As a college student who's happily in a relationship, it's not easy trying to come up with cheap date ideas. Eventually, you'll find your significant other and you sitting in your dorm without a clue what to do. As college students, we live by that "I'm a broke college kid." Whether it's true or not, you definitely want to save money while in school. Here are a few ideas that I came up with, and I hope they make your next date night a blast!
1.Board and card games
I personally love playing a good game of UNO or Sorry. It's a great (or maybe horrible) idea for competitive people, but even non competitive people can have so much fun with a simple game of Slap Jack. Pick a favorite game, and just go. I personally love Connect4, Sorry, Monopoly, Headbands, UNO, slap jack, and spoons.
2. Movie
Nothing beats movies. There is no better date night than a movie one, and they don't cost a thing. Either use some of your own or borrow one from the library. You'd be surprised by their selection. If you're a college student, there's also one other great part of this idea. If a classroom is open on date night, go in and use the projector to play your movie. It's super simple and adds a cinema feel.
3. Throw things
This sounds worse than it is. Some of the best dates can very well be wars. Whether it's nerf guns or pillows. It doesn't matter. Just have a war in your room or a lounge. After multiple Connect4 games, my boyfriend and I began throwing Connect4 disks at each other. Then there is always sports. You can toss around a football or kick a soccer ball around. Maybe have a mock game for the date.
4. Food fun
If you live on campus, there's a good chance that you'll use campus money to get in a dining hall for your cheap dinner date. This sounds the least exciting so far, but there is a way to make it much more inviting. Most dining halls have ice cream machines, so start an ice cream contest. Whoever can create the most extravagant ice cream wins. If you don't have an ice cream machine, try other games like the "What am I eating?" where you feed someone something edible while they're eyes are closed and they have to guess.
6. Walk around downtown
Many college campus' have a great downtown that half of the students rarely visit. Personally, BGSU has an awesome downtown that is beautiful to tour. It could be a great place to get other date ideas, grab some dinner, or just explore.
7. Tour campus
No matter how long you've been at college, there is at least one building you have not been in or completely explored. Do that on your date! Some of the buildings are super cool, and are great places to visit or joke about later. It can also be fun to play a game of scavenger hunt or hide and go seek there too.
8. Dance party
Depending on your comfort with your partner, a dance party can be a blast. It doesn't cost anything at all too! Just blast some music, turn out the lights and just dance! It's a great way to just have some goofy fun too.
9. Photo shoot
About every couple has already adopted the "taking photos at every date" thing, but a new idea would be to treat it like a photo shoot. You and your partner can get all gussied up and take hundreds of cute photos together. It'll be silly, romantic, and fill up your memory with such a happy beautiful moment.
10. Make up a game
I know making up a game doesn't sound easy, but it really could be. It could be anything you and your partner want based on whatever interests you have. Maybe it's guess this quote, who's this actor, or anything else that you love!
11. Star gazing
This is a super romantic idea that allows some quality time with your partner in the most beautiful and cliché way possible. As a hopeless romantic, I've already fallen in love with this date idea and enjoyed every moment of it. It's a great way to just spend time with your partner whether you talk, point out constellations, or just lay next to each other. Even that silence is so beautiful under the stars.
12. Picnic
An easy lunch date is a picnic. It's another cliché old romantic idea, but definitely worth considering. You can pack up a basket (or a lunch bag) full of all sorts of lunch goodies. Find a sweet place on campus then just enjoy a good meal with your date. It's a great way to do an original, not the norm food date and it allows you to be more casual with your date as well.
13. Study date
As college students, school work is hefty. It's so easy to get to date night and think, "crap, I have an exam tomorrow." Don't worry about it. You can have a study date with your partner. Maybe quiz each other, help each other with homework or whatever you need to enjoy time with your date and get your academics in line.
14. Build a fort
Ever since childhood, I have loved this. Building a fort is one of the most fun and creative activities. You get to be a child again with your date while creating a cute little hang out spot for movies. It's a great activity to have some fun with, but also enjoy the after effects of too.
