Planning a date is definitely no easy task. Between deciding on the options, picking a day, or even debating an outfit can get kind of bland when you’re doing the same old things every time you and your special someone goes out. No one wants to go to the movies, go eat dinner, get ice cream, and repeat for the rest of their lives. Not only is it not that exciting, but your date nights won’t feel near as special. Of course, not every date has to be extravagant, but if you’re looking to switch things up a bit these ideas are perfect for you.
Restaurant Hopping
This date idea can put a fun twist on a little night out. The concept is that for every section of your meal (appetizer, entree, & dessert), you and your significant other go to a different restaurant. Hopping between different places can be exciting and you don’t have to worry about the dreaded decision of where to go, just go to them all!
DIY Drive-In Movie
This one is my personal favorite. You can do it one of two ways. You can put down the backseat of your car or just sit in the front seats. Either way, all you have to do is set up a projector with a sheet or blank wall, TV with DVR player, or if you don’t want all the hassle just use your laptop. Blankets, pillows, and snacks are a must for all your movie watching needs. This date idea is a good way to not just go to the movies, but instead have a movie date that is private, super cute, and without a doubt Instagram worthy.
Picnic Please
Okay, so I’m a little bias on this one because I love to be outside, but a picnic is a super easy date idea that you can do pretty much anytime anywhere. All you need is food, a blanket, and a good spot under the sun. If you really wanna switch it up you can even bring a hammock, game, books, or whatever you and your love can think of. Don’t forget your camera because picnics make the cutest memories.
Friday Night Lights
I know this idea isn’t the most creative, but I think it’s an easy option to forget. Going to a football, basketball, volleyball, or baseball game can be super fun, especially when you make it a one on one event with your bae. If your school is having an event, you can go to those games, but it’s so intimate to also accompany each other to your siblings’ game. For couples still in the new phase, this is a no-pressure date that can help you get to know the other important people in your special someone’s life. If that’s still not your style, having a mini tailgate just the two of you before one of your favorite sports comes on TV is just as fun.
Dollar General Gift Date
On a budget? This date will be perfect for you. You and your date both go to a dollar store and pick out one item for the other. This can be silly or sweet, but you can’t tell each other what you bought until after you both leave. Then in the car or back home, you present your little present to your partner. Chances are you’ll either laugh about the stupid gifts or be so impressed that he/she knows you so well.
Puppy Love
If you’re an animal lover, you can’t go wrong with going to pet stores or dog pounds to play with the sweetest puppies. I love doing this with not only my boyfriend but with my friends. It is so stress-relieving and relaxing to just sit and be loved and licked. If something’s got your loved one upset, this is a perfect little surprise that will brighten their day.
Game Night
Want to stay in? Get a collection of board games, cards, and more from that closet, and don’t stop until you have a champion. This is the type of date that’s perfect if it can’t just be the two of you. If you have a lot of time, play game after game until one person comes out on top. Game night can keep you occupied for hours and maybe you’ll even see a few true colors come out.
Shop Til You Drop
This date idea doesn’t mean just go to the same old stores. If you’re going shopping together, go to the places you’ve never been to, but have always wanted to. In every town, there are small businesses that you never even knew were there, and each one of them holds a little special something. Go to the stores that make you wonder, whether that’s countless clothes or endless shelves of books.
Did Someone Say Crafts?
If you have a little niche for the DIY, search all over Pinterest for a craft both you and your partner want to try and give it a shot. There’s no harm in trying and even if you end up with the complete opposite of what y’all have envisioned, it’s still a unique date. Whether you fail or succeed, it’ll be a sweet story you can’t well to tell everyone who will listen.
Drive & Jam
Some of my best memories are in the front seat of a car, windows down, hair a mess, and screaming lyrics to the top of my lungs. This date idea, while easy, is way more intimate than it sounds. Being next to that special someone, spilling out your heart to songs that have gotten you through hard times or songs that played in the background to the best memories, is surreal. It’s the type of date where you learn so much about the person next to you and you just want to keep singing until you run out of gas.
