Be inspired, appreciate, and learn. These are some of the best things in life that are even better enjoyed with someone special.
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Volunteer Together
There’s nothing like the feeling of making a positive difference through volunteering for your community or a cause you’re passionate about. The difference you can make and the fun you can have through volunteering is only doubled when done together with your significant other. Most colleges and universities have many opportunities for volunteering. Get in contact with your school’s civic team or ask about opportunities through your resource center. Certain organizations like Habitat for Humanity usually have chapters in many colleges. Look into them and invite your guy to do them with you. It will be a rewarding experience and a way of growing positively in your relationship together. There’s nothing more heart-warming than the act of doing good.
Enjoy Nature Together
You can enjoy the beauty of nature together at no cost just by going outdoors. This is something you can do any season of the year – spring, summer, fall, or winter. Most universities have their own parks or gardens or are at least located to nearby public ones. There, you can take a stroll together have lunch, or even go stargazing. Take advantage of a clear night sky in a secluded, dark area for an unforgettable night of wonderment and romance. Be sure to bundle up and dress appropriately, although cuddling will also help keep the two of you warm. Make wishes, share the deepest corners of your mind, and take pleasure in sharing the phenomenal sights together.
Share a Hobby Together
What interests, activities, or hobbies contributed to making you and your guy click? Why not take on a project together? If you’re both tech geeks, why not try innovating or inventing something together? If you’re both artists, why not collaborate on a new masterpiece? Even if you have seemingly different, unrelated interests, try integrating them together. Say, if your boyfriend enjoys shooting films and you love to write, make a script and he can film it. Teamwork is the name of the game. A date spent creating something together will make both of you feel great, productive, and closer. You’ll both learn from each other and can take pride in your work. After all, two heads are better than one.
Play Sports
If he’s a sports enthusiast, he’ll love this idea. It doesn’t matter which sport it is – play basketball, tennis, soccer, Frisbee, or even throw a ball in a game of leisurely catch. The point is that it’s fun and you’ll both be getting some exercise (and fresh air if you’re outdoors). And really, is there a better excuse to tackle him?
Have a Photo Shoot
Dating the loner artist cutie from class? Want to impress him with your artsy photographer skills? Grab your digital camera (or use Instagram on your phone) and walk around town together, taking pictures along the way. Capture shots of beautiful natural scenery on campus or even each other. Don’t be afraid to be silly. Once you’ve taken the pictures, head back to your dorm and use a free photo editing software (like PicMonkey) to tweak them. You can upload them to a Facebook album of your date or print them off to share together!
Do you have other free date ideas? Leave a comment!