5 Cheap Family/Date Ideas for July

Around here, July gets pretty hot. It's perfect for outdoor adventures as long as you stay hydrated and don't overheat. Here are five cheap outdoor dates for July:

1. Drive-in movie and sno-cones.

There is something super fun about seeing a movie at the drive-in ~ throwing frisbees before the previews, laying out blankets in the back of your car (or reclining in camping chairs). It's a great mix of outdoor/indoor fun. I'm a movie-lover but my husband likes the interaction of it, so sometimes a group date makes it even better. Stop by your favorite sno-cone place before going or buy from the ice-cream trucks once you're there. 

No drive-in theater in your town? No problem. Make your own little theater in the backyard like this or this. No sno-cone place nearby? No biggie, try making your own with these recipes.

2. Progressive picnic in the park.

You've heard of progressive dinners, so why not make it a progressive picnic? Have appetizers of watermelon shishkabobs by the duck pond (with some bread crust for the ducks), fried chicken by the swings and popsicles at the picnic tables.

3. Catching fireflies and star-gazing.

Remember staying out late when you were a kid with a jar and a lid poked with holes to catch fireflies? Why not do it again? Take your jar and head out of town. Find a secluded spot, pull over and see what fireflies you can catch then lay on the car hood to gaze at the stars.

4. Walk to the ice cream shop.

Take an evening stroll together to the ice cream shop. Walking + ice cream may sound like a contradiction, but you're allowed to splurge in the heat, right?

5. Evening swim or water-fight.

I love to swim. Our neighborhood pool is a lot less crowded in the evening which makes it perfect for a date swim. But if you don't have a pool or lake nearby, there's always a water-hose fight or washing the car. Have only one rule: to get as wet as possible.

What do you love doing in July?

5 Cheap Summer Dates

photo by The Altar

1. Thrift Gift
Head to your favorite thrift store with an agreed-upon price limit. Browse the shop for a one-of-a-kind gift for each other. See how original you can be!

2. Five-Course Dinner In
Choose five easy finger foods for dinner (For example: veggies with dip, fruit bowl, lettuce wraps, chicken wings and cupcakes) . Serve your date one course at a time on china or other fancy-ware. Make sure the table is dressed up for the occasion with candles and flowers. Silverware is optional.

3. Proposal Do-Over
Go to the mall and pretend a proposal all over again with a cheap ring from Claire's or some accessory store. Let the screaming and twirling of the girl begin. The bigger your show the better the story for all your viewers.

4. Texting Treasure Hunt 

Take your date on a treasure hunt by texting clues or information to 3-5 places. Leave surprises along the way. For example, send them to Starbucks with an empty cup waiting to be filled (with their name on it and in the care of the barista); then to the dollar jewelry store for a necklace waiting at the counter; then to a Bath store for a small bottle of lotion; and finally, to their favorite restaurant where you'll be waiting at the table.

5. Beach Bums
Head to the beach or lake for a day to play in the water and lay in the sun. Don't have a beach nearby? Set up the sprinkler with a made-up obstacle course. A day at the water park would be a fun alternative but a bit more costly; finding a neighborhood pool might be the next best option.