The One Ultimate List of Date Ideas Tagged With: Small Groups, p. 9

Windsurfing is more than an excuse to get out there on the water; it's also a great way to spend the day with the person you love. Both of you can go windsurfing at the same time, or you can use the same board and take turns. The fun thing about windsurfing is, it's exciting, and it gets you closer to nature. Being out on the open water is fantastic, and being able to do it with your spouse makes it even better. Make your windsurfing date even better by turning it into a mini-vacation. Get a hotel room near the beach and hit the waves over the weekend to create an outdoor experience with memories that will last forever.

Fossil hunting is like going back in time and piecing together what life was like long before you were here. Do a little research beforehand to know what type of fossils you should expect in your area. If you can, travel to an area well known for having fossils. Digging up the fossils is only half the fun because you've got to identify what you dug up. The first thing you do is try to determine what part of the animal you discovered. After that, then you move on to trying to figure out what animal the bones came from. The exciting thing is, you might be holding onto the bones of a dinosaur that hasn't seen the light of day for millions of years.

Anyone familiar with the 36 questions that lead to love knows the type of impact they can have on a relationship. Originially designed as a social experiment between strangers, these 36 questions can help improve the relationship of married couples too. Typically, it takes people about 45 minutes to ask and answer the 36 questions. That means if both of you were to ask the other the 36 questions, it would be the perfect activity for date night. That's hardly enough time for a date, but you can stretch out the questions. Maybe ask to follow up questions or reflect on the answers after both of you are done. The main takeaway from this is that you learn something new about your spouse while having a good time. Some of the answers they give will blow you away, and you'll learn so many more things about the person you love. Good communication is vital to healthy relationships and the 36 questions are a great way to open up to each other even more.

A little fun in the sun goes a long way when you're standing on a surfboard. Catching some waves is a great date idea if the two of you love to be out in the water. No two waves are the same, and every time either of you is riding one, it's like a brand new experience. You can take turns using the surfboard, or you can both rent boards and surf at the same time. You will laugh for years about the big wave that got away. There's always one crash that sticks out, and it'll be even funnier if both of you biff at the same time.

No one likes the idea of ending up in a nursing home. Just imagine how difficult it must be for people who live there. You can make their lives better by visiting or volunteering your time. Nursing homes often have games for their residents to play, such as bowling or bingo. Volunteers often are the ones who put the games on, and it's a great date idea. You can turn your date into something that everyone in the nursing home can enjoy. If you don't have time for that, you can always visit people in the nursing home. If you have friends, family, or people from your church in a nursing home, visit them during a date.

Churches, soup kitchens, and food banks all need volunteers. Your next date night could help those in need while also increasing your bond. The two of you could volunteer to clean a soup kitchen or to stock the shelves of a food bank. If you're an animal lover, contact your local animal shelter and see if they need volunteers. The love that you share for each other can impact your community by turning your date night into something that helps those who are less fortunate. Make yourself available during times when most people can't volunteer on days such as weekends to increase your odds of being able to help out.

Adventuring is where you go out and do anything adventurous during a date. What do you consider an adventure? Going out on an adventure might mean scouring the countryside for abandoned houses and seeing what's in them for some people. While for others, it might be more urban where you try to find little hole-in-the-wall stores, restaurants, or other establishments that you never knew existed. Try to think outside the box and do things out of your comfort zone to make it even more memorable. You make up the adventure, and it's a date idea that you can switch up every time you do it. What's an adventure to one couple is extreme to another or maybe run of the mill to some. A few adventuring dates are all it takes to make the dates go from mild to mind-blowing.

For those of you who don't know, zorbing is when you roll down a hill in an orb or a big balloon-like ball. You can go down a hill or a slightly sloped area. Sure, you can go flat, but it's best to go a little downgrade to make it easier. Zorbing is one of those things that you can only do by yourself. Still, it's a whole lot of fun while you're on a date. If you're thinking that rolling around in a plastic ball is ridiculous you're right - and that's part of why it's so much fun. Each of you can take turns zorbing while the other makes a video of it. At first, it feels a little weird being inside such a massive plastic bubble, but before long, you'll be rolling down the grass while having the time of your life. The best time is always after you're done zorbing and talking to each other about your experience.

