J. Lo was right. “Love don’t cost a thing.”

Whether you’re a homebody or an adventure seeker, these entertaining date night ideas are for anyone who doesn’t want to bust their budget. How? Here are 10 affordable and fun date night ideas you can experience with your partner. 

Go Bowling: Want to ‘spare’ yourself from spending a ton of money? Go bowling! Bowling is always a fun and entertaining date idea that will get you out of the house. Many bowling alleys feature Black Light Night with music and glow lights to make it a fun date night. Or go during the week where you can find affordable prices, sometimes as low as $5 a game. Strike!

Tandem Bikes: Tired of staying in? Then get outside and take a ride on a tandem bike together. Yes, the bicycle built for two. This will be a great way to get some exercise, work on each other’s coordination, and enjoy the scenery. Go during the fall when the leaves are changing colors. World of Bikes in Iowa City lets you rent them for just $50 a day. Get those feet pedaling! 

Learn to Cook Together: If you’re like most of us, you have plenty of pins on your “Good Eats” board on Pinterest that you haven’t tried yet. Well, tonight is the night. Practice cooking with each other and stay in for a home-cooked meal. Make it a date night with candles, dessert, and a movie to follow. Dinner is served!

Volunteer at the Humane Society: Who doesn’t love cats and dogs? Volunteering is always a respectable thing to do, plus you both will get to have fun with the animals. They will cherish you for the extra love. Try checking out the Cedar Valley Humane Society in Cedar Rapids, the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center, the Dubuque Regional Humane Society, or the Cedar Bend Humane Society in Cedar Falls.

Go to a Coffee House with Live Music: Find a local coffeehouse that performs live music and attend for a night. Even if you both have a cup of coffee, you’re spending as little as $10 for an entire evening of entertainment, music, and drinks.

Go Mini Golfing: A classic and low-cost idea. Mini golf takes a while to play so you get even more bang for your buck. It’s a fun activity that allows you to both interact and get the conversation going. Feeling more active? Hit the driving range, which can be slightly more physical! Fore!

At Home Spa Night: Light some candles, draw a bath, and pour some bubbly. Have a relaxing spa night in with calm and relaxing music, back massages, and dimmed lights. Extra points if you get him to try out a face mask!

Hit the Arcade: All it takes is quarters! Find some hidden change under the sofa cushions, crack open the piggy bank in your room, or scavenge for the leftover pocket change in the front seat of your car. And, it makes things more interesting if you make a friendly wager on who can win the most prizes or tickets. Air hockey is always a great tie-breaker.

Karaoke is Key: Hit those high notes! Bring out your inner Pitch Perfect and hit up a local venue for karaoke night. Normally it won’t cost you a penny to sign up and sing. Choose to sing a duet song together such as “You’re the One That I Want,” “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” “A Whole New World,” or “Start of Something New.” Don’t feel like busting out the vocal cords? Simply sit back and watch others karaoke and enjoy the fun.

Buy Lottery Tickets: This one is simple and unique. Go to the store together and buy two lottery tickets. Then go home, fire up the laptop, and get ready to make a bucket list of all the places you would go, the things you would do, and the items you would buy with the money if you won the lottery.

No matter your budget, you and your significant other can enjoy inexpensive, romantic, and enjoyable times together. Cheers!