Dating is fun, but sometimes scary. This long list of date ideas will not only cover a range of budgets, but also cater to any level of sustainability you want to achieve. Whether you want to do something completely zero waste or just enjoy something low waste, this list has something for your special night.
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1. Take an Archery Lesson
Reusable arrows help make archery affordable and low waste when compared to one-and-done ammunition. This date idea will get you out of your comfort zone, outdoors, and learning a new skill.
2. Go Rock Climbing
Afraid of heights? That’s okay. This date will push your limits and give you an amazing workout, all while helping you bond with your person over some thrilling challenges. This is also a great group idea!
3. Go Stargazing
A dark night sky is perfect for a romantic cuddle session underneath the stars. Watch for falling stars and share plenty of wishes, you’ll have lots of time to talk and get to know each other on this zero waste date.
4. Take a Cooking Class
Whether your vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, or something else, there is a class for you. I hate cooking, but I know some of you are at-home master chefs! These can be great for any skill level and you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor at the end!
5. Visit a Museum
Museum’s are perfect for a quiet low-key evening and they pair nicely with dinner and dessert! Learn something new together or grow over a common passion. There is defintiely a museum out there for you.
6. Get a Couple's Massage
Self-care is important, and nowadays people want to know you can prioritize yourself and them every once and awhile! So treat your date to a massage. They’re pretty low waste compared to other common date ideas.
7. Go Kayaking
Kayaking is great for the outdoor enthusiast or the 24/7 gamer. It’s not hard, and you decide how much or how little you want to do. Kayaking is a step up from a classic walk and costs very little. 10/10 recommend!
8. Watch a Movie
I like movies once I’ve established a relationship. They’re great because no matter how amazing or how sh*tty the movie is, there will always be something to talk about afterward. I still look back on some of my favorite movie dates from years ago.
9. Enjoy a Bike Ride
This is another great date idea that lets you choose how much energy you want to spend. Stay on flat ground or find a great hill trail, go for 30 minutes or go for 2 hours! Just make sure your date knows how to ride a bike before you make firm plans.
10. Try an Escape Room
Escape rooms are great for getting to know each other. Your success depends on communication, stress management, and reason, all of which you might be looking for in a partner. Just don’t forget to have fun, it’s all fun and games at the end of the day.
11. Netflix and Chill
I meant this innocently, despite what the number of items in this list might suggest. Pick a good movie, start a new series, the point is to share an evening together in the comfort of your home.
12. Go Book Thrifting
You can learn a million things about a person by what topics interest them, what books they’ve read, and what they want to read. Checkout some local used-bookstores or just browse thrift stores. You can find some great books all while supporting local businesses!
13. Take a Walking Tour
This date idea works great if you live near an old city or tourist destination. Choose a ghost tour, history tour, or a pub crawl. Walking tours are a unique way to learn about your area and share an experience with your date.
14. Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers
An eco-friendly way to get dirty! There is nothing like getting your hands into some soil and making something beautiful together. You can upcycle and thrift most of the things you need too! And, you’ll be supporting your hardworking local pollinators.
15. Visit a Local Theater
Not a movie theater, but an actual theater with actors and a stage. This is a good way to stay local and support the performing arts while enjoying a unique experience that you won’t find at the movies.
16. Go Ax Throwing
A thrilling activity that will get your heart beating and keep you engaged. This date idea is great for just 2 or a group. There is a potential for waste here, but I believe it’s a better and more exciting alternative to something like bowling.
17. Take a Walk
Walks are not to be overlooked! That’s especially true if you have any kind of trail or scenery near you. Sometimes the smallest waterfall can be the most romantic date location there is. And, walks are free and zero waste!
18. Share a Zero Waste Picnic
Nothing says thoughtful like handcrafted snacks or meals. This date idea gives you the ability to avoid packaging waste and shop local foods too. Your date is sure to enjoy your picnic whether it’s in a gorgeous park or your backyard.
19. Try a Yoga Class
Yoga is ridiculously underrated. From hot yoga to Goat yoga, there’s something for you and your person! You can enjoy the fresh air or a private room. This date idea is super customizable and the perfect relaxing activity.
20. Go Ice Skating
It is almost 100% certain that there will be some hand-holding action here! I love ice skating because there’s something about shared clumsiness that brings two people together. This is an especially great date idea during the holiday season.
21. Take a Sports Lesson
Tennis, pickleball, volleyball, and even ping pong are all great examples of easy date ideas! Make sure to rent or borrow equipment so it doesn’t go to waste in your closet. Who knows, maybe you’ll both fall in love with the new sport and each other!
22. Play a New Board Game
This is an excellent date idea for group dates! It’s the perfect opportunity to share new experiences and have some laughs without doing something like dinner or a new sport (if those aren’t your cup of tea).
23. Visit an Apple Orchard
Apple picking is great for the fall! You can find countless apple-focused snacks, desserts, drinks, and more on an orchard. Almost nothing sounds cuter than a nice hayride to handpick fresh apples on a date!
