Date night ideas for when you can’t find a sitter

Parenthood sometimes means date night comes with an adorable third wheel (or two, or three, or more)! Sometimes a sitter isn’t available, the little ones are too nervous to be left with someone else, or you just can’t bear to leave them. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t mean it has to be the end of date night (or day). Check out the list below for some fun inexpensive date night ideas for when you can’t find a sitter.

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Go to a rolled ice creamery.

See a movie at the dollar theater near you.

Find an arcade near you. Bonus if it isn’t Dave & Buster’s.

Head to the zoo.

Stay home and build your own personal pizzas. Premade dough can be found at Publix.

Make fun dessert drinks like this one by The Flavor Bender! Add a little booze to the adults if you want.

Go to a state park with a picnic. Be sure to bring bug repellant. For the love of god bring it all.

Find a sit-down restaurant where kids eat free. O’Charleys, Steak ‘n’ Shake, and Chili’s are a few.

Try fishing together.

Take an easy hike.

Check out your local science museum or children’s museum.

Build an outdoor (or indoor) fire and roast hotdogs and marshmallows. We love these child-friendly roasting sticks by Safety S‘mores.

Go for a walk at your local botanical gardens.

Go buy cheap art supplies and create a crazy masterpiece together.

Grab coffee and sip it at the park.

Visit a thrift store and try to be the one that finds the best item, worst item, or craziest item for $3. Divide into teams and let the little ones help.

Grab some glow in the dark chalk and head outside after sunset to create some fun.

Build ice cream sundaes at home.

Find a “you pick” flower nursery.

Invent a new card game.

Flashlight tag at the park