7 Date Ideas That Aren’t Dinner and a Movie

After you’ve been together for a while it can feel like date night gets forgotten or just sort of defaults into dinner and a movie. And well I love both dinner and movies I want something that feels more intentional. So these are 7 Date Ideas That Aren’t Dinner and a Movie

 

1. DIY Craft Night

We like to make bingo boards for each quarter so we think about the things that we might want to do for the next three months, and put them into a DIY bingo board! Then we can reconnect on the things we’ve already said we want to do! We’ve also tried a watercolor painting night at the beach using ocean water as our water (and then carefully putting the used water into an empty water bottle and packing it out with us). But you can also just visit a local craft store and pick out supplies for a project, like painting mini canvases or making friendship bracelets. Or you can find premade kits on Etsy! I like these two: Kintsugi kit, Pottery kit  BUT if you’re looking for something a little bit more intimate that also makes art for your house I like this abstract art through intimacy set. It will dry quickly and comes with everything you need to do it and get cleaned up (canvas, plastic tarp, paint, slippers, and a loofah).

 

2. Botanical Garden or Arboretum Stroll

No matter where you are I bet you have a botanical garden – leave your phones in the car and see if you can find one another’s favorite flowers anywhere in the garden! Ask each other questions like you’re on a first date and see what’s changed since you first started dating!

 

3. Bookstore Scavenger Hunt

I like bookstore scavenger hunt because I love books! If you need some recommendations here are 5 books that will instantly lift your mood! Head to a local bookstore and set challenges, like finding a book with the prettiest cover, the quirkiest title, or a recommendation for each other to read. We’ll also set challenges around things we think one another might like or need. And sometimes we have the humor of 12 year olds and we find the title that’s funniest if you add “end bed” to the end.

 

4. Cooking Class or Bake-Off

Take a cooking or baking class together. If that’s outside your budget put on a baking competition like Nailed it and see how well you do!

 

5. Thrift Store Treasure Hunt

The only way this works is if you both like thrift hunting, you both are willing to leave empty handed, and you both are willing to leave with much more than you went in for. Thrifting is a full contact sport in my house and anyone who thrifts regularly knows that some times the haul just isn’t hauling but you have to go regularly to look. Whether you buy anything or not you can still have fun by making a list like this one and getting to know each other a little better:

• An item with your favorite color.
• A book with an intriguing or funny title.
• Something with a retro vibe (e.g., 80s or 90s style).
• An accessory to wear (hat, scarf, jewelry, etc.).
• A quirky mug or glass.
• A unique piece of wall art.
• Something that reminds you of your childhood.
• A cool item for under $5.
• An item you can use in a DIY project.
• A random piece of decor that makes you laugh.
• A fun T-shirt or sweater with a weird or nostalgic design.
• Something your date might love.

6. Arcade or Game Night

Go to a retro arcade and play classic games like Pac-Man or air hockey. We like going to Dave and Busters because it’s where we had our wedding reception and I really love to play ski ball and air hockey!  Or, stay in and have a board game or card game marathon with snacks. Our favorite card game right now is Five Crowns which is kinda like gin rummy, and this game is kinda like air hockey at home! We also play a lot of chess, and I like that this one is magnetic. And one day we’ll buy an absolutely gorgeous one like this one from Anthropologie.

 

7. Sunrise or Sunset Adventure

Plan a hike or scenic drive to watch the sunrise or sunset together. Bring a thermos of coffee or tea and a blanket for cozy vibes. We like to do this at the beach because that’s a big part of why I wanted to move to California. But you could do it anywhere! Your towns website probably has a list of notable places and you could make a list to start visiting.

 

So what do you think? Will you try one of these 7 date ideas that aren’t dinner and a movie?

 

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