Outdoor Date Ideas That Will Awaken Your Marriage

Outdoor Date Ideas That Will Awaken Your Marriage

This week I have the pleasure of heading down to Chattanooga, Tennessee to spend a few days with my family in the great outdoors. With the start of school right around the corner, I am looking forward to having some family time before the craziness of fall kicks into full gear. We can think of nothing better than to get out on the trails and go white river rafting!

You may not be planning a summer get away right now, but maybe having a few fun outdoor “date night” ideas for you and your spouse would be helpful. Well, you have come to the right place! I have put together some fun outings that may not be new to you, but I can assure you they’re always a good time. Remember, it may be the hottest season of the year (especially for those of you in Arizona), but there are still pleasant days and cooler, gorgeous nights to enjoy. Why freeze in restaurant air conditioning when you could take your spouse outdoors? Here are some great ways to get started.

Picnics

outdoor date ideas

If you like to fly by the seat of your pants, planning a picnic might sound like a real drag. However, I challenge you to think outside the box for a moment. Maybe your spouse would really enjoy it. Remember, it’s not always all about what you would like to do. There’s a give and take in any healthy relationship. Picnics can be a lot of fun and very romantic if that is what you are trying to pull off. They also allow you to have some alone time, without all the distractions that keep you from focusing on each other. I have always had success going on a picnic and listening to an outdoor symphony orchestra performance. For a winning menu, pack a bottle of wine, fancy cheese, crackers, fruit and something heartier if you need it. I do have a few tips: bring some type of bug deterrent, and make sure you’ve packed up all the utensils and napkins you’ll need. If you remember these key items, you’ll have a wonderful time dining al fresco.

Concerts

Been to a concert recently? Definitely, put one on your bucket list this summer. Most good-sized towns have an outdoor concert series in the summer, often with different musical styles performed each week. You can usually find a schedule at the local library, your local chamber of commerce or of course by doing a google search. If you’re lucky, there will be concessions like food trucks or ice cream carts. This is a fun couples’ date, too. There’s usually a very casual atmosphere, with lots of time to chat. If your spouse is into one type of music and you are into another, then go to two so both of you are happy.

 

A…Movie?

outdoor date ideas

Dinner and a movie is a pretty average date night for most couples, but it also can be costly! Please tell me why a soda and popcorn is more expensive than the price of two tickets? Fortunately, in the summer there are outdoor showings of movies at libraries and parks. And if you’ve got the option to attend an old-fashioned drive-in, take it! We did this for the first time two summers ago and we had a blast. I used to think drive-in theaters were a dying breed, but in some areas, there seems to be a resurgence. I have found that drive-ins are a great excuse to cuddle in your car, just in case you needed more incentive!

Games

Sporting events are another great outdoor date. Baseball games are in full gear this time of year. If you don’t have a pro- or semi-pro team in your area, try Legion ball or even go heckle your friends at league games. Don’t fancy baseball? Try soccer. Some towns even have kickball leagues (this was a new one to me; I thought kickball ended when we finished elementary school.) As a side note, one goal on my bucket list is to visit every major league ball park before I die. I’m about halfway through the list. It has been fun including my spouse in my quest. While she doesn’t share the same passion I do to see these games, she does enjoy my excitement.

Water Dates

outdoor date ideas

Want to take outdoor dates to the next level? Rent a kayak, canoe, or a paddle boat, go white river rafting, or if you are feeling a little more adventurous, go to a water slide park together. The good news about most of these activities is that they are usually only a couple of hours, and you can go eat afterward or have a picnic while you are there. Many of us remember having fun water experiences when we were children but haven’t tried it in a while, so why not try making some new memories with your spouse?

I heard a popular speaker recently who was talking about what he felt were the two things that made a marriage great. It was respect and fun. In regards to fun, most couples struggle as they get further into marriage. They just don’t take the time to have fun together anymore. This may be an obvious list I have given you, but what I am trying to do is to nudge you a little. Get off your couch, turn off the TV, and go have some fun with your spouse. Getting outdoors is a great way to start, but if you don’t like outdoor activities, rent one funny movie a week and watch it together. Laugh more and be more silly! You will be amazed what this does for your relationship.

God Bless,

Doug Hedrick

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