We make excuses for not going on dates with our spouses. From we have no time, it’s too expensive, we’re on a budget or it’s too busy with the kids. I know, because I make these excuses all the time. Our marriage sometimes goes on the back burner, or lately it always does. It’s hard when you are raising children to make time for each other, sadly. Or maybe it’s just my husband and I.
We put our children first, which is fine, but not all the time. I am of the opinion it should look something like this: God, Husband / Wife, Children. I wish this was the case for me, but I know at times my child has come before both. There are things we can be doing daily to make sure we are loving our spouses and not using all of our energy on the kiddos, because sometimes after a long day at home with the kids or a long day at work, the last thing we think we have time for is time for our spouse. Sometimes even simple conversation is missed.
So in hopes that I can make more time for my spouse, I created date ideas on a budget, because that’s one of our excuses. It’s just not in our budget to go out on dates. I am here to tell you that you don’t have to go and spend money to have a date. There’s so many options for spending time with your spouse without breaking the bank, and frankly it just needs to happen.
The kids will be fine!! And frankly you and them probably need a break from each other before you go insane anyways. I know it’s true for me, I just have rarely made the time to do so.
- Movie at Home – Something as simple as movie night on the sofa at home great for “date night.” And you don’t have to hire a sitter to do so. Put the kiddos to bed early and pop some popcorn. Buy your favorite snacks and enjoy your favorite movie.
- Grab Lunch – While the kids are at school (if they are that age), grab your spouse for lunch. Enjoy an hour or so of uninterrupted conversation. This can be done on your lunch break even.
- Picnic – The good’ole picnic is always fun. You don’t have to be romantic to have a picnic or young couples. Grab a blanket, pack a lunch and head to your favorite spot and enjoy. Leave the kids with family or get a sitter.
- Hiking – Again a few hours away in nature with just your spouse is fun. There’s no running after kids or whining kids asking how much farther. All you need to spend money on is gas getting there, and maybe a sitter.
- Nap Time Card Game – Kids are finally napping and you have a few hours to spare. Instead of filling those hours with chores and errands, pick up a deck of cards or board game and grab your spouse. This is something we just don’t do enough. I used to play card games all the time, even Go’Fish is fun!!
- Ice Cream / Coffee Date – You don’t have to do dinner and a movie to have a date. Even if you can only sneak away for an hour, it’s worth it. Grab some ice cream or coffee and chitchat for awhile. And leave the conversation about the kids at home. Talk about YOU!!
- Backyard Camp Out – Okay so maybe not a full blown camp out, but close. Put the kids in bed and go out back to enjoy the stars and cool air. You may have to stay up a bit later, but it will be worth it!! Cuddle, enjoy hot cocoa or tea, bring some snacks.
- Ice Skating – Typically ice skating is cheap and it’s something we haven’t done since childhood. Marc and I did this back when we were first dating. It’s fun and brings back great memories of those dating years.
- Build a Snowman – So you’ll have to wait for some snow, but this childish play is always fun. There’s something about building a snowman. You can easily sneak away while kids are napping to do this. Bring the hot cocoa!!
- Beach Day / Cross Country Skiing – Depending on the season, you can find some relatable fun. Summer, enjoy the beach of lake. Go paddle boarding, swim around, lay out in the sun. Winter, grab the cross country skis (usually cheap to rent), and head to the nearest mountain. Spring, puddle jumping, an blast from the past and Fall, pick apples or pumpkins. Typically we do these activities with the kids, but just this once leave them with friends, family or a sitter and enjoy the one-on-one time.
Any of these you can do while kids are at school, sleeping, away at camp or with friends. You just might have to make more of an effort to pencil your spouse in. I know it may seem hard or weird at first to schedule in a time for a date, but we gotta do what we gotta do!! Eventually it will get easier and our spouse will become a priority!!
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit
Your best date ideas on a budget?