50+ Awesome Date Ideas for Teens That You Can Totally Afford

Written by Mark Rosenfeld | Edited by Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: November 25, 2024 Fact Checked

If you want great date ideas for teens, look no further. Whether you’re looking for first date ideas for teens, cheap teen date ideas, or cute date ideas for teens, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled over 50 of the most exciting dates you can find, and most of them are totally free or super cheap. Ready for a good time? Keep on reading!

This article is based on an interview with our professional dating and relationship coach, Mark Rosenfeld, founder of Make Him Yours. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

For a free date, skateboard, swim, host a movie night, go to the beach, go geocaching, watch the sunset, play a game, or relax around a firepit.
Enjoy cheap dates like baking cookies, going to a roller rink, visiting an ice cream parlor, attending a school event, or hanging out at the mall.
Splurge a bit on indoor rock climbing or tickets to a haunted house, aquarium, zoo, amusement park, or waterpark.

1

Go geocaching.

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Join a free geocaching site and hunt for treasure. What could be better than a thrilling adventure? When you go geocaching, you and your date will use the GPS on your phones to hunt down a hidden container, called the cache. You get to choose which cache you hunt, so take turns picking.
- Make it a double-date and compete against another couple.

2

Stargaze on a blanket.

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Cozy up together under a starlit sky. For a romantic night under the stars, grab some snacks and spread a comfy blanket out on the ground. Use a stargazing app on your phone to help you look for planets and constellations.^{[1]
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- Bring a telescope if you have one. You don’t need a telescope to stargaze, but it’ll give you a close up look.

3

Go on a picnic.

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Enjoy a beautiful day with a nice picnic. Pack some finger foods and take your meal to your backyard or a nearby park. Spread a blanket on the ground and just enjoy the day.^{[2]
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- Alternatively, get some takeout and go sit on a park bench or picnic table.^{[3]
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4

Attend a concert in the park.

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Take advantage of local events for a fun, free date. Bring a blanket or comfy chairs, then relax while you listen to tunes. You might even bring a snack.
- You could also try cities near you to see if they’re having free park events.

5

Watch the sunset.

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Spend a romantic evening watching the sunset. Spread out a blanket or get comfortable in some lounge chairs. Then, relax and enjoy nature’s wonders. Best of all, your date will be free.
- You might bring some drinks and snacks to your sunset viewing, as well.

6

Relax around a fire pit.

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You could just sip on a drink and talk about things. If you have some marshmallows, try roasting them over the fire for a tasty treat. You can spend hours enjoying the fire for a romantic, affordable date.

7

Do a photo scavenger hunt.

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Fill up an afternoon with a scavenger hunt. Create your own scavenger hunt list or download a list online. Then, look for all of the items on the list, taking a photo when you find them.
- You could always compete against another couple to raise the stakes a little.

8

Play a game together.

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Grab some snacks and challenge your date to a game. Then, pull out the board games or your favorite gaming console. Play until you get tired or one of you emerges the winner.
- You might take turns picking games.

9

Go on a bike ride.

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Pick a scenic spot to explore. Alternatively, you could stick close to home. Just enjoy your time riding bikes together.
- Ride around your neighborhood.
- Take a trail.
- Bike along a boardwalk.

10

Make s’mores.

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Treat your taste buds with ooey gooey s’mores. Pick up some gingerbread crackers, marshmallows, and a chocolate bar from the grocery store. For best results, roast your marshmallows over your stovetop or a firepit. You could also melt your s’mores in the microwave.^{[4]
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- No fire? Pick up a s’mores kit and make them inside.

11

Watch a movie together.

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For a low-cost option, pop some microwave popcorn, buy some cheap candy, and stream a movie at home. Cuddle on the couch or in your room for the perfect night in. If you have some extra cash, catch the latest blockbuster at the theater.^{[5]
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12

Ride skateboards.

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Ride along your city streets, or visit a local skatepark together. Not only will you have fun, you’ll also bond over your shared hobby. Plus, it doesn't cost a thing.

13

Walk around your city or local park.

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^{[7]
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Expert Interview} Pick a place that feels safe and is convenient to both of you. You might even take your dog with you if you have one. Best of all, walks are totally free!^{[8]
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14

Enjoy a beach day.

