We all know the feeling: work is tiring. And if you have children or elderly relatives to care for, you can feel constantly sapped of energy. That’s why alone time with your partner to recharge is so important. And date nights do not have to be fancy to be effective.
“Date night means spending time and giving undivided attention to each other, regardless of what time of the day it is,” according to Enneagram Relationship Coach, Cindy Leong of Relationship Studio. This encompasses even small gestures such as kissing each other goodnight and greeting each other with a kiss in the morning – “falling asleep together as a couple has been a top habit that has ensured the success of many marriages,” says Cindy.
“Married couples should always have date nights because it will be even harder to do so when the kids come along. If there was no habit of having date nights when there were no kids, it will be even harder to build such a habit when the kids have arrived,” says Cindy.
“When a couple sets up such a habit of having date nights, they are actually telling their partner they are a priority. So it’s great that couples can once again rediscover why they love each other in the first place, without the distractions of work and family responsibilities. “
And the best part is that these don’t have to be elaborate or necessarily break the bank – keep the expensive diamonds and chartered flights for more once in a lifetime events, if you must.
Keep things fun and fresh during your dates with these date ideas. The best part? They’re all below $20 – or totally free. And some of these can be squeezed into busy days for a much-needed pick-me-up.
Remember where you went on your first date, or where you first fell in love? Retrace your steps and revisit the place where it all began.
(P.S. If your first date was at a fancy restaurant, you don’t actually have to eat there. Just order a dessert to share or have a drink each, to keep to your $20 budget!)
And since the time you both fell in love may differ, then you can visit both spots and tell each other what made you fall!
When was the last time the two of you went to the library or a bookstore alone? If you have kids, it probably has been a long time. For library trips, borrow some romantic literature (better yet, if they come with steamy scenes) and get into the mood, literal-ly. If not, just enjoy the quiet space and read at one of the seats together.
If you are both the types that like to own your own books, how about a trip to one of our many second-hand bookstores? Browsing the shelves, you will find new gems and rediscover books from your past. Share your finds together and learn more about the other person’s taste – as well as support our secondhand bookstores while you are at it!
With a car, you can easily visit places you don’t normally go to. Try a new neighbourhood and explore. If you don’t have a car, you can rent an electric shared car at BlueSG. Or share a share a car with TribeCar, Car Club, and WhizzCar, where you pay a refundable deposit and can hire a car by the hour.
It’s always delightful to explore places with your partner, and it only gets more enjoyable on a bike! Cycle along Pulau Ubin or keep it within the city with cycling trips on any of Singapore cycle connector parks. You can find a map to all the connector parks here.
Of course, we recommend taking a trip to some of Singapore’s gorgeous waterfronts. While there are many parks and trails worth trying out in Singapore, Woodlands Waterfront is a unique spot not to be missed. Overlooking the sea, the sizeable park has a 1.5 km-long waterfront promenade, a beautiful jetty (that offers a great backdrop for snapping wefies) and even a restaurant with a view. A great way to leisurely spend time with the one you love.
No money for a Michelin star experience? No problem. Stretch your dollar by buying top-notch food from Garcons at Essen At The Pinnacle, an atas food court. Garcons serves mod-European cuisine like French Duck Confit and Pan-fried Foie Gras, all under $20. Then stroll over to nearby Duxton Plains and enjoy a breezy picnic and soak in the charms of old Chinatown.
Alternatively, why not forgo the packed restaurant altogether and have yourself a good ol’ picnic? Bring along a spread to enjoy on a big blanket at The Botanic Gardens. After all, the UNESCO World Heritage Site often has plenty of picturesque sitting spaces to choose from, and it’s all free.
If you want to fly some kites or enjoy a view of Singapore’s city, Marina Barrage is one of the most-loved spots for a good time!
Or a scrapbook or painting. The keyword is ‘together’. Working on a mini-project together, even if it’s just for a couple of hours, is great for bonding, plus you have a nice end-product to be proud of when you’re done. Just search up some helpful videos online and get crafting.
Are you guys a power couple in the kitchen? Or maybe you guys fumble more than bake. Whatever it is, there’s nothing more fun than struggling or succeeding together. Grab recipes for your favourite desserts and get to work! Just head to your local baking store and get all the things you need. Here are some romantic desserts you can bake together
You can even eat your sweet treats in bed as you feed each other – or off each other. Try not to obsess about the crumbs on the bedsheet.
Abandon the family car. Grab an MRT map, close your eyes and pick a station in a part of Singapore that you’re unfamiliar with. Now take the train – don’t forget to hold hands – and pretend to be broke youngsters during your early courting days. Explore a random, unfamiliar part of town and enjoy being tourists in your own land.
