6 Fun Date Ideas You Might Not Have Considered

Summer’s the perfect time to be outdoors—exploring something new, playing with the family, and hopefully, planning some alone time with your sweetheart. But maybe you’ve found yourself running low on fun date ideas.

To be honest, it can be hard to even find the time to plan a date night beyond the babysitter’s arrival and the first round of “Where do you want to eat?” … “I don’t care”? And then you end up at the same go-to restaurant you always do for date night. But where’s the fun in that?

Instead of the same old, same old, consider planning (or un-planning—see #1) an adventure. Don’t worry, adventures don’t have to be breathtaking, death-defying events. For me, an adventure is exploring a new town or trying a new restaurant. But to each his (or her!) own.

6 fun date ideas

If you’re ready to think outside the typical dinner and a movie, we’ve got you covered.

Here are six out-of-the-ordinary, fun date ideas to venture out with the most important person in your life. (But carving out the time to make it happen? That’s on you.)

1. Plan an “unplanned” road trip.

Got a quarter and some gas money? Jump in the car with your sweetie and flip the coin—heads you drive right, tails takes you left. Then, whenever two major roads or highways meet, flip the quarter again. You can make the rules as you go; the only set rule is you must flip the quarter every time you reach an opportunity to turn.

Add a little extra excitement by packing an overnight bag to stay at a newfound bed-and-breakfast, or bring a tent and some sleeping bags to cozy up under the stars.

2. Create a date-night to-do list and go for it!

When my husband and I first did this, we included things like: help a stranger (we helped a woman change her flat tire on the side of the road), find a beautiful setting to draw (you don’t have to be an artist!), play a child’s game together (Hangman or Guess Who? are good choices), visit a dollar store and pick out “gifts” for each other.

The possibilities are endless—just make sure you add creativity and a big dose of playfulness.

3. Be foodies for a day.

Visit a gourmet candy store and take turns picking out one piece of several different flavors of candy from the case. Then find a quiet spot to taste test each piece—half for her, half for him. Be flirty and feed your spouse their half before indulging in yours. Decide together which pieces are favorites so you can make a note in your phone for future visits.

Other treats to try might include frozen yogurts or cookies … or if sweets aren’t your thing, try gourmet popcorn, flavored olive oils, dips, meat jerkies, hot sauces, coffee samples, etc.