For the young adults over the age of 18 but not legally 21, this post is for you. For the parents who are looking for some fresh, fun, and totally cool date idea activities for their adolescent teens (that aren’t crazy expensive) – this post is also for you. Young adult couples deserve cool, fun and memorable date ideas, too!
I was 16,17, 18, 19 and 20 once – it wasn’t always easy to find things to do that were equally fun, cutsy, and romantic (with my then beau or crush at the time) while also having the approval of my parents. I had a curfew, so late nights out weren’t always a go, and back then dates during the day just didn’t have the same appeal.
Hopefully that has changed since the early 2000’s, because day dates can still be totally cool, fun and romantic!
I was also once a broke college student with limited ideas that kept my dating life and relationships, at the time, lively and fun without being super outlandish. This might also be your reality, too, and you’re looking to branch out from the old norm of Netflix in your dorm room.
And for parents (I didn’t forget you!) with teens who are itching for more freedom through dating experiences, it can be tough to find a balance of activities that works for you and them.
Nonetheless, date ideas are about fun life experiences that are still safe and fun without breaking the bank (or curfew). So I came up with – hopefully – a pretty unique list of *totally cool* date ideas for teens and young adult couples.
15+ Inexpensive but totally cool date ideas for young adult couples
Bowling
Going to an arcade
Movies (movies on the lawn are a movie-alternative to theaters)
Dinner theater shows (research these in your area)
Trivia night (these are perfect for group dates, too)
Art walk (these are typically seasonal and/or weekend events)
Have a pizza and board game night
Local gardens (many of these have nice areas to walk, have a picnic, sight see, etc.)
Painting class (non-alcoholic ones, of course)
Live music at a cafe (with an age-appropriate band and music)
Go to an improv comedy show (that are young adult-friendly)
Go to a you-pick farm (research these in your area)
Have a “game day” at your beach or local park (you’ll need your choice of lawn games, such as ladderball, bocce ball, corn hole, etc.)
Check out your local zoo or an aquarium
[Related Read: 20+FREE and FUN date ideas that aren’t *cheap*]
Go on a Geocache hunt
Do a simple craft together (like paint by numbers,
Take a bike ride to get ice cream
Go on a hike
Rent a kayak, paddleboards or canoe
Do an Escape Room
Mini golf (there’s indoor glow mini golf for hot days, too)
Spend the day at the beach
Walk the pier at sunset
Go fishing
Throw a DIY, make-your-own sundae party (includes shopping for all the items together)
[Related Read: The best outdoor date ideas for couples who love nature and being outside]
Step outside the box by volunteering together (i.e., clean up trash, walk dogs at your local shelter, etc.)
DIY “I Spy” and pick a place of your choosing (i.e., make it nature, city-themed, etc.)
Go tubing down a river
Check our your local springs/hot springs
Take a scenic boat tour
Go to a concert
Have a bonfire (roast some marshmallows, read short stories and listen to music)
Visit your local or county fair (stay on top of your area that throw these kinds of events throughout the year)
Go to a flea market
Hang out by the pool (whether you have your own or your community pool)
Walk around the farmer’s market (with the incentive of treats and knick-knacks)
Projector movie night (this requires buying a movie projector, but then you can essentially have a movie night anywhere!)
DIY homecoming or prom night (pick a location, get dressed up, plan a meal, bring the music and dance the night away)
Go rock climbing (preferably indoors and supervised)
Restaurant hop or create-your-own-tapas (pick a few different restaurants of different cuisines and only buy apps, or desserts)
Watch the sunset (on the beach, by the lake, on a hill, from a scenic mountain side, or on the top floor of a parking garage)