Bring your cameras along to snap photos and indulge in your photography passion if you have one, with your partner as your model! Or indulge in selfies and wefies as much as you want. They often get a bad rep for being self-obsessive, but this date is your chance to focus on yourselves.
Or prawning. An hour or two of chilling out with a fishing rod can be a great time to catch up, while (hopefully) catching your dinner.
Again, leave the kids at home. Check out all your favourite animals at various farms – such as the goat farm. Or head to the Tortoise Museum and slow down by feeding some big tortoises and terrapins. If you enjoy eating honey, you can also take guided tours of honey bee farms in Singapore and make some honey with your honey.
Forgo the trips to the mall and start visiting the old-school shops that bring life to our neighbourhoods. From bakeries decades-old to stores selling second-hand items, there’s more to meet the eye on our sunny island.
Personally, we recommend heading to a wet market and starting there. We have seen gems in these little community places – from florist stores that sell flowers by the stalk to provision shops that sell biscuits from our childhood.
With each other, we mean. Pretend you’re a new couple getting to know each other. Ask each other the same questions you’d ask someone at a speed-dating event. Answer as if you’re trying to impress a hot date. You’ll be surprised by the new nuggets of information you’ll learn about each other! Try questions like:
“What Makes You Unique?”
” What are some random fun facts about you?”
“What’s Something You Want to Learn or Wish You Were Better At?”
“Would You Rather…?”
“What’s Your Favorite Place on Earth?”
” Who is the most fascinating person you’ve met?
“What are some movies you really enjoyed?”
“What would be your dream job?”
“What would you do if had enough money to not need a job?”
“What hobbies would you like to get into if you had the time and money?”
If your hubby is a durian lover but you’ve never touched the thorny fruit, get out of your comfort zone and try it for his sake. If he usually refuses to go jogging with you, ask him nicely to join you just this once. The idea is to for you to both show that you’re willing, and happy, to make a little concession today just because you want to please.
When was the last time you wrote to each other? To Do lists don’t count. Clear your schedule, head for a comfy and quiet cafe and order a drink each. Then, sit there in front of each other, and pen your love letter. ‘Forcing’ yourself to focus on this love task will help you remember all the sweetest moments that you have shared. Then take turns to read your love letters, and watch the sparkle in your partner’s eyes.
Whether your intention is to make them cry (happy tears) or laugh out loud, this is a great time to do it and even rekindle some spark in your relationship.
Plan a surprise activity (or activities) each. You can take the ‘day shift’ while he takes the ‘night shift’. Inform each other about the dress code (for example, bikini, smart casual etc) so you don’t give your partner a nasty surprise if he turns up under dressed. Your only rule – keep to the $20 budget.
Get some cheap acrylic paint, gather some rocks and let those creative juices flow! Get small rocks, big rocks, medium-sized ones, and maybe set a ‘topic’ for each painting. You could even paint each other and marvel at your good (or bad) art skills. Or maybe try painting something and having them guess what it is – just be ready to possibly have them confused at your work.
Singapore has many museums and galleries that are constantly changing exhibitions. Search up the National Museum of Singapore, Malay Heritage Centre, The Asian Civilisations Museum, and the new Singapore Art Museum, which opened Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 at Block 39 Keppel Road, Tanjong Pagar Distripark. Plus, it has a cafe that’s set to open later this year, so you can plan for more trips back.
This one is a fun one and can easily be played at home.
Get a box of Jenga and some permanent markers. Write difficult questions on each block of Jenga and assemble the set as per normal.
Afterwards, take turns answering the questions on the block.
Gourmet pizzas are not cheap at restaurants, but you can eat like a King and Queen at home if you make the pizza yourself.
Assign a budget of $10 per person and use the money to buy your pizza topping ingredients. You can cheat and buy a ready-made pizza base (or a frozen prata base), if you prefer.
Assemble a playlist of movies you both loved growing up and relive your childhood memories together. Easy! Or you can binge-watch a whole television series together instead – it’s the new movie marathon, let’s be honest!
Paying $20 or less for games that are older than the ones on your phone may seem strange…until you do it, because it’s a total blast.
Arcades focus on mixing physical involvement with traditional gaming which makes for a whole new experience. From bashing animals with mallets to Dance Dance Revolution, it makes for a great night out.
Yes, TikTok dances are all the rage right now, but there are other ways to boogie together. Many community centre dance studios offer tons of dance options for cheap, from salsa lessons and line dancing to fitness-inspired options like Bokwa, a Zumba spin-off.
A session of relaxing back work is more than a nice way to #treatyoself after a stressful week at the office or a tough workout. Studies have found that massages can reduce stress, alleviate pain, and improve mood.
Fortunately, it’s easy to recreate a pricey spa outing with essential oils of your choice (lavender is especially calming) and a few lit candles to set the mood. Happy kneading!
