Ready for some fun Surprise Date Ideas?
Did you know that being spontaneous is actually good for your mental health? Research shows that spontaneity can help you adapt to change more easily, reduce stress levels, enhance your confidence, and even reshape your brain.
In a relationship, being spontaneous can help to strengthen your bond and heighten excitement between the two of you.
One way to boost spontaneity in your relationship is to plan a surprise date for your loved one! How do you do that? Let’s talk about it:
How to Plan a Surprise Date for Your Loved One
Planning a surprise date is super easy. All it takes is a little pre-planning. Here are some tips to help you plan your surprise date:
Tip #1: Plan ahead of time
Unless you’re doing a super spontaneous date and something simple, like going to the movies, you might need to do a little pre-planning. We recommend giving yourself at least a week in advance to plan your date so that you can ensure all of the details are taken care of.
Tip #2: Choose your Date Based on their Interests
When planning a surprise date, you want to make sure it’s a good surprise. The last thing you want to do is surprise your date with an out of the box date like bungee jumping if it’s a fear that they never want to overcome.
If you’ve been together for a long time, finding the perfect date idea should be easy. But if you’re in a newer relationship, you might need to do a little digging. What does your date love to do? What do they dislike? Base the date around their interests – not yours.
Tip #3: Make sure it fits their schedule
Life is busy and so is your date. If you’re planning a surprise for someone, you want to be certain that they’re going to be able to make it to that date. That means you need to know their schedule. Plan your date around their availability. This might mean doing a morning date or a late night date night.
Tip #4: Don’t forget about clothing
If your date doesn’t know where you’re going or what you’re doing, they won’t know what they are supposed to wear. Make sure you give them a heads up so that they aren’t overdressed or down-dressed.
Okay, so on with it – here are some of our favorite surprise date ideas for him and her:
Surprise Date Ideas for Her
Picnic Lunch
Women are super simple and we’re suckers for some good romance. So while you may think you need to wine and dine us to make an impression, all you really need to do is put in some effort and show us you care.
A picnic lunch date is the perfect way to surprise us with some impromptu romance. You can plan a picnic pretty much anywhere and we’ll be impressed – but find the perfect location (overlooking the water, in the mountains, etc) for some extra bonus points.
Pack along some of our favorite snacks, some delicious wine, and some romantic music, and you can’t go wrong with this cheap date!
Spa Day
Her life is busy and her life is stressful. Give her the gift of relaxation. No girl will ever be saddened by a surprise couples spa day! Treat her to a surprise massage, a good facial, and a manicure, and she’ll thank you later.
You can even make this a romantic spa day at home together.
A Surprise Getaway
Who couldn’t use a getaway? This one might take a little planning, especially if you’re planning on going away for more than a day or two (you’ll need to have her book time off of work).
But so long as you can find a creative way to have her clear her schedule, planning a surprise getaway will always be a good idea.
If you can’t book an entire week away, a weekend getaway can be just as romantic. Find somewhere nearby with a sleek hotel and great views – and enjoy a weekend of wining and dining. Make sure to try some of these romantic hotel room ideas to make it even more special.
Heading out of town not your thing? A couples staycation can be just what the dr. ordered!
Dinner and Bath
You don’t have to spend a fortune to impress your girl. Us girls are impressed by how much effort you put into a relationship, not how much you spend on it. So if you can’t go all out right now, don’t worry – you can still treat her!
What’s her favorite type of food? Tonight’s the night you learn how to cook it! Find some delicious recipes and throw your heart into them. Then have a nice candlelit dinner waiting for her when she gets home.
When dinners over, draw her a nice hot bubble bath to help her relax before giving her a nighttime massage to help her sleep.
Recreate Your First Date
Women are suckers for romance – and what’s more romantic than replaying your first date? Where did you go? What did you eat? Do you remember what you wore? The more details you can remember, the better.
Alternatively, if you’ve already recreated your first date, you could recreate the moment that you knew you fell in love with her.
More Surprise Dates For Her
- Picnic under the stars: Prepare a cozy picnic blanket, some delicious food, and find a romantic spot where you can lie down and enjoy the beauty of the night sky together. Such a romantic stargazing date.
- Scavenger hunt: Create a personalized scavenger hunt date for her, leading her to meaningful places or objects that hold special memories for both of you. It adds an element of excitement and surprise to the date.
- Breakfast in bed: Wake up early and surprise her with a delicious homemade breakfast in bed date. Include her favorite foods and add some fresh flowers for an extra touch of romance.
- Outdoor movie night: Set up a projector and a white sheet in your backyard or a local park, and have a movie night date under the open sky. Don’t forget the popcorn and blankets!
