The Best 15 Out of the Box Date Ideas

Are you and your partner bored of going to dinner and a movie for your date night? Check out these 15 out of the box date ideas to help make things exciting again! 

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Whether you’ve been together for years or you just recently started dating, it’s fun to switch up the dates you go on. We’re often asked for out of the box date ideas and finally answering that request! Below are 15 of the best creative dates that you and your partner should go on.

If you enjoy this post, you may also want to check out our post “12 Surprise Date Ideas to Show Appreciation to Your Partner”.

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1. Thrift Store Identity Change

Getting goofy with your partner can help you connect in a new way. Ready to be someone you’re not for a night? Let’s dive in!

1. Set a budget for each of you to spend.
2. Share your clothing sizes.
3. Go to a thrift store.
4. Split up and each of you pick out an outfit within budget for one another.
5. Purchase the outfits & show one another. 
6. Decide who your partner will become when they put on this outfit. We recommend making up an identity. 
7. Go home and hand wash the clothes and throw them in the dryer while you get ready. 
8. Go out to dinner dressed and acting as the person your partner defined for you.

2. Thrift Store Craft

Looking to get craft together? This is the perfect date for you!

1. Set a budget.
2. Go to a thrift store together and pick something out that you can make into something else. (Pinterest has some excellent examples of this. Here’s one!)
3. Purchase the item(s). 
4. If you need any additional supplies for your craft, run to a craft or department store to pick them up.
5. Head home and start your craft! 

3. Refinishing Project

Is there something in your house that is useful, but not very pretty? That’s the perfect item for this date!

1. Find or purchase something useful that may not match your aesthetic. Note: This could be something around your house, something you find at a thrift store, or something you find on the side of the road. When John and I did this, we chose a book shelf similar to this.
2. Search Pinterest for inspiration on how to update the item you selected. 
3. Go out together to purchase the needed resources for the job.
4. Head home to get started on your project! 

4. Penny Date

This date is great for couples who want to do something in the moment, but aren’t sure what to do!

1. Grab a penny (or any coin).
2. Get in the car with your partner.
3. Flip the coin. Did it land on heads? Turn right. Tails? Turn left. 
4. Continue to do step #3 at each intersection till you end up somewhere interesting. 
5. Get out and enjoy the destination (although this dates’ definitely more about the journey!)

5. Picnic on the Water

Looking for something creative to do this summer? This out-of-the-box date idea is perfect for you!

1. Pack lunches in a waterproof bag. (Something like this will work!)
2. Grab an air mattress from home or purchase one at Walmart. 
3. Put everything in your car and head to a local public dock. 
4. Set the lunch bag down, put the air mattress in the water, sit on it one at a time, then grab the lunch bag. 
5. Enjoy your meal together!

6. Library & a Movie in a Fort

Hoping for a relaxing night together? 

1. Build a blanket fort in your living room like you did when you were a kid. (Pro tip: Be sure you can still see the TV from inside it.)
2. Head to your local library to pick out a movie, and to your local grocery store to grab some popcorn. 
3. Go home, pop the popcorn, and enjoy your movie night together!

7. Draw One Another

Looking for something a bit more creative? This is the date for you!

1. Each of you get in the clothes (or lack thereof) that you’d like to be drawn in.
2. Take turns drawing one another.
3. Hide the drawing so your family and kids never find them.

8. Join a Parade

Hoping to do something out of your comfort zone, and in front of tons of people? 

1. Research upcoming parades near you.
2. Sign up to join one of the parades together. (Bonus points if you find one with a funky theme!)

9. Food Fight

Looking to get messy, and maybe a little smelly?

1. Clean out your fridge, freezer, and pantry, but instead of throwing away the unneeded items, set them aside to take to a large park or open field. 

10. Public Transit Performance

Are you and your partner talented at singing and playing the guitar? Do you consider yourselves to be untalented in this particular area? Either way, this dates the perfect one for getting you out of your comfort zone!

1. Bring a hat, a guitar and your vocal chords and hop on a local train or bus. 
2. When you get to a point that’s three stops before where you plan to get off the transit, set the hat upside down beside you and do a duet. If you end up with some change or bills in the hat, that’s a bonus! 

11. Be the Audience

Know of somewhere near your home that often has live performers on the streets? 

1. Set a budget for how much you’re willing to spend today. 
2. Go listen to multiple street performers and donate to support them. (Make sure to save some money for your lunch or dinner.)
3. Head to a local lunch/dinner spot to talk about the street performers you got to see!

12. Murder Mystery Dinner

Do you pride yourselves in intuition, and enjoy solving mysteries? This date’s for you!

1. Research murder mystery dinners near you. 
2. Make a reservation. 
3. Dress up in a funky outfit to fit the theme, and head to your murder mysetery dinner.

13. Local Wine Class

Looking for a fun way to grow and connect with your partner? 

1. Research wine classes near you. 
2. Make a reservation. 
3. Dress up and show up to the class!

14. Spontaneous Hotel Night

Hoping to connect with your spouse in a spontaneous way tonight or tomorrow? 

1. Head to Hotwire to book an expensive hotel for cheap, last minute.
2. Pack your bags & head to the hotel!

15. Public Book Reading in a Park

Get out of your comfort zone by reading aloud with your partner in a park. 

1. Choose your favorite, or a silly (non-offensive) book.
2. Bring the book to a popular local park. 
3. Take turns reading sentences or paragraphs of the book aloud. 

BONUS: Create Vision Boards Together

No matter how old you are, it’s important to continue dreaming throughout your life. This activity will help you and your partner dream about the future for yourselves and together. 

1. Gather magazines and old newspapers you have throughout the house. If you don’t have at least 5, I recommend picking a couple up at a store. 
2. Go to the dollar store and pick up one poster board. 
3. Head home and split the poster board in thirds. (one side for you, one for your partner, and the center is for your shared dreams). 
4. Rummage through the magazines you found or bought and cut out words and images that describe where you’d like to be in the next five years. 
5. Once you have most of your images and words picked out, glue them to your side of the board. 
6. Lastly, repeat steps 4 and 5 together for the center section of the poster board.