Lover’s Scavenger Hunt
For a tantalizing, sensual, and fun evening together you and your date can participate in a scavenger hunt. Leave behind clues, and riddles...decide on twist prior to activity. Prep the scavenger hunt by assembling both your items and taking turns scattering and hiding them in different parts of the house. Then present your date with a list of what you’ve hidden and see how many they can find...and how many you lose! Get creative with your hiding a spot, the longer the game draws out the more scintillating each new find becomes.
You may start to lose your shirt, socks, and belt; make sure to keep things interesting by taking breaks to compare notes and maybe get a hint or two from your partner. It shouldn’t be too simple to find your date’s items, but too difficult can spoil the fun of the game as well. It’s perfectly fine to help out if needed.
No matter how intimate you and your partner are this can still be a great game. If you are just starting dating bundle up and play to see who loses their jacket, hat and socks first. If you and your lover are more intimate, take it all the way and see who ends up au naturale. It can be as silly and innocent or as sexy and tempt- ing as you want it to be.
Martial Arts Movie Night
The anxiously awaiting student wipes clammy hands over the sweat from his brow. His master stands before him, a challenging pillar of strength and battle tested skill. The student makes a fist, the sinews of his arm tightening up to his shoulder. With a swift motion he strikes, letting out a loud “Hi-Yaaa!” Ok, chances are he’s a lot more into this scenario than she is. But a good martial arts movie can be a fun escape from the cares and worries of the real world and a great way to treat him on your next date.
From Jet Li’s Fist of Legend to The Matrix and The Man with the Iron Fists martial arts movies are extreme, loud, spectacular, and an all-around good time. If there isn’t a new kung fu film playing in theaters, a quick Google search turns up several “top 10” lists for martial arts movies. Pick one or two classics and let him know to prepare himself for a night of board breaking, bone crunching, gravity defying action.
An Asian theme evening is perfect for the atmosphere. Soft Ori- ental music in the background, low candlelight, and cushions on the floor for chairs will put him in the mood for adventures in distant lands. Chinese takeout is perfectly acceptable but if you are so inclined cook up a fresh Oriental dish of your own to really put the magic touch on things.
Once the movie starts, make sure to get into it as much as he does. If a character makes a particularly devastating attack, yell along with your guy and let him know you’re enjoying the over the top action as well. The other option is to choose a particularly awful film on purpose and enjoy mocking the cheesy action and dialogue together. Deadly and death defying can also be fun! At the end of the night make sure to have a memento of the eve- ning, whether that’s a DVD of an old and hard to find kung fu flick, a decorative pair of chopsticks, or karate belt of his own. Having something to take away from the evening and reminisce about it will encourage a sequel in the near future!
Neighborhood Zoo
“Lions and tigers and bears. Oh my!” While you probably don’t have to worry about houses falling from the sky and wicked witches chasing after you and your dog, a day at the zoo does provide a great way to experience lions, tigers, bears and many more exotic creatures with your lover. Spending the day outside taking in the most beautiful and bizarre of nature’s creatures is a fun and playful date you both will enjoy.
The best part about a day at the zoo is it offers probably the most variety of any activity in which you and your date can partici- pate. In addition to the vast array of different animals, birds, and insects many zoos have shows where you can watch dolphins perform acrobatics or elephants paint works of art. Petting zoos allow you to get closer to some of the more gentle creatures (or the not so gentle, as in the case of a shark touching tank!).
For a slightly more intimate setting, see if your zoo has a bo- tanical or bamboo garden and spend some time quietly walking, holding hands, and talking. Try to schedule this in the middle of your trip to the zoo to give you both some much needed rest from trying to get to every exhibit you can and just enjoy the serenity and beauty of nature’s flora.
The insect and reptile section may not be everyone’s favorite but there are hundreds of fascinating species to see here and learn about. Who knows, your date might just surprise you and have more of an affinity for nature’s misunderstood creatures than you expected.
A fun activity you can try is a zoo scavenger hunt. Make a list of different animals and species and challenge your date to a race to see who can find them all first. Log all the animals you’ve vis- ited with photos on your phone and send them a picture update to keep the competition interesting each time you find your next animal. The loser has to wear a children’s animal mask for the rest of the day!
Paddle Boats
Spend the day relaxing on the lake just off the shore with your date, slowly maneuvering through the water and taking in the sunshine together in a paddleboat. Paddleboats are one of the safest and most laid back ways to spend a day on the water, so if you are looking for a change of scenery and a quiet getaway this could be the perfect water transport for you.
There is little danger of tipping over in a paddleboat, so long as you don’t mind your feet getting a bit damp you shouldn’t have to worry about bringing a towel or change of clothes on this out-ing. Pack a few snacks and drinks, and bring along a camera to take pictures of the view and the two of you having a good time.
Paddleboats require both passengers to work together pedaling the boat so you and your date can have fun working on getting in sync to take turns in the boat. Pedal hard to get to the middle of the lake and then just relax, floating lazily and soaking up the sun. You can spend all day on the water in a paddleboat. Stash a pack of cards away in your bag for an appropriate game of Go Fish out on the water, or bring along poles and actually go fishing for the day together.
As the current slowly pulls you back to shore you can backpedal slowly and keep you both out on the water a little longer. There’s no rush to go anywhere, just being on the water holding your date’s hand and letting the lap of the waves lull you both into relaxation makes for an ideal afternoon. A paddleboat is the perfect lover’s transport, built for two and specifically designed for leisure.
