Friday, June 12, 2015

A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: Date Night Adventures

Any parent knows, that once kids come into the picture, date nights with your spouse are hard to come by. I have friends that have gone years - YEARS - without a weekend away with their significant other. Connecting with your spouse is so important and often gets lost in the shuffle of kid activities, school, and general child rearing. Not to mention the barrier of getting some poor sucker to actually watch your kids so you can slip away. Although my husband and I have managed to get away a few times over the years - shout out to grandparents! - date nights are still few and far between. However when we DO get to shake off the kids for a few hours, or even a few days, I'm itching for adventure and dinner and a movie is far down on my list of things to do.  If you're like me and want to do something a little different with your spouse, here are some of my favorite, no-so-typical summer date ideas:

1. Hanging by a thread. My husband and I recently went on a weekend adventure that was unforgettable. We spent a day hanging by a couple of ropes and climbing through a tree top obstacle course. The ropes course took us through a series of rope swings, cargo net climbs, suspended wobbly structures and zip lines - all which tested our physical abilities. We had a complete blast and it was a great way to spend our time. On the same note, mountain climbing, rappelling and indoor rock climbing are also at the top of the list for fun date activities.

2. Take a hike. Going for a hike is a great way to bond with your spouse. Just you, your love and the great outdoors. No distractions mean the perfect opportunity to re-connect after a busy week. A challenging hike will help build feelings of cooperation and support with your partner as you navigate the terrain together; a more low key train can be made romantic with a pack full of picnic food.

3. Beach Camping. Is there anything more romantic than camping overnight on a beach? I think not! Not only is it super romantic, but it puts a twist on traditional camp settings. The sound of the waves makes for a peaceful sleep and crisp, ocean air is a refreshing wake up.

4. Get cooking. Even if being in the kitchen isn't your favorite thing, taking a cooking class together will be a fun and memorable experience. Joint cooking projects will promote team work and solo cooking projects can provide a little friendly competition. Plus, you'll learn a new recipe to add to your dinner menu at home!

5. Who dunnit? Inactive adventures make for an awesome date night outing and put your ability to problem solve as a couple to the test. Murder mystery dinners are easily found with a little research in most areas - plus you get dinner, so it's a win-win! Interactive games like Escape the Room are also all the rage lately!  Those who live near major cities are likely to get lucky in finding something similar.

6. Shoot 'Em Up. Get an adrenaline rush by shooting up targets at the gun range and your significant other will never want to get on your bad side again. Just kidding!

7. Paint the town red. If real guns aren't your thing, consider spending the day at a paintball range. This is an activity that might be closer to your comfort zone, and is even MORE fun!

8. Run, Baby, Run! Obstacle and mud  runs are a blast, and provide such a great experience for couples to build their partnership as they motivate, cheer and physically help each other along a challenging course. In addition, extra bonding time can be earned if you train together, or turn it into a family affair by getting the kids involved in the training process. If you are looking for something a little less messy, some alternatives are the equally fun bubble runs, color runs and water inflatable runs that many areas offer.

9. Ready! Set! Go! A little friendly competition is always good for a couple. Place your bets and rev your engines, as you challenge your partner to a race. Check around for a nearby indoor or outdoor go-kart course and  fulfill your need for speed on the track. Loser pays for dinner!

10. Off the beaten path. Take your date off the beaten path, literally, with an off-roading adventure. Gear up and board an ATV/UTV for an experience you'll never forget. Travel terrain together or ride solo, either way it'll be a good time and give you plenty of fun memories.The couple that gets muddy together, stays together... or something like that.


Now that I've shared a few of my favorite non-traditional date day ideas, tell me your favorite date activities to do with your significant other.

8 comments:

  1. Sounds like you and your hubby have a loving, adventurous relationship. I love going for a hike with my husband and 4 year old. It's so nice to be in nature together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love hiking! Family nature bonding is a great way to spend the day.

      Delete
  2. Wow! Lots of great activities. I'll admit, I'm not one who likes too much adventure on my dates, but the cooking class sounds fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Traditional dates are just as fun! But yes, the cooking class is a great date idea.

      Delete
  3. So true !!! Me and my husband try and get a few minutes of fun in just the two of us kayaking is my favorite right now. Laci @ Sequins in the South.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Date nights are really important. Unfortunately me and hubby's parents live far away, so we rarely have the option to leave our daughter with them. The "kind" of a date night we have is on Sundays when our daughter goes to sleep. We try to stick to the routine and 8 pm is her bedtime. That's when we usually watch some good movies over the popcorn and some snacks. Of course a getaway would be better, but we don't have that option just yet:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are so lucky we have grandparents nearby who are willing to watch our three kids once in awhile. I know not everyone has that luxury :( I think your compromise is awesome! Our work schedules conflict, so we can't manage a weekly date. I think it's awesome that you can dedicate each Sunday night to spending that time together!

      Delete