Okay, let’s be real, dinner and a movie is so overdone. It’s like the dating equivalent of plain toast – reliable, but kinda boring. If you’re wanting to reconnect with your spouse, you may need to be a little more creative. Try and think of things to do that get you talking, engaging, reminiscing, etc. If you’re looking to reconnect and spice things up, you’ve come to the right place!
Forget the usual date night clichés. We’re talking about adventures, laughter, and maybe even a little friendly competition. Here are 27 date ideas that are anything but ordinary:
27 Date Ideas for Couples Trying to Reconnect
1. Escape Room Showdown:
Think you and your partner have what it takes to escape a locked room? Put your brains (and your relationship) to the test in an escape room! You’ll be cracking codes, solving puzzles, and racing against the clock to break free. It’s basically like being in your own action movie, minus the explosions (hopefully!).
2. Get Crafty (and Maybe a Little Messy):
Who says crafts are just for kids? Grab some paint, clay, or whatever sparks your interest and unleash your inner artists. You can try a pottery class, make some funky jewelry, or even attempt that DIY project you’ve been putting off. Bonus points for getting a little messy and having a paint fight! There’s a few fun ideas right here on the blog! How to Make Beeswax Candles and Pine Cone Bird Feeder Craft would be super fun! You can also find more ideas on my Crafts Pinterest board.
3. Foodie Adventures:
Ditch the fancy restaurant and embark on a foodie adventure. Hit up a local food festival, explore a new ethnic grocery store, or take a cooking class together. It could be fun trying a few different taco shops in the same day. Rate your faves! Or, maybe grab dinner in one location and dessert in another. You can even try recreating a dish from your favorite vacation spot. Just don’t burn the kitchen down! If you decide to stay home, here’s an appetizer and dessert recipe that both my husband and I really love: Avocado Feta Dip with Pita Chips and Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars (just like you used to have for school lunch!)
4. Stargazing: Romance Under the Stars:
Escape the city lights and head to a place where you can actually see the stars! Download a stargazing app or bring along a helpful stargazing book guide, bring a cozy blanket, and prepare to be amazed by the universe. Who knows, you might even see a shooting star!
5. Do-Gooders Unite: Volunteer Together:
Want to feel good and do good at the same time? Volunteer for a cause you both care about! Whether you’re helping out at an animal shelter, cleaning up a local park, or serving meals at a soup kitchen, giving back to your community is a rewarding experience. One of my favorite ways to find service opportunities is through the website Just Serve. You can search for local or global opportunities. It’s so great!
6. Geocaching: Treasure Hunting in the 21st Century:
Turn your date into a real-life treasure hunt with geocaching! Using GPS coordinates, you’ll search for hidden containers (caches) stashed in various locations. It’s like a scavenger hunt, but way cooler. Another option is called letterboxing. Have you heard of it? I learned about it on this blog post: 10 Reasons You Must Try Letterboxing
7. Local Adventures:
Ditch Netflix and check out what’s happening in your own backyard! Hit up a local farmers market, catch a live music performance, explore an art exhibit, or cheer on your local sports team. You might be surprised at the hidden gems you discover. Most towns have their own website where they share a list of upcoming events.
8. Movie Night with a Twist:
Okay, okay, we said ditch the movie, but hear us out! Take your movie night to the next level with a fun theme. Pick a genre (horror, sci-fi, rom-com), a decade (80s, 90s), or a specific director. Decorate your living room, make themed snacks, and even dress up in costumes! If you like to keep things family friendly, I put together a great list of favorite family movies.
9. Snap Happy: Go on a Photo Walk:
Grab your cameras (or your phones) and explore your city through a photographer’s lens. Focus on a specific theme like street art, architecture, or nature, or just wander around and capture whatever inspires you. It could also be fun to take a picture of something that starts with each letter of the alphabet… or, maybe all the different colors (something pink, brown, blue, etc.)
10. Level Up Your Skills:
Learn something new together! Take a dance class, learn a new language, try a martial art, or pick up a musical instrument. The possibilities are endless!
11. Board Game Bonanza:
Unleash your competitive spirit with a board game night! Dust off your old favorites or explore a new game you’ve both been wanting to try. Don’t forget the snacks and drinks to fuel your gameplay. A few games that my husband and I love are Secret Hitler, Codenames, and Cover Your Assets.
