If your frantic Googling for first date ideas led you here, you’re in luck — these 13 awesome ideas are all sure to impress (or at least pique her interest enough for a more well-prepared second date).
First Date Ideas | Big Effect on a Small Budget
1. Go Shopping
We don’t mean taking her to a Givenchy or a Gucci store for overpriced crap. Take her shopping at your local Goodwill or thrift shop, where you can have a ton of laughs dressing each other up in crazy-ass outfits. Make it a contest: Whoever manages to create the cheesiest outfit wins! Make sure you pick an outfit that goes with your beard, though.
2. Try Geocaching
The modern version of letterboxing, geocaching is one of the more novel first date ideas. It’s basically about trying to locate a “cache” someone left for you to find using a GPS tracker. Thankfully, you don’t have to buy an expensive GPS system, as it can be done right through your smartphone using an app. It’s an awesome way to get outdoors with your lady friend. Being that you two will be walking around for a while, it’s also a great way to get to know each other. Besides, this activity lets you go on a date without spending a single dime.
3. Visit an Open Mic
Bars that hold open mic nights are scattered everywhere, and you’re bound to find one without any difficulty. There are two ways you can play this: either you find enough confidence to stand on stage and show off, or you can just have fun ragging on whoever’s bombing onstage. Whatever you choose to do, it’s definitely a fun way to spend some time together. And even if the open mic idea bombs, at least you’re already at a bar and can get a couple of rounds in.
4. Breakfast for Two
How many dates start off with breakfast? A fun little way to begin a first date is by getting up early to take her somewhere for a classic breakfast. Since most dates often start at happy hour, show her your unique side by offering her bacon and eggs in place of a margarita. Make the date even more adorable by trying to solve crossword puzzles together. If there’s anything ladies love, it’s doing old-school things in the 21st century.
5. Check out Local Festivals
There’s always something going on in your local community, as long as you pay attention. If it’s a festival, a free concert, or even just a Tai Chi session at the local park, it’s a great idea to try. Especially since it’s probably something both of you haven’t even experienced before. Sharing a unique activity for the first time is a fun little ice breaker, making it one of the greatest first date ideas ever.
6. Follow a Trail
Put on some rugged hiking shoes and pack a nice, homemade picnic lunch. Pick her up and drive towards a trail near the city. Select a trail and follow it to the end where you can enjoy a small lunch together. Following a trail is always a nice and casual first date idea. There’s not much pressure, you can take your time, and you get to enjoy nature along the way, too. Just make sure you don’t look like an ax murderer and groom yourself before the date. The shadier you look, first date ideas like this one are sure to cause her alarm bells to ring.
7. Volunteer Your Time
Nothing says “I’m a good person and I care about people” more than volunteering your time for others. While it’s kind of an unconventional idea for a first date, it’s sure to leave an impression. Volunteering at your local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or animal shelter as a first date idea will really make her look at you. It’s also a good way for you both to get involved in community service.
8. Do a Museum Tour
Free first date ideas usually involve museums. There’s a reason why: it’s a great place to talk. Museums often let you have quiet little spots to observe and take in the art or artifacts you see. This means you get to spend a lot of time just talking to each other and really setting up a connection. Surprise your date by reading up on the exhibits beforehand. You may not be a total art snob, but at least you’ll have material to break the ice with. And, who knows: even she might surprise you with her own snippets of knowledge.
9. Netflix and Chill
…but not in the way kids take it to mean these days. Watching a movie is always fun, but movie tickets are pricey. Instead, why not try doing it somewhere public, like a park? Bring an audio splitter and an iPad, and pick out one movie each. Have her bring the popcorn and you bring the soda. Find some shade and enjoy a super-cheap but very effective double feature from the comfort of a park bench. Pro tip: “forget” to bring an audio splitter and just share the one pair of earphones. Enjoy the moment while “Close to You” plays in your head.
10. Work with Your Hands
Head out of the gutter, buddy. We meant crafts (the hanky-panky can come later.) Take her to a craft store or your very own workshop and start a project together. This way, either of you can teach each other something new. Let her pick the project and get right on it. You get to talk a lot during this activity, but also you get to bond over a shared project. And nothing makes a first date better than sharing something new!
11. Play a Board Game
Yes, board games are in vogue once more! Many coffee shops will have a few board games on their shelves. Alternatively, there are also specialty cafes which have a ton of board games ready to go. Have some fun flexing your competitive sides over Battleship, Scrabble, or Dixit.
12. Go Bowling
Whether you suck at bowling or not, it’s always a great first date idea. It’s classy, fun, and allows enough downtime for you two to talk. Watch a few videos on YouTube on how to be a better bowler if you want an edge. Or, you can also use that knowledge to give her some up close and personal lessons.
13. Cook up a Storm
It’s cheaper than a restaurant, that’s for sure. Ask your date if she’s down to cook something for dinner instead of heading to a fancy restaurant. Maybe you can grill the steak while she makes the sides, or perhaps fixes some drinks. Start off the date by heading to the grocery store and picking out today’s fresh ingredients. Head on over to the ol’ abode and get cooking. Pretty soon, it won’t only be the pan that’s heating up.
Here are 10 more first date ideas from alpha m.:
There are tons more first date ideas out there, but these 13 items are good enough to start. Boot up your Tinder profile and start swiping because all these ideas won’t happen with just you! We hope you have fun, keep it safe, and keep it wholesome. Or not.
Give us some of your favorite first date ideas in the comments section below!
Up Next: Types of Beards That Women Love