10 Romantic AF Date Ideas For Broke College Students
Studying for midterms and working part-time can be hard enough for the average college student without having to worry about date night with a partner.
Romance isn't about that fancy $100 meal or a giant bouquet of artisanal flowers. It can be simple, cheap, and still intimate enough to inspire the best love stories.
Here are 10 Romantic AF date ideas for students on a tight budget:
1. Dollar Store Arts & Crafts
You can never be too old for Arts & Crafts. Whether it's a Paint-By-Number set, a set of scratch sheets, or good ol' fashioned popsicle sticks, you can explore your creativity to your heart's content.
Draw a picture that reminds you of your partner, follow a Bob Ross video on YouTube, and let your artistic imagination guide you. This is not only a very romantic date but very inexpensive and - if the results are to your taste - is a good way to DIY some home decor.
2. Stargazing Picnic
If you spend your days holed up in the library studying for your next midterm, then a nighttime trip with your partner might just be the perfect solution. A sea of stars above you, a comfy blanket to snuggle under, and the right ambiance for those late-night conversations.
Bring some snacks - chocolate pretzels and a thermos of warm milk is my personal favorite - and bask in the quiet of the evening with your loved one at your side.
3. The 3-Course-Meal
If you and your partner love fast food - and on a student budget, who doesn't? - then the 3-Course-Meal is the ideal substitute for a fancy dinner. All you need to do is to do rock-paper-scissors, and whoever wins gets to decide the food for that round.
Appetizers. Main. Dessert.
You can even upgrade this to a 4-Course-Meal date if you add a Drinks category!
The point of this date is to visit three different places - for an adventure, of course - to mix-and-match those amazing fast food joints as the perfect meal.
4. Sunset On the Beach
This one really doesn't need any justification. Imagine watching the dying rays of sunshine dip below the horizon, a kaleidoscope of colors painting the sky, the sound of the ocean waves in the background...
Yeah.
It's always romantic to watch the sunset together on the beach, and if there are no beaches close to you, then find those sunset spots in your town. A hill, a rooftop, anywhere from which you can see one of Mother Nature's most gorgeous events.
But also: build some sandcastles!
5. Explore the Outdoors
Go for that hike just outside of town, that trail around the lake where you can feed the ducks, walk through a garden looking for unusual plants. It's a great way to get some fresh air and exercise, plus, you'll have plenty of time to have a great conversation with your partner.
A day trip to explore the outdoors will refresh your mind after a week of endless readings and lab reports. You can share a bag of trail mix, chat about your respective weeks, or you can just enjoy the peaceful quiet of nature.
6. Thrifting
Have a theme in mind before you get to the store. Are you looking for the whackiest outfits? Are you hoping to find some cosplay pieces? Or are you simply just browsing for the next top that will spruce up your wardrobe?
Try thrifting for outfits for each other. Play dress-up with your partner, find those zebra-print joggers that they would never wear, and whatever you do, have fun!
Also, thrifting doesn't always just mean clothes. Find a secondhand board game, a forgotten antique, a decorative art piece for your awkward nook by the front door. Thrift shops are a great way to find reusable items instead of spending money on an overpriced dress that you'll only wear once.
7. Visit An Animal Shelter
Because who doesn't love animals, right? The animals in your local shelter are usually starving for affection, but let's be real, some cuddles with a fluffy friend might actually alleviate some of that student stress.
Who knows, you might even be able to convince your partner that a pet is just what you need!
8. Microwave Recipes
As an average college student, a 5-hour gourmet meal is probably not on your to-do list unless you're an avid chef. There are tons of recipes out there that only require the simplest ingredients and a functioning microwave.
Try this recipe for Microwave 5-Minute Mac 'N' Cheese or Microwave Mug Pizza! Both are absolutely delicious, really easy, and perfect for those quick dates during exam season.
Spread a blanket on the floor, throw some pillows on there, and you have yourselves a cute date night!
