The BEST Guide To 50 Fun And Affordable Date Ideas For Teenagers

Finding the most suitable date ideas for teens may feel challenging, especially when you’re low on funds. However, it turns out that there’s plenty of options.

It’s a common misconception that impressing your date requires a hefty budget. In fact, sometimes, you can make an impression without ever stepping outside. Curious? Keep on reading to discover more.

I’m excited to share some fantastic yet affordable date ideas that won’t hurt your budget but promise an amazing date experience!

High school life presents its own challenges, so why not surprise your significant other with delightful date ideas that are sure to impress and guarantee a second date?

Below, you’ll find enjoyable, budget-friendly, and sweet date ideas specifically designed for teenagers looking to enjoy a romantic outing that promises a great time.

See also: 100 Intriguing Questions To Ask Your Date If You Want To Truly Connect With Them

Creative Date Concepts for Teen Couples on a Tight Budget

Try Indoor Rock Climbing

Not ready for the outdoors? No worries! Locate the nearest recreation center where you can tackle a thrilling but safe version of rock climbing, showcasing this distinctive date idea to your partner.

I firmly believe that nothing remarkable occurs within your comfort zone. Embrace the challenges that intimidate you and discover what you both can achieve!

Create a Relationship Time Capsule

I’ve always thought this was a fantastic idea, but never got around to executing it. So why not give it a shot? Gather all your favorite images and meaningful items in a capsule and agree on a date to open it up.

Just imagine the thrill of rediscovering these memories years later. This will be a truly cherished moment as you reminisce about everything that made your bond special.

And keep in mind that no matter how high school unfolds, the memories you’ve created together remain irreplaceable.

Related: 30 Morning Date Ideas To Ignite Romance

Group Date at an Amusement Park

While amusement parks can be a bit costly, I recommend checking out platforms like Groupon to snag some great discounts!

This can greatly reduce your expenses, allowing you to have a fantastic time with friends without going broke. And what could be more enjoyable than spending a fun-filled day with your favorite couple?

Plan an Exciting Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are absolutely fantastic! You can mix things up every time you do one. For instance, they are perfect for places like bookstores, museums, public parks, or anywhere else that might be suitable. So, why not give it a try?

This activity also serves as a wonderful double date concept.

Prepare a full list of the items for your scavenger hunt to ensure you are well-equipped for an evening of unexpected fun (I might be a bit dramatic, but you understand the idea).

Home Karaoke Evening

Don’t fret if you’re unable to visit a bar due to being underage; just set up a thrilling karaoke night at home with your friends. Honestly, I cherish every chance to sing loudly; I simply adore performing.

Moreover, even if you don’t have the singing prowess of a superstar, what does it matter?

It’s not about belting out perfect notes. It’s all about enjoying time with someone dear and sharing laughs over each other’s amusing renditions of “My heart will go on.”

Visit a Carnival

A carnival makes for an amazing date idea for teenagers. Who could say no to a fun-filled day sharing a funnel cake and enjoying multiple rides on the Ferris wheel?

For an added touch of romance, steal a kiss at the pinnacle of the ride and perhaps snap some adorable selfies together?

Picnic BBQ and Frisbee Fun

This is one of my absolute favorite date ideas! Why? Because it combines delicious food, sports, and time with my partner. It’s the perfect trifecta, wouldn’t you agree?

Of course, you’ll want to choose a day that’s warm enough, and if you’re fortunate, sunny too. You might even want to play some music from your smartphone while enjoying the great outdoors while this lovely weather lasts.

Create a backyard cinema experience with a projector

Here’s a fantastic creative idea. Watching a movie in the usual living room can be nice, but taking it outdoors adds a romantic twist.

Set the mood right, perhaps by lighting some candles, scattering cushions, and arranging everything perfectly so that your date is pleasantly surprised upon arrival.

Pro tip: First, ensure your parents approve this plan and are out for a few hours for some uninterrupted enjoyment.

See also: How To Ask For A Second Date: Golden Rules To Keep Things Going

Surprise everyone with a flash mob

This one might just take you by surprise! Engaging in a flash mob is among the exciting date options that will create unforgettable memories.

And you’ll end up with a video of yourselves dancing synchronized with an entire crowd of strangers along with your partner. Look online for inspiration or organize your own flash mob—it’s easier than it seems!

