Dating Ideas

Are you bored of going on the same kind of dates to the same old places? Had enough of watching movies or going out for a meal?

With a bit of thought and some planning you can impress your future dates with some original and fun ideas. The rise in popularity of online dating means that people are going on more dates than ever before so you need to start being a bit more original with your dating ideas.

Deciding what to do and where to do it can be a tricky decision. You need to consider a number of factors:

Interaction

Think about how much interaction you want with the person you're dating. If you go to a movie then you'll have practically none. This could be what you both want but is there any point on going on a date where you don't talk to each other?

What kind of person are you dating? Are they chatty, outgoing, shy? Make sure your choice of venue or activity suits both of your personalities so you both feel comfortable on the date. If you go to a bar or club will it be too noisy for you to communicate effectively? On the other hand, this might make you both loosen up if there are a few distractions.

Cost

Dating is expensive. Work out what you can afford to spend before making your choice. If you go on lots of dates then you need to have a monthly budget that you stick to because being single can really hit your back balance. With some creative thinking you can go on some inexpensive dates that you'll both really enjoy.

Mood

What sort of mood will be appropriate? Is it a first date? How much romance should there be? Your choice of venue or activity can set the mood accordingly. Some people may be a bit put off if you go for too much intimacy too soon. Look for body language signals to see what your date is trying to communicate with you.

We've put together a list of dating activities and events that you can try with your dates. If you do a variety of different things you will start to learn a lot more about each other and how compatible you are.

If you're a member (and it's free to join), then you'll notice that the dating ideas are linked to Google's search so if you click on the links, you should find some helpful sites. We like making things easy for you!

Sporting Dates

If you're both sporty types then there are lots of things you can do to spend time together. Walking is probably the easiest option but you could try something more adventurous:

* Play Tennis
* Go on a Bike Ride
* Go Horse Riding
* Go to a Sporting Event
* Go Rock Climbing
* Spend the day Sailing

Educational Dates

If you fancy doing something that requires a bit more brain power (smart is definitely sexy!), you could try any one of the following dating ideas:

* Visit a Museum
* Visit an Art Gallery
* Go on a Wine Tasting course
* Go to the Theatre
* Take a one day class
* Visit an Historical Site

Outdoors

Depending on where you live, taking your date outdoors can be a great idea. There are lots of things you can try and some of them are even free:

* Play Paintball
* Go on a Picnic
* Visit a Public Park
* Hire a Classic Car
* Visit a Market
* Take a trip to the Zoo
* Go to an Amusement Park
* Buy a guide book for the area you live in
* Go Shopping
* Get tickets for a Concert
* Try Hot Air Ballooning

Group Dates

Sometimes in can be a good idea to break the ice with a new date by taking things slowly and starting in a group:

* Try a Double Date
* Throw a Dinner Party
* Have a BBQ Party
* Watch a film as a group
* Go to a bar

Breaking from the norm will allow you to get to know each other better and give you each an insight into the other person. Being a bit more adventurous is definitely worth trying!