Mr. Serious and I have been married 11 years and together for 17 years at the end of this month. That’s a lot of years and a lot of dates. While going out to dinner and having a drink is fun, it can feel like we are in a rut, so we like to mix it up a bit. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s always good to reassess the date ideas.
When we get stuck and run out of new ideas, we ask friends or even Facebook for ideas and they’ve always pulled through. I never would have thought of some of these fun activities single or with a date. Many of them would make a great girls night out, too. Even better? If we can get a deal or a discount!
12 Non-traditional Date Ideas
1. Craft Beer or Wine Tasting
If you want to have your own wine tasting at home, purchase a kit that will tell you exactly how to do the wine tasting and what all you will need. Not only will this be fun, but you will save money, too.
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Wine Game Kit – All You Need Is Wine – A Blind Wine Tasting Party Game!
2. Go Karting, Arcade Games, and Bowling
3. Paintball
4. FunRun, especially one with a theme
5. Shooting Guns at a Gun Range
6. Fishing Trip
Fishing poles are a requirement for a fishing trip. It might be something you have but maybe you only have one of. Unless you are fishing for small fish with a net, I’d recommending making sure you have at least two fishing poles. And, check to make sure they work and you have all of the necessary equipment (fishing line, bait, weights, etc) depending on what you are fishing for.
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PLUSINNO Spin Spinning Rod and Reel Combos Carbon Telescopic Fishing Rod with Reel Combo Sea Saltwater Freshwater Kit Fishing Rod Kit(2.1M 6.89Ft Fishing Full Kit)PLUSINNO Telescopic Fishing Rod and Reel Combos FULL Kit, Spinning Fishing Gear Organizer Pole Sets with Line Lures Hooks Reel and Fishing Carrier Bag Case Accessories (1.8M 5.91Ft Fishing Full Kit)Portable Lure Rod Set with 1.6m/63in Lure Fishing Rod Fishing Reel Fishing Baits Suits Delicate Fishing Bag Piscator Zone Professional Fishing Tackles Kit
7. Sip and Paint Canvas or Pottery Class or create a new bedroom sign
8. Ice Skating or Rolling Skating
9. At-Home Cooking and Cocktails Class
10. Try a new exercise class
11. Skydiving // Indoor Skydiving
12. Indoor Rock Climbing
We like a good date night and doing something different, and we also like saving money, so it’s definitely a deal for us.
Looking for a cheap, romantic date night in? I’ve got you covered!
Krystyn has been blogging since 2005. She is a sarcasm-loving, straight-shooting, jeans and t-shirts wearing, wife and mom of four girls (ages 13, 11, 8 and 6). She blogs about life as a mom and wife and includes funny stories, family travel, fitness, recipes, STEM and more. She currently resides in the Atlanta, Georgia suburbs.
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
Chase and I have taken dance classes before, and that was really fun!
Krystyn says
Oh that would be fun…the last time we had lessons was in high school when we did our senior drill team dance together!
Tamara @ We3Travel says
I hate going out to dinner on Valentine’s Day because the food and service are never as good and it is usually overpriced for special prix fixe menus. We’ve given up on the holiday long ago but I like these ideas as date night options. Of course I’m happy if we get to go out even once a month to dinner or a movie!
Krystyn says
The last time we actually went out on Valentine’s Day was in college and it was TERRIBLE! But, these will work anytime..I actually almost said, save your Valentine’s Day money and go on a day where it’s a million times cheaper!
Annie {Stowed Stuff} says
I am DYING to go to paint night with the hubby. We’ve been for birthday parties, but never just the two of us and it’s way up there on my list of things to do for 2015. This is a great list.
Krystyn says
I have no idea if my hubby would go with me…I think if it was a date, maybe. I’ve only been once and my art work is terrible, but it was a really fun time!
Make it happen!
Sara Phillips says
That’s a great list. My husband and I usually do dinner and a movie (pre-screening nights!) but really enjoy mixing it up with go-karting, arcade games (Chuck E Cheese!) and bowling. Plus, bowling is a great double date idea.