Gather a bunch of friends, family, or colleagues, pick an upbeat song, and find someone to teach the choreography. If you can envision it, you can definitely make it happen.

Organize a night filled with games

This is a budget-friendly idea for teens everywhere. Gathering board games, snacks, lively music, and your best buds is a surefire way to guarantee an entertaining night.

Playing games is simple and almost costs nothing. If you all pitch in for the munchies and drinks, you might not spend over a few bucks.

Experience the thrill of glow-in-the-dark bowling

If you aim to go all in, this option is the best for you. Many bowling alleys provide special event nights in various formats. One of my favorites is the glow-in-the-dark bowling experience.

Investigate if there are any local bowling centers that feature this (possibly under a different title?) and find out the schedule. If it happens to align with your curfew, you won’t want to miss this! Bring your date along and enjoy…**Bowling to a Fantastic New Experience.** This is among the top first date concepts that will leave your date utterly impressed! **Explore a Charming New Local Restaurant.** Why do I cherish this dating suggestion? Let’s break it down: it’s affordable, adorable, and conveniently located, allowing you to chat unobtrusively while enjoying fantastic food that could become your new go-to choice for meals together. What’s not to adore? Sometimes, less is more. While it’s nice to go all out with creative plans, this is a perfect option if you’ve moved beyond the initial date stage. **Head Over to the Arcade.** Enjoy a few laughs with light-hearted arcade matches or try your hand at whack-a-mole and skee ball. If your partner enjoys gaming, ignite that competitive spirit within them with a date night crafted just for their interests! **Cycle to a Picturesque Location.** Isn’t biking just delightful? It serves as a wonderful substitute for driving and is much kinder to your wallet. Here’s my idea: grab your bicycles and venture to a serene and picturesque setting. Cycling is beneficial for your health, eliminates gas expenses, and allows you to soak in beautiful sights throughout the journey. It’s romantic, enjoyable, and a refreshing change from the usual date night. Who knows, you might uncover a new favorite location that becomes your unique spot together. **Stroll Through a Botanical Garden.** This is a creative way to spend an afternoon and truly make the most of your summer!

When was the last time you checked out a botanical garden (if you ever have)? Now’s your opportunity.

Ensure you confirm its operating hours (which shift with the seasons) and delight your date with this creative idea.

Engage with nature, find inspiration, and enhance your knowledge, particularly if you have your own garden to tend to.

Cozy Fire Pit Activities

The thought of a warm evening under the stars around a fire pit is simply delightful! Provided the weather is favorable, don’t miss out on snuggling up with your special someone beside a glowing fire.

Consider asking your parents for assistance in setting everything up (it’s generally quite affordable), pack a blanket, toast some marshmallows, and enjoy heartfelt conversations in an incredibly romantic backdrop.

Adventure at a Water Park

What a fantastic summer outing! Water parks are a perfect way to beat the heat, engage in a variety of thrilling activities, and budget-friendly.

Who can resist water-related fun? It’s an excellent setting for relaxation, making it especially suitable for early dates when navigating awkwardness is essential, unlike a quiet dinner at a restaurant.

Also check out: 6 Things To Think About Before Attempting the Second Date Kiss

Spend Time at an Animal Shelter

What makes this a fantastic date idea? It offers the opportunity to partake in a meaningful and altruistic activity, to walk and engage with adorable animals eager for some affection, all while spending quality time with your partner.

In my opinion, this ranks among the top date suggestions for teens. It’s free, immensely satisfying, and you’re bound to capture fun, adorable memories from the experience.

Have You Tried Sumo Checkers?

Here’s a quirky and entertaining concept for your romantic outing. The objective is to play classic checkers, but with a twist: for every piece you lose, you have to add an extra item of clothing to your outfit!

This could lead to some really humorous moments.

Cooking Session at Your Place or Theirs

For a fun experience, make a trip to the grocery store together, gather all the ingredients you need, and spend the day preparing your meal. Don’t forget to pick up dessert!

Impress them with your culinary skills, and they might just stick around for good (and that’s a good thing).

Gaze at the Stars

Stargazing is an ideal romantic outing for young couples. Bring along a cozy blanket, snacks, drinks, and maybe look up some constellations to showcase your knowledge to your date.

