As the weather warms, we’re all starting to come out of hibernation and want to get out and about. With our busy lives, date night is often one of the most important things, but prioritizing spending an evening (or day) with your partner can be very beneficial to your relationship. Making time for date night can be difficult, but these outings are a big part of keeping your romance alive. Sometimes planning an appointment can feel like just another thing on your to-do list, but it doesn’t need elaboration. The important thing is to spend quality time with your partner. Date nights on a whim can be the most fun and exciting. Research shows that couples who prioritize date night experience better communication, affection and gratitude for each other, and want to spend more time together. If that flame or spark seems to be fading, try to rekindle the flame by having a fun, romantic or adventurous date with your loved one.
Date night doesn’t have to be limited to your stereotypical night at a restaurant, although I do love a romantic evening with good food and wine. Date nights can include shared hobbies and even opportunities to try new things together. Today, I’m sharing some fun tips for you and your partner to enjoy each other’s company with some last-minute dating ideas.
10 Last Minute Date Ideas
picnic
Spring and summer offer opportunities to unwind with outdoor adventures, such as walking or hiking to beautiful picnic destinations. What better way to enjoy each other’s company than with a beautiful view and some delicious cooked food and maybe a sparkling drink to make it special. Pack a backpack full of goodies, a blanket and sit back and enjoy the chance to relax together without distractions.
road trip
We recently took a family day trip to a nearby town and explored the shops and restaurants there. It was so refreshing to get out of town and see something new and different. While I love letting our little ones go on adventures together, I may or may not fantasize about how much fun it would be to work without baby meals and naps. Pick an interesting destination about an hour or two away, then do some research or ask around for suggestions on activities and places to eat.
Play sports
My husband and I are both competitive and athletic. Nothing builds that fire in a relationship like some exercise and competition. We love to play tennis and golf together, most of the time… (ha!) but you can also try basketball, billiards, ping pong, corn hole, mini golf, etc. Make it fun and maybe have a bite to eat afterwards and the loser pays!
Outdoor concert/cinema
Our community has some great options for outdoor concerts during the summer. If you’re social and enjoy entertainment and the outdoors, watching a concert or movie is a good option. Check out local options for car/outdoor movies and concerts. Here are some local venues to check out: Eastside Park – Riverside Music, Artistree – Music on the Hill, Feast and Wild Market.
Take an art or cooking class
Unfortunately my husband and I are not the artistic type, but I do think taking a pottery or painting class together might be fun, or at least give us some laughs. We both love to cook, so trying a cooking class that takes us out of our comfort zone a bit or encourages us to try new things can be great fun. If you are a native of Vermont, artist Great opportunity for adult art and cooking classes and the instructors are great!
go for a hike, bike ride or walk
Choose a special place for a hike, bike ride or walk with your special someone. It could be a picnic destination, or it could be a place to grab a bite to eat, a coffee or a drink at a restaurant.
Restaurant/Coffee Shop
There’s something about classic sit-down dining that you can’t quite reproduce at home. It’s a treat to have someone else in charge of cooking, cleaning and serving. Make it special by choosing a new place or trying a different kind of food, or maybe a favorite place you haven’t been to in a while. A meal out for two can’t be beat!
date with friends
It’s fun to throw some friends in sometimes! Maybe there’s a couple you and your partner get along well with, or maybe there’s a new couple you want to get to know better. Take this opportunity to enjoy a night or day together and choose an activity you’ll love, whether it’s a hike, a concert or a meal.
stay at home date
So honestly it’s not my favorite because it never feels like a date when I know our baby sleeps upstairs…but if expenses are tight or finding a babysitter isn’t an option, there are ways to make staying at home special. Plan a special meal, cook together, or order takeout and enjoy the luxury of not cooking. Pick a special movie or show to binge and cuddle on the couch. Make it special by doing something unusual. Maybe play a board game or light a candle at dinner. Go outside to watch the moon or make popcorn to enjoy your movie. Here are some of my favorite movie records for your night out: Adventures –duneaction-Spiderman has nowhere to gothe “whodunit” mystery – death on the nileSuspense – Last night in Soho.
watch sports
If you’re not in the mood for sports, you can still channel this competitive energy by having a date night at a sporting event. After a long winter, we all need a little boost in our lives to bring us back to life. Enthusiasm and passion are palpable and contagious at sporting events. Go to a game of basketball, baseball, tennis or hockey and find something new and different.
Want to extend your date? Try an overnight or weekend camping trip, or stay in a nearby location you’ve been dying to explore. Enjoy an extended period of deep conversation, laughter and fun just the two of you! Dating is a fun way to bring life, love, and joy back into your relationship. Whether you need a rekindle or not, dating is an important part of a romantic relationship and helps keep the spark alive.
What’s your favorite date night or daytime idea? How do you keep your relationship interesting and fresh?
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