Whale watching requires andvanced planning and you usually need to order a package through a tour company. Whales never swim near the beach, and you've got to get a little far out there to see the action. A date out on the open water can be as thrilling as it is romantic. The smell of the saltwater, the sun beating down on you, and the sight of one of nature's most incredible species are all things that combine to create an atmosphere for the perfect date. Don't forget to bring your camera along so you can preserve the memories of your whale watching for years to come. If you're not sure if you might get sea sick you might want to try shorter boating excursions before attempting to go whale watching.

Feng shui is all about decorating your home so that the energy flows. If you're into feng shui, you already know what it is. A feng shui date idea will help you transform the energy in your home and, in turn, your life. Feng shui has a way of being the focal point of a person's life, even if they don't intend on it. If you've never been involved with feng shui, give it a try and see how it will change things. You may end up spending several hours working on the feng shui in your home over the next few months to ensure that the energy there is exactly what you want it to be.

Drawing on the sidewalk with chalk is so much fun, and you can do it just about anywhere. The great thing about sidewalk chalk is that you can easily wash it away or wait for the rain to make your artwork disappear. You can have a sidewalk chalk drawing date on the sidewalk outside of where you live, you can do it at the park, or anywhere where there is a big slab of cement. Make sure that you have your smartphone handy to take pictures of your sidewalk art and share them online with your friends and family. If you can find sidewalk chalk artists near you be sure to check out their artwork and be amazed at what you can create with just a few sticks of chalk.

Everyone loves to doodle regardless if you consider yourself an artist or not. By attending drawing classes, you can sharpen your skills while spending some time with your spouse. Allowing your mind's eye to flourish and create new things is always a wonderful experience. Expose your inner artist and see where it takes you by going to a couple of drawing classes. After a couple of classes learning how to draw better, set up a date to draw pictures of each other. It would be interesting to see how your spouse views you, and you'll both laugh at the drawings each of you make.

The world of 3D printing is exploding right now, and it's such a fascinating time. Your 3D printing date could be broken down into two dates. The first date you design your product and find someone to make it for you. If you go the local route, you can pick up your design during your second date. The fascinating thing about 3D printing is, you can make almost anything. You can create something functional or a piece that is pure art. Who knows, maybe what you make will turn out to be great gifts for those you love, or you might even decide to turn it into a business. The cost of buying a 3D printer has come down significantly, so if you enjoy it enough you might consider purchasing your own.

A night in playing video games is fun, no matter if it's a bone-chilling winter day or if it's so hot outside that you'll melt. There are a ton of ways to play video games these days, but the biggest and best games are best played on a dedicated game console like an Xbox, Playstation or Wii. Two-player video games are so much fun, and they are a total blast when married couples play them. Have you ever thought about getting a game where the two of you can compete against the other? Sports games are great since they allow players to compete. Though there are other games where you can compete or even help each other out, it doesn't matter if one is a gamer and the other isn't; it usually doesn't take long to pick up a game well enough to be an asset on the battlefield or a capable opponent on a racetrack.

Face it; you've got things in your wardrobe that haven't been in style for a long time. Now is the perfect time for both you and your spouse to go through your wardrobe and see what you need to get rid of and buy. Online shopping makes it easy, but for the ultimate date, go to a mall or a big box store where both of you can get what you need. Sure, the two of you won't find everything that you need at the same place. But it will be fun to see how the other shops for clothes. Men and women can be polar opposites when it comes to clothes buying, but you'll enjoy seeing how different the other is. Be open about your opinions of clothing options for each other and try stepping out of your comfort zone a little in your choices.