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Get some sun and make memories with the perfect beach date. Beach days are super fun, and they’re also free. Bring a blanket or some towels, as well as some snacks.^{[9]
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- You might bring a book, sketchbook, or travel game so you have something to do besides sunning yourself and swimming.

15

Put together a puzzle.

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Spend a night at home with a puzzle. Make some snacks, then settle in at the table. As you put the puzzle together, chat about life and joke around. You’ll have loads of fun without spending a lot of cash.
- If you don’t have a puzzle, try borrowing one from a friend or see if your library has puzzles. You could also look for a puzzle in a local thrift store.

16

Bake cookies.

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Make your favorite cookie flavors for a tasty date at home. Mix up your own batter from scratch, or pick up a few packs of premade dough from the grocery store. At the end of your date, split the cookies so you both get some.^{[10]
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- If you have different favorite flavors, bake both so you can sample each other’s favorite flavor. It’ll be a great way to get to know each other better.

17

Volunteer.

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Make a difference with your date by volunteering. You’ll feel closer together after you help others, and it’s something you can do for free. Here are some places you can volunteer:
- An animal shelter.
- A food bank.
- A soup kitchen.
- A shelter.
- Habitat for humanity.
- The library.

18

Visit a local pool or lake.

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Many cities have public pools, but you can also pay a low fee to use your local natatorium. Alternatively, lakes and ponds are often free or have a nominal fee to use. Bring some drinks and snacks from home, and you have the perfect date.

19

Make a craft or art project together.

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Explore your creativity together. Grab some art or craft supplies, and get to making. It’s a nice, low-cost way to enjoy a date at home. You could:
- Paint a picture.
- Do origami.
- Make a paper lantern.
- Decoupage a glass.

20

Study in the library.

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Study dates will make you look forward to hitting the books. You have to study anyway, so why not enjoy it? Invite your date to a cozy study sesh at your school or community library. Take a break halfway through and enjoy a snack outside or in the lobby.
- If you book a study room, you may be able to snack while you study. Check your library’s rules to find out what’s allowed.

21

Walk through an art gallery.

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Many cities have art galleries where artists share their work. Typically, you can visit these galleries for free. Admire the different types of art and talk about your favorite pieces.^{[11]
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22

Do YouTube or TikTok challenges.

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You might learn a TikTok dance together, create your own scene using a trending sound bite, or participate in a viral challenge. It’s totally free and super fun.^{[12]
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23

Go to an open-mic night.

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Attend an open-mic night at a local coffeehouse or cafe. You and your date will enjoy watching people sing, tell jokes, or share their writing. You might even perform something yourself.
- If you can sing or play an instrument, perform a song together.
- You could also both read poems you wrote to each other.

24

Take a stroll through the mall.

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Mall dates are so retro, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to snap pics for your socials. Explore the different stores, visit the food court, and see what your mall has to offer.^{[13]
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25

Ride a ferry.

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Enjoy the sights and sounds of a nearby waterway on a ferry ride. Look for a ferry along a river, bay, or other waterway that separates two pieces of land. They often go out to islands. Generally, you can ride the ferry for free or a low fee, so this is a great cheap date.^{[14]
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- Bring a snack to eat aboard the boat.
- Once the ferry lands, you might take a stroll along the water before riding the ferry back.

26

Walk around a farmers market.

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In addition to food, farmers markets are a great place to find art, crafts, and plants. Often, a local musician or DJ will play some tunes to create a bit of ambiance. After walking around the market, buy something to eat and have a lazy picnic on the grass.^{[15]
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27

Skate at a roller rink or outside.

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Go retro with a skate-date. Grab a pair of skates and take a trip around the block. For added fun, bring a small bluetooth speaker and play some tunes. Take it up a notch by going to a local skating rink for the perfect vintage date.
- If you don’t have skates, you can rent a pair from the skating rink.

28

Grab dessert at an ice cream parlor.

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Ice cream parlors are a classic date for a reason. There’s nothing better than the scent of baking waffle cones and fresh-churned ice cream.

29

Solve an escape room.