Classic Coffee Date

So why is this an excellent choice for teenage outings?

Well, it’s affordable (which is a big plus), it encourages deep conversations (without distractions), and it allows you to discover new coffee spots in your area.

Enjoying The Simple Pleasure of Window Shopping

Clearly, this won’t cost you anything, yet it can be tons of fun! You’ll explore what each shop provides, and if anything catches your eye, you can purchase it once you’ve saved enough cash.

And extra points if you notice what your significant other enjoys – hello, birthday or holiday present!

Photo Booth Adventure

Drive to several photo booths in your vicinity, spend a little cash, and capture some memorable photos with your partner! A fun-filled day is assured, plus you’ll walk away with a bundle of adorable pictures to reminisce about.

Binge a Bad Movie Together

What’s your top choice for a cringe-worthy movie? Mine has to be the Twilight series. I have to admit, ages ago I was somewhat of a fan (don’t judge, I was just a teenager).

But as I matured, I recognized just how problematic it was on various levels.

Yet, truthfully, I genuinely still enjoy hate-watching it with my significant other, mainly because it’s so entertaining to laugh at all the things I once adored. Do you have a favorite cringe-watch movie? If not, give it a shot!

See also: First Date Questions: 210+ Questions For First Date Success

Racing at the Go-Kart Track!

Fast cars, speed, excitement, thrill… should I continue? Grab your significant other and unleash your go-karting skills. Honestly, I don’t even have to explain how incredibly fun this is.

The only drawback that comes to mind? You may find yourself wanting to go back, again and again.

Take a Trip to the Zoo

Here’s a playful date suggestion! Visit your local zoo and devote the whole day to observing the animals.

Similar to spending time at an animal shelter, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect, snap photos with every cute animal around, and experience something out of the ordinary.

Engage in a laser tag battle

If you haven’t had the chance yet, laser tag is an absolute must-try. Round up your friends, turn it into a group outing, split into teams, and may the best team emerge victorious. (Just be certain that your significant other is on your side).

Chill by a pool (indoors if it’s chilly)

Rather than sticking to a classic Netflix binge, consider stepping outside a bit, taking a dip, enjoying a chat, munching on fries, and connecting with your date. If the weather’s less than pleasant, no worries, an indoor pool will always be a welcome alternative.

Essentially, you can relish this any time of the year! It really doesn’t matter whether it’s winter, summer, or fall. Indoor pools cater to all the water lovers that crave their aquatic experience.

Visit the closest food festival

Have you had the experience of attending a food festival? If not, what’s holding you back? They are, without a doubt, incredible!

You can savor a wide variety of delectable dishes at reasonable prices and discover all sorts of culinary delights beyond your usual meals.

So, check for any upcoming food festivities in your area and plan your next romantic outing around one. Your date will certainly appreciate this original idea.

One thing is certain: You’ll definitely feel satisfied by day’s end.

Enjoy watching a theatrical performance

Why not consider the adult version of a date for once? Check out upcoming shows in your area, learn a bit about them, and propose it as an exciting new plan.

You might just walk away feeling inspired and maybe even start a routine of attending performances more regularly.

Kite flying on the shore

Embrace your youthful spirit, indulge in some ice cream, and let loose as you fly a kite along the beach while sharing infectious laughter. Don’t hesitate to unleash those inner child-like joys; after all, life is too short to ignore them. This experience is filled with delight and tranquility!

Thrills in the snow

Here’s a winter-themed date idea! No age is too mature for enjoying some snowy fun! Craft a snowman, enjoy a tug-of-war in the snow, create a town of snow castles, embark on a sleigh ride, and engage in numerous other delightful winter activities.

Let loose and don’t take life too seriously. When it comes to budget-friendly date ideas, this one ranks very high. To top it all off, you can retreat indoors afterward and cozy up with a warm cup of hot chocolate.

Enjoy mini-golf

It might sound a bit silly, but it’s genuinely a blast! You don’t even need to be a pro or anything like that. The more you embrace the laughter together, the stronger your connection will grow, and the better the memories you’ll create.

Some of my fondest moments with my partner come from times when we laughed uncontrollably at each other’s failed attempts and unexpected adventures.

