With the cooler weather rolling in, it can sometimes be hard to think of fun date ideas. That’s where I come in!
I curated this list to make it easy for you to plan some fun fall activities (on a budget of course)!
If you are looking for activities that cost little to nothing, keep on reading to create some great fall memories on a budget.
Outdoor Dates
What better way to experience the season, by spending some time outdoors with your hunny.
Go on a Hike/Walk in a National Park/Conservation Area
Many of these parks have free admission. Occasionally you have to pay for parking, or admittance, check the websites of the parks near you for more information.
Go to a Park Near Your House
Don’t want to make the drive to a conservation area, then check your local park instead.
Walk Around the Block
Checkout your neighbour’s Halloween decorations. Explore a new area or new store with your loved one.
Go For A Bike Ride
A great way to view the fall colours while getting in some exercise.
Play in the Leaves
Why are all the fun activities just for kids?!
One of my favourite things about fall is all the leaves. Make a pile together and jump in it, throw them at each other and have a great time playing in the leaves.
Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s markets are fun to explore. You can pick up fresh produce, fun homemade products and enjoy the outdoors all at the same time.
The prices can add up, so only bring what you are willing to spend, or leave your wallet at home.
Go Apple Picking
Stop by a local orchard and pick a basket of apples. This can be pricey depending on the orchard, amount of apples and type of apples you pick.
Do a quick search on the orchard’s website or check Google reviews, to find out if the pricing is within your budget.
Pumpkin Patch
Pick out some cute pumpkins together.
Budget accordingly as you may want to buy all the pumpkins or all the tasty stuff in the gift shop.
Hayride
While at the pumpkin patch take a ride on a tractor. Hayrides are one of those classic fall traditions. Cuddle up next to your hunny and enjoy the sights.
Corn Maze
Get lost together in a corn maze, make sure to take pictures and sneak a kiss.
Attend a Fall Carnival
What a fun way to spend a date night, enjoying fall treats, going on a ride or two, and just enjoying your time as a couple.
Budget for admission and some treats, only bring enough money that you are willing to spend.
Go to a Haunted House
With Halloween just around the corner, what better time to get close and squeeze each other’s hands while getting scared together!
Trick-or-Treat
Remember what fun you had as a kid going door to door? Be a kid again and dress up and go trick-or-treating at your family and friends’ houses.
Have a Picnic
Bring some fall treats, and a blanket to cuddle under, and enjoy the falling leaves and crisp weather.
Have a Photo Shoot
Whether you’re playing in the leaves, or in your Halloween costume, whip out the camera and have a photo shoot!
Watch the Clouds Go By
While you’re outside on a nice sunny fall day, take a blanket and watch the clouds together.
Go Mini Golfing
Take advantage of the outdoor courses while the weather is still nice.
Road Trip/ Day Trip
Pack some snacks to avoid take-out, fill the tank, and drive.
You may have to set money aside ahead of time in your budget if you are planning a long trip.
Go Camping
Go pitch a tent, find a campsite, or a spot in the backyard. Be sure to bring warm blankets to cuddle under.
Make a Campfire
Who doesn’t love enjoying a nice warm fire with their loved one?
Drive-In
Many are very affordable.
Pack your own snacks to save even more.
Watch the Sunset
One of my favourite things to do, is to watch the sun set. Take some time out of the day to find a romantic spot to view the sunset. Don’t forget to bring that camera.
Bird Watch
With or without binoculars. Look up a list of birds in the area and see how many you can find.
Geocaching
An outdoor treasure hunt where you use GPS coordinates to track down hidden boxes.
Star Gaze
How romantic– really, it is.
Grab some blankets, and a warm drink and enjoy your time under the stars.
Watch a Game
Football and hockey season are underway. Splurge on tickets to a game, or watch it from your couch with some snacks.
Crafty Dates
Grab some supplies, and your boo and get creative.
Pumpkin Carving
Great couple activity, carving a pumpkin together.
You can even get competitive and see who can carve the best one.
Paint Night
Find a local studio that hosts paint nights, and sharpen your skills while having a great time.
Or have a paint night at home, pick up the canvas, brushes, and paint from the dollar store to save some big bucks.
Make Thank You Cards
Or even Christmas cards, let your creativity flow.
