53 Alphabet Date Ideas A-Z (Budget-Friendly)

Budget-friendly Alphabet Date Ideas from A-Z to help you and your partner consistently date each other.

Have you heard of the Alphabet Date Ideas A-Z Challenge?

It’s a fun way to stay consistent with dating your partner (and a helpful guide when you’re trying to figure out what the heck to do on a date night).

I’m ready to dish on our own ABC date nights and then additional ideas for you, too!

Psst: I didn’t create it (and wish I knew who did so that I could credit them), but I’m happy someone did. I heard about ABC dates through Crystal from MoneySavingMom.com.  

Alphabet Date Ideas A-Z

Here we go – ABC dates to fill up 26 weeks for you, out on the town (for cheap).

A: Asian Market Outing

Asian markets are unique – we knew this from the very first one we ever visited, which was in Japan!

It turns out, you can find many of the same unique items at an Asian market in the United States, too.

It’s such a fun thing to explore together – interesting snacks, interesting cuts and varieties of meats, household Asian products, etc.

Other ideas: Adult Arcade, Arboretum, Adventure Challenge for Couples Scratch-Off

B: Bat Emergence Viewing

Lots of towns and cities have special places where you can see bats emerge.

We did this multiple times in Houston under the Waugh Drive bridge.

These photos don’t really do it justice, but we tried!

Other ideas: Bowling, Bookstore Date Afternoon, BBQ Tour, Blue Bonnets Hunting + Photo Sesh

C: Church Marriage Seminar

The church we attended when we used to live in El Paso had this absolutely wonderful Marriage Seminar. They held it one Saturday, with childcare.

Not only did we learn more about each other, but we were also pleasantly surprised when the pastor renewed everyone’s vows!

What a magical moment. Thanks, Pastor Wendell and the Alive FC team!

Other ideas: Church Concert, Couple’s Yoga Class

D: Donut Shop Decadence

There are some SWANKY donuts out there now, guys.

Just look at these choices.

It’s a great excuse to spend less than $10 but still have a great experience out together.

E: Exercise Date

You might laugh at this one – but we had this membership at our local JCC where you could work out in their gym, or work in their café, with 90 minutes of babysitting once a day.

So, one evening after work, I decided to use it as a date. We dropped off our 10-month-old to the babysitting room, then worked out together.

Great exercise and a great time together, just the two of us.

F: Film Festival (JCC)

We had this wonderful experience – we bought tickets to the chili cook-off at our local JCC in Houston, and included were two tickets to a film of our choice at their upcoming film festival.

Not only did they have fantastic films (we saw one about a guy trying to reclaim a family vodka factory and bring it back to life in Ukraine), but they even provided snacks beforehand! It was a wonderful experience.

Other ideas: Ferry ride, Food Truck, Fire Hall Bingo

G: Grocery Store Sports Bar Date

We haven’t done this one yet, but it’s on my list of things to surprise my husband with.

I noticed there’s a sports bar area in our local Whole Foods – my husband absolutely loves football. He’d be delighted by me taking him there and us enjoying a slice of pizza + the game.

H: Holi Festival of Colors

We used to live in Houston, and I’ll never forget our second date post-baby: the Holi festival.

The colors were amazing. The vibe was upbeat and fresh.

And it was so much fun throwing colored powders into crowds of people!

Other ideas: Hatchery Tour, Haircuts together at a local college, Hike at Local Nature Preserve

I: Ice-Cream Lunch

Ice cream for lunch? Yup.

I got this idea from my aunt, who used to work at a building that gave out free ice-creams one day each summer.

I thought…that is a bloody fantastic way for adults to feel like a kid again. If only for 45 minutes!

Either find an ice-cream place and split a container (they give you so much, right?!), or grab two ice-cream treats from the grocery store and meet up somewhere to devour them.

Other ideas: Intro class together

J: Jogging in a New Place

Research a few places ahead of time with good jogging trails you’ve been wanting to try out.

Pack water and a snack, and tell your partner to meet you with their workout clothes on.

Take a jog together!

Other ideas: Jumping Gym, Junk Shop Hunting

K: Kissing Lighthouse Tour

We visited my aunt and uncle in Michigan when our child was around 2. They watched him for a full day, and the two of us got to gleefully putz around for hours.

