40 Cheap (and Romantic!) Valentine’s Day Date Ideas for Any Budget
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Forget dinner and a movie — Valentine’s Day is the most romantic holiday of the year, and we're guessing you and your S.O. may want to make date night extra memorable (and step it up from your usual after-school Chipotle outings). Luckily, you don’t have to spend $$$ to come up with a perfect Valentine’s Day idea and create a special night. We’ve rounded up a bunch of affordable Valentine’s Day date ideas that will work with every budget and relationship stage, whether it’s your first or fifth holiday together.
These Valentine’s Day ideas include cozy activities to do at home together, and fun outdoor excursions that will make for the perfect winter date. No matter what you prefer, get ready to impress your S.O. with these fun, affordable options. Here are the best cheap Valentine’s Day ideas that your crush will totally have heart-eyes over.
Airbnb Experiences
Airbnb isn’t just for renting vacation stays. There’s a whole section of the website dedicated to experiences, aka: really fun date ideas. They have everything from drum lessons and sushi rolling to hat-making classes (who even knew that was a thing??) and puppy paddle boarding. Shop genius date ideas at any price range on the Airbnb website.
Pottery Class - Take a Claycation!
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Aquarium
With a student ID, you can get into most aquariums for less than $25. Spend the whole evening learning things together and looking at cute fish. And on the low: dark corners are great spots for a quick make-out sesh (you didn’t hear this from us).
Dance Class
Looking to learn some new moves and have fun with your boo? Then this might be the best bet for you. Most dance studios have new student specials and you can choose between a fun hip-hop class, a romantic salsa class, or anything in between. No matter what, you’re bound to have a good time.
Escape Room
If you’re the ultimate puzzle couple, then this date is perfect! Plus, you can totally make it a group outing by inviting your other couple friends together so you can get out quicker. Make it even harder by having different couples take on various tasks and not allowing others to help them. Either way, it’ll definitely be a great time.
Scavenger Hunt
Have some fun and relive some of your favorite moments together with a cute scavenger hunt. You can even end the night at a fun restaurant, or with a picnic that will make your S.O. feel over the moon.
Bowling
Some bowling alleys have some cute Valentine’s Day packages to make your game extra special. Have some fun as the two of you try to beat each other with some friendly competition. You can even bring some snacks to make it even more sweet.
Movie Marathon
You may binge a series with your crush every once in a while, but have you ever indulged in a mega movie marathon? Head to CVS and stock up on snacks, then grab the coziest blanket you own and choose a theme. Whether it’s scary movies, a Marvel marathon, or rom coms, you’re in for a good night.
Ice Skating
Ice skating isn’t just a holiday activity. It’s the perfect date throughout winter, and a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Grab lots of layers and lace up your skates. It’s time to hit the ice!
Yoga
Break a sweat while you bond in a yoga class together.
Factory Tour
Chances are, one of your favorite products is probably produced within an hour drive from you. Whether it’s the Cape Cod Chip factory, or Ben & Jerry’s, do a little research and find out if there are any factories in your area that provide tours. They’re a fun way to learn more about your favorite snacks — plus, most of them give out a ton of free samples.
Laser Tag
Nothing is more exciting than a little bit of competition. Put your game faces on and grab a laser gun. Have some fun with it and maybe place a bet on the game. Loser pays for dinner seems fair...
Cook Dinner
Why go to a restaurant when you can cook dinner at home? Not only is it so much cheaper, but you two will have a great time laughing and enjoying each other’s company as you make dinner. Plus, it’s practically a scientific fact that food tastes better when you put effort into making it.
Go for a Hike
Weather permitting, head out on a hike for a fun day that will end in some gorgeous views. Bring along a camera and a sweet snack to enjoy when you get to the top.
A Food Tour
Why go to one restaurant when you can go to five! Pick your fave food (like tacos) and hit up all of the best spots in your area, or mix up the dish with each place you go. A food tour is a great alternative to your normal dinner date.
Indoor Picnic
If it’s too chilly to actually go outside, throw down a blanket and have a romantic picnic in your bedroom or living room. Make finger sandwiches and yummy dessert, then pack them up in a basket. If you want a dose of nature, flip on NatGeo and listen to birds chirping. It’s all the fun of an actual picnic, minus the bugs crawling in your food.
Sweet Treat
You and your crush can both pick your favorite desserts and make them together. Or, go out to a restaurant and order only sweets. It’s a totally fun date that will most likely end with chocolate – win win!
Spa Night
This is an amazing date idea that’s totally free. Raid your kitchen for supplies to make DIY face masks, or bring out your nail kit for an at-home mani/pedi. Watch your favorite rom-com and take selfies while you wait for the masks to dry.
Arcade Games
If Stranger Things taught us anything, it’s that the arcade is a great place to fall in love — and don’t trust a baby demogorgon no matter how cute it is, but that’s beside the point. Take your number one to an old-school game center and duel to win each other a V-Day gift.
Netflix Dinner
Order cheeseburgers, donuts, Chinese food, pizza, or whatever your favorite take-out is and try to finish a new mini-series in one night. You’ll spend the evening eating your fave foods and cuddling — basically, a dream come true.
Game Night
Planning a super romantic Valentine’s date can be v stressful, especially if you just started dating. A game night is a low key date that’ll take the pressure off, so break out the Monopoly and get competitive. If your S.O. won’t trade your Park Place for $1,000, try throwing in a massage and see if they’ll take the deal.
Snow Date
Snow can be a major pain when you’re trying to get to school, but it actually makes for a pretty awesome date. If it happens to be snowing on February 14, head outside and channel your inner Elsa. Build a snowman, have a snowball fight, or go sledding. And be sure to warm up with snuggles and lots of hot cocoa.