Photo with Easter Bunny
It’s Easter and everyone in town is out on an Easter egg hunt. Take your date out and enjoy the festivities and the family fun together by joining in the joyful celebration of spring and new life. Sign up for a local egg hunt to participate in the festivities!
Spending the morning in the park hunting for eggs, helping children find hidden treasures, and enjoying the vibe and fam- ily atmosphere can be a great low-key way to spend time with your date. Go all out by wearing matching spring sweaters and embracing the cheesy photo opportunities. Be on the lookout for the Easter Bunny who will be there to greet the children, a photo op with him shouldn’t be missed! Save the snapshot as part of your joint remembrances of times you’ve spent together.
No matter your belief system, Easter is a time to celebrate new life, new opportunities and fresh start. What better time for a budding romance or a rekindling of passion? And what better way to embrace those opportunities than you and your partner finding your inner child again and enjoying Easter like children do; with wide eyed rapture at the colors, sights, sounds, and that magical giant bunny you have photographic proof exists :)
Photo with Santa
It’s just a few days before Christmas and you and your date are out shopping at the mall getting those last minute gifts. The banisters and rafters are strung with garland and lights, the PA system croons classic Christmas songs and it’s just a great time to be in love. Like most malls, this one has a North Pole station where kids can get a picture with Santa Claus. Don’t let the fact that you are mature adults discourage you, step into the line and get your own picture with St. Nick this holiday season!
Wish Santa a Merry Christmas and make sure to thank him for being there for all the kids. Get a picture with the three of you and make sure to pick up the prints from the photographer. Then, head over to the nearest gift store and pick out a frame for the photo together. Take your time finding the perfect one, this will be a holiday keepsake for both of you for years to come. Set the photo over your mantel for Christmas morning as you open gifts together to remind you about your fun encounter with Santa.
Send the photo out to your family and friends on social media and let them know about the good times you are having as well. The holidays are a time for sharing love and good cheer with one another, and nothing does that better than the childlike spirit and joy of Santa Claus.
Pizza n’ $2 Buck Chuck
The evening is starting to fall over the city and you and your partner are out for a date. If you aren’t feeling the formal vibe of going out to dinner, create your own gourmet restaurant on the harbor as you watch the sunset and the ships. Easier than you’d imagined without breaking the bank!
Stop off at a pizzeria on your way to the docks and pick up a flatbread pizza to share. It shouldn’t be more than about $8 and paired with a bottle of $2 Chuck (Charles Shaw brand wine) you will be enjoying fine dining by the water in no time and for about ten dollars.
Watch the last of the ships roll into the harbor as you enjoy the warm flavorful pizza and sip wine together. The quiet lulling sound of the waves against the docks and the peaceful dimming of the sunset lights are better than any candlelight restaurant with music playing overhead. Allow Mother Nature to set the stage for this perfect evening.
Toast each other and your ingenuity in creating your own dining tradition. Kick off your shoes and enjoy the feel of the water against your toes, quietly holding hands and watching the sun go down on another day. Tomorrow is filled with promises and more wonderful times spent together.
Pottery Class
Of all the different arts you and your date can participate in to- gether, pottery is one of the most challenging, rewarding, and sensual. Take a pottery class with your lover and practice the art of creation together as you mold the clay and express your creativity.
Take your time, patience is key when shaping clay. Whether you are slipping and scoring to assemble geometric pieces or throwing clay on the wheel to press and mold a bowl or urn, it’s important to develop a sensitive touch and a careful, patient eye. That same patience and careful attention is needed in a relation- ship as well, so let your one feed the other and learn to give tender attention to your lover as well.
Work together on a piece, sitting near each other and letting your hands intertwine as you shape the clay. Let this be a sensual ex- perience for both of you, moving earth, water and each other to create something together. Don’t be afraid of making a mess, the fun is in not caring about appearances and just focusing on each other.
After your piece has been shaped it’s time to glaze and fire it. Make sure you initial this piece together in remembrance of this day. After it is fired in the kiln and finished you can display it proudly in your home, a token of a beautiful time spent with your lover.
Rock Climbing
Rain or shine, winter or summer you and your date can go on a rock climbing adventure just by visiting your local gym. Call ahead and find out what gyms offer climbing walls, often they will offer free time slots where families and enthusiasts can come and enjoy the fun. This is a great way for you and your date to have a good time while staying frugal!
Dress properly. Sturdy sneakers, shorts, and close fitting t-shirts or tank tops that won’t catch on anything are a must. Get in the spirit by purchasing climbing shoes that fit your feet snugly and help you grip the rocks with your toes. Grab a couple of water bottles and you’re ready to head out.
Once you’re at the wall it’s time to get hooked up into the har- ness, dust some chalk on your hands, and get climbing! Make sure to cheer on your date as they scale the wall. If you can both climb at once, make sure to help each other out by suggest- ing nearby handholds and offering encouragement. Don’t get ahead of your date by too much. Reaching the top together will prompt a celebratory high five!
If you both feel confident with the standard walls see if there is an advanced section, with less handholds and angled portions to climb up and under. Challenge yourselves so the victory is that much sweeter. But whether you are able to conquer the ad- vanced walls or not, make sure to end the day on a positive note taking stock of your climbing accomplishments together.
