Whether you’re an Old Married™ like me, just started seeing someone new, or in that weird “What are we?” stage of dating, figuring out what to do on a Saturday night in the summer can feel daunting.
Do you want to escape the heat together? Hit the town for a sweaty night out? Rot side by side in front of the AC in your living room? All valid options.
Want some more ideas? I’ve got you.
Below, check out 10 summer date ideas to try for yourself this weekend:
1. See a movie based solely on the theatre’s limited edition, themed popcorn bucket.
I recommend the Jurassic World: Rebirth Regal incubator dual container.
2. Challenge eachother to a Chopped-style cook-off with items picked up at the local farmer’s market.
What appetizer, main dish, and dessert can you make with Cocozelle zucchini? You’re about to find out!
3. Do an at-home sip and paint.
Paint each other’s portraits, or if that feels too risky (“You think I look like that?!”, compose a still life in the middle of the table of fruit, or, I don’t know, a Lego set, and create your own artistic takes.
4. Go see a band you loved in high school.
From Guster to Ben Harper to Barenaked Ladies to 311, it seems like everyone on a mix burned to a CD that played nonstop in my used Elantra in high school is on tour this summer.
Two guarantees: 1) Tickets will be cheaper than whoever’s touring stadiums right now. And 2) They will play your favorite song, even if they’re sick of it themselves.
5. Engage in a physical activity neither of you are good at.
Paddleboarding, maybe? Or padel!
Only rule when it comes to summer date ideas that involve sports or competition: It’s no fun if one person goes in a pro…or a pro compared to the other person, at least. Nobody wants to get shown up in a romantic setting by a ringer.
6. Hit up an ice cream shop on the other side of town.
Or better, in a different town entirely.
7. Scroll one another’s saved TikToks.
Bond over shared favorite accounts (“Roll for Sandwich,” anyone?!) or break up immediately.
8. Pick out snacks at a local supermarket or specialty store and hit the park for a taste test.
More on this cheap date idea here!
9. Take your laptops to a cafe and update your resumes together.
Hey, you never know what’s coming in this economy.
10. Stay in and make the fanciest version of an extremely unfancy dish together.
Homemade pop-tarts filled with Meghan Markle’s As Ever jam. Mac and cheese made with Gruyère. You get the idea.
More dating and relationship resources from SG HQ:
5 Things Men Do That Women Love
How to Have More Rizz With Women
