Forget all those nights of asking, "Well, what do you want to do?"
We've all had dates where we are screaming over drinks at a loud bar when we are trying to get to know someone new. Luckily for you, those days are over. If you're searching for new date ideas, search no more! We rounded up creative date ideas that are a million times more fun than your classic dinner-and-a-movie date.
Whether it's a first date or 100th date, we've got you covered, from making new drinks to surfing Zillow for your dream home. Scroll to find date ideas that are cute, conversational and a guaranteed good time.
1. Go to a BYOB painting class.
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Pop (or unscrew!) open your favorite bottle of wine and chat with your date as you paint a beautiful scene. You'll be able to flaunt your artistic talent—or tease your date's lack of skills—which will lead to no shortage of laughter and conversation.
2. Check out the zoo.
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Whether you absolutely love animals or need to grab your date's arm for comfort when you approach the lion, the zoo is the perfect date spot. Maybe it'll bring back a flood of nostalgia from going to the zoo as a kid. Or maybe you'll discover your date does spot-on animal impressions. Even better, some zoos are free!
3. Walk and talk in a nearby park.
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Park walks are free! Walk around with your date or pop a squat on a bench — maybe even bring drinks and food for a little picnic. This date idea is fun, because there's so much to discuss when you are birdwatching or people-watching, or, if you're lucky, dog-watching.
4. Check out a museum.
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Art, science, history — there are so many museums to explore. Walking around a museum can help spark new conversation topics, as you get to know one another's passions and preferences. Maybe your date is an expert in Picasso's Blue Period. Only one way to find out!
5. Listen to live music.
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No matter where you live, live music is universal. Find a jazz show or go to a concert for your favorite band — you can enjoy beautiful music and dance with your date!
6. Sing your hearts out during a night of at-home karaoke.
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Take turns picking songs on a collaborative playlist. And to really get the party started, dim the lights, take out the disco ball, and bring out the portable karaoke microphone!
7. Pick out your favorite cheeses and make your own custom charcuterie boards.
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Or try a TikTok-approvedbutter boardfor a more cost-effective option.
8. Educate yourself on something new.
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You'll find universities regularly put on a range of interesting events for the public, some even for free. From panel debates to lectures and art exhibitions, who knows what you might find?
9. Stream a virtual concert from the comfort of your couch.
Beyoncé's Homecoming, anyone?
10. Watch an episode of your favorite Nickelodeon show.
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Extra points if they're on orange VHS tapes!
11. Get tickets to a show at the planetarium.
Brush up on your space facts beforehand if you really want to impress your date.
12. Make a scrapbook of your favorite memories.
Or, if you're not the crafty type, design a photo book together and send it off to get printed professionally.
13. Play MASH with each other and find out where you're going to live one day.
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Hopefully you won't end up in a shack with eight kids.
14. Curl up with a cup of ~gourmet~ hot cocoa.
Or make it a spiked hot chocolatefor an extra kick.
15. Try your hand at crafting some co*cktails.
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Using whatever beverages are in your fridge, compete to see who can create a better custom co*cktail (or mocktail). Don't forget to name your masterpiece! Whoever has the better-tasting drink picks the movie to watch that night.
16. Look after a Tamagotchi for as long as possible without it dying.
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"Okay, you can have him on Monday to Wednesday, I'll have him Wednesday to Friday, and then we share on weekends."
17. Learn how to make a new dish together.
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There are so many good cooking tutorials available online through which you could learn how to cook almost anything! And a "new" dish could even be a different spin on pizza. Because making your own dough can be super fun!
18. Tour a local historic site.
19. Work on your short game with some mini golf.
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Speaking of harking back to your childhood, crazy golf is always a fun date that always has you coming back to settle a score or two.
20. Create a scavenger hunt around your house (or your neighborhood).
21. Hit the arcades.
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Visiting the arcade like you're 13 again is a pretty joyous experience. Try your hand at air hockey, Skee-Ball, Dance Dance Revolution — all those classics that you're pretty sure you used to be good at once upon a time.
22. Break out the beer mugs and do your own tasting of some local brews.
23. Dine in with a living room picnic.
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Imagine sitting outside and trying to enjoy a picnic when a strong wind scatters all your preparations within five minutes of sitting down.
So instead, put down the luxury blanket and bust out the cheese board and the candles. Much more fun.
24. Test your chess skills and get a game going against each other.
25. Volunteer together.
While you're saving, why not give something back, too? Food banks, shelters, and older people's charities are all great places to start.
26. Adopt a dog for a day.
See if any animal shelters in your area participate in Doggy Day Out, which gives community members the chance to take local shelter dogs on day outings — helping the dogs to expend extra energy and deal with kennel stress.
