Probably the first thing that comes to mind when two people decide to have a date is this: what restaurant do we want to go to, and what’s playing at which theatre at what times?
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with dinner and a movie, but doesn’t it get a bit old after a while? It does, unless, perhaps, you live in a huge metro area where there are almost unlimited options for dining and movie options.
Still, perhaps it is time to think more creatively and come up with date ideas that bring some new and unique experiences to the table – experiences that may have you laughing and talking about them far beyond the actual time spent.
One more thing: dates don’t always have to be at night and they also do not have to involve getting nicely dressed and groomed.
What follows is your guide to unusual, fun, intriguing, and even exciting dates.
Unique Date Ideas of All Types
These date ideas are placed in loose categories, so the two of you can easily pick and choose. Some advice? Alternate among categories and do things you’ve never done before. Risk-taking is always on the menu.
Outdoor Active Dates
Go Fishing: If you don’t have any gear, not to worry. It can all be rented, as can a boat, if you’d like to get out into a lake or on a river. Life jackets not optional
Jet Ski: If you’ve never done this before, take the brief instruction and advice of the renter. Start off slowly until you get the hang of it.
Take a Float Trip: This can be combined with an overnight stay at a campground – time to get to know each other better.
Hot Air Balloon Ride: If either of you is afraid of heights, this might not be a good idea.The date will be a bit pricey, but worth it.
Go Horseback Riding: You don’t have to be skilled riders. There are well-traveled trails, and the horses know them well.
Add Some Competition on a Go-Kart Track: This can be fun day or night. Top it off with a casual dinner, maybe at a food truck.
Attend a Renaissance Fair or a Food Festival: These occur in most large metro areas.
Indoor Activities
Have a Karaoke Night: This is a fun evening just for the two of you or with a group of friends. If you are shy about being on stage, a few of you can make your debut together.
Paint and Sip: This is an activity that has become more and more popular. You’ll each paint under the tutelage of an instructor while indulging in your favorite wine and snacks. Frame your paintings and hang them in each other’s spaces as a memory.
Escape Room: Another increasingly popular activity, one that is done with a group of friends. Pick a theme, interpret clues, develop strategies, and get out before time’s up.
Go Shopping for Each Other: Go to a large “all purpose” store (e.g., WalMart; Target) with a set budget. You are each to buy 5 items for the other – meaningful, funny, useful, whatever you choose. Take them home, wrap them, and have a mini-Christmas together.
Cook Together: Find a recipe you both want to try, or order one of those DIY meal kits. Prepare that meal together. You’ll learn a lot about each other as you do this.
Feel Good Activities
It’s nice to get outside of ourselves and our dating and decide to do good for others together. It’s a great bonding experience.
Volunteer: Whether it’s at an animal shelter, a children’s cancer ward, a soup kitchen, or delivering meals to the elderly, pick an activity and set up a schedule of volunteering together.
Buy Toys for Needy Kids: There are kids in orphanages, hospitals, and homeless shelters. Go on a shopping spree, buy toys for all ages, and deliver them to one of these places.
Tutor: If you feel capable, check out tutoring activities at community centers in poor neighborhoods.Sign up to tutor twice a month on a weekend day.
Adventurous and/or Naughty Dates
This is a category that may require some risk-taking and some may not be cool for a relationship that is still very new. Here are a couple of examples:
Crash an Event: Large events are usually newsworthy items. Watch for them. It may be a huge ball or reception, perhaps at a fancy hotel close by. Dress the part, walk in with confidence like you belong there, mingle with the guests, consume the food and drink, and just have a good time.
Play Strip Poker: There are many variations of this game. Get in your own private space and see where the game might lead for later fun and games.
Go Skinny Dipping: This can probably happen only late at night, and you will probably be breaking the rules of a park with a lake or any kind of community pool. Breaking the rules is part of the fun in this sexy date.
Take a Ghost Tour: If not in your own town, there are others that do have a list of haunted houses, cemeteries, and other structures. Sign up for one and get spooked together.
Virtual Dates
Many couples are separated; and many are dating online through sites and apps like Taimi. But virtual dating can be fun and romantic, just as in-person dating is. Here are some great ideas:
Take Virtual Tours: Thanks to AR and VR technology, partners can tour museums or take a romantic walk through the streets of Paris together.
Take a Zoom Class or Activity Together: It can be cooking, a paint and sip event, or even a digital escape room.
Have a Dinner Date: Each partner picks an outfit for their partner to wear from their closet. Then they each cook the same meal and through video conferencing technology, have a dinner date.
Variety is the Spice of Romance
It’s time to add that spice to your dating life. You and your partner will generate fun, excitement, memories, and activities that will form wonderful bonds. Use this list as your takeoff place and see what else you can add.
