TIRED OF THAT dinner-and-a-movie date routine? So are we. That's why we scoured the area for obscure and do-it-yourself date ideas on the cheap. You might not fancy all the ideas, but for $25 bucks? Hey, we're not complaining.

Play laser tag

Get a little action in from the start by chasing after your date with a laser. The playing grounds, such as at Laser Quest, Wonderland Family Fun Center and Triple Play, often are set up as a maze and filled with fog. Play with just two people or see who else shows up. Laser Quest: $7/person per game, Wonderland: $6/person per game, Triple Play: $5.50/person per game.

Visit the MAC

Stimulate your minds with an afternoon date to the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. Exhibits include paintings of China's Silk Road, mythological human-animal creations and seasons, and photographs capturing Spokane memories and its gardens and parks. Admission includes a tour of the historic Campbell House next door where visitors are given the roles of people who lived in the house. Tuesdays-Sundays: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 2316 W. First Ave. $7/adults, $5/ seniors 62 and older, $5/students.

Attend a Spokane Chiefs game

The season's about to start for the local ice hockey team, which placed fourth last year in its U.S. Division of the Western Conference of the Western Hockey League. The Chiefs have an exhibition game Saturday at 7 p.m. at Eagles Ice-A-Rena, and then open at home at the Spokane Arena on Oct. 2. Exhibition game: $5. Regular season games: $7-$14, depending on seats and age, through TicketsWest or (509) 535-PUCK.

Check out the fair

The annual Spokane Interstate Fair runs through Sunday, so hurry out for all the carnival rides,

games, food and vendors that remind you how great it feels to be carefree, if only for a little while. You can watch motor sports tonight and tomorrow night and the demolition derby Sunday night. $8/ adults, $5.50/ages 12-17 and seniors.

Picnic at a park

Enjoy the last few days of summer with a picnic at your neighborhood park or even gorgeous Manito Park with its many gardens. For a twist, head to Farragut State Park in Idaho. Bring a Frisbee and try Farrugut's disc golf course. There's also a park museum, and you can hike and swim before setting up a picnic. The park is 4 miles east of Athol, Idaho, on State Highway 54.

Paint your own pottery

Stop by your local pottery shop and paint plates, bowls, picture frames and other pottery. Places such as Polka Dot Pottery in Spokane or Hands On Art Studio in Coeur d'Alene let you bring in food so you can enjoy dinner and paint. Prices depend on the pottery, but on average you can paint each other mugs for about $10 apiece.

Hit Centennial Trail

More than 60 miles of beauty stretch along Centennial Trail from Riverside State Park in Nine Mile Falls through North Idaho. Go for a run, walk, in-line skate or bike. Perhaps even pack a picnic to eat near the river. There's tons of scenery to take in, including the leaves changing colors as autumn arrives.

Attend a comedy show

Go see shows of the Blue Door Theatre or ComedySportz, improvisational comedy troupes that work off of audience suggestions. ComedySportz shows are similar to "Who's Line Is It Anyway?" ComedySportz has shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; the Blue Door Theatre performances are at 8 p.m. on Fridays. Tickets are $5- $8.

Visit the Museum of North Idaho

Explore the history of Kootenai, Benewah and Shoshone counties as told through the agriculture, logging, mining, Native American history and other aspects of North Idaho life. Tuesdays-Saturdays: 1 p.m.-4:45 p.m., through Sept. 30. 115 Northwest Blvd., Coeur d'Alene. $2/adults, which includes entry to Fort Sherman Museum on the North Idaho College campus.

Skate on a date

Take your date for a skate. Don't be afraid of falling - humor is essential for a healthy relationship. Try roller skating or ice skating at the handful of public skate arenas in the area. Admission averages about $5 with skate rentals about $2.

Feed big cats

Get up close to 45 tigers, leopards, jaguars and other big cats at Cat Tales Zoological Park. For $10, you can purchase a treat bag and hand feed some of the animals. There's also a petting zoo with goats, rabbits, ducks and geese. Sundays-Tuesdays: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through September; Sundays- Tuesdays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. beginning in October. 6 miles north of the Y on Highway 2. $6/adults, $5/seniors and students.

Play miniature golf

Putt your way through the night. Locations such as Savage House Pizza Parlor and Wonderland Family Fun Center have 18-hole courses. Triple Play in Hayden, Idaho, offers a nine-hole course inside and an 18-hole course outside. Savage: $5/13 and older; Wonderland: $6/ adults, $5.50/ages 12-17 and seniors; Triple Play: $5.50.

Watch a play

Instead of seeing a movie, support your local playhouse. Area stage theaters include Spokane Civic Theatre, InterPlayers Ensemble, Actors Repertory Theatre, CenterStage Dinner Theatre and the Lake City Playhouse in Coeur d'Alene. Prices vary depending on venue and event, with some costing more than $25.