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Valentine’s Day should be a day enjoyed with your loved ones. But figuring out and planning the perfect way to celebrate them can be stressful. Who’s going to watch the kids? Is candy actually a good gift? How are we going to get a reservation on one of the busiest date nights of the year?! Don’t worry. I’ve created a list of affordable Valentine’s Day date ideas for under $10. All you need to do is find a sitter.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to prove your love to your partner. To be honest, they might appreciate a more affordable and more thoughtful gift than a dozen (expensive) red roses. And as for the sitter? We’ve got an affordable suggestion there, too. Try sitter swapping with your friends or neighbors. Rather than paying a sitter, trade babysitting duty with another couple that needs a night off. If they watch your kids on Feb. 14 so you can have a romantic evening, you can return the favor on the next holiday or anniversary.
Once you’ve secured a night to yourself, browse this list of Valentine’s Day date ideas and take a much-deserved break without breaking your budget.
Tip: For more money-saving tips and ideas, download The Krazy Coupon Lady app and get access to everything right from your phone.
1. Buy a cheap bottle of wine and YouTube for a DIY wine and paint class.
Skip the expensive class and head to your dollar store to pick up some paint and canvases. Check out rebate apps like Ibotta for low prices on wine, or learn our tips on how to save on booze.
Then you just need to find a free YouTube tutorial to paint along with, like this simple beginner’s acrylic tutorial or this cherry blossom tutorial. See whose art looks better at the end!
Related: Cheap Wines You Can Get Under $20
2. Skip the expensive dinner and go out for dessert.
Spend some quality time together by cooking a favorite meal in your own kitchen. After cleaning up, treat yourselves to a restaurant for dessert. Save even more by choosing a dessert to split with your date. This is much more affordable than going out for an entire dinner for two, but you can still get dressed up and make it feel special.
3. Check local museums for free entry days.
Many museums offer free entry or special days with discounted ticket prices. Bank of America cardholders can get free admission to over 225 museums across the U.S. on the first full weekend of every month. You can also look for discounted and free admission to zoos, botanical gardens, or art galleries.
Trip Advisor is a great place to find local attractions.
4. Skip the theater, rent a movie, and make some popcorn for a cozy movie night.
Let’s be honest, one of the best ways to spend an evening is a night in. Make it special by finding a movie neither of you has ever seen, whether it’s Netflix, Hulu, or one from a free streaming site. Light some candles, put the phones away, and just enjoy each other’s company. This makes for one of the most affordable Valentine’s Day date ideas on our list!
If you don’t have a Netflix account, you can use their free trial month to watch free movies all month long. Or learn how one extended family shares Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu accounts.
Related: Drool-Worthy Valentine’s Day Treats
5. Walk around a local market and go on a picnic.
If you’re in an area where February is warm enough to picnic outdoors, take advantage of it by spending some (free) time outside! Pack some picnic food from home, split some grub from a local restaurant, or grab-and-go from a specialty food market. Enjoy the scenery, fresh air, and company.
When it’s still way too cold for that, retreat to your living room. Set up a blanket and spread out all the foods you found for you and your date.
6. Volunteer at a local organization together.
What better way to spend time together than helping your community? Giving back and volunteering your time to a cause you both support is an excellent way to bond. Look for animal shelters, soup kitchens, or clean up litter along roads. You can search for the perfect volunteering experience for you and your partner with Volunteer Match.
7. Have a couples game night with your friends.
Why not celebrate a day devoted to love with lots of people you care about? Have a few couples over and team with your person for a night full of games and laughs. Amazon has lots of games for under $10, and many of them can be played as a group or even just for two if you decide on a smaller game night group.
If you’re inviting friends, turn it into a potluck so you can all have a delicious dinner but nobody has to carry the full cost of food to feed a large group.
Shop Valentine’s Day date night games under $10:
8. Work on a puzzle together.
Spend a quiet evening just the two of you with a puzzle to work on together. It also gives you a great chance to talk and learn more about each other. If you have time to plan, find a puzzle that has meaning for the two of you. Like a scene from the city where you live or met or something else that reminds you of your partner.
Shop these affordable puzzles under $10:
9. Find some local trails and go for a hike with your loved one.
Another way to enjoy some fresh air and get outdoors with your partner, hiking (or even going for a long walk) combines time spent together with a bit of exercise. You can find local trails with a free site like Trail Link. If it’s still a bit chilly where you live, plan to celebrate afterward at a coffee shop with a hot chocolate.
10. Make your own scavenger hunt with candies and sweet notes.
Valentine’s Day date ideas can be creative and simple. Create a small scavenger hunt for your sweetie. Set it up before your date at your house or in a park. Leave clues leading them to the final prize, which can be something as simple as a cute note or their favorite candy.
11. Make dinner together at home.
I don’t mean one of you makes dinner and one of you watches TV. I mean BOTH of you put in an effort to make dinner for the two of you. No phones, no TV, just you two.
You can find inexpensive, but tasty, recipes that cost just pennies per serving. You could even try a meal subscription kit! Introductory offers are super affordable during January and February. Plus, doing meal prep work like chopping veggies (and even washing dishes) is a great way to have an uninterrupted conversation without any distractions.
Save on meal subscription kits:
12. Have an at-home spa night with homemade face masks.
You don’t have to spend hundreds on couples’ massages to relax for Valentine’s Day. Save a little cash and skip the reservations and make your own DIY face masks with some of these recipes. You can also get out your nail kit and give each other manicures. Find ways to spend the entire evening pampering each other.
