Our youth deserve a fun and memorable dating experience. I’ve comprised a list of cool yet inexpensive date ideas for teens and activities that are age-appropriate for adolescents.
For the teens young adult couples (including those 18 and older but not legally 21), this post is for you. For the parents who are looking for some fresh, fun, and totally cool date idea activities for their adolescent children (that aren’t crazy expensive) – this post is also for you.
I was 16,17, 18, 19 and 20 once – it wasn’t always easy to find things to do that were equally fun, cutsy, and romantic (with my then beau or crush at the time) while also having the approval of my parents. I had a curfew, so late nights out weren’t always a go, and back then dates during the day just didn’t have the same appeal.
Hopefully that has changed since the early 2000’s, because day dates can still be totally cool, fun and romantic!
I was also once a broke college student with limited ideas that kept my dating life and relationships, at the time, lively and fun without being super outlandish. This might also be your reality, too, and you’re looking to branch out from the old norm of Netflix in your dorm room.
And for parents (I didn’t forget you!) with teens who are itching for more freedom through dating experiences, it can be tough to find a balance of activities that works for you and them.
Nonetheless, date ideas are about fun life experiences that are still safe and fun without breaking the bank (or curfew). So I came up with – hopefully – a pretty unique list of *totally cool* date ideas for teens and young adult couples.
15+ Date ideas for teens and young adult couples
Bowling.
Going to an arcade.
Movies (movies on the lawn are a movie-alternative to theaters).
Dinner theater shows (research these in your area).
Trivia night (these are perfect for group dates, too).
Art walk (these are typically seasonal and/or weekend events).
Have a pizza and board game night.
Local gardens (many of these have nice areas to walk, have a picnic, sight see, etc.).
Painting class (non-alcoholic ones, of course).
Live music at a cafe (with an age-appropriate band and music).
Go to an improv comedy show (that are young adult-friendly).
Go to a you-pick farm (research these in your area).
Have a “game day” at your beach or local park (you’ll need your choice of lawn games, such as ladder ball, bocce ball, corn hole, etc.).
Check out your local zoo or an aquarium.
Go on a Geocache hunt.
Do a simple craft together (like paint by numbers).
Take a bike ride to get ice cream.
Go on a hike.
Rent a kayak, paddleboards or canoe.
Do an Escape Room.
Mini golf (there’s indoor glow mini golf for hot days, too).
Spend the day at the beach.
Walk the pier at sunset.
Go fishing.
Throw a DIY, make-your-own sundae party (includes shopping for all the items together).
[Related Read: The best outdoor date ideas for couples who love nature and being outside]
Step outside the box by volunteering together (i.e., clean up trash, walk dogs at your local shelter, etc.).
DIY “I Spy” and pick a place of your choosing (i.e., make it nature, city-themed, etc.).
Go tubing down a river.
Check our your local springs/hot springs.
Take a scenic boat tour.
Go to a concert.
Have a bonfire (roast some marshmallows, read short stories and listen to music).
Visit your local or county fair (stay on top of your area that throw these kinds of events throughout the year).
Go to a flea market.
Hang out by the pool (whether you have your own or your community pool).
Walk around the farmer’s market (with the incentive of treats and knick-knacks).
Projector movie night (this requires buying a movie projector, but then you can essentially have a movie night anywhere!).
DIY homecoming or prom night (pick a location, get dressed up, plan a meal, bring the music and dance the night away).
Go rock climbing (preferably indoors and supervised).
Restaurant hop or create-your-own-tapas (pick a few different restaurants of different cuisines and only buy apps, or desserts).
Watch the sunset (on the beach, by the lake, on a hill, from a scenic mountain side, or on the top floor of a parking garage).