The traditional dinner and a movie date can be great, but it’s fun to switch-up date night occasionally. Why not try an active date instead? Whether a couple is heading out on their first date or they’ve been married for years, incorporating physical activity can spark healthy habits and new interests. Here are some fun and healthy date ideas to help couples stay active and mix things up a bit.
Take Dancing Lessons
Whether a couple has two left feet or a hidden talent hiding in their shoes, taking a dancing lesson can help get them moving. Swing, salsa, tango, or even country line dancing lessons can make for a fun and active date. It’s also a great way to test communication skills—see which partner tries to take the lead!
Go Rock Climbing
Local rock climbing gyms offer a quick and easy way to get started. Many parks and attractions offer the real thing with a guided tour, equipment and instruction. Bouldering is a great way to get started—it involves climbing to lower heights without any equipment. Helping each other climb is a lesson in trust and could be a way to face fears together.
Take a Hike or Walk
Most cities have public hiking or walking trails. Even just a walk around the local park or neighborhood can help get people moving. Park-goers can bring a Frisbee to toss around or a healthy picnic lunch to enjoy after the walk. Many towns offer a variety of walking tours of historic or interesting parts of town. There are also “ghost tours” of local cemeteries and culinary walking tours of neighborhood restaurants. There’s nothing like taking a long walk to get a good conversation going—and to learn more about each other.
Go Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is great exercise and helps improve posture by strengthening core muscles. Riding a horse also allows for a bit of conversation, adventure, and the enjoyment of being outdoors. Many horseback riding centers also offer picnics or other interesting activities during the tour. Besides, how romantic is a horseback ride on the beach?
Take a Healthy Cooking Class
Local community centers or cooking schools usually offer a wide variety of cooking classes. Some classes teach healthy cooking methods or explore foods from a different culture. Couples can learn to make a new dish together and enjoy the fruits of their labor. It’s also a chance to learn more about each other’s tastes.
Try Geocaching
Geocaching is a type of scavenger hunt that uses GPS to help find various items people hide around town. It forces people to work together to find the hidden treasures while getting a bit of exercise in at the same time—practice problem-solving skills and have fun all at once.
Visit a Mini-golf Course
For a fun-loving date, people can go mini-golfing or head to the driving range to hit a few golf balls. A little competition and a chance to show off some skills (or lack thereof) is a great icebreaker. Having a goal like making it through the course can help eliminate any awkwardness between a new couple.
With all these great ideas, people in a new relationship or years-long marriage can keep dates healthy and active. Going on active outings with a partner can help people discover new things about each other, explore their town together, and even learn a new skill.
Guest post contributed by Walgreens, where singles and couples alike can find vitamins to supplement a healthy diet and active lifestyle at Walgreens.com.
Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. Walgreens does not recommend or endorse any products, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned in the article. Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk.