Love Letters
Write love letters to each other, then read them together. Also a great Thanksgiving gift idea.
Colouring
Are adult colouring books still a thing?
They are in my house 🙂 Colour a picture together.
Make a Time Capsule
You don’t even need to bury it. You can create a time capsule in a shoe box and hide it in your home somewhere.
Learn a New Skill
There are many instructional videos online, and free courses you can take to sharpen or learn new skills. Try one together for a date night or two.
Cooking Dates
Fall calls for warm drinks, comfort food and sweet treats. So grab your sweetie, get to the kitchen and cook up some love.
Try a New Recipe
Add the ingredients into your weekly grocery budget, and set some time aside, to attempt a new recipe.
Hot Chocolate
Experiment with different flavours, or make it from scratch, Pinterest is full of recipes.
We love adding cinnamon to ours.
Apple Cider
Warm some up, or try your hand at making your own, then enjoy it snuggled up on the couch or outside in the crisp air.
Candy Apples
Who doesn’t love a good candy apple?
Plus they are fun to make.
Check Pinterest for a variety of delicious recipes.
Roast Pumpkin Seeds
After gutting your pumpkin, rinse off the seeds and roast them in the oven with a little salt. You can also experiment with other recipes.
One year we made cinnamon sugar covered ones, they were good.
Make S’mores
Goes hand in hand with a campfire, but you can make many delish s’mores inspired treats at home, just check out Pinterest.
Bake a Fall-Themed or Halloween Treat
Pumpkin pie anyone? Or apple? Or both!
Make Cookies
There are about a million and one cookie recipes on the internet, pick one to try to make together.
Playful Dates
Be a kid again.
Embrace your inner child and have a great time with these free, fall activities that you can do on your date night.
Bob for Apples
This may not be the best game to play during Covid times, but you can always adapt by giving each child their own bucket to bob in.
Host a Halloween Party
Invite other couples to dress up and join you for a night snacks and laughs.
Scavenger Hunt
Hide and seek items around the house for your partner to find. You can make it themed based, like Halloween treats, or love notes even.
Murder Mystery
Attend a murder mystery party with some other couples or host one of your own. Get your minds working together and have a great time.
Escape Room
Work together on a series of puzzles and clues to escape a locked room before the timer runs out. Great for double dates as well.
Game Night
Make game night a regular one, this fall. Invite some other couples over to make it even more fun.
Add adult beverages to kick it up a notch.
Dates at Home
Stay inside and cuddle up with your boo, with these at home date night ideas.
Spa Day
Treat each other to some TLC, with a face mask, and a massage.
Bubble Bath
Squeeze into the tub together and enjoy the bubbles and each other.
Movie Night In A Fort
Grab those couch cushions, or that extra mattress, some sheets and make a fort to watch movies in.
Halloween Movie Marathon
While in your nice comfy fort, line up some Halloween movies to watch.
Charades
Guess the words that other players are acting out. Sure to be a great laugh.
Pyjama Day
Stay in your pyjamas all day, while eating snacks (I’m noticing a snack theme, are you?) and cuddling.
Do a Puzzle
Get a big one that you can come back to, great for those cold rainy days ahead.
Game Night
Dust off the old board games or pack of cards, and see how many games you can fit in one date night.
Do Good Dates
Work together to spread some love this Thanksgiving season.
Random Acts of Kindness
Help an elder cross the road, or take out their groceries. Buy a homeless person lunch, or even hide money or gift cards for others to find.
Thank Your Neighbours With Treats
It’s a great way to nurture relationships, leave a Halloween themed treat with a note saying they have been ‘boo’ed (Keep up the fun by keeping it a secret and sneak it on to their doorstep)
Or share a Thanksgiving favorite with a note of appreciation. (Free food should make any neighbour happy)
Participate in a Park Cleanup
Make your neighbourhood even more beautiful, by taking some time to pick up some litter.
Collect Food for Local Food Banks
Do a good service, and collect for those in need this season.
Volunteer Together
Wheter it is helping out at your local food bank, senior’s home or school, find somewhere the two of you can do some good together.
I hope you use this list to make some amazing autumn memories with your date.
Leave your favorite frugal ideas for fall in the comments below!
Stay Frugal,