24. Make Homemade Pizza
Everyone loves pizza, so try your hand at crafting your own! You get to pick the ingredients so there will be something for every member of your date night. Pizza is perfect to show some kitchen skill without getting too complex.
25. Visit a Cat Cafe
It would be almost impossible not to have a good time surrounded by furry adoptable friends with a hot local coffee and a cute date. Just make sure to bring a personal cup if they’ll accept them and check with your date for any pet allergies.
26. Go Ziplining
If you’re lucky enough to have a zipline nearby it can be a great thrill for a date night. Enjoy your local scenery while you’re breezing through the trees!
27. Watch the Sunset
Relax, unplug, and feel the Earth around you. Soak up the lingering rays of sun and relish in the romantic moments with your person. You can easily add snacks, a picnic, or a full on dinner to upgrade this date idea.
28. Make Homemade Ice Cream in a Stasher
Stasher bags have a million and one potential uses, and making ice cream is one of them. Share a fresh cold treat with your date and the cherry on top can be zero waste! Check out this post for my favorite Stasher uses.
29. Take a Spin Class
Looking for some cardio? Spin classes can be a high energy new experience perfect for you athletic lovers out there. Have a nice conversation over protein smoothies afterward!
30. Start a Garden
If you’re looking to become more self sufficient then a agraden is great! You don’t have to live together to start a garden together, but planting a couple new fruits or veggies will be fun and relaxing. It’ll be really exciting when you can use your own produce on a future date night!
31. Play Mini-Golf
Putt-putt is my all time favorite activity. I think everyone should participate. Period.
32. Visit an Art Gallery
Art galleries can be really interesting experiences for a date night! I love seeing what local artists have made, learning about technique and the artists themselves. This is a great way to try something different and support the arts in your local community.
33. Visit a Local Farmers Market
The farmers market is an all-around great place to visit. It’s especially cool if you’ve never been because you’ll learn so much about your local community and its amazing offerings! You can level this date up by picking out ingredients for a meal later too.
34. Beach Walk/Beach Cleanup
I love this date idea because it puts the perfect twist on a basic beach walk. Picking up litter with intention adds a touch of accomplishment to your date night and gives you great conversation pieces as you stroll, all while helping our oceans.
35. Go to a Ropes Course
Ropes courses are generally made to have a little bit for everyone. So really is a great activity for almost anyone. Sometimes ropes courses will take teamwork, communication, and they’ll definitely require a lot of support all without creating any waste.
36. Make a Bucket List
Creating a bucket list with your date really allows you to get to know each other on a deep level that isn’t too intimate. It’s a great conversation starter and you really will learn about what your date wants in life, their goals, and how they view adventure.
37. Exchange Thrifted Gifts
Exchanging gifts can be great, especially if your date’s love language is gifts. To keep this eco-friendly, make sure you get them something they’ll use and stick to secondhand items. Add a hint of competition by seeing who can get the best gift!
38. Do a Wine Tasting
A wine tasting date will be most eco-friendly if you can stick to local wines and/or sustainably focused brands. This date will be perfect for a sophisticated foodie or regular wine drinker!
39. Go Roller Skating
Before you say “hell no,” hear me out. Will you fall? Yes, probably. Is that okay? Also yes. It might be embarrassing, but it’s the good kind. Sometimes embarrassing moments make for the best memories. Plus, this date will likely result in a lot of physical contact (holding hands, etc.)
40. Power-Out Night
No devices! Unplug everything, including your T.V. and lights. Find a way to enjoy time together without bright LED screens and media. Play board games, would you rather, or other classic games. The point is to focus on each other and not tech.
41. Try Role Play
This is a list does have 69 items but role play doesn’t have to be sexual. You could also try flirting with each other like you’ve never met before. Or maybe you have dinner and take on new identities. Those could be fun too! But if all else fails, the pool man is a classic.
42. Get Professional Photos Taken
Professional photos are a luxury almost no one invests in. Find a local photographer and treat your partner to some top-notch couples photos. It’s a thoughtful gift that will give you memories to look back on forever.
43. Go Paddle Boarding
Paddle boarding is a great date idea that can be done in almost any season (at least where I’m at). It allows you to explore in a way that’s different than the classic kayaking.
44. Take a Dance Class
Dance classes can easily take you out of your comfort zone. You don’t have to be a pro, but as long as you genuinely try and have fun it’ll be a night to remember. And who knows, maybe you both with love dancing and do it regularly!
45. Go to a Drive-In Movie Theater
To keep this more on the eco-friendly side, make sure you don’t have your car in idle the whole time. Stick to comfortable weather or bring a blanket or two for cooler temps. I think this is a fun way to shake things up when viewing movies on the big screen!
46. Plant Something
If gardening isn’t your thing, then try succulents, cacti, or a nice pothos. Getting your hands in the dirt and bringing some life into your space is something you both will enjoy. And, you’ll always be reminded of each other when looking at your plant!