Ghost Tour
If you and bae are into ~creepy~ stuff, go online and see if a town near you has a walking ghost tour. Most cities have them for cheap and they’re super fun. A guide (usually dressed in a Victorian-era costume) will take you to the spookiest spots in town and tell you scary stories all night long. If you get a little too spooked, just grab on to your S.O. for support.
Paint Together
Even if both of you are terrible at painting, a DIY night would be so much fun. Buy two canvasses and set them up back-to-back. You’ll each paint a picture for each other as your gift — it’ll be really good or hilariously bad. Either way, you’ll have a memorable night and a great souvenir.
Planetarium
There’s nothing more romantic than laying out looking the stars, but in the winter, that’s not completely doable everywhere. Instead, go to a planetarium for a night-time view of the sky — sans the frigid temps.
Burritos with Bae
If you don’t want your little brother interrupting your V-Day date, but don’t have the cash for a ~fancy~ dinner, hit up your fave fast food joint (aka Chipotle). You know the grub will be lit and it can be fun to split some of your fave treats in a low-key environment.
Museum Date
Believe it or not, some museums tend to create special activities around Valentine’s Day to give all the cute couples who visit something new and exciting to do on the special day. Plus, most museums are free or offer a discount to students, so you can definitely use that to your advantage!
Go See a Play
No, you don’t have venture all the way to Broadway to see a musical or play. Snag some tickets to a production in your area, and make a night of supporting the local arts.
Make a Time Capsule
Have you been holding on to momentos from various dates with your S.O.? Or, maybe you have a ton of cute photos but not enough picture frames. Capture your time together and place these items in a sentimental time capsule. You can spend your night looking through cute pics and souvenirs and reminiscing on fun times together. Just make sure you set a time to open it back up, sometime in the future.
Go on a Mini Road Trip
Even if it’s just to the town over or a little ways away, take a small road trip for your Valentine’s Day date. Maybe there’s a cute bookstore, restaurant, café, or gallery you want to check out. Venturing from your usual date spots will make for a memorable night, for sure.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is a perfect, adrenaline-pumping winter indoor activity. Depending on where you go, day passes (with gear included) are typically inexpensive.
Two-Person Book Club
A few weeks before February 14, pick out a book to read together. Once Valentine’s Day arrives, make a date to come together and discuss your thoughts on the characters, plot details, twists, and turns. You could even open this idea up to other couples, to make it a big book club and fun group date on the V-Day.
Make Your Perfect Playlist
Whether you bonded over a shared love of music, or are looking to explore new music genres, curating your perfect shared playlist together is such a cute and fun Valentine’s Day idea. Even if you’re miles away from each other, every time you hit “play,” it’ll feel like your S.O. is sitting right next to you. Another option? Create playlists for each other, mixing in your favorites, their favorites, or songs that make you think of them and certain memories together.
Craft Homemade Gifts
Instead of spending $$$ on elaborate gifts for each other, opt for something homemade. You could make the DIY gifts together, or prep a few days in advance and exchange them over dinner. Need some ideas? You could put together a small scrapbook of your relationship, bake them their favorite treat, decorate picture frames or flower vases, or write them a swoon-worthy love letter (who doesn’t love a homemade Valentine’s Day card?!)
Watch the Sunset (or Sunrise)
Drive out and watch the sunset in the most romantic place you can think of. Bring take out and take in the views, or simply enjoy each other’s company as the sun fades away for the day. Or, if you prefer mornings, head out to catch the sunrise before school or any weekend activities.
Make a Bucket List
These definitely don’t have to be big goals like traveling to Europe or going skydiving. If you prefer, keep it small (and within driving-distance). Is there a fancier restaurant in town that you two want to splurge on one night? Add it to the list. Have you been wanting to try out a paint class? Consider it included. A musician you really want to see in concert together? The list can go on and on.
Attend a Pottery Class
Spend some quality time at a pottery class, where you can commemorate your date night with a beautiful handmade bowl, dish, planter, candle holder, or whatever you wish to create. Local studios might offer Valentine’s Day or date night specials for you two to take part in together. If your S.O. has expressed interest in learning how to make pottery, you could even surprise them with the gift of a multi-week course.
Go for a Scenic Drive or Walk
If you’re looking for something super low-key, head out on a stroll through your neighborhood, town, or local park. This gives you the space to catch up and chat about your day, enjoy each other’s company, and take in some beautiful views. If the temps are too low to spend time outside, hop in the car and drive along a scenic route. You could play your favorite tunes, talk, and even grab a quick bite to eat somewhere.
Plan a Double Date
Double dates are double the fun, and might even take some of the pressure off of Valentine’s Day. Maybe you recently started seeing someone and want to spent time together on the holiday, but want to keep it relatively laidback. Text your bestie and plan a double date with her S.O. and your new boo! Or you might just want to celebrate the day of love with friends. No matter your relationship status, these double date recommendations are perfect Valentine’s Day ideas.
Recreate Your First Date
Go back to the beginning of your relationship with a recreation of your very first date. Whether you ordered slices at the local pizza place or had a cute picnic on the beach, it’s a super sweet and special way to connect with your partner and reflect on your time together. It’s bound to stir up all of the romantic feels.
Walk Down Memory Lane
Speaking of firsts, make your Valentine’s Day a recreation of *all* of them. If possible, stroll down memory lane and visit all of the places where your major relationship milestones happened — your first date, first kiss, where you first said “I love you,” and so on. Seriously, what’s cuter than this idea?
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