Dance Classes
I personally have never done this, but I’ve always wanted to try. My Nana goes out dancing at least twice a week, and she has so much fun. I’d love to get to learn a special dancing skill with my special someone. It would make for a perfect date, and just imagine showing of your skills at the next school dance.
Share That Secret Place
This date is better for those who have been together for a while. In the books and movies, you always see one of the love interests reveal their favorite spot to think or just have some quiet time. Having a special spot is something everyone has even if they don’t think they do. All you have to do is think about your favorite place to go when things get hard. Yes, that place! Now take your certain someone there. Showing this place is like showing a little piece of yourself. It can be comforting, cute, and memorable.
Homemade Presents
Another date idea is to find or make a present all from either your separate houses or wherever you are on the date. If you’re at home and decide to present your gift once you meet up, you can draw, build, or write anything that is special to you or your significant other. If you’re on the date that can sometimes be even more exciting. Picking a flower from your picnic, napkins from the restaurant where your first date was, or maybe just a toy from Target can be a little cherishable present you’ll hold onto forever.
Walk, Bike, or Ride
There is nothing more relaxing than being side by side as you take a neighborhood stroll. Depending on preference, you can take a walk hand-in-hand, ride your bikes around town, or if you have one you can hope into the golf cart for a little leisure ride. It’s such a simple little date and can be as long or short as you’d like. If you’re really feeling adventurous you can even make it to another destination, like the movies or restaurant, if you live close enough.
Say Cheese!
While I’ve found it’s hard to get both significant others on the same page, this one is near the top of my list. I love getting to take pictures with my boyfriend. On multiple occasions, we’ve gotten dressed up, gone to a location, and brought along a friend to snap photos after photos. Not only is this a great time to show some love and affection with each other in front of the camera, but looking back on those pictures together will give you such a warm fuzzy feeling.
Snack Attack
Craving a treat? Go binge on some gas station snacks that will totally hit differently. Making a snack run is perfect if y’all have decided to stay in watching your favorite show or movie. While I know snacking won’t be a whole date, it can be a little addition to any other date you plan. If you want to shake things up, make each other’s snacks. Whether weird or sweet it makes for a wonderful time.
Study Sesh
For my students out there, I know sometimes it can seem as though school is the only thing on your mind. Due dates, tests, and work, work, work. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, instead of giving up and calling it quits try to schedule a little study date to keep you motivated. This way not only do you get to still spend time with your favorite person, but you’re also being held accountable by whoever you’re with.
Painting Project
Have you ever heard of Pictionary? This is a lot like that. First, you and your special someone needs to grab something to write on. Then, without showing each other your masterpieces, draw the other person. You don’t have to be a master artist for this date idea to be extremely fun. Most likely it’ll end in laughs or you never know you may be surprised what hidden talents you find.
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy
This date idea is a great way to bond. If you’re looking to make a meal at home, but want it to be a little more fun, this is for you. Start out finding a recipe that you’ve always wanted to try. You and your partner can pick one recipe or you can pick one each. (Double the food, am I right?) Make it exciting by challenging each other to a super chef cookoff. Whoever makes the best meal will have the ultimate bragging rights. Then simply turn on your favorite playlist and get cooking. May the best cook win.
Private Prom
If you’ve ever been to prom, I’m sure at one moment during the dance you wished it was just you and him there together. How romantic would it be if the room was empty, music playing, and slow dancing until dawn? Talk about that perfect date! Though I haven’t had my own private prom, I did hold a dance at my house once and my boyfriend and I were the only ones actually on the dance floor. It was just me and him, and it was perfect. You can go as extravagant or simple as you’d like, but either way, you’ll wish it would last forever.
I hope you try out a few of these little date ideas to make your special day one to remember. From personal experience, I can tell you they are moments you’ll want to replay in your mind over and over again. Have fun and love with your entire heart while doing it.
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