We ended up checking out 3-4 lighthouses. And…kissing at each one!

Because, why not?

Such a fun day.

L: Lego Art Exhibit

We found a Lego Art Exhibit in our city, got the baby-wearing down, and had a lovely date together looking at amazingly intricate art pieces made out of building blocks.

Other ideas: Local Ghost Folklore Walks

M: Modern Art Interpretation

One of the most fun dates we’ve ever had, which was also completely free, was at a modern art exhibit in Houston.

Why? Because we spent a few hours attempting to guess what the heck each art piece was or was trying to say. And we came up with the most hilarious titles!

Then…reading the actual descriptions and titles?

I can’t tell you when I’ve laughed so hard together with my husband.

Just look at these!

N: Night Owl Prowl

Ooohhhhh…this one is on our Couple’s Bucket List.

Night Owl Prowl walks are where a group goes out into the woods in a nature preserve or park of some sort and tries to find owls.

My husband happens to love owls, and I like them, too. So, this would be perfect!

O: Orchard Picking

We love going to orchards and picking fruit together, then researching recipes and making something from it.

Here’s an apple orchard we used to pick from in New Mexico.  

Other ideas: Oktoberfest, Ocean Walk

P: Painting Class

My sister gifted us a date night out to a painting class for couples.

It was SO fun, and we’ve had the art up on our walls in October every year since.

Other ideas: Park Bench Crime Podcast, Pick Fruit (Strawberries)

Q: Query Hunt at the Library

When was the last time you went to the library to research something you were interested in?

Each of you write down (a mental list is fine, too) one thing you want to learn more about or a question you want answered.

Go to the library together and find a book to answer your question or further educate you on something (you can ask for help at the information counter, too).

Take any materials you have and sit together while reading up and sharing tidbits about what you’re learning.

R: Recycling Center Tour

I toured several recycling facilities in Wales for one of my theses, and I found it fascinating.

I want to do the same with my husband – and was pleasantly surprised to find several opportunities near us.

You might be able to find one in your own area.

S: State Capitol Building Tour

Did you know many state capitol buildings are free to tour? Make a reservation, and tour yours together.

Like we did in Austin!

Other ideas: Ship Channel Tour, State Park Event (Maple Syrup Festival)

T: Theater Ticket Lottery

Is there a show you want to see really badly, but the cost is too high? You can try a ticket lottery – show up the day of (if the theater has a lottery), and put your name in for any extra tickets.

We tried this once to get $25 Wicked tickets in Houston. Unfortunately, we didn’t win. BUT, tons of people did, and we may try it again.

U: Used Book Store Afternoon

I can’t tell you how many times Paul and I have found ourselves browsing bookshelves together on a dreary/rainy afternoon in a used bookstore.

One of our favorite dates.

Other ideas: University Exhibits

V: View the Sky at Night

Viewing the sky at night is kind of magical. Especially if you’re not used to seeing it together then.

Check out local university telescopes or starry events at local and national parks.

Other ideas: Viewing Party for Something Big

W: Waterfall Hike

Hiking to a waterfall is one of the coolest things you can do together in nature.

In my opinion, anyway!

X: Xtreme Date Night

Inspired by an idea I saw on HappilyEverAdventures.com: each of you write down a list of things that scare you to try or to do.

Could be rock climbing, driving over a certain bridge, or any number of things.  

Decide on something to do as your Xtreme Date Night.

Then…go do it! Could be very thrilling, could be very scary – but it’ll definitely be memorable and will bring the both of you closer together.

Y: Yoga Class

Paul surprised me one afternoon, while his sister and brother-in-law were in town, with a hot yoga class date night.

Man, that was cool.

Plus, they welcomed us with “Happy Date Night Paul and Amanda” written on their chalkboard.

Z: Zoo Stroll

Paul and I have taken Zoo Dates so many times over the years – we just love seeing animals together.

Even better, all of them have been free, thanks to Houston’s free zoo days.

It was the first Tuesday of each month when we lived there, so he would go to the zoo straight from work, and we’d have 2 hours to walk around together.

Just lovely!

This was such a fun trip down memory lane of tons of date nights with my husband. And I want the same for you! Take these budget-friendly alphabet date ideas and get to it.