Campus Dating: 20 Free Date Ideas

Let’s be honest; college is expensive. You’ve got tuition to pay, books to buy and food to eat. Plus, on top of that, you have that date on Friday night. Spending more than $20 to see a movie seems a little ridiculous. Here are 20 date ideas that won’t cost you a dime.

1. Attend a sporting event together

There are so many free sporting events around campus. Go watch a volleyball game or even a soccer game. You can spend some time together, while supporting the team.

2. Jump in a pile of leaves

Everyone remembers raking leaves growing up. You would rake them all together and then jump into the pile. It was one of the greatest things as a child. Why not try it again? Find an open area with a bunch of leaves and just go for it.

3. Have a board game night

Board games are a great way to have some fun. You can play Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit or even Life. Spend some time reliving your childhood.

4. Volunteer together

You can go to a soup kitchen or a food pantry or anywhere else that needs help. You can give back to the community and feel good about yourself.

5. Challenge your date to a game of pool

One of the perks of being a student at the University of Missouri is that you can go to The Shack and rent pool equipment with only your student ID.

6. Go on a picnic

Pack up your lunch and take it somewhere. You can go to a local park, or even just find a grassy area. The columns would be a lovely place to enjoy an afternoon.

7. Visit the craft studio

Every Friday afternoon the craft studio hosts a free “crafternoon." Every week they have a new, free craft to do. Take your date there and have some fun. It’s okay if you don’t have any artistic ability, you can just laugh at whatever you make.

8. Just go for a walk downtown

Downtown Columbia is an exciting place. You and your date can take a walk downtown and explore.

9. Go stargazing

Need a relaxing night? Find an open area and just lie down and look up at the stars. You can even play a game and have a contest to see who can find different constellations first.

10. Have a study date

Have a huge exam next week, but still want to hang out with your significant other? Why not try a study date? You can go to the library or the Union and just hang out, while preparing for your exam.

11. Go apple picking

What a good way to get into the autumn season. Find an apple orchard in the area to pick some apples.

12. Feeling a little creative?

Take some post-it notes and markers and write funny quotes or sayings on. Stick them up around campus and then wait to see how people react.

13. Take a walk in the park

Columbia is filled with parks and different trails. Go on an adventure and explore.

14. Have a movie night

Movie nights are usually a fall back option. But why not change it up and have some fun. Find a very old movie, or even a really bad movie and watch it.

15. Go for a bike ride

Grab your bike and go. Don’t make a plan, just ride and see where you end up. You never know what you might end up finding.

16. Build a fort

Get a ton of blankets and pillows together and go crazy. Challenge yourselves and make it fun. Try and make it the most interesting or even the most creative. When you’re done building, you can spend some time inside of it.

17. Play a sport together

Grab a basketball, volleyball or soccer ball and go to a field around campus. If either of you plays the sport, teach the other; if not, that’s okay, too.

18. Fly a kite

There’s nothing more to it. Find a kite and a park. See how high or how long you can keep it up in the air.

19. Go people watching

Find a busy area and just watch the people around you. You can make up stories about the people you see or even try and figure out what is going on in their lives. There are always some interesting people around that will provide you hours of entertainment.

20. Check out stufftodo.missouri.edu

This website has everything that goes around on campus. There are tons of free events on the calendar. Whenever you need a new idea or something different to do, check out the website and see what’s going on at Mizzou.

The opportunities are endless. You don’t have to stick to your normal dinner and a movie date every Friday night. There are plenty of ways to have fun on a date without spending any money. Be creative, and most importantly, have fun!

By: Abby Kass | Image: Source