- Surprise concert or show: Find out her favorite band or artist and check if they’re performing in your area. Surprise her with tickets to the concert or a show she’s been wanting to see.
- Art class or workshop: Sign both of you up for a fun art class or workshop where you can learn something new together, whether it’s painting, pottery, or cooking.
- Drive-in movie date: Find a local drive-in theater and surprise her with a nostalgic movie night experience. Pack some comfy blankets, pillows, and her favorite movie snacks for a cozy and memorable evening under the stars.
- Mini golf date: Take her out for a round of mini golf at a nearby course. Mini golf is a fun and lighthearted activity that allows for friendly competition and laughter. Plus, it provides an opportunity for you both to showcase your playful sides.
Surprise Date Ideas for Him
Wine and Dine Him
Women might be suckers for romance, but men are suckers for food. After all, as the saying goes – “the key to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. So why not take him out for dinner?
Not only will the impromptu date be a surprise, but the fact that you are wining and dining him will be a nice change too.
If you don’t want to go out for dinner, a nice home cooked meal is always a good surprise to end the day too!
Or make this a cooking date together!
Take him out to the Ball Game
Or maybe the hockey game? Or soccer game? It really doesn’t matter – the point is, we’re going to the game!
Whether your man is a huge game fan or not, everyone can have fun when they actually go to the game. The crowds, the food, the excitement – it’s something every man will love!
Hiking/Camping
Sometimes men just need to be men – and the best place for them to do that is in the wilderness! Take him out on the trails and let him show you his wild-side. Then, campout overnight so that he can “keep you safe”. Perfect outdoor date idea!
Beer Tasting
If your man enjoys a nice cold beer, he’ll really appreciate a day of beer tasting! Check to see if there’s any beer-related events near you first – that’ll make a fun date idea.
If not, you can set up a brewery tour at a local brewery, or just go on a pub crawl to sample all the different beers that your city has to offer.
Concert/Live Band
If your man’s favorite artist or band is coming to town soon, you can definitely gain some winning points by booking yourself some tickets. Alternatively, you can have just as much fun going to see a local, live band and dancing the night away.
- Couples sports activity: Plan a date centered around playing a sport together. Choose a sport that both of you enjoy or have been wanting to try. It could be tennis, basketball, soccer, golf, or any other activity that you can do as a couple. A little friendly competition date can add an extra spark to your relationship.
- Outdoor adventure: Plan a day of outdoor activities that he loves. It could be hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or even a thrilling zip-lining experience. Surprise him with the destination and all the necessary gear.
- Barbecue or grilling night: Prepare a surprise barbecue or grilling night in your backyard or a nearby park. Get his favorite meats, marinades, and sides ready. Don’t forget to include his preferred beverages for a relaxed and enjoyable evening.
- Gaming night: Set up a couples gaming night where you create a cozy gaming corner with his favorite snacks and beverages. Challenge him to his favorite video game or play multiplayer games together for some friendly competition.
- Movie marathon: Choose his favorite movie genre or series and surprise him with a movie marathon night at home. Prepare his favorite snacks, dim the lights, and create a comfortable and cinematic atmosphere.
- Supercar experience: Arrange for him to have a test drive or a track day experience in a supercar or his dream car. Let him indulge in the thrill of high-speed driving and fulfill his automotive fantasies.
- Poker or game night with friends: Organize a group date night with his closest friends. Whether it’s poker, board games, or video games, he’ll appreciate the opportunity to bond and have fun with his buddies.
- Paintball adventure: Surprise him with a thrilling day of paintball. Take him to a paintball field where you can run around together and beat the other team. It’s a unique and action-packed date that he’ll remember for a long time.
Surprise dates are a wonderful way to infuse excitement, romance, and adventure into your relationship. By considering your partner’s interests and preferences, you can create personalized experiences that show thoughtfulness and deepen your bond.
So, take the initiative, plan a surprise date, and watch as the anticipation and delight on your partner’s face make it all worthwhile.
Embrace the element of surprise and let your creativity shine, as you embark on memorable adventures together, strengthening the love you share.
To be honest, it doesn’t matter what it is – if you surprise them with something they love, you’ll both win.
Sara, a seasoned expert in wedding planning and date ideas, brings a wealth of experience to our couples blog. With a background in the television industry and hands-on involvement in a dozen weddings, including working as a wedding assistant on "My Fair Wedding with David Tutera," Sara has an innate understanding of the magic that makes weddings truly special. Growing up with four sisters has given her unique insights into the dating world, making her a go-to source for practical and heartfelt dating advice. Her knowledge and enthusiasm make her the perfect guide for couples seeking to infuse their relationships with creativity and love.