The pursuit of hidden treasure is always exciting. A treasure hunting date can be even more exciting if you find something during your hunt. The best places to search for hidden treasure are historical sites that people have long forgotten about. Will you find a treasure chest filled with gold and jewels? Probably not, but you might find some old relics, coins, or any metal artifacts that can stand the test of time. Get ahold of some old maps, a compass, a metal detector or whatever tools to make the job easier and head out on the hunt. If you want to take it a different direction, hide some treasure and see if your spouse can find it. No matter if you wish to find hidden treasure or hide it yourself, a date like this will get you outside and enjoying some fresh air and adventure.

You never know if you're going to be in a situation where you need to defend yourself. Going to self-defense classes as a date can be an enjoyable and educational experience. You will learn how to defend yourself if someone were to attack you. These are lifesaving skills that might come in handy one of these days. You can't be too safe these days, and learning how to protect yourself is so crucial. You'll not only learn how to protect yourself but your family as well. If the time ever were to happen when you needed to do something to protect the people you love, you'd have the skills and knowledge to do it.

Water gun fights are a total blast on hot summer days. Load up your water gun and run around while squirting each other. You instantly feel like a child all over again when aiming your water gun at your spouse. It's impossible to do anything other than smile and giggle while you're spraying the person you love with water. If you really want to have a wild time, use cold water and really douse each other during a hot day. It's even more fun if you play cops and robbers and try to hide from each other. An unsuspecting blast of water is an instant laugh fest when you've been caught while hiding.

Couples who enjoy going out and listening to instrumental music will love going to the piano bar on date night. Have a drink or two, and enjoy live music being played on a piano. Piano bars are great alternatives for people who like live music but don't like the wild bar scene. Set aside money for a taxi or have a friend pick you up if you plan on drinking. You can play dress up and wear all kinds of fancy clothes. Make it a theme night, and the two of you wear something similar, like beach vacation night or whatever strikes your fancy.

You can't be a happy couple if both of you aren't healthy. The first step to becoming healthy is by being active and exercising. Going to fitness classes on your date nights is a great idea since they will help you get fit. You'll also remember the exercises they teach you, and you'll be able to do them at home. If you have fitness classes once or twice a week, you can have exercise dates at home for the rest of the week. Just a handful of fitness class sessions paired with other healthy life choices can spur into something so much bigger in a short period.

Do you know someone in the hospital, serving in the military or maybe someone lonely or down on their luck? If so, making a care package for them is a great idea. If you belong to a church, you can ask your pastor if there are people who you can make care packages for. Making care packages during a date night will bring you closer together while also doing something great for other people. Any time that you can combine your energy to make lives better for others is a great date. Your compassion for others will improve your life and strengthen your relationship.

A great date idea for a young couple is to plant a tree. Sure, couples of all ages can enjoy planting a tree, but there's something special about it when a young couple does it or when you move to a new place. Just think about how you'll be able to look at the tree years later and watch it grow. The tree will grow just like the love between you and your spouse does. Every year you can plant a new tree to symbolize your love and to make the world a better place. Those trees will be like your love; they will stand the test of time.

Glowsticking is a fantastic date idea for those who enjoy being outside after dark. It's also possible to use glow sticks inside, but you've got to be careful not to hit anything. To have fun while glowsticking you take the glow stick on a string in swing it around. The stick glows in the dark, and it looks incredible as it moves around. If you want to have even more fun on your glowsticking date, play some music and try to swing the glow stick to the beat. Play with the glow sticks while listening to various styles of music. Choose a style of music that you think goes least with glowsticking and try your best to make it work. Sometimes the most fun day you'll have glowsticking will be when you least expect it, and you discover a new way of playing with your glow sticks. Try to take some photos or videos of the light show that you put on and see what kind of art you can produce.

Being able to help your local homeless population is something that many people strive to do. Sadly, there will always be homeless people who need a place to stay. Someone has to volunteer to work at the shelters, and it's an excellent opportunity for a date. A date working at a homeless shelter? Why not? You are giving back to the community and also spending time together. There is no better way to enjoy each other's company while doing something positive. Many of the people you help will go on to live productive lives. The help you give them will have a ripple effect that lasts generations. For many, homelessness is the result of circumstances that are out of their control, and your help will change their lives forever.