9. Scavenger Hunt
Visit your nearest Target or Walmart with your best pair of running shoes on. Give yourselves half an hour to find a list of items, and whoever wins gets a free meal - or bragging rights, depending on your budget.
For example, a simple list of five items could look like this:
- Something used in the summer
- An item with wheels
- Something used in the kitchen
- A food your partner has never eaten
- Something with a frog on it
You can get really creative and come up with a particular theme (Disney Princesses, Tropical Holiday, etc.), or you can go for the items that are found on that one shelf at the back of the store.
10. Netflix - With A Twist
This is perhaps the most common cheap date night idea you'll find out there. But let me tell you how to make it interesting - choose the absolute worst movies out there.
You can spend the night trashing a cheesy romance or cringing at subpar horror movie's special effects. Netflix - or any other streaming service - is a great way to spend the night if you're looking for some cuddles, conversation, and chill time.
As your workload piles up and your free time diminishes, it might be difficult to plan a romantic date with your partner, but you don't need an expensive meal or a helicopter ride around the city to find romance.
These inexpensive ideas will give you the quality time and intimacy that you need in your relationship.
Sit back, relax, and get those assignments done without worrying about your next date night.
Opinions and Perspectives
These ideas really prove that romance is about creativity and effort, not money.
The scavenger hunt has become our go-to double date activity. Everyone always has a blast!
These date ideas have shown us that quality time doesn't need to be expensive.
The microwave cooking dates have actually improved our cooking skills. Who knew?
Started with these ideas as dates but they've become regular activities we look forward to.
The thrift store challenge taught us to appreciate second-hand treasures. Now we rarely buy new!
These suggestions really helped us maintain our relationship during busy semester times.
The beach sunset idea inspired us to start a photography hobby together. Now we hunt for the best sunset spots.
We rotate through these ideas monthly now. Keeps date nights fresh and exciting without breaking the bank.
Love how these dates encourage actual conversation instead of just smartphone scrolling.
The craft date revealed my partner's creative side I never knew existed. Now we do art nights regularly!
These ideas are great for getting to know someone without the pressure of formal dating.
Tried the stargazing date but brought speakers for background music. Added a whole new dimension to the experience.
The animal shelter visit led to us becoming regular volunteers. Best date idea ever!
These dates really show that creativity matters more than money when it comes to romance.
We adapted the scavenger hunt for our local park instead of a store. Made it more active and free!
The fast food course meal is fun but maybe plan it for a cheat day if you're health conscious.
I appreciate how these activities actually help you connect instead of just sitting quietly together.
The dollar store craft date is surprisingly therapeutic during finals week. Great stress reliever!
Started with the bad movie night idea but now we include commentary and rate each film on our own scoring system.
My favorite part about these ideas is how customizable they are to each couple's interests.
The outdoor exploration date helped us discover so many hidden spots around campus we never knew existed.
We turned the thrift store date into a Secret Santa challenge. Had to find the perfect weird gift under $5.
The microwave cooking date is perfect for dorm life. Just remember to check what appliances are allowed first.
I love the creativity in these ideas but some seem better suited for extroverts. Any suggestions for us quiet folks?
These dates really show how romance doesn't need to be expensive. Some of our best memories are from free activities.
The scavenger hunt got us some weird looks but honestly who cares? We had a blast!
We tried combining the picnic and crafts ideas by bringing our art supplies outside. Highly recommend!
The Netflix bad movie night works best if you both enjoy similar types of bad movies. My partner prefers bad action films while I love cheesy romcoms.
Been doing the sunset dates weekly now. It's become our favorite way to decompress after classes.
I was skeptical about the arts and crafts idea but it turned out to be really fun. We framed our terrible paintings!
The animal shelter visit is wonderful but call ahead first. Many places require appointments now.
We modified the fast food date to include only places within walking distance. Made it more fun and got some exercise too!
Really appreciate how these ideas encourage creativity and thoughtfulness instead of just throwing money at date night.