See also: Need something to do right now? 33 Amazing Ideas to Experiment With

Host a chili cooking contest

I’ve personally tried this, so I can assure you that it’s just as exciting as it sounds.

This is a superb opportunity to escape your routine, enjoy a unique experience, and spend your time wandering around exploring new culinary delights.

(ask a parent for a lift or hop on a bus).

You’ll experience a variety of chilies (trust me, you have no idea how many exist!), engage in meaningful chats with the locals, and all at very affordable rates. Go and check it out yourself.

Create a personal book club

Start a book club for just the two of you. Agree on a time to read each book and set dates for your sessions. Prepare some snacks and beverages, and dive into a thorough discussion.

It’s exciting because you’ll discover how much you genuinely have to share, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to gauge how articulate and opinionated each of you is (which you might already know or might not).

Visit your favorite smoothie place

Do you even have a go-to place? If not, that’s even better! Try out multiple options solely to determine which one you like best and choose it as your favorite smoothie spot once you discover a winner.

This way, you will both have your go-to place, and you’ll know precisely where to head when cravings hit for delicious smoothies.

Paddle boating

I truly hope you reside near a river or a lake because this is an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s peaceful and calming.

Why? Because it’s just the two of you, with no distractions around, allowing you to soak up the tranquility.

Additionally, I am a great admirer of water, so any chance for water activities, I am absolutely in (pun absolutely intended).

Enjoy a complimentary ferry journey

Here’s a way to elevate your canoeing experience (which is fabulous in its own right too, don’t misunderstand me). But if possible, do whatever it takes to enjoy a free ferry ride with your partner.

Sail away together for the day, and forget about everything else. Relish the fresh air, stunning turquoise waters, beautiful scenery, and your wonderful company. If your parents are okay with it, you should be all set.

Explore Thrift Stores

Thrifting is an exciting way to find exquisite items and unique accessories at surprisingly low prices. You can often count on finding discounts as well.

Quick suggestion: Remember to buy an outfit you’ll need to wear for dinner later on!

Check out: How Many Dates Before The Relationship Becomes Official?

Get Artsy Together

Have you dabbled in painting before? If not, you may surprise yourself with your hidden abilities once you try. I used to hesitate about attempting it because I assumed I would be terrible, but to my delight, I found a genuine love for it.

Even if that doesn’t resonate with you, the key is to experiment with different activities, and enjoy playful banter if you both turn out to have no artistic skills. That’s what makes it so much fun!

Collaborate on a Puzzle

Select a challenging jigsaw puzzle and make it your shared mission to complete it. Plan a day to come together and tackle it as a team. It’s an excellent way to enjoy each other’s company during gloomy weather.

This activity serves as a perfect date idea for those who prefer staying indoors. You can have just as much fun in the comfort of your home as you would on a night out.

Enjoy Ice Skating Fun

Another fantastic winter outing you can enjoy is ice skating! Did you know that students may be eligible for great discounts just by asking?

Be sure to seize the opportunity to skate at your local rink and glide around with your special someone.

Have You Tried a Factory Tour?

If you haven’t been to one yet, you ought to check it out. This is a genuine experience you can look up the timelines for workshops nearby and discover more about something that has always piqued your interest.

It’s extremely entertaining and quite distinct from a typical outing, plus, you’ll gain knowledge and feel accomplished afterwards.

An eerie forest adventure

One of the most memorable outings my partner took me on was through the so-called “haunted forest.” It was truly spine-chilling!

We decided to drive through it, but walking (or rather jogging) makes it even more exhilarating.

Relax by the dock and admire the sunset together

You might have noticed that I enjoy thrilling, adventurous date suggestions that are somewhat unconventional. However, I also appreciate the beauty of understated romance.

Sometimes, it’s all about keeping it simple. Take your boyfriend or girlfriend, find a nearby dock, lean into each other, and savor the sunset. It’s these serene moments that remind you how much you cherish being with someone.

Try out an escape room adventure

For some exhilarating fun, head to an escape room! Are you familiar with the concept? Essentially, a group of friends (invite another couple if you want) gets locked in a room, with clues hidden throughout that will help everyone break free.

You typically have around an hour to solve the puzzles, which tests your teamwork. Go ahead and see how you and your date will fare in such unusual situations.

Host a DIY pizza night