You’ve agreed to go on your first date, and there’s probably now a million anxiety ridden questions swirling round your mind. What to do on a first date? Where should you go? What should you talk about? Will it be awkward?
While its perfectly normal to be at least a little nervous on a first date, a great way to feel less anxious is to choose a first date activity that will set the both of you at ease and provide plenty of conversation opportunities.
If you need inspiration on some good first date ideas, here are 10 inexpensive yet also a lot of fun first date ideas:
1. Go Bowling
Bowling may sound a little outdated and not the most unique date idea, but it can be a great way to get to know one another in a safe and organized setting. If you haven’t gone bowling in a while you can poke fun at one another’s ineptness or if you’re date is a bowling pro, boost his or her esteem by asking for some tips. Not all first dates have to be swanky or sweep you off your feet; they should be more about breaking the ice and seeing if you “click”. This is one of the most social things to do on a date.
2. Take a Cooking Class
A cooking class at a local culinary school or cooking store can be an excellent way to get familiar with one another without the awkward silences that can so easily dominate a first date. You can have fun and joke about the process while you’re learning and swap cooking tips and horror stories as you go along. Fun and quick, a cooking class is definitely a cute date idea. It is also a creative date idea that can score you some points right away.
3. Sign up for an Art Class
If cooking just isn’t your thing but you’re fairly nifty with a paintbrush and easel, why not attend an art class? It is a great date idea that will allow the two of you to express your artistic sides, discuss art and regardless of your artistic talents – you’re virtually guaranteed to have a good laugh as you craft your masterpieces. Some art studios even serve alcohol during their organized classes, which could help both of you feel even more comfortable and bold in both your art and conversation topics.
4. Check Out a Hole in the Wall
You really don’t need to go to a Michelin starred restaurant for the first date. Sure you’ll want to take your date to a fancy joint as some point, but it’s generally best to keep it as casual as possible when it comes to first dates. Romantic date ideas can be saved for a later time when the two of you become more comfortable with each other. Pick a celebrated hole in the wall, perhaps one that offers a type of food both of you have never tried before, and enjoy having a unique but informal new experience together. The no frills and casual atmosphere should help the two of you loosen up and you never know this could become your favorite go to hole in the wall for many future years to come.
5. Meet at the Dog Park
Do you both have dogs? Then meeting at a dog park could turn out to be a very cute first date idea. The fact that you both have dogs already establishes a rapport and introducing your furry friends to one another could prove to be a real ice breaker. And if the first date doesn’t go that great and you don’t feel like meeting again, at least your dog got some exercise! Plus, it is a free first date.
6. Explore a Local Event
Is there a local event you’ve always wanted to try? Invite your date along to explore a local happening. Perhaps there’s a local art or books festival going on, or maybe you could check out the local fair. The scenery should provide plenty of talking points and should make a nice break from the monotonous dinner and a movie date. Events host a welcoming atmosphere for fun things to do on a first date.
7. Hang out in a Dive Bar
Dive bars aren’t exactly anyone’s idea of a picture perfect date, but a date at a dive joint could provide the perfect spot for a no pressure introduction to one another. Enjoy a beer and challenge one another to a game of darts or pool. Wow your date in a super casual yet sexy getup and show that you’re the kind of date that’s down to earth enough to have fun in virtually any setting. This simple date idea can turn into a great night.
8. Meet for Coffee Before Work
Meeting for coffee has become a popular first date idea, especially for people that met online, but finding an excuse to end the date can get awkward if you’re meeting at the weekend. However, if you arrange to meet early in the morning before work, you’ll have a conveniently limited time to meet and the perfect excuse to get out fast if your date doesn’t go particularly well. This is what makes a coffee shop one of the best places to go on a date if you are worried about being stuck in an awkward situation. What’s more the casual atmosphere of a coffee shop could help you relax and as you’ll be in your work clothes you won’t have to worry nearly as much about what to wear.
9. Go to the Zoo
Watch the monkeys play and the penguins dive at your local zoo for your first date. Practically everyone likes the zoo, and it should provide plenty of ice breakers. Casual and relaxed, the zoo is an ideal day time date activity. And if you’re willing to splash the cash for your first date, maybe there’s even an animal interaction program you could sign up for with your date where you can pet and feed some of the animals. Just be sure to choose a zoo that can be enjoyed in no more than a couple of hours, as if your date doesn’t go as well as you hoped you may find yourself stuck with your date for much longer than you want.
10. Go Wine Tasting
Whether you’re a wine tasting connoisseur or a total novice, you’ll still likely learn something new and discover a new wine brand at a wine tasting event. Perhaps there’s a local winery that offers date themed wine tasting events or there’s a vineyard you could take a tour of. Fun and sophisticated, this is an awesome first date idea if you’re hoping to show your classy side.
First dates can be great, awful and often somewhere in between – but they’re absolutely worth doing if they mean you’ll eventually meet “the one.” Use our list for ideal first date ideas and remember to just be yourself and get yourself out there when it comes to dating – as what’s the worst that can happen?