Active Date Ideas
Active dates usually get you outdoors and offer a fun, shared experience. There’s few people who would dislike an active (non-sweaty!) date in the first stages of dating. Since this date idea is usually an physical activity, they are great to remove any early dating jitters and keep the coversation flowing throughout the date.
So, next time you’re planning a date, consider doing something a little more active and see where it takes you. You never know, it might just be the best date you’ve ever had!
Best Active Date Ideas
Play Laser Tag
Come up with awesome gamer names on the way there and get ready to battle each other and groups of children in the game room.
Rent Kayaks
Find a rental shop near you and rent single or a shared double kayak.
Go for a Bike Ride in Your City
Find a destination and bike to it. If you live in a city, there should be a local bike rental shop or city bikes. Get corny and tell them a few candy jokes and puns while on the bike ride.
Do a Couples Challenge!
Read our recent blog post on challenges for couples you can try from YouTube and more.
Go for a Run or Walk
Map-out a destination and walk/run to it! For example, find all the bakeries in your neighborhood and get a treat at each.
Go Bowling
Whether you enjoy big ball or candlepin, bowling is a fun, hour-long activity to show your competitive and playful side.
Go for a Walk in a Local Park
Grab a beverage and take a walk in your city parks or simply a well-marked state park nearby
Take a Partner Dancing Lesson or Go to Dance Social
Salsa, Bachata, Swing, or Line Dance socials almost always have a beginner lessons for 30 minutes before the actual social. This also makes for a good date idea if you want an alcohol-free date. Note: The dance socials usually start at 9 or 10pm, so expect a late night out!
Cheap Active Date Ideas
Try some of our cheap date ideas to have a cheap, active date experience.
Go Swimming
Head to a nearby pool, river, lake, or ocean for a refreshing swim. Remember your cap and goggles!
Train Together for a 5K Run, Bike Ride or Charity Walk
Motivate each other to signup for a local 5K or Bike ride in your town
Play Frisbee Golf
Buy some entry-level frisbees (or see if the park has rentals) and head to your local frisbee golf course. This date can show your casual and competitive side while getting outdoors in nature.
Take a Train Somewhere
Make it a day trip and use the commuter rail to visit the local attractions at a town or city near you. If you don’t want to make it a full-day, simply hope on your local transit and find some nearby attractions in a neighborhood you haven’t explored yet.
Cruise Around Town In Your Car
This also makes a great car date idea.
Hit Golf Balls At a Driving Range
Whoever has the first whiff or has the shortest drive has to buy ice cream or drinks.
Go to the Beach!
A beach date allows for a lot of activies to choose from (e.g., bocce, kites, frisbee, swimming, running, ect)
Go to a Zumba Together
Don’t be afraid of Zumba. It’s a combination of fitness, fun, and good music that will get you sweaty.
Go To The Neighborhood Pool
- Search Google Map for ‘Public Pool’ to find open pools near you.
- Tips: A lot of neighborhood pools have inexpensive summer passes; go during off-peak hours or early in the morning to avoid the crowds and kids
Rent Paddle Boats
Find a ca;, lake, river or ocean if you want a more peaceful experience. Or, ride the current or waves at a nearby beach!
Take Your Nieces And Nephews Out
Give your family members a break from their children for the day or night.
Go for a Bike Ride
Hop on your bikes (or rent them) and find a safe biking path. Make it a day-trip by choosing a destination to bike to and have lunch.
Go Rollerblading
Head to your local roller rink with your date and get your groove on. If you haven’t held hands with your date yet, this is the ideal date.
Play Frisbee Together
Frisbees are relatively cheap and can be played anywhere: city waterfronts, beach, lakefront, backyards, ect. If you want to get more competitive with the sport, join an ultimate frisbee meetup together.
Tube a Local River
- Buy an plastic tub online and head to your local river.
- Tip: Bring two cars and park one of them where you plan to finish
Go Spelunking (Cave Exploring)
Don’t forget headlamps and extra batteries!
Volunteer At a Marathon
Marathons are always looking for volunteers to cheer, hand out water or metals. It’s a rewarding experience and could even inspire you to fun a 5K, Half Marathon, or Marathon
Find Cheap Sporting Event Tickets
Finding cheap sporting event tickets allows you to enjoy a game or match together and experience the excitement of live sports.
Go for a Walk, Hike, or Trail Run at a Local Park
Going for a walk, hike, or trail run at a local park allows you both to enjoy nature and the outdoors while getting some exercise.
This makes for a great spring, fall, or summer date idea to get outdoors for the day/weekend!
Go Skiing or Snowboarding
Skiing or snowboarding is a great active date idea for those who love winter sports andoutdoors. Hit the slopes and enjoy some fresh air and exercise together,
Rent a Tandem Bike
Riding a tandem bike can be a really fun and unique way to spend some time together. Work together and communicate as you pedal around while getting some exercise and enjoying the scenery.
Take a Paddleboat Ride
Going for a paddleboat ride is enjoyable active date activity, especially if you’re doing it in a beautiful natural setting.
Go Roller Skating
Roller skating can be a really fun and nostalgiciac date activity, especially if you’re both feeling a little playful and energetic. Have a little fun and show off your skills (or lack thereof).
