Going on a first date can be fun, but it is often a nerve-wracking experience. After all, you want to make a good impression and at the same time, you’re hoping that your date will end up being somebody who is worth your time. Choosing the setting and activity can go a long way towards determining the success of a date. It is also important to be aware of first date rules such as who pays for whom. That said, forgo the formal attire and the romantic, candle light dinner and consider these five fun date ideas.
Coffee
Meeting up for coffee on a Saturday afternoon might not be the most earth-shattering idea, but it is certainly the safest, most conservative route. If you are a social butterfly, this is the best way to introduce yourself and get to know about your date. It requires very little planning beyond choosing the cafe or coffee house, is one of the best, cheap date ideas and it creates a very relaxed, casual atmosphere. Plus, this activity doesn’t depend on good weather. If you can handle each others’ company for a couple of hours with nothing more than conversation and a mug of coffee in your hand, that bodes well for a second, more formal date.
Bowling
Choosing a bowling alley is one of the best first date ideas for several reasons. First, much like meeting at a coffee house, bowling is something that everybody has done before, so it doesn’t take anybody out of their comfort level. Furthermore, unlike a lot of activities, very few people will turn down a chance to bowl even if they aren’t particularly good at it. In fact, showing off your pitiful bowling skills allows you to show that you’re down-to-earth and willing to laugh at yourself. Since your date is equally unlikely to have much bowling talent, it creates a true bonding experience.
Picnic and Games in the Park
Getting somebody to agree to go on a date in the first place can be a challenge. But if he or she accepted your offer, do everything you can to make it worth his/her time. If the weather is too good to pass up, taking your day to the park for a picnic and afternoon of party games is a really good call. It could be a simple matter of bringing along sandwiches from Subway or preparing sandwiches and salads in advance. Make sure to coordinate this with your date so that you end up eating food that both of you actually like. Bring along a deck of UNO cards, Checkers, Connect Four, Scrabble, or other games that are suitable for two players and get your competitive juices flowing while enjoying the company of your date. Bonus points if you bring along a guitar and know how to play it.
Ice Skating
If your community happens to have an outdoor skating rink, this could be the perfect dating activity during wintertime. But depending on where you live, there is a chance that you’d be able to find a nearby indoor skating rink that is open all year round. As with the other suggestions, this is a fun and cheap way to spend the afternoon with a date and allows you to get some exercise as well. Best of all, you might even get some contact with your date – such as holding hands – since there is a good chance that one or both of you don’t know how to skate.
Visit a Comedy Club
If you are looking for a relaxed evening activity, why not take your date to a comedy club? It is a bit daring and definitely unconventional, but with a high payout if the date goes well. In fact, you could consider this as a “surprise” activity if your date is okay with not knowing the full date plan. However, this activity is best paired up with lunch beforehand so that you will be able to devote some time to getting to know each other.
Dating ideas For College Students
In addition to the ideas above, there are plenty of other ways to spend the first date, especially if you are a college student. Chances are your college campus provides you with a variety of fun, cheap options. So go out there and find the date of your dreams!