Krystyn says
Instead of CEC, why not go to Dave and Busters or Main Event? You know, less kids and all:)
Sara Phillips says
Our Main Event is 30 minutes away (without traffic). But since the hubs gets off at 4, we pick a day during the week, and go when he gets home. We usually leave CEC about the time kids start showing up.
Elena says
We go wine tasting often–but I never thought about going to the range as a date idea…. after having tried skeet shooting this summer (and liking it) –I will have to remember this!
Krystyn says
Doesn’t it sound like a fun date? My hubby thought I was crazy, but he’s warming to the idea!
Lori Popkewitz Alper says
I love all your ideas Krystyn! We generally do nothing on VD. Many of the things on your list are great for any date night. So much fun to do a cooking class with a group of friends.
Krystyn says
These are definitely ideas for any date night. We haven’t done an official VD date since college…and it was a terrible experience!
Elena says
these are cool ideas! thanks for sharing
Diana @ Nanny to Mommy says
For my Hubby’s and my first date, he wanted to take me ice skating. Little did we know that they had closed it down! But he did take me bowling which was so much fun. I don’t think we have been since. 🙁
Richard Hicks says
Really neat ideas. I want to go skydiving!
Jendi says
I’m at the point now that I’d be happy with a traditional date night. LOL
We are pushing this year to get debts paid off so we are busy working and then exhausted. We do take time to sit together and watch a show or two so I’m glad for that. Best wishes for your non-traditional dates!
Carly from The Puzzled Palate says
I actually got my hubby a gift card to go to the shooting range. I hope we get to go soon! These are all waaaaay better than boring dinner and a movie.
Delirah Morales says
Lucky for us, there will be a beerfest next week. I like that there are nontraditional date night ideas and some I have done (shooting range where he was my instructor). It’s important to realize dates are not all about the mushy mushy.
Keara B. says
Fun ideas in this post… just in time for Valentine’s Day. 🙂 I’d love to try a cooking and cocktails class. Heaven knows I need it!
Lesa says
These are some great ideas! Sometimes you need to do something different and away from the norm! The wine tasting sounds fun! So does the Go-karts!
Natalie F says
I like these ideas. I think we may try the indoor rock climbing. We have done the arcade before, so much fun!
Julie Wood says
I have gone Paint Balling and it is so much fun! We also like ice skating. I need to try some of these other fun ideas!
Lyndsey says
Great date ideas! Needed some new ideas! Thanks! 🙂
nicole dziedzic says
You know I know this might sound different, but doing a mud run with your spouse sounds like a lot of fun too. It is on our list of things to do together and I want to try water zorb ball.
Rust says
Gosh, I’ve done at least 5 of these! Very creative list, and fun stuff!
Brenda Haines says
Love it! We have some of the best breweries and wineries here in Oregon, so that’s always a good date. All except the skydiving, YIKES lol.
Laura S says
We sometimes go to the shooting range, which doesn’t sound very romantic but we both enjoy it. And there’s a killer Thai place next door, so…
Krystyn says
Oh, the Thai place makes it even better!
Brandon Roberts says
These are such great ideas! I honestly never would have thought to do some of these. My favorite one that you posted, was going to a gun range. I have always been pretty big into shooting guns, but my wife hasn’t. So I think it would be a great idea for her to try it out, and see how well she likes it. Thanks a ton for this! I’ll have to see if I can find a range near me.
Krystyn says
Yes, I’m definitely all for trying new things…especially things that our spouse enjoy but we haven’t tried.
larissa says
I love these! I think it is so important to break across barriers, especially with the significant other. Adventures are so much fun and even if they aren’t, the important part is that you did something together. Trial and error on Valentines day sounds like a great deal of fun!
Krystyn says
You are so right. Even if you learned you didn’t like it, you were still together! And, really these dates work for year round ideas…so you can do trial and error on Friday night, too!