Get familiar with the cosmos and head outdoors to see who can spot the North Star first. The Singapore Science Centre also offer public viewings with guided “star tours” and discussions. You can also head to Pulau Ubin and stay the night for actual star-gazing.
If you can’t spare the time, then just head down to the city area and soak in the view of our skyline. Most people go to the Esplanade to catch a show or eat at its many restaurants or snap photos of its durian-shaped dome. But few people know the Esplanade theatre building has a viewing platform at the top. You can take in the lights of the CBD area or just sit and catch up with each other
Dedicate a day to helping others, whether it’s serving meals at the local food pantry, hanging out with senior citizens, or cleaning up a nearby park. Getting involved for a cause not only benefits the community; it’s a scientifically proven way to score a major happiness boost.
Do good and present your caring side at the same time. There’s nothing more purposeful than being able to make a difference to those in need of help – and doing It together bonds you at a deeper level. If you’re both animal lovers, volunteer your time at a local shelter like Causes for Animals Singapore (CM). The CM Adoption Centre is always in need of helping hands for the daily care of the dogs and maintenance of the shelter grounds. Register your interest at causesforanimals.com.
Head out for a hike and take tons of wefies – the beautiful views will also provide awesome backdrops for your Instagram posts! Pack some light snacks to share along the way and spend alone time together immersed in nature. You can find places to walk here. We also like;
– Lower Pierce Reservoir Park at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
– Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
– Dairy Farm Nature Park
– Kranji Marshes
– Puaka Hill
– The Green Corridor along the old railway to Malaysia
– Bukit Batok Nature Park
– Windsor Nature Park Trail
Date night is all about deepening your relationship and intimacy, so heat things up with couple games, which help couples to reconnect by encouraging conversations, fun and romance naturally. If you’re in the mood to head straight down to business, try Strip Bedroom Blocks ($14.99. sextoys.sg). Remember: There are no losers on these types of game nights!
The adrenaline from exercise and competitive games boosts attraction, so get your game on in the milltary-themed Battle Zone or the Mystery Room at Tag Team. located at East Coast Park or Downtown East. Walk-in rates are at $15 per mission or $30 for three missions on Wednesdays and Thursdays. or $18 per mission or $36 for three missions on Fridays, weekends and public holidays. Visit tagteaminc.sg for more details.
We all have that one dish from our mums and dads that we love eating. Get them to send you the recipe and roll up your sleeves. As a team, try to recreate it and achieve that taste you grew up with. This is not only challenging if you are somewhat of a beginner at cooking, but it’s an opportunity to see whether you can order your partner to make it for you next time!
If you and your muse have a bit of an artistic streak, craft workshops will help both you and your partner learn something new! You can easily find many craft workshops under $20 on SeekSophie, Klook, Eventbrite, and more.
Nature lovers and gym rats alike are sure to perk up at the thought of rowing out into open waters with their loved one. Head down to the Water Sports Centre to rent kayaks or canoes, which you can use to have a charged race in the Kallang Basin! Pedal boats are also available for those who prefer a more leisurely and relaxed boat ride. Prices start at $12/hr per person.
Who hasn’t seen those stunning pictures of silhouettes against vibrantly projected colours and glittering lights all over Instagram? The ArtScience Museum’s wildly popular Future World digital installations are interactive and pretty awesome, but make sure to also check out collections like Minimalism: Space. Light. Object. and All Possible Paths. $16 to $19 per person.
Want the fun and satisfaction of hooking a big catch, but desperately want to avoid the sweltering heat of the outdoors? At Fun @ Fish’s Bugis+ outlet, Singapore’s one and only air-conditioned prawning and lobster fishing venue, you can have the best of both worlds. Now you can catch and cook those delicious prawns with your beau, without worrying about sweating off your makeup! $18/hr per person.
Remember the carefree days of playing on trampolines as a child? Recreate those memories with your date at AMPED Singapore – where over 5,000 square feet of trampolines, foam pits and even a ninja warrior course is available. The best part? You’ll get to burn off tons of calories while having fun! Prices start from $15/hr.
This game is simple – both of you have to write questions onto slips of paper and put them into separate cups. When you’re done, switch cups, shake, pick up the slips of papers, and start answering. You can include a penalty for no answers. Nothing that includes chores, mind you! Maybe task them with choosing what’s for dinner? Or even a move in bed they’d like to try…
Watching movies at home definitely has its perks, but it’s hard to watch new releases in the comforts of your bed. Singapore has a wide array of movie theatres across the island that charge less than $20 for one movie and snacks.
It can sometimes be easy to forget about all the wonderful sites Singapore has to offer. All t6oo often we go along on when we have visitors in town. Whether it’s Gardens by the Bay, new Sentosa rides like the SkyHelix, and more, there’s no shortage of places to visit in our little city.
