One of the hardest things to do while married, with children, during a pandemic, is go on a date with your significant other. My husband and I feel like we never get time alone anymore with 2 children and limited places to go.
I’ve decided to put together a list of Date Night ideas under $20 that you can do with your significant other that doesn’t require fancy restaurants or busy places.
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1. Drive-In Movie Theater
I thought I would start with my favorite date night idea. My husband and I have gone twice already since having our son 4 months ago. We are able to get in for $18 ($9 a person) and we bring our own snacks and water. So far, we have seen The Goonies and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. We only ever make it through the first movie before we’re tired and ready to go home, but it’s great to be in public, without really being in public since you’re in your own vehicle. You order your tickets ahead of time and just have to show the ticket at the gate. I highly recommend looking into your area to see if you have a local Drive-In Movie Theater.
2. Picnic
What better way to have dinner together than to make it yourself and get out of the house? Just bring a blanket (or table and chairs if you’d prefer) and eat outside. If you really don’t want to be in public, you could have a picnic in your own backyard. The only cost is the food, but if you make it at home, you can cook for less than $20.
3. Go for a Drive
This is another one of my favorite things to do with my husband. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and just drive. We’ve ended up in all sorts of places we had never been before. You could take a drive along the beach, through the mountains, or even just down country roads. We have fun conversations with no electronic devices or distractions. If you stay local, the gas shouldn’t cost you too much and you can always stop to eat or enjoy the view.
4. Go for a Walk
Whether you walk along trails or just around your neighborhood, you can spend time together walking. My in-laws walk around our entire city for miles almost every week. My husband and I tend to push the kids in the stroller around our neighborhood, but I'm sure grandparents would love to watch the kids so we could walk together alone. During this pandemic, it has been one of the best ways for us to get some exercise while still spending time together.
5. Movie Night
Pop some popcorn, snuggle up under the blanket on the couch, and watch a new movie together. Store bought popcorn bags or air popped popcorn will only cost a few dollars and you can rent a new movie for $3.99 or up on iTunes. You can even just watch a new movie on a subscription service you already pay for, which will save you even more money.
6. Cook Dinner
Send the kids to their grandparents for the night and spend time cooking a real dinner. Grab an old family recipe or look up new recipes online that you can try together. If you plan out a complicated meal ahead of time, you could spend hours in the kitchen together. Then set your table and enjoy the time together eating your meal. You could extend it by making dessert as well. To keep this under $20, you may need to work with items you already have in your kitchen or go with cheaper items at the store.
7. Board Games
I’m sure all of us have board games collecting dust somewhere in our homes (or at our parent’s house). Enjoy some friendly competition and play a game of Life or Monopoly with your spouse. You could even pull out a deck of cards and teach each other some card games you haven’t played in years. Most of us have a deck of cards laying around the house that we received for Christmas 3 years ago. Playing board games and card games you already own will save money.
If you don't own board games or card games, you can find some great games at Fun.com to play for under $20.
My husband and I try to have simple date nights as often as we can to keep the spark in our relationship and feel like a couple. Once you have kids, it’s very hard to focus on each other. It’s good to go out on a date with your spouse and enjoy the company of each other without the kids.
Do you have any other date night ideas for under $20 you can do during a pandemic?
Leave a comment below.
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