Cheap/Free evening activities for a couple

Blackcats

We choose a theme and compile a music playlist together (we use Spotify). It's a great way to listen to old favourites and explore new to us music and long forgotten tunes.  If you chose unusual themes it's great fun to search for songs.
Amongst our themes have been
Our favourite guitar heroes
Favourites from the1960's or 70's or 80's etc 
halloween spooky playlist - this includes songs like Ghost Town, Spirits in a material world, obviously Thriller 
tunes or artists that include a colour
same title different tune

the list is endless.
then, probably because we need to get out more 🤣, we create an appropriate meal and enjoy the finalised playlist with a glass of wine.

we also do the daily Popmaster quiz on the app.  Joint rounds or a competitive round each.

weenancyinAmerica

My two uncles and aunts assembled doll houses together. At least one couple on MSE is doing this also. If you make most of everything by hand, it's not very expensive. I did a grocery store for my sister which was a lot of fun also. 

timehastoldme

I'd recommend non standard board games, collaborative ones are a low stakes start, Pandemic (topical), Dead of Winter has a great narrative, we play a lot of Arkham Horror because we like the spooky.

Competitive ones that are easy to get into, Carcassonne, splendor, ticket to ride, small world, terra mystics... Our newest is wingspan, utterly gorgeous. 

If you have a board game cafe nearby you can often loan them (probably not free) to see if you like them. 

PipneyJane

timehastoldme said:

I'd recommend non standard board games, collaborative ones are a low stakes start, Pandemic (topical), Dead of Winter has a great narrative, we play a lot of Arkham Horror because we like the spooky.

Competitive ones that are easy to get into, Carcassonne, splendor, ticket to ride, small world, terra mystics... Our newest is wingspan, utterly gorgeous. 

If you have a board game cafe nearby you can often loan them (probably not free) to see if you like them. 

I second this, @timehastoldme.  We started playing a campaign version of Pandemic with some friends in 2021.  It runs through 12 “months” but, so far, we’re only up to May.

With another group of friends, during Lockdown, we started a D&D campaign, using tools like Roll20 and Discord (for the audio).

- Pip

Siebrie

Learn how to dance salsa! It's a really simple dance that looks amazing. Search for 'salsa beginners' on youtube, and you have plenty of choice. Tip: both of you learn the man's steps first, to get him started correctly, then the woman can easily switch to the woman's steps.

MrsStepford

Free online courses ?

Local colleges often offer NCFE Level 2 certificates in a wide variety of subjects including nutrition, digital skills, climate change, business administration, bookeeping.

Adult education classes can often be taken online now e.g. yoga, Pilates, tai chi and are often free/cheap. 

Longwalker

Brie said:

Play cards or board games?  Some places have cafes to facilitate this but that will obviously bring some costs I would think.  

Where I work we facilitate this , we supply some games, we will supply partners if you arrive alone, the cost is a £1 for a hot drink of choice which goes to our charity partner . We do it as the major employer in a seaside town which has an elderly population once the tourists leave. Its great as we have a lot of grandparents and children come in and the laughter and general noise is a joy 

Definitely join local FB groups to see whats happening for FREE in your local community . Im gobsmacked at times with whats happening, everything from circus skills to salsa . We have a "swing class " as in dance running for 6 weeks at just £20 each - take water, partner not required  

Local libraries are also a good source of information on whats happen where and when as well as the local church

calleyw

thanks to everyone's ideas.  I will mull them over and see what my partner wants to do.  I am concnerned that we will just do the same thing every night.  Have tea, walk the dog and then watch TV or play computer games in different rooms.  I would like at least once a week to do something different. 

calleyw

MrsStepford said:

Free online courses ?

Local colleges often offer NCFE Level 2 certificates in a wide variety of subjects including nutrition, digital skills, climate change, business administration, bookeeping.

Adult education classes can often be taken online now e.g. yoga, Pilates, tai chi and are often free/cheap. 

We want to do things together.  Doing an online course is an individual thing and something we are already looking at as well for personal and career progression

Chop-D

We bought a table tennis net you can fit onto a normal table (and take off again just as easily), a small upfront cost but then free, and usually ends up with us laughing a lot.