Updated post: 4/19/23; Original post: 6/11/22
Are you tired of the same old date nights? Pizza and a movie, going out to dinner or a bar – we have you covered.
It can be easy to get into a dating rut and going out can be difficult. If you are like most couples, you go back and forth trying to let the other person decide what to do. It can be tough trying to think of fun things to do, but there is so much out there.
Here are 5 date ideas that are fun, spontaneous, and adventurous.
#1 Chopped Challenge
Looking for a creative way to spice up a dinner date? Playing Chopped at home is a perfect way.
For those who have not seen the show on the Food Network, Chopped is a cooking challenge where each chef is given a combination of weird ingredients and has to make a meal out of them.
There are three rounds: appetizers, entree, and dessert; and whoever is the last standing chef wins.
The Set Up
Even though this is a challenge, the goal is to spend time with each other, laugh, and hopefully make something good to eat
First, decide who is making what? Each person will make an item, the main course meal, or a dessert. Once you figure that out, you come up with the grocery list for your partner.
Next, decide on a time limit. Anytime between 30-90 minutes for prep and cooking is good. This creates a little bit of pressure in the kitchen.
The Grocery Store
For both the entre and dessert, chose 3-4 ingredients that the other must go to the store and buy. You have to include those 3-4 items in the final product, but any other ingredients in the kitchen may be used as well.
The fun part of this challenge is you get to decide how difficult you make it for the other person. The more interesting and odd ingredients you pick, the more creative your partner has to be. It is recommended to watch a couple of episodes of the show, to get some inspiration for the ingredients.
Cooking
Once you have gotten the ingredients for your partner, figure out how to split up the kitchen. Have defined workstations and decide who is using the kitchen appliances (microwave, stove, oven, etc.) first.
Set the timer and begin cooking! Make sure that everything is plated before the timer goes off.
The Final Part – Judging!
Hopefully, everything did not take too long to cook and tastes good! Since this is a competition there has to be a winner.
#2 Sunrise Adventure
One way to have an adventurous morning is to wake up super early and watch the sunrise. The sunrise is a beautiful and peaceful sight to see. Not a lot of people are up that early, so it is normally pretty quiet. To make it more fun, go someplace to get the full sunrise experience.
Some places include:
Top of a Parking Garage: This is an easy spot to find that is pretty tall. From the top, hopefully, you and your partner can see the sun rise up over the city.
The Beach: Grab a blanket and drive to the nearest beach. Just listen to the sound of the waves crashing, while you observe the immaculate colors of the sun.
A Mountain/Viewpoint: Find a mountain/viewpoint where you have to hike to get to the top. It makes it so much more rewarding because you had to physically walk all the way up to get a view. Imagine being out in nature and the sun is rising from the horizons.
The sunset is such a cool experience to do as a couple no matter where you go. However, waking up while it is still dark, getting in the car, and driving someplace outdoors makes it an adventure already. A suggestion is to pack coffee and food for the trip.
#3 Camping Trip
A super fun date idea is to go camping. Not everyone likes to be out in the middle of the woods and go fully off the grid. So, a classic is to go camping in your backyard or car.
Backyard
Ideally, you would want to do this when it is warm outside; however, camping during the winter can be a rewarding experience.
The first step is to set up a tent. If you do not have one, borrow from a friend or buy a cheap one from the store. Setting up a tent is already a challenge for a couple in itself. Throw sleeping bags and blankets in there once it is put together to make it cozy.
Depending on how authentic you want to make this camping adventure, you can set up a tv in the tent. Grab some extension cable and hook it up from the house. Or just download some movies to watch on a computer.
The next step is to build a fire. Grab some firewood and get that fire going. If you have a fire pit you can use that instead. What is camping without roasting hot dogs or s’mores? Pick up all the ingredients at the store beforehand. Make sure the fire is put out before going to bed.
If the sky is clear that night you and your partner can lay out and gaze at the stars. Another thing to do is play a card or board game.
Car
Another way to go on a couple’s camping adventure is to sleep in the car. Drive to a camping ground or a lookout spot on a mountain. If your car is big enough, set up sleeping bags and pillows in the trunk. Pack a dinner and snacks to bring with you. Download movies or shows on a computer to watch.
Just enjoy being outdoors together and make it a memorable date night.
#4 Thrift Store Outfit Challenge
This challenge is very simple and can make a unique date night. You have to go to a thrift store and chose an outfit for your partner to wear out.
There are many ways you can go with this challenge. It can test to see how well you know your partner's style or you may want to see your partner wear something hilarious.
Set a budget, usually around $20 is a good number for a thrift store. Also, setting a time limit of around 20 minutes can make it way more interesting.
Once you have picked out an outfit for the other, try them on and you have to wear it for the rest of the date. Maybe it is a vintage look, something stylish, or something completely out of your comfort zone. Make it a good time and do something fun afterward like a bar crawl or wine tasting.
Oh, and while you're thinking about some sweet new threads for you and your partner, you might as well:
#5 Spontaneous Road Trip
This is a good way to surprise your partner and be very spontaneous. Make sure to have a free day and just drive someplace new.
Decide together a city or town, maybe yall have never been to or have not fully experienced. The goal is to make a day trip out of this, but if you want to spend the money it can be a weekend trip.
Look up things to do in that city. Maybe check out any museums in the area or anything special to that area. A creative way to try out local restaurants and bars is to have course at a different place. Go to someplace different for a drink or cocktail, appetizers, dinner, and dessert or coffee. This is a way to experience the new city and maybe find a new favorite restaurant.
As far as the car actually driving part of the trip, there are ways to make it go faster. Create a joint playlist where you both add your favorite sounds. Maybe play the song game, where the other has to guess the name of the song, the artist, and the album. Keep a point total and see who wins once you get to your destination.
The question game is another good one. It is a way to break the ice and get to know your partner better on a deeper level.
The license plate game is an all-time classic. Try to spot all 50 states by the end of the trip.
Final Thoughts
If you are preparing for a first date, keep in mind that you only get one chance at a first impression. Make the most of your first date.
Whether you have been dating for years or only for a few months, hopefully, this provided some fun date ideas. Be creative with each one and add your own unique twists. These are meant to be more adventurous, more of a memorable experience, and not break the bank.
No matter what you do, dates are meant to spend quality time with the person you care about. The best dates are the ones where you have meaningful conversations and get to experience something new together.
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Citation
Baxter, Alexander et al. “Initial impressions of compatibility and mate value predict later dating and romantic interest.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America vol. 119,45 (2022): e2206925119. doi:10.1073/pnas.2206925119