It can be hard to find time to drink and relax. But set some time aside, pop a bottle or two of your favourite tipple, and drink together. if you fancy an alfresco picnic, it’s good to know that drinking in public is legal in Singapore. But consumption of alcohol in a public space or non-licensed premise is restricted from 10.30pm to 7am.
Himanshu Mehta, who works at Singapore Changi Airport shares about her date night at NSRCC Sea Sports Centre: “One of the most memorable dates we’ve had is going to the NSRCC Sea Sports Centre in Tanah Merah where you get to see all the aircrafts preparing to land. Also good food and no crowds.
There are F&B outlets with Balinese-style cabanas and boardwalk seating for alfresco dining. It’s a great place to catch the gorgeous sunset peeping behind the billion-dollar skyline of the city and harbour as you dine in a romantic setting after sunset.
After food, we took a long walk around the club and then sat on the wooden benches there looking at the aircrafts coming every five minutes. Watching the landing gears opening on top of our heads and seeing the flights land was an exhilarating experience.”
Order an at-home spa kit and spend precious couple time together. Don’t forget the wine, chocolates and aroma candles. Nothing incites sharing and caring conversation than relaxed body and mind. At home spa kits are available from $27, at Amazon or Bodyshop. or go local with Hush Candle, a local Singapore company that sells high quality, low-cost, natural soy wax candles. Their signature scents are lemongrass, lavender, and rose, but they have more exotic fragrances as well.
Looking at painted murals is one way to not only enjoy gorgeous artwork but to learn about Singapore itself. From Chinatown to Haji Lane, our walls are full of scenes to take in. For example, in Little India alone you’ll find the multi-coloured facade of Tan Teng Niah house. Take a left turn and you’ll come across a mural on the traditional trades of Little India, at 8 Bebilios Lane. There’s also multicoloured depictions of traditional dancers at 104 Dunlop Street, and morals of horses 74 Race Course Roa, as a tribute to the location’s past as a racecourse.
Other good locations for murals are:
– Outram Park. Provision Shop by Yip Yew Chong.
– Kampong Glam and Haji Lane
– Tiong Bahru. Tiong Bahru Market.
– Jalan Besar. 805 French Road mural by Social Creatives.
– Bras Basah.
– Telok Ayer.
– Chinatown.
Visit all the photo booths around the island – you will be surprised how many you will come across when you actually go looking for them. Singapore now has many self-photo studios, set up with lighting, props and professional cameras. You just book a time and get professional-looking photos, with no photographer around.
You can also find Neo Print photo booths at almost every MRT station and mall. Take fun photos with each other. This will be one section of your photo album you will be keen to revisit – fondly.
Learn to play an instrument in three hours well – not entirely, but enough to be able to sign select songs to each other. TravelClef conducts workshop-style music lessons working with the objective to make learning music easy as well as fun and they offer a wide range of instruments. One session with them will arm you with the chords to belt out at least five popular, and romantic, songs. Imagine the jam session you can have at home for your next date night. Visit travelclef.com.
Banker Sharon Dias was at the receiving end of one such memorable surprise from her husband: “I was at work and I received this voice message with instructions not to go home after work, but straight to a destination… for a surprise dinner and check-in to Fairmont Singapore. It’s one of the most unforgettable dates I have had with my husband.”
Explore Singapore. No not by car, bus or train, but in a vintage Vespa, complete with a sidecar. It will be like stepping into a time machine and going back to the ’50s. Singapore Sidecars offers the most unique Vespa tours with the option of self-drive date rides. Being a social enterprise, all proceeds go towards the many charities they support. From $160 for 60 mins. Visit sideways.sg for the ride of your life.
Looking to just chill and catch up over drinks, why not do it 39 floors high? Mr Stork is located on top of Andaz. Sit amidst lush greenery in a teepee, sipping delicious cocktails or do a Sleepless in Seattle Singapore-style, and grab 360 degrees views of the city from the bar’s observatory corner.
Download quiz apps on your mobile phones and learn together; perfect for couples who love to always be in the know!
Doing a strenuous activity as a couple is known to foster close bonds. But what if the activity goes against gravity and relies on your partner to support you? Acroyoga involves taking yoga moves and poses from the ground to the air. Done with a partner, it’s all about coordination – not to mention trust – and “understanding your body as a flyer, on the ground and on your partner’s feet” well, if that doesn’t strengthen bonds, nothing else can. Visit freedomyoga.sg.
Text: Stella Thng/Simply Her. Additional reporting by Atika Lim, Natalya Molok, Candy Lim-Soliano and Terri Kue from The Singapore Women’s Weekly.