Date Ideas

If you haven't already, check out our distraction-free dating tips!

Here are some ideas to inspire dates that are a little bit different, where you can focus on getting to know each other.

Farmers market

Go to a farmers market and pick something weird, that the other person has to go home and make something with.

Cooking class

Go to a cooking class and take turns sharing exaggerated tasting notes at every opportunity.

Museum

Visit a museum and pick out which pieces you’d love to take home for yourselves. Hypothetically, of course.

Trivia night

Go to a trivia night and confidently answer everything with wildly incorrect answers all night long.

Psychic

Visit a psychic and see if what they say lines up with predictions you imagined for each other before you went.

Arcade

Visit an arcade and attempt to play every machine at least once. Or leave pretending like you did anyway.

Coffee date

Go to a coffee shop and try to figure out who around you is actually a celebrity in disguise.

Flea market

Visit a flea market and find something that somewhat, kind-of looks like your date – and buy it for them.

Beach clean up

Go on a beach clean up, and see who can make the coolest fashion accessory that does not look like you are just wearing a piece of garbage.

Dog park

Go to a dog park, and name the dogs what you think they should be called. 

Bowling

Go “other-hand” bowling, and see if either of you are naturally gifted with your other hand for some reason.

People watching

Go people watching, and try and imagine what people do based on the socks they are wearing.

Park

Lie on the grass and call out clouds that look like things. And while you’re there hug some trees, because why not?

Tour of the city

Take a tour of the city in complete awe of everything you see, as though you’ve never seen anything ever.

Rock climbing

Go rock climbing but in the style of an animal assigned to you by your date.

Comedy show

Visit a comedy gig, and create alternative punchlines to the jokes after the show.

Dance class

Try a dance class dressed in attire that clearly does not reflect the dance style you signed up to do.

Zoo

Visit the zoo and see who can best mimic an animal’s sound so well, that they think you are one of their own.

Thrift store

Visit a thrift store and pick outfits for each other, which are definitely not intended to cause embarrassment.

Bookstore

Visit a bookstore and give each other “one word reviews” of books you’ve never read.

Congratulations. You made it to the end.

All it took was a little focus.

And it’s that same focus that can help you form better, more meaningful connections when you’re dating.

On your next date, try putting some of these distraction-free dating ideas and tips to use. Being open and a good listener may mean you end up making a special connection. And you could even try pausing your account to focus on where things go.

For now, you can go to this resource from the U.S Surgeon General which has more info on how good connections impact our physical and mental health.