47. Make a Local Homemade Dinner
Make a delicious homemade meal from fresh ingredients you picked up at the local farmers market! This will add a fun sustainable touch to your thoughtful dinner.
48. Try Beer/Spirit Tasting
This is the perfect date idea for your liqour lover! If you can, stick to local breweries. Those will have lower environmental impacts than imported beer and spirits.
49. Have a Paper Plane Contest
Throwback to your younger years and repurpose some old paper before recycling. Throw in some easy zero waste rewards for the winner and get to throwin’!
50. Build a Blanket Fort
Gather all your blankets, sheets, and quilts! Forts aren’t just for kids, showcase your amazing architectural abilities as an adult and build a blanket fort you could only dream of as a kid. This is the perfect at-home date to let loose and have some fun.
51. Go on a Hike
You can go on a hike pretty much anywhere in the states. See the desert, explore the forest, or follow a trail on an empty island! Bonding with your date out in nature is a wonderfully peaceful date idea.
52. Make Pasta from Scratch
I can’t speak from personal experience (sorry family), but I hear making pasta from scratch is pretty easy! Kick your spaghetti dinner up a notch by making the noodles together in the kitchen! Then top it off with some local organic wine.
53. Visit the Botanical Gardens
You can find botanical gardens in most major cities throughout the United States. These are great for showcasing biodiversity and educating the public on the local flora. This is a relaxing and beautiful date idea.
54. Make Dessert from Scratch
There are tons of desserts out there you can make with local or package free ingredients! Why not try a couple! I hate cooking, but for some reason I don’t mind baking. This is a great date idea for you dessert lovers!
55. Run a Race
Before you skip ahead, races don’t just mean running a 5k or 10k. You could also something like a mud run! Just make sure to check with your date before making firm plans.
56. Have an Adult Coloring Night
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57. Go Camping
Camping is an excellent date idea if you’re looking for something longer than just an evening out. Checkout these tips for zero waste camping if this is the date idea for you!
58. Have a Smoothie Tasting
I love a good smoothie! This date idea is perfect for the date that doesn’t consume a lot of alcohol or loves to eath healthy. What better way to try new recipes than to have a smoothie tasting? Just make sure to stick to in-season and local ingredients if you can.
59. DIY Skin Care/Spa Date
Treat your date to some self care with homemade products! Zero waste sugar scrubs and face masks are so easy to find online! And, they mostly require ingredients you probably already have!
60. Craft Cards with Materials You Already Have
Cards can be wasteful, so try making romantic cards for each other with supplies you already have sitting around doing nothing! These will be so much more thoughtful and meaningful!
61. Go Whale/Dolphin Watching
I’m fortunate enough to have a dolphin population near me that doesn’t migrates. Depending on the season, you might be able to hang out on the coast and see some too. This is super memorable, especially when one person hasn’t experienced a sighting before.
62. Listen to a Local Orchestra
Orchestras are a part of the arts like art museums and theater. They’re a little less common which will make a concert all the more valuable and unique! See what you have near you. I’ve been dying to see a Harry Potter movie screening with an orchestra performing the music live!
63. Make Your Own Chocolate from Scratch
Making your own chocolate adds a unique touch to enjoying dessert together. Sure chocolate strawberries are great (when in season), but strawberries covered in chocolate you made together is better on a whole ‘nother level!
64. Donate Blood
Donating your blood can be good for you! Why not donate and support local blood centers at the same time. This might not be the most romantic idea on the list, but romance doesn’t + quality time. It’s up to you to make time together quality time.
65. Go Horseback Riding
It is very unlikely that you or your date rides horses often. That makes this an excellent date idea for trying something new and being active. It will be unlike any other date and it’s pretty low waste compared to other kinds of dates.
66. Take a Paddle Boat Ride
Sometimes you just don’t want to kayak or paddle board. Paddle boats give you more stability and can even be easier to go in. A paddle board date is going to be great for exploring while also having the option to stay close and talk face to face at the same time.
67. Go Tandem Biking
Tandem biking is when there are two seats on a bike, one person sits in the front and stears and the other on the back. This is a good option if one of you doesn’t know how to ride a bike. It’s also a different experience which can add spice to something you might already do often.
68. Test
Knowing your status and getting tested isn’t just for the “promiscuous.” If you’re a sexually active person, it’s your responsibility to make sure you know your own health when engaging in sex with others. And as much as we want to think we know our own health, only a medical professional and medical tests can really tell us our status. This can be a great way to show your partner(s) that sexual health is a priority and that you value their health as well as your own. Everyone should get tested for STI’s between every 3 months to a year. Visit the CDC’s website for more info.
69. <=
This date idea is for the bedroom. You do you boo. Be safe, and have fun! And if you’re on the market, I enjoy sustaining condoms. You can find them on Grove Collaborative’s site which is great for us regular “athletes” because Grove offers an automatic subscription so you never have to be caught with your pants down (wink wink).
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In case you didn’t catch my review of the Leaf Twig Razor, you can check it out here.
Sustainably is supported by readers like you. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links on our “Affiliate Marketing…” page.