The stargazing date works even better if you download a constellation app to help identify what you're seeing.
Our thrift store date turned into a monthly tradition. We've furnished most of our apartment this way!
The scavenger hunt idea is brilliant for getting to know each other's tastes and preferences.
Tried the microwave cooking date. Pro tip: have backup snacks ready just in case things don't turn out as planned!
These ideas are good but some seem weather-dependent. Would love to see some indoor alternatives for rainy days.
The dollar store challenge works better if you set a specific budget and theme. We did Halloween decorations for under $10.
My partner and I alternate choosing the bad movies for Netflix nights. It's become our favorite weekly tradition.
I appreciate how these ideas can work for new couples or long-term relationships. Versatility is key when you're on a budget.
Find a local hill or tall building for sunset watching! We use our campus library's top floor and it's just as magical.
The beach sunset date sounds romantic but our nearest beach is two hours away. Any alternatives?
These are great starting points but you can definitely put your own spin on them. We added trivia questions to our hiking date.
The bad movie night is hilarious! We started keeping a list of the worst movies we've watched together.
Has anyone tried the arts and crafts date with someone who's actually artistic? I feel like I'd be embarrassed by my stick figures.
I love how these ideas focus on creating memories rather than spending money. That's what dating should be about.
The three-course meal date is clever but maybe stick to two places to save money and time.
We combined the stargazing and picnic ideas but added our own twist by bringing hot chocolate and making up constellations.
Anyone else notice how these dates really let you see your partner's personality? The thrift store challenge revealed my boyfriend's competitive side!
The best part about these ideas is how they encourage actual conversation instead of just sitting in silence.
I tried the scavenger hunt idea but modified it for our campus. Made it much more fun and relevant to us as students.
The microwave recipes are a lifesaver! Though I'd suggest practicing alone first to avoid any cooking disasters on the actual date.
The animal shelter visit is actually perfect for aspiring pet owners. My girlfriend and I volunteer now after our first date there.
These ideas are great but some seem more suited for warm weather. Any suggestions for winter dates that won't break the bank?
I absolutely recommend the thrift store date! We turned it into a competition to find the most outrageous outfit under $10.
The stargazing idea is lovely but make sure to check the weather forecast first! We learned that lesson the hard way.
Actually the craft date isn't childish at all! It shows creativity and lets you be playful together. Sometimes we need to embrace our inner child.
The dollar store craft date sounds childish to me. Aren't we too old for that kind of thing?
My partner and I tried the outdoor exploration idea and discovered a beautiful hiking trail we never knew existed just 15 minutes from campus.
I disagree about the Netflix bad movie suggestion. There are so many good films to watch together, why waste time on bad ones?
The fast food course meal is actually genius. We tried it last night and ended up with tacos, burger king fries, and mcflurries. Perfect combination!
Just wanted to share that the sunset beach date worked amazing for us. Brought some sandwiches and watched the colors change. Zero cost, maximum romance!
The scavenger hunt at Target seems fun but I feel awkward running around a store like that. Wouldn't want to disturb other shoppers.
Anyone else think watching bad movies together is actually more fun than good ones? We tried this and spent the whole time making up our own dialogue.
The thrifting date idea is perfect! My girlfriend and I do this monthly. Last time we found matching vintage sweaters for under $10 total.
The microwave recipes saved my relationship during finals week! We actually made that mug pizza together and it was surprisingly good.
Love these suggestions but the 3-course-meal fast food date sounds like it could get expensive fast. Even cheap places add up when you're hitting multiple spots.
I'm not sure about the animal shelter idea. While it sounds sweet, some shelters have strict policies about casual visitors. Anyone tried this?
The dollar store crafts idea is brilliant! Just did this last weekend and we made the silliest paintings. Neither of us is artistic but we laughed so much.
These are such creative ideas! I've tried the stargazing picnic with my boyfriend and it was honestly one of our most memorable dates.