Date ideas are everywhere. But not all are created equal.
The classic dinner date is overrated. Plus, you always devolve into discussing the tee-ball schedule, your mother-in-law’s antics, and how your spouse didn’t put sunblock on the dog.
Play for children is imperative. They need it for brain development, language skills, problem solving, resilience, social skills, bone development, and so on… Similarly, play for adults has a multitude of benefits. Plus, it’s more fun and more memorable than renting a movie.
“Play activates the reward centers of the brain, floods the rest of the brain with feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin and triggers the release of powerful neural growth factors that promote learning and mental flexibility.”
Newsweek
Date ideas for outside: Guided bike tour!
Guided bike tours are especially prevalent if you live in a big city or somewhere with lots of interesting landmarks or historical sites. You may also find bike tours of cool architecture, botanical sites, haunted houses, or artwork. Just Google “bike tours” and the name of your town. I went on one in Palm Springs that discussed architecture and film history, and it was the highlight of our trip!
Rent a boat!
It could be a rowboat, a kayak, or a ridiculous paddle boat that looks like a swan… no matter what you float on, boating is active and releases hormones that bond you together and bring a smile to your face.
Play can dramatically transform our personal health, our relationships, the education we provide our children, and the capacity of our corporations to innovate.
National institute for play
Ice skating!
You’re sure to have a good laugh as you slip and slide and hang on to each other for dear life! And, science shows that the more varied your experiences, the more memories you make.
Date ideas on a budget: Go for a hike!
Date ideas don’t need to be pricey. Hikes are free and fun! Plus, most couples admit that it’s easier to have deeper conversations when they’re not staring right at each other, and talks can seem less intimidating while you’re moving.
Play a board game! (Or invent one yourself)
Whether its a group of friends, or just the two of you, games are excellent date ideas. They foster friendly competition, give you something to talk about, stimulate your mind, and usually make for a lot of laughs.
“Like sleep and dreams or the immune system or the digestive system, play is part of the need of an animal for its developmental solidarity and social belonging. If you have play deprivation, you have long-term outcomes that are deleterious.”
Dr. Stewart Brown
Take a dance class!
Date ideas don’t get more romantic than this one. Unless you have two left feet, in which case you’ll laugh yourselves silly and bond even more. If you don’t want to commit to a regular weekly class, you can usually find one-time deals or monthly classes on Groupon.com.
Go to an amusement park, WITHOUT the kids!
You won’t miss the whines of “I’m tired,” or “I’m hungry” as you zoom down a roller coaster next to your significant other, screaming for dear life. Talk about endorphins and adrenaline! Have a blast with your partner, being reminded of your thrill-seeking youth. Plunge down the tallest water slide and share a funnel cake at the end of the day. And you won’t have to put sunblock on anyone but yourself!
Those who are more playful in their relationships tend to experience more positive emotions, be more satisfied with their union, and feel closer to each other. They report that they communicate better, resolve conflicts better, and see their relationships in a more positive light.
Krystyna S. Aune, Norman C. H. Wong
Outdoor movies!
Put a spin on the usual dinner and a movie by taking a picnic to an outdoor movie. Most towns have a few of these opportunities every summer. You might even have a drive-in theater in your town. The most fun thing I ever did in Los Angeles was to attend Cinespia, which shows classic films in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Not as creepy as it sounds, I swear.
Extra credit date ideas
- Go axe throwing! Many bars have areas.
- Go to the thrift store and buy each other embarrasing outfits that you have to wear during your date.
- Point at the map, and pick the first restaurant that your finger hits
- Try an excape room
- Visit a casino or throw a casino night for your friends
- See a comedy show. Nothing bonds like laughter!
- Pretend the power went out and have a NO TECH EVENING!
- Go horseback riding
- Go berry or apple picking
- Try out trivia night at a bar
- Build a snowman or a sand castle. Get competitive.
- See how well you know each other: Choose each other’s clothes, choose a book for the other person to read this week, and choose their meal at the restaurant.
- Try lazer tag or a ropes course
Need more fun activities? Check out Games to play outside.
Dates will be more satisfying without constantly checking your phone. Here’s ideas on how to incorporate Screen Free Sunday into your routine.
You may have a fun dinner date, but here’s how to improve family dinners.
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