Play Basketball
Playing basketball can be a great active date idea for those who love sports and competition; test your skills and see who’s the better player,
Play Ping-Pong
Playing ping-pong can be a really fun and fast-paced date activity, especially if you’re both up for a little competition; test your reflexes and see who’s the better player.
Play Hide and Seek in a Local Park
Have some fun and enjoy the great outdoors, and it’s a good way to get in some exercise as you run around and search for each other.
Setup a Scavenger Hunt
Setting up a scavenger hunt allows you to explore your community and to have fun while also being active.
Climb a Tree
Climbing a tree allows couples to challenge themselves physically and to enjoy the outdoors.
Go Roller Skating
Going roller skating or longboarding allows you to enjoy a fun and nostalgic activity together, and to get some exercise.
Take a Long Walk Together
Enjoy each other’s company and to get some exercise around your neighborhood(s).
Go Sledding
Plan ahead and buy a cheap sled at your local hardware store and Walmart before a big snow storm.
Rock Climbing
Challenge yourselves physically and to bond over a shared activity. Get a drink after, too!
Hike or Walk Through An Arboretum
Enjoy nature and to get some exercise by exploring your local arboretum or park.
Go Skating or Longboarding
Enjoy a fun and nostalgic activity together and to get some exercise. If you skated in your past, this would a fun opportunity to teach them
Go to a Pumpkin Patch
Get Some Thrift Store Tennis Rackets and Visit Your City’s Free Courts
Getting some thrift store tennis rackets and going to your city’s free courts allows you to enjoy a fun and active game together.
Practice Kama Sutra
Go to a Party Together
Go Camping
Learn To Skateboard or Longboard Together
The Amazing Race Date
The Amazing Race Date is a great date because it allows both of you to work together, problem-solve, and have fun while exploring your or town.
Train for a 5K To Run or Walk Together
A midnight bike ride can be a romantic and exciting date if you both enjoy being active and trying new things.
Go on a Midnight Bike Ride Together
Go Paintballing
Going to a paintballing facility can be a fun date for couples who enjoy friendly competition and adrenaline-pumping activities.
Go for a Boat Ride
A boat ride can be a relaxing and scenic date if you both enjoy being on the water.
Go to a Local Nonprofessional Sports Game
Going to a local nonprofessional sports game is be a fun and casual date idea if you both enjoy sports and supporting their community.
Get Lost In a Corn Maze
Getting lost in a corn maze can be a fun and adventurous date if you both enjoy a good challenge.
Go to an Escape Room
An escape room can be a thrilling and immersive date if you both who enjoy puzzles and teamwork.
Work Out Together
Working out together can be a great way for you both to bond, motivate each other, and stay healthy.
Visit a National or State Park
Visiting a national or state park can be a great way for you both to explore the outdoors and appreciate nature together.
Do Some Geocaching
Geocaching can be a fun and unique date for couples who enjoy treasure hunts and being outdoors.
Kayak a River or Lake
Go Canoeing, Rafting, or Tubing
Go Fishing
Go to a Sports Game
Play Laser Tag Together
Go Ziplining
Go to Karaoke
Go to the Shooting Range
Go to the Zoo
Attend a Kickboxing Class
Go for a Walk On a Nature Trail
Hit-Up a Driving Range
Rent Surf Boards
Go to the Batting Cages
Go Rafting
Go Off-Roading
Make a Scavenger Hunt
Take a Road Trip
Volunteer at a soup kitchen
Go Snowshoeing
Start a fitness challenge
Do a Sport or Activity You’ve Never Done
Make Snow Angels
Artsy Active Date Ideas
Try some of our artsy date ideas to have a fun, active date experience.
Practice Yoga Together
Go to a Country Concert
Take Dance Lessons
Go to a Local Festival
Expensive Active Date Ideas
Try some of our expensive date ideas to have a fun, active date experience.
Go Scuba Diving
Go Skydiving
Rent or Borrow a Jet Ski
Depending where you live, renting a jetski will costs you about $90/hour.
Sign Up for an Obstable Race (e.g., Tough Mudder)
Test Drive An Expensive Car
If you’re not comfortable going to a dealership, view the rental car options on GetAround.com or Turo.com for hourly/daily rates of expensive cars.
Go to a Trapeze Class
It’s a chance to push your limits and try something new, and the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel after completing a successful trick can be really rewarding.
Try Hangliding
Hang gliding can be an exhilarating experience, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. The sense of freedom and the beautiful views you’ll get from up in the air make it a truly special and memorable date.
Swim With Dolphins
Swimming with dolphins can be a really magical and fun experience, especially if you’re both animal lovers. It’s a chance to get up close and personal with these intelligent and playful creatures,
Go Horse Back Riding
Horseback riding can be a really enjoyable and romantic date activity, especially if you’re doing it in a beautiful natural setting. Average cost is about $55 per hour/per person.
Rent a Sailboat or Motorboat
Go Skydiving
A tandem skydive is usually $200-250/person
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
A hot air balloon ride can be an exciting way to see a new place or get a different perspective on somewhere you’re already familiar with.
Go to an NBA or NHL Game
Going to a live sports game can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re both fans of the same team. It’s a great way to get into the spirit of competition and cheer your team on together.
Go Kart Racing
This is a great active date idea for those who like some competition and speed; It’s a fun and thrilling way to test your skills and see who’s the better driver.
Go to a Shooting Range
If you’re both into shooting or just want to try something new, going to a shooting range can be a fun and exciting activity.