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Escape as a couple or plan a group date with friends. Work together to solve the puzzles and get out before the clock runs down. Hopefully, you’ll make it out in time. Either way, you’ll have a great time.
- You can also make your own escape room.

30

Get bubble tea and play a game.

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Visit a local teahouse for a delicious date. Order a cup of bubble tea and pick out a comfy place to sit. If the teahouse has games, pick a board game to play with each other. Alternatively, you might play a game together on your phones.
- Look up the local teahouses in your area before you go to see which ones have games and which ones don’t.

31

Chill at a local coffee house.

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Enjoy a classic coffee date. Order your favorite cuppa joe or try a new and exciting flavor. You could chat with your date, draw together, or read books. You could even turn it into a study date!^{[16]
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- You could also try a tea room or matcha cafe.^{[17]
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- Reader Poll: We asked 610 wikiHow readers who've planned successful dates, and 63% of them agreed that the best first date location is a coffee shop. [Take Poll]

32

Go ice skating.

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Visit a local ice rink or a frozen lake. Then, lace up your skates and take a few laps around the ice. You might even try a little ice dancing.^{[18]
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- Remember to dress warmly when you’re going out on the ice.

33

Go bowling.

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Play a few games of bowling for a fun date. Doing something active together will give you time to talk.^{[19]
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Expert Interview} Plus, you’ll have loads of fun.^{[20]
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- Bowling is the perfect activity for a double-date or a group date.

34

Play mini golf.

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Putt-putt your way to romance on a mini golf course. See who can finish the course in the fewest strokes or don’t bother keeping score. Just have fun together.
- Mini golf courses are a great place to take pics for social media. Pose with the biggest or funniest attractions for a perfect photo op.

35

Go on a ghost tour.

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Look for a ghost tour in your area, or check out a city nearby. Spooky tales are the perfect reason to cuddle up to your date. Not only that, but you two will have an amazing story to tell your friends.

36

Get a psychic reading.

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Find out what’s in store for the future with this unique date. You could get individual readings or do one as a couple. You might even go with a few of your friends for a fun group date.
- Not sure where to find a psychic? Check with your local new age or metaphysical store to see if they have a schedule.

37

Visit a botanical garden.

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Stroll through the flora and foliage with your partner. Enjoy the beautiful plants and take photos with the natural scenery. You’ll probably see some sights you don’t see everyday.^{[21]
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- Some botanical gardens are free or donation-based, so they can be a really cheap date.

38

Attend a school sports game.

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With football, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, and volleyball going throughout the school year, there’s always some kind of game to attend. Make some memories by cheering on your team.

39

Go to a school event.

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Keep up with the fun events going on at school. You and your date could have loads of fun alone or with a group of friends. Often, school events are low cost or free, so you can enjoy an amazing time without spending a lot. Look for events like:
- A school dance.
- The school play.
- Club meetings.
- Band concerts.

40

Share a pizza at a local parlor.

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Split a pizza pie for a classic date. Order toppings you both love, or split the toppings down the middle. Eat at the parlor for added ambience and the smells of baking pizza dough.
- You can also order pizza at many Italian restaurants. So romantic!

41

Eat at a kitschy diner or restaurant.

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Enjoy a tasty meal together. Lots of restaurants are fairly cheap, especially diners. You might even make a bucket list of places to go. You could:
- Try a 50s diner.
- Eat at a breakfast diner.
- Check out your city’s oldest restaurant.
- Sample a local sushi bar.
- Try Japanese BBQ.

42

Visit a food festival or food truck.

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You’ll also be able to find unique, interesting dishes. Go with just your date or invite some friends for a fun group date.^{[22]
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43

Go to an arcade.

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Play games together in a local arcade.^{[23]
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Expert Interview} You can challenge each other to a face-off or have fun with a game like Dance, Dance Revolution.
- Arcades often have a photobooth that you could use to take fun pics with your date.

44

Go thrifting.

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You and your date will have fun laughing at weird items, and you could find something really cool. Bring some money because you might pick up something special.

45

Do a group date murder mystery night.

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Invite a few friends over and host an interactive murder mystery game. Murder mystery games are fairly inexpensive, but you can also print a game online for free. Assign all of your friends a character in advance so you can dress up.
- Ask everyone to bring a snack so you have something to eat during the game.

