6 date ideas for new relationships

New romance is exciting! You’re getting to meet someone new, learning things about them, and you have the chance to fall in love. After a few coffee or drinks dates, you might be wondering what are some other things that you could do together to further explore your connection? Look no further than this list of date ideas to get to know your new SO:

1. Picnic at the park

Plan a romantic dinner at a nearby park. You can set up a full spread on a picnic table or a cute charcuterie board on a blanket. Make sure to bring a cooler if you want to keep something chilled like wine or chocolate-covered strawberries. You can even add a surprise element by asking your partner to meet you there after you’ve set up. (Just make sure to coordinate times so the food doesn’t get cold!) Having a picnic is a low-effort way to see how you and your partner feel about giving or receiving traditional romantic gestures. At the end of dinner, you can walk through the park and watch the sunset together.

2. Game night

A game night is a great way to have an interactive date that brings out your more playful side. It can be a fierce night of competition or a way to unplug and have intentional time with each other. You can play games like Jenga, Super Smash Bros, or Uno to bring out your competitive spirit. Or you can play more inquisitive games like 20 Questions or Never Have I Ever to get to know your partner on a deeper level.You can even up the ante by proposing sexy bets for whoever wins or loses. Whatever game you choose, it’ll be a Smash-ing good time!

3. Cook together

Going out to a fancy restaurant is nice, but sometimes you just want to stay in. This is a good time to show off your culinary skills and cook a meal with your partner. It can feel pretty intimate to create something with someone and it gives you plenty of chances to flirt. If one of you is more skilled than the other, then it’s also a nice way to teach your partner how to be more creative in the kitchen. Cooking at home also means you don’t have to worry about wait times, rude guests, or food mishaps, especially if one or both of you has a dietary restriction.

4. Escape room

Do you like puzzles? Want to see how well you and your partner work together? Then an escape room might be for you! This high-pressure but low-risk activity will show how well you two work together while under stress. Whether you want to be time travelers trying to save the future, thieves pulling an art heist, or survivors of a zombie apocalypse, there is an escape room that will spark your interest. These puzzles are a fun way to find out your strengths and weaknesses as a team. It also gives you both a sense of accomplishment when you successfully escape!

5. Dance class

If you want to work on communication while also building physical intimacy, then a dance class might be for you. In dance, you learn how to be in sync with your partner and to build confidence in yourself individually and as a team. It’s also a great way to build trust and non-verbal communication as you have to work together to master the routine. Dancing is a great opportunity to learn and grow together. It’s also an activity you can keep practicing together after the class.

6. Thrift shopping

Fashion is often a reflection of some aspect of a person’s personality. Whether someone likes to dress up or keep it casual, it gives you a bit of insight about them. Going thrift shopping together can help you learn more about each other’s personalities and creative sides and gain an understanding of their sense of style. You can try picking out outfits for each other or simply find outfits to wear on your dates. You can hype each other up, especially if you’re exploring outside of your comfort zone. There’s also the bonus of making your partner feel special when they see you later wearing the outfit they picked out.