20 Gen Z Date Ideas (Cheap, Fun, Creative)

Are you a Gen Z looking for date ideas? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. As a Gen Zer myself, I’ve come up with a list of date ideas that are perfect for our generation.

Whether you just met on the dating apps or if you’ve been in a relationship for a while, planning a date is a really nice gesture. If it’s your first date, planning a special date will make a great first impression!

With that being said, here are 20 dates idea for Generation Z.

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20 Date Ideas for Gen Z

1. Picnic

A picnic is a great date idea for Gen Zers. This is a nice date idea where you will be able to talk, relax and eat with the person you’re on a date with.

Picnic dates have blown up on social media apps like TikTok and Instagram. If you plan a picnic date on a beautiful day, it will be very picturesque and a good time for everyone.

The great thing about a picnic date is that it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. All you need are some crackers, cheese, vegetables, fruits and sparkling water (or wine) and it will be very enjoyable.

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2. Hike

If you’re looking for a cheap date that will get you out of the house, hiking is a great date idea. Hiking is a popular date idea among Gen z and Millennial daters.

The great thing about going on a hike is that you will get to know the person you are hiking with. If it’s your first time hiking start with an easy trail and make sure you don’t get lost!

3. Beach Day

Planning a beach day is a fun inexpensive date idea for Gen Zers. If you live near a beach then you should take advantage, and plan a beach date.

This is a fun activity and a good chance to get to know your date. If you want to make it extra nice, bring some snacks and drinks and stay at the beach all day long.

Even if it’s a further drive, the road trip can be part of the fun!

4. Watch the Sunset

Watching the sunset is a good first date idea and it doesn’t have to cost any money. If it’s a pretty day outside, going to watch the sunset on a hilltop or by the water will be very beautiful and romantic.

This is a good chance to get to know your date better and to see if there’s a real connection. If you feel like the date is going well, try going out for food, drinks or desert after the sunset.

Related: 30 Gifts That Gen Z Actually Wants in 2023 – By a Gen Zer

5. Visit a Nature Park

Visiting a nature park is a great way to be outside in nature and to get to know your date better. Nature parks are normally very beautiful and getting to see the animals in their natural habitat is a really cool experience.

There’s a a nature park about an hour out from I live and it’s amazing. I have a friend that frequently brings girls on dates there because it’s a fun time for everyone.

The cool thing about this nature park is that you get to drive through it while animals come up to your car.

If there’s a nature park in your area, you should definitely go there on a date!

6. Drive-in Theater

Going to a drive-in theater is a classic date idea, but Gen Z’s will love it! I never recommend movie dates because you can’t really talk during the movie, however that is not the case with a drive-in theatre date.

A drive-in theater date is a good chance to get to know your potential partner while not spending much money. Over the last year, drive-in theatre dates have become very popular among young people.

Going to a drive-in theater is something all Gen Zers should experience because that’s what our parents used to do. It’s a fun way to relive a retro date idea.

7. Mini Golf

Mini golfing is a really fun way to get to know your date. The great thing about mini golf is that it’s easy to play and it can get quite competitive.

If it’s your first date, try playing mini golf then going for drinks after. This is a great way to have a really fun evening and to have a memorable date.

Mini golfing has been a popular date idea for previous generations, and Gen Z guys and girls can enjoy it too!

8. Coffee Date

Coffee Date

If it’s your first time meeting your date in real life, going to a coffee shop for a coffee date is the best way to get to know them offline. As many Gen Zers get older, there will be less time to spend going on dates.

A coffee date is an efficient way to get to know someone and can lead to other things. If the coffee date goes well, you can walk around town or plan an activity like an escape room or going to a pottery studio.

9. Cooking/Baking Date

A great date idea is to cook or bake together. This is a really popular date idea among Gen Z daters because it’s easy to plan and super cheap too.

The fun part about baking or cooking, is that you get to work together while preparing the food. Once the food is prepared and you put it in the oven, you will get the chance to talk and relax before the food is ready.

Related: Best Clothing Brands for Gen Z – by a Gen Zer

10. Visit an Aquarium Or Zoo

Visiting an aquarium or zoo is a good date idea because you get to see animals. Everyone loves to see animals and it’s fun because you get to go at your own pace.