46

Race go-carts.

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You’ll both get a rush of adrenaline, and you’ll be able to talk about the race afterwards. Maybe grab some pizza and laugh about your driving performance.

47

Walk through an aquarium.

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You and your date will get to explore lots of underwater scenes, and you’ll get to see aquatic life up close. It’s totally romantic, and you’ll have loads to talk about afterwards.

48

Visit the local zoo.

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You’ll both enjoy “oohing” and “ahhing” over adorable animals and might even get to feed some of them. Take lots of pictures so you can remember your special date and share them online.

49

Sing karaoke.

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Belt out your karaoke favorites for a rip-roaring date. Do karaoke at home by pulling up your favorite tracks on a site like YouTube. Alternatively, go to a karaoke night with some friends. Make sure you and your date sing a cute duet together!
- If you love karaoke, you might purchase your own karaoke machine.

50

Play laser tag.

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Alternatively, team up against another couple for the battle of the century (or at least the weekend). Whether you win or lose, it’ll be an exciting date.^{[24]
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51

Check out a local museum.

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Learn something together by visiting a museum. Pick a museum that piques both your interests. Then, walk through the exhibits and talk about what you see.^{[25]
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- Many museums offer free or discount days, so you can do a museum date very cheaply.

52

Do indoor rock climbing.

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Rock climbing is a fun, unique date, and it’ll give you a story to tell. Plus, you can get some cool pics for social media.^{[26]
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53

Go to a carnival or fair.

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Ride rides together, play games, and share traditional carnival foods, like funnel cake. Don’t forget to snap a photo at the top of the ferris wheel.

54

Visit a haunted house.

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You’ll have the best time cozying up to your date as the actors and special effects scare you silly. Getting scared together will definitely be a great memory.^{[27]
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55

Pick fruit at a local farm.

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You and your date could pick apples, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or another fruit that grows in your region. Afterwards, you’ll go home with a tasty snack. Plus, you’ll have some cute photo opportunities on your date.^{[28]
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56

Go to an amusement park.

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You’ll have a great time screaming on roller coasters and trying to win each other prizes. Cozy up together on rides you find scary, and be sure to watch some of the entertaining shows.^{[29]
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57

Enjoy a day at the waterpark.

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Put on your swimsuits and spend the day at a waterpark. Float around the lazy river together, ride the water rides, or hang out in the pool. You’re sure to have tons of fun in the sun, so remember to bring sunscreen.^{[30]
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- You might make this a group date and invite other couples.

What Are Fun Date Ideas?

Dating Simulator: A Day at the Amusement Park

Can you make your date's heart race faster than the roller coaster?
It’s not just any date—it’s a full day at the amusement park. You’ve got rides to ride, games to play, and a shot at real connection. But it only takes one awkward moment to throw everything off. Will this be the kind of day they never forget… or one they’d rather not remember?
- Before we begin, briefly describe the person you're going on a date with: *
  
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Join the Discussion...

Give me some adorable date ideas!

April Davis
Matchmaker

This is so sweet! Here are some of my top suggestions for adorable, romantic dates:

Plan a picnic in the park, complete with blankets, snacks, and a dedicated playlist. You can also make a handwritten menu for the snacks!

A trending date idea is to paint each other's pictures. This can be so cute, especially if you're not an artist!

Go on a local scavenger hunt. This is my personal favorite suggestion. Make a list of a few rare finds and head to a bookstore, antique shop, and your farmer's market.

Go stargazing! All you need is a light pollution map. From there, you can find areas close by that allow you to see a clear night sky. Bring some blankets!

Plan a stay at a themed hotel! This one might require a bit of planning as there aren't many themed hotels left, but you'll surely be in for a silly, unforgettable experience.

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Question

What should I do with my girlfriend in high school?

John Keegan
Dating Coach
John Keegan is a Dating Coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. With over 10 years of professional experience, he runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.

John Keegan

Dating Coach

Expert Answer

Exercising together can be a fairly cheap date! Sign up for a yoga or workout class, or just exercise for free (like going for a jog). Afterwards, you can grab a juice together.

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