Volleyball is an excellent workout activity that often also gets you outside. There are two ways you can turn this sport into a fun date night adventure. The first would be to ask an existing game of volleyball if you can join. You and your spouse can be on opposing teams or whatever the other players are up for. Another way to play volleyball would be to compete with each other directly. If you have a volleyball and there's an unoccupied net, then compete against each other. Wear appropriate clothing and bring along a couple of bottles of water for the maximum amount of fun.

Hitting the road is always a lot of fun. A road trip can be taking a trip for a few miles, or it can be an all-day adventure. Plan your road trip to ensure that you have as much fun as possible. Consider going to a fun destination, or a fun dinner in a sleepy highway town, or whatever floats your boat. If you have a little extra money, spend the night in a hotel. Make sure to do a little online research about the hotel to ensure that you don't end up spending the night in a dump. You can also be spontaneous and surprise your spouse or even hit the road without a plan and see where it leads you.

Makeovers are necessary from time to time because well get stale in our beauty and wardrobe choices. Have you ever thought about letting your spouse choose your clothes or hair style for you? A makeover might consist of changes to clothing, hair styles or how she does her makeup. It sounds as crazy as it is because you never know what they are going to choose for you. Go to the store and allow each person to buy one outfit for the other. You will be shocked and probably amazed by what your spouse thinks you'll look the best in. Work together on how to improve each others appearance. This is a great way to open up lines of communication that you may have never considered.

There are undoubtedly places all over the world that you'd like to go, but can't for one reason or the other. You may have always dreamed of seeing the pyramids in Egypt, but aren't able to. Going on a virtual tour is the next best thing, and it can be done in the comfort of your home. Both of you need to sit in front of the computer and then allow the magic of the internet to do its thing. Before long, you'll feel like you're right there, seeing the sights and sounds that you've always wanted to experience. For added fun, whip up some dishes eaten by the locals of the people native to where you're taking the tour. You'll then be able to see, hear, and taste the area, bringing it even closer to home.

The joy of Christmas is something that people can never get enough of. Caroling is a fun way to spread the holiday cheer that so many people desperately lack. You can either go caroling in your own neighborhood or visit friends and sing outside where they live. If you know other couples who are into caroling, you could turn it into a double or group date. After you're done caroling, go inside and warm your bones with a hot foot or drink. There's no better way to end your caroling date than with a cup of sweet, creamy hot chocolate and maybe a cookie or two.

Nothing brings out the smiles and giggles during a date quite like bumper cars. Bumping into each other becomes addictive, and it's something that you can't stop doing. Bumper cars are fun because each of you gets to drive your own vehicle. You can chase each other, bump into each other, or even try to race. You can't help but have a great time when you're driving around trying to avoid (or cause!) a collision. Don't be surprised when the two of you want to do it again after the bumper cars come to a stop, and you know your time is up.

Belly-dancing is one of the oldest and most exciting ways women have been enticing men for who knows how long. Ladies, belly-dancing is still super hot, and your husband will love it. Your date will begin long before your husband suspects anything. You will have to learn how to do some basic belly-dancing and you can make it even better if you get a little gear. You can then surprise him with a belly-dancing date that will knock his socks off. The look on his face will be priceless as you're swaying back and forth while reminding him why he finds you so attractive.

Mountain biking is a lot of fun, and it gets you into the great outdoors. Mountains and hills aren't necessary, but a little rough terrain is nice when riding a mountain bike. A secluded, wooded area works perfectly as a place where you can go mountain biking. Bring a lunch along with you and the wilderness makes for the perfect picnic backdrop. The outdoors is a wonderful place to find yourself while on a bicycle. Take a few breaks along the way and snap a few pictures of your date so you can remember your mountain biking adventure. Renting the bikes is easy and inexpensive if you don't own them. You may just find that mountain biking is so enjoyable that you want to buy your own bikes and go out often.