27. Make the fanciest Lunchables you can!
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Mmmmm, reconstituted ham.
28. Go out for a nice meal.
Yes, you heard us correctly. Indulge in the classic date activity and head out to one of your favorite restaurants.Bon appétit!
29. Grab your hiking boots and hit the trails.
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A date that combines romance and a workout? Surely, it doesn't get any better than that.
30. Relax in your at-home spa.
Plan a chill night in with a spa theme. Find your favorite scented candles, bring out your comfiest robe, and decide on what makes you both relax. Whether it's a DIY face mask or a bubble bath, feel the stress melt away together at home!
31. Learn about each other with questionnaires and personality tests.
Do you know each other's love languages? How about your Myers-Briggs personality? Quizzes are a delightful way to learn more about your partner and their quirks. And if you want to know what type of chicken wing they are, you know we got that on BuzzFeed.
32. Read each other Goosebumps books in the dark.
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Pull the covers over your heads, turn on a flashlight, and get ready to overthink every tiny noise for the next few hours.
33. Have a romantic candlelit dinner.
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34. Get competitive with a game night!
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A little friendly competition can make for a fun night in. Whether it's a card game or board game, you can up the stakes by saying the winner gets to choose the theme of the next date night (or some other fun incentive!).
35. Do an at-home wine tasting with bottles you've never tried before.
36. Go stargazing in your backyard on a clear night!
What's more romantic than cuddling up on a blanket in the grass and taking in the beauty of the night sky? While stargazing, you could make a game of searching for major constellations and planets. Or if you want a more relaxing vibe, share some earbuds and listen to a "space-themed" playlist.
37. Work on a DIY project you've been wanting to do.
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38. Play your favorite Sega Mega Drive games.
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You can pick up an old Sega Genesis pretty cheap online and spend all night playing your favorite games.
39. Enjoy a decadent dessert together.
Love is sweet so make some treats! Indoor s'mores? Chocolate fondue? Ice cream sundae bar, anyone?
40. Compete to find your dream home.
Go toZillow.comand pick arandom city. Then, each of you will pick several houses in that city. Then,pitch each other Shark Tank-style on why you think the houses you chose are better than your partner's.
41. Catch a preview show from a top comedy act.
42. Play a game of Would You Rather?
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You can also take things up a notch with these dirty Would You Rather questions.
43. Challenge yourselves and work on a puzzle.
44. Marathon a series you've had on your list or rewatch one you love.
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45. Play a game of bingo.
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46. Break a sweat and exercise together.
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47. Make a bunch of appetizers for dinner.
48. Try out a date night subscription box like Happily, Crated with Love, or Unbox Love.
49. Tie-dye or bleach-dye some old clothes you have lying around.
50. Start planning your next vacation.
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51. Check out your old MySpace profiles and have a good laugh at each other's embarrassing teenage years
52. Go buy childhood snacks, for the nostalgic '90s and early-'00s kids.
Buy the childhood snacks you weren't allowed to have as kids. Then do a taste-test and rank them from best to worst.
53. Recreate the magic of your first date.
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54. Indulge your adventurous side with some geocaching.
If you're after something a bit different, then why not try the urban adventure that is geocaching? It's effectively the world's largest treasure hunt.
People from all over hide little boxes containing a logbook and you have to use GPS coordinates to try and find them. When you do, you log your name, put it back, and go off to find your next one. It's incredibly addictive.
55. Grab some canvases and do your own paint night.
56. Test your knowledge with a good old-fashioned trivia night.
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Tailor the questions to you or your partner's interests — test your knowledge of movies, Harry Potter, Marvel, or Disney. Or, if none of those fit the bill, theserandom trivia questionswillkeep anyone guessing!
57. Build a blanket and pillow fort, and have a cozy movie night.
Forts are not just for kids anymore. And who doesn't enjoy a comfy little hangout nook? Especially if you bring up the ambiance by hanging up some fairy lights. Don't forget your laptop and a bowl of popcorn.
58. Play a video game together and show off your skills.
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59. Nab some free audience tickets for a primetime TV show.
It's a brilliant, unique night out and totally free!
60. Park up at a drive-in movie.
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Indulge in the quintessential American pastime and catch a flick in the comfort of your vehicle. Trust us, it's as romantic as it is in the movies.
61. Camp overnight in your backyard.
62. Make a delicious brunch at home complete with bottomless drinks of your choice!
63. Indulge in an ice cream sundae bar with all of the best toppings.
64. Order takeout from your favorite restaurant.
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This post contains content from Syd Robinson, Michele Bird, andhlmccarthy.
