10 Cheap, Fun Date Ideas for Teenagers

Who says you have to be rich to enjoy a perfect night out with your sweetie? The next time you're feeling romantic, pick from one of these cheap, fun date ideas. You'll need only a little bit of cash (and maybe a little bit of love) to have a great time.

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Make Dinner Together

Young couple preparing food — Zero Creatives/Cultura/Getty Images

If you've got time, start this date out at the grocery store. Pick up dinner fixings, then go back to one of your houses to prepare and eat your meal. Spending time in the kitchen together is a great way to get to know each other—and if the dinner actually turns out to be delicious, that's just icing on the cake. Plus, if your parents are home, this is a slick way of showing them what a good, wholesome couple you are.

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Go for a Bike Ride

Couple with bikes looking at river view. — Tim Robberts / Getty Images

Biking's a cheap, fun way to get your adrenaline pumping, and it's great for shy people because there's no pressure to talk the whole time. Pick a pretty route along a lake or hiking path, or just a quiet residential area nearby. Plan it so you end up at an ice cream shop or lunch spot so you can cool off and chat a little.

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Sing Karaoke

Once you've done karaoke in front of someone, there's really nothing left to hide. Check to see if there are any karaoke nights in your city that allow teens. If there aren't, pick up a copy of Karaoke Revolution American Idol. It'll set you back less than 30 bucks (including microphones), but it's a whole lot of fun.

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Check Out a Weird Museum

International Spy Museum — © Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Sure, every town has an art museum, but where's the fun in that? Oddball museums are way more likely to kickstart a conversation. Plus, lots of museums offer free admission on certain weekdays. Check your city guide to see if there's anything fun in your area, like:

The International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.
The Bakken Museum of Electricity and Magnetism in Minneapolis
The Museum of Bad Art in Dedham, Massachusetts
The Banana Museum in Auburn, Washington
The International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago

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Go Bowling

Teenage Couple in a Bowling Alley Playing Tenpin Bowling — Nancy Ney/Getty Images

Bowling's underrated. You can do it in all kinds of weather, you don't have to be all that athletic, you barely sweat, and if you show up late enough on weekends, there are colored lights and kitschy music. (Plus, how funky are those shoes?) And if you're terrible at bowling, you can both have a good laugh (thereby showing off your humble sense of humor).

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Have a Picnic in the Park

Teenage couple going for picnic in forest — Zero Creatives/Getty Images

Throw some sandwiches, cookies, and sodas into a bag (or get more sophisticated with some prepared snacks from Whole Foods and a wicker picnic basket). Head to the park and lay down a blanket in a shady spot. Don't forget to bring stuff to do when you're done eating. My top picks: flying a kite, playing jai alai, shooting hoops, or just people-watching.

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Play Miniature Golf

Teenage couples playing miniature golf — Kali9/Getty Images

After all these years, is there really anything more fun than putt-putt golf? It's the classic, cutesy first date for a good reason: It's competitive but too whimsical to take seriously, you're surrounded by people having fun, and the snacks for sale nearby (pizza, milkshakes, and chili-cheese fries) are cheap and perfect for sharing.

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Go for a Nature Walk

Couple walking on beach — David Lees/Taxi/Getty Images

Pick a pretty place in your town—maybe a beach, a path through the woods, a mountain trail, or an arboretum. If you're not sure where to go, check your city guide. Bring some light snacks from home, take a nice, slow-paced walk, and enjoy the scenery together. If you want to make it more interesting, bring a camera and see who can take the best pictures, or make it an earth-saving mission and collect trash along the way.

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Have a Board Game Night

Apples to apples — Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber

Board games bring out the competitive edge in people, which makes them perfect for that flirty ribbing that powers first dates. The best board games are made for more than two people, so consider making this one a double date. A few date games to consider:

Taboo
Apples to Apples
Scattergories
Cranium
Pictionary

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Go to a Roller Rink

Low Section Of Person Roller Skating On Floor In Illuminated Rink — Daniel Limpi / EyeEm / Getty Images

Even if you're only a so-so skater, a roller skate date is almost always a winner. First of all, it's romantic: Hand-holding is totally inevitable, especially if one of you isn't so hot on your feet. Second of all, with the high speeds and constant threat of collisions with 7-year-olds getting your adrenaline pumping, you'll both have an unforgettable blast.