12. Theme Park Thrills:
Embrace your inner child with a day at a theme park! Ride roller coasters, play carnival games, and indulge in some sugary treats. Don’t forget to take lots of goofy pictures! One of my favorite memories with my husband is a trip we took to Tennessee and visiting Dollywood Theme Park. It was so fun to feel like a kid and ride all of the roller coasters together.
13. Live Music Magic:
Catch a live music performance! Check out local bands at a small venue, or splurge on tickets to see your favorite artist. Sing along, dance your hearts out, and enjoy the energy of the crowd.
14. Comedy Night Crack-Up:
Laughter is the best medicine, right? Head to a comedy club or catch a stand-up show. We recently attended Jerry Seinfeld and it was such a fun and unique date night!
15. Hit the Lanes: Bowling Time!
Show off your bowling skills (or lack thereof) with a fun-filled bowling date. Whether you’re a strike king or a gutter ball pro, it’s all about having a good time and maybe even engaging in some friendly competition. Maybe bet on what you’re getting for dessert or who has to give a massage during the movie later that night.
16. Museum Madness:
Explore the world of art, history, or science at a local museum. Wander through exhibits, learn something new, and spark interesting conversations.
17. DIY Spa Day:
Pamper yourselves with a relaxing spa day at home. Light some candles, put on some soothing music, and give each other massages. You can even try making your own diy face mask recipes or scrubs for a truly personalized experience.
18. Urban Exploration:
Become urban explorers for a day! Discover hidden alleys, abandoned buildings (be safe and legal, of course!), and quirky corners of your city you never knew existed. You might stumble upon street art, historical landmarks, or even a secret garden. I recently purchased a book on ghost stories in my town to give my husband ideas of fun places to check out.
19. DIY Photo Booth Fun:
Set up a DIY photo booth at home with a fun backdrop, props, and costumes. Get silly, strike poses, and capture some hilarious memories together. Bonus points for printing out the photos and creating a scrapbook.
20. Fort Building Extravaganza:
Embrace your inner child and build an epic fort in your living room! Use blankets, pillows, chairs, and anything else you can find to create your own cozy hideaway. Then, snuggle up inside with snacks, drinks, and a good movie or book. You could even make your own fort building kit for the occasion. The kids would love to use it after you’re done!
21. Thrift Store Challenge:
Head to a thrift store with a specific budget and a challenge in mind. For example, you could each try to find the most outrageous outfit, the most unique gift for the other person, or the most bizarre item you can find.
22. “Yes Day” Adventure:
Dedicate a day to saying “yes” to everything your partner suggests (within reason, of course!). This could lead to some unexpected adventures, spontaneous activities, and a whole lot of laughter.
23. Personalized Scavenger Hunt:
Create a personalized scavenger hunt for your partner, filled with clues that relate to your relationship, inside jokes, and favorite memories. Lead them on a journey through your city, culminating in a special surprise at the end. For example, where was your first date, your first kiss, a restaurant you used to go to in your early dating years, and so on.
24. Drive-In Movie with a Modern Twist:
Bring the drive-in movie experience to your backyard! Set up a projector and screen, grab some blankets and pillows, and enjoy a movie under the stars. You can even make it a double feature with your partner’s favorite film and yours. Do you like old movies? A while back, a blog contributor shared some of her very favorite old movies. There’s a few on her list that I’ve been wanting to watch!
25. Time Capsule Creation:
Create a time capsule together filled with meaningful items, letters to your future selves, and predictions for the future. Bury it somewhere safe and make a pact to open it in 5, 10, or even 20 years. I never thought about actually buying a metal capsule online, but it’s smart! If you’re going to do it, you definitely want it to survive the elements and time. I found these top rated time capsules online.
26. Random Act of Kindness Spree:
Spread some joy and positivity by embarking on a random act of kindness spree. Pay for someone’s coffee, leave encouraging notes for strangers, or volunteer your time at a local charity. Doing good together will make you feel good, too!
27. Nighttime Picnic:
Pack a picnic basket with your favorite snacks and drinks, and head to a park or a scenic spot with a view. Spread out a blanket, light some candles, and enjoy a romantic nighttime picnic under the stars.
There you have it! 27 awesome date ideas to ignite your creativity, rekindle romance, and create lasting memories with your spouse. Now go out there and have some fun!
