Teach Mom Learn

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I am only recommending the products I use and love, so please know that all opinions expressed here are honest.

It’s finally almost summer! And after over a year in a pandemic, life is finally going back to normal. I don’t know about you, but I’ve gone through a range of emotions as my state reopened and have settled on cautiously optimistic.

Now that the world is reopening, the possibilities for date nights are so much more exciting than take out on the couch and watching another movie on Disney+. And while couples have never spent more time together, it’s important to get some quality time outside the house to connect with each other.

Here are 10 fun, cheap, easy date ideas perfect for busy parents:

1. Play mini golf

Mini golf is the perfect start to a summer date night. The courses are adorable, and it’s a fun way to unleash your competitive side.

It’s kind of funny how mini golf is often a struggle for athletes, yet easy for those of us who aren’t as coordinated. In any other sport-related activity, Tom would win by a landslide. But in mini golf? It’s anyone’s game!

Make a wager with your partner ahead of time! Maybe winner picks the restaurant or the dessert you’ll share. Whatever you decide, have fun with it!

2. Head to the drive-in

One of the surprising benefits to Covid was the return of the drive-in. We just got a new one in the next town, and we can’t wait to go!

Drive-ins are definitely not for toddlers. Tom described it perfectly last night. We’d arrive early to get a good spot. And then, within 5 minutes of parking, Rae would lose it and be screaming and pounding on the car windows, begging every passerby to set her free.

If you have older children, a drive-in is the perfect family night. But for those of us with younger children, it’s definitely more of a date night activity.

Pack some movie snacks, wear your comfy clothes, and get cozy! And while you wait for the movie, it’s fun to take some Buzzfeed quizzes or fill in some Mad Libs!

3. Check out a local concert

One of my favorite date nights Tom and I ever had began with a delicious dinner a few towns over. We finished our meal, decided to go for a walk, and ended up finding an unexpected free outdoor concert. The band was playing beautiful folk music, and we sat down under the stars and soaked in the perfection of this unexpected moment.

Concerts like this happen in every town all the time. Check your local paper for your options. Pack a picnic dinner or plan to stop by after a nice meal out!

4. Get in the water

Summer is the perfect time to get out on the water. If you have a body of water nearby, take advantage! Try kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding together. We love kayaking, it’s a great workout and it’s so calming!

Take basic safety precautions ahead of time. Wear a life jacket no matter how old or experienced you are. Map out your route ahead of time and be aware of the tides.

If you and your partner are new to the activity you choose, have fun learning together! And if you’re experts, practice a little mindfulness together by focusing on your senses. When you’re out on the water, what do you see? What do you smell? How do you feel? Share your observations and stay in the moment so you can enjoy it!

5. Go to the beach

This date would work any time of day. Go to the beach together, just the two of you. Set up in the perfect spot. Watch the sunrise, sit and read, play volleyball, swim, beachcomb, or watch the sunset. Or even just talk!

Bring some food, some extra towels, and even an umbrella (this umbrella is the best). Take time to focus on all of your senses, like the smell of the salt air and the feel of the breeze on your skin. Staying grounded in your senses will keep you in the moment with your partner.

6. Go out for dinner

Going out to dinner with your children is fun, but there’s always an invisible timer. How long will they last before they get bored and destroy everything within a 10-foot radius?

When you go out for dinner on a date night, plan to take your time. Order multiple courses. Finish a round of drinks before you get your appetizer. Actually taste your food and enjoy it without little hands grabbing it off your plate.

7. Cheer on a minor league team

Minor league sports games are so much fun! The games are full of crowd-pleasing activities. The tickets are far less expensive than a major league game. Plus you get to cheer on your team!

8. Go to a carnival

Carnivals are so fun with kids, but when you go with just your partner, it’s fun in a different way. You can ride whatever you want, play some games, stop and watch the entertainment, and move through it as slowly as you’d like.

You and your partner can also win some prizes for your kids! It’s always nice to be able to bring something home for them!

9. Compete at the arcade

Some days, it’s too hot to be outside. In those moments, take your date indoors to the nearest arcade. Tom and I like to pick out the prize we want when we arrive and then try to earn as many tickets as we can. Then we usually blow 1/2 our tokens racing on Mario Kart.

The casino-like atmosphere is fun and engaging, and a little competition makes the date more exciting! Plus all the games will make you feel like a kid again!

10. Go for a hike

I feel like I recommend hiking in 1/2 the posts on this blog, but it’s for good reason! Hiking is so much fun and such fantastic exercise! You get out in nature, surrounded by beauty, but it’s also a great time to talk with your partner.

Check out the local parks in your area or take a daytrip somewhere special if you have the time! And then reward yourself with something delicious because you’ve more than earned it!

11. Make some smores

Okay, I know I said we all need to get out of the house, but this is a great date you can have in your own backyard! After the kids are asleep, grab the monitor and head outside. If you have a firepit, that’s great, but if you don’t, Amazon has tons of fire pits in a range of prices.

Grab some chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers (and maybe a bottle of wine too!). Sit by the fire, enjoy your smores, and take time to talk and laugh together.

Get creative with your smores too! Tom loves to experiment when we make smores, often replacing the traditional 1/2 Hershey bar with Reese cups, Peppermint Patties, or pretty much any other candy.

If you don’t want to have a fire or if you’re living in an apartment, campfire cones are a great alternative! Just take an ice cream cone, stuff it full of chocolate and marshmallow, wrap it in foil, and heat it on the grill. Super easy and so delicious!

For more date night ideas, check out these easy, inexpensive ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day (or any day, really) with your significant other.

What are your favorite summer date ideas? What are you looking most forward to this summer? Please share in the comments below!