Photography is a fun hobby that you can share with your spouse. The enjoyable aspect of having a photography date isn't only taking the pictures but also finding interesting locations. If you have camera equipment great, but if you don't, then it's no big deal. The camera on your smartphone is probably good enough for taking amateur pictures. Try your best to scour your local area for the most exciting photo opportunities. If you really want to take your photography date to the next level, share your pictures on social media. The two of you will love to see how many people like your photos and to read the comments left by your followers.

Going rafting is an adventure in itself. Rafting can be a date that lasts a few hours or the entire day if you want. Some rafters might stop along the way and go fishing. Cooking your catch near the bank of the river is a fantastic treat. However, just going down the river in the raft is more than enough fun. Enjoy the scenery, the fresh air, and spending the day with your spouse. Try to take breaks to talk if the water is calm enough that you don't have to stay so focused that it's impossible to say a word. The conversation has a way of flowing like the river water once you're out there and enjoying yourself.

A community garden is an excellent place for those who want to raise fruits and vegetables but don't have a place to do so where they live. Some community gardens donate the food to the poor or to food banks. You might consider starting a community garden with other members of your church and donate the bountiful harvest. Gardening allows you to eat fresh foods at a fraction of the cost that you'd pay at the supermarket. Also, gardening is great exercise, and it's quality time spent outside with your spouse. Eat better, get more exercise, and enjoy a lungful of clean, fresh air by having a gardening date with your spouse. You can also give away your harvest as gifts since everyone loves fresh produce, but many can't afford it.

Kite flying gets you outside and enjoying being in the great outdoors. If you don't know how to assemble a kite, you can buy them already built online or at your local kite shop. You will need to go to a park or a place that is far away from power lines. A football field works great, but any place with access to the sky will work. You can take turns flying the same kite, or each of you can have your own kite. Try to get the kite as high as you can without it flying away from you. You need a little wind for kite flying to be fun so check your weather forecast first. Winds of 5 or 10 mph work great.

Cliff jumping takes quite a bit of courage, and it's something that an adventurous couple can pull off. The most exciting cliffs to jump off are those that are near deep bodies of water. Make sure you do your research before doing any cliff jumping so that you can find a safe place to do it. Nothing is more exciting than falling towards the water and knowing that at any minute you're going to smack right into it. For added excitement, both of you should jump off of the cliff at the same time. The look on each other's face will be priceless as you fall towards the water. The expression on both of your faces will be pure ecstatic when you rise to the water and first look at the other.

Those who enjoy the great outdoors will love going out on a date to do a little wildlife spotting. National parks are great places where you can walk around and see all kinds of wild animals. You shouldn't try to spot things such as bears unless you are prepared to defend yourself if one comes a little too close. Bird watching, insect watching, and looking for small animals is always fun. Even a stroll through a national park that doesn't turn up any significant wildlife is still a fantastic date. You get to spend time with each other and hopefully chat it up while walking around.

Auto repair might seem like a strange date night until you learn how much a mechanic charges! This is a great idea for newlyweds without a lot of money or other couples who love to live frugally. There are many things that a couple can do in the garage that will save them quite a bit of money. Some expensive repair jobs are quite simple to do yourself. Doing so you'll save money, learn more about your car, and spend time with each other. Even something as simple as changing your windshield wiper blades can be adventurous and fun if you've never done if before. If you're unsure how to do something, watch YouTube videos and learn from others.

Some people take up painting as a means of self-expression and relaxation. Painting can be an inexpensive date idea that can reap all kinds of rewards. Allow your inner artist to flourish and paint what you've been bottling up for so long. It might be interesting for the two of you to work on the same project. You can either take turns painting or ask the other for input on what to paint next. If one of you is an artist while the other is not, have the master teach the apprentice how painting is done. If you want to kick up your painting date a few notches, you can both watch a famous art instructor like Bob Ross and follow along as he tells you what to do. There are tons of online tutorials or local classes that will have you painting something more than stick figures in no time.