If you want to take it easy and go slowly you can or if you want to go quickly, you can as well. Oftentimes, the zoo and aquariums will have student discounts so if you’re a Gen Z student, keep an eye out for that.

Related: How to Make Money as a College Student – Online & Real Life

11. Seasonal Date

When it comes to dating, there are certain date ideas that are more seasonal. If you’re looking for some seasonal date ideas, here are a few suggestions.

Seasonal Date Ideas:

  • Skating
  • Sledding
  • Pumpkin carving
  • Christmas tree decorating
  • Gingerbread house date
  • Cliff jumping
  • Canoeing
  • Botanical garden

12. Ice Cream Date

An ice cream date is a classic date idea that is really fun. This is an affordable date and it’s a good reason to get out of the house.

If it’s your first or second date, an ice cream date is a cute way to get to know your date better. Taking your date out for ice cream on a warm summer night will be a nice gesture.

13. Night Time Walk

In today’s dating culture, everyone thinks you have to do something big and special. However, sometimes the most simple date ideas are the best.

If you live in a city or a nice area, try going for a night time walk with your date. In the evenings, a night time walk can be very relaxing and it’s a good way to talk with your date.

Related: Why Are Gen Z so Sensitive? – By a Generation Zer

14. Bar and Drinks

Going for a dinner date is a classic. However, going to a bar for some drinks is way more fun. Nowadays, there are some really cool bars that have activities like arcade machines, pool tables and watching a sports game.

Going out to a nice bar is a good way to have a fun night out with your date. If you’ve just started seeing this person, it’s important that you can have fun together when you go out.

The last thing you want is to date someone who is an obnoxious drunk!

15. Visit a Farmers Market

One of the new dating trends among young people is to go to a farmer’s market. Going to a farmer’s market and getting some fresh fruits and vegetable is a fun date idea.

The farmer’s market is a great place to get some nice photos for Instagram and you will get to try some fresh fruits and vegetables.

16. Concert

A concert is a very memorable date and it will make a lasting impression. If you’re on a tighter budget, check out local concerts or shows at bars.

If you like listening to music, then go see a concert with your date! It will be a very fun time for the both of you and it will be a memorable evening.

17. Sporting Event

Going to a sporting event is a fun date idea that everyone has to go to. If you’re on a tighter budget, there are plenty of sporting events that don’t cost a lot of money.

As a college student, I wanted to take my girlfriend to a hockey game. Since hockey games are very expensive in my city, we went to a minor league game and had a great time.

The experience of being at a hockey game was really fun and something that we’ll both remember for a while.

If you’re in college, try bringing your girlfriend to a college football game. It will be a really fun date for the both of you.

Related: How to Meet Girls in College – By a Recent Graduate

18. Visit a Food Festival

In most cities, there will be food festivals during the summer months. Going to a food festival is a really good time and it will give you the chance to try different foods.

If the person you are dating enjoy eating, try this! It’s a different culinary experience and it’s more exciting than going to a restaurant.

19. Bowling Date

Bowling is a classic date that is really fun. The great thing about bowling is that it’s super easy to do.

Whether you suck at bowling or if you’re good, it’s a fun time no matter what. As someone who sucks at bowling, I still enjoy going bowling occasionally.

20. Bike Ride Date

If you live in a city, then you have to do a bike ride date. In most cities, you will be able to rent a bike and bike around town.

The fun thing about biking around the city is that you will feel like a kid again. As we get older, most of us bike less and less.

If you bike around your city, stop in at some stores and plan a little adventure, you will have a great time. The cool thing about biking is that you can travel at your own speed.

You can take it easy, stop along the way and enjoy the ride.

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Final Thoughts On Date Ideas For Gen Z

As a Gen Zer, planning a date can be super stressful. However, it’s really not as bad as you think.

There are a lot of simple date ideas that are a lot of fun all while being super affordable. It’s important to plan a date that both you and your date will enjoy.

In this post, I shared 20 date ideas for Gen Z.

What’s your favorite date idea? Please let me know in the comments below.

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