50+ Fun & Spontaneous Last-Minute Date Activities

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Romantic ideas to jazz up your date on the fly

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Go indoor camping.

2 Do a photography challenge.

3 Create a couples’ bucket list.

4 Learn a new dance together.

5 Take some personality tests.

6 Play strip poker.

7 Make playlists for one another.

8 Cook a meal together.

9 Have a video game night.

10 Have a movie marathon.

11 Play “Would You Rather?” together.

12 Have a DIY spa night.

13 Make ice cream sundaes.

14 Have breakfast in bed.

15 Do some couples’ karaoke.

16 Visit the library together.

17 Go on a mall scavenger hunt.

18 Visit a museum.

19 Be a tourist in your hometown.

20 Visit the zoo.

21 Go on a hike together.

22 Have a romantic picnic.

23 Go stargazing at night.

24 Visit a mini golf course.

25 Go on a pub crawl.

26 Take a spontaneous day trip.

27 Visit a local thrift store.

28 Share your favorite YouTube videos.

29 Catch a drive-in movie.

30 Look for last-minute tickets online.

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Co-authored by Mark Rosenfeld and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: February 5, 2024 Fact Checked

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Are you scrambling for a date idea after a busy week with no time to plan? We’ve got you covered. A date doesn’t need lots of planning beforehand to be fun, romantic, and memorable for you and your partner—all you need is a good idea. To help you out, we’ve compiled a handy list of last-minute date ideas that any couple can enjoy, whether you’re homebodies who like to take it easy or an adventurous duo ready for a night out. Ready to figure out your next date night activity? Let’s get started!

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1

Go indoor camping.

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1. Make a DIY shelter and pretend to camp from the comfort of home. Indoor camping is fun and easy because you don’t have to worry about pitching complicated tents or dealing with bad weather! Just make a blanket fort in your living room (the more pillows inside it, the better!) and cuddle up with your partner for the night. Indulge in some marshmallows and scary stories to make the camping experience feel truly authentic!
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2

Do a photography challenge.

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1. See which of you can take the most interesting and artistic photos. To start, make a list of subjects for you and your date to try and photograph. Then, head out and look for opportunities to take pictures of those subjects, wherever they might be. When you’re done, compare the results! If you have time, pick the photos you like best and create a photo album with them.

   • Any subject could work for a photo challenge—it depends on where you are and what you want to photograph!
   • For example, if it’s the middle of the summer, why not go outside and do a nature-themed photography challenge? Your subjects could include things like flowers, butterflies, and birds.
   • Alternatively, try a couple’s photoshoot. Play with different poses, facial expressions, and backgrounds to add variety to your pics.

3

Create a couples’ bucket list.

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1. Discuss all the fun, crazy things you want to do together someday. Making a bucket list may also enable you to learn more about what you both want from the relationship and help you set some goals for the future. Grab a piece of paper and start brainstorming a couple’s bucket list together—which basically means listing out all the things you want to do as a couple before you die. For example:

   • Go skydiving together
   • Revisit the place you had your first kiss
   • Get matching tattoos
   • Buy a home together
   • Share a kiss by the Eiffel Tower in Paris
   • Spend New Year’s somewhere different every year
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4

Learn a new dance together.

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1. Find an online dance tutorial for beginners to get started. Want to get your groove on with your partner? Dancing is fun, it’s good exercise, and it can be a super romantic activity. Pick a dance you want to learn with your partner—salsa, swing, or a waltz, for example—and find a dancing tutorial on YouTube to follow along with. Practice the new dance with your partner until you’ve got it down!

5

Take some personality tests.

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1. Learn more about one another by taking a few fun quizzes. Do you know which Disney villain you and your date are? Or which YN stereotype you embody most? Fun and silly personality tests can be really entertaining, especially when it’s time to read your results together! Find a few quizzes to take together and compare results when you're done for a fun (but informative) date.

   • If you’re in the mood for a more factual or serious quiz, try finding your MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) personality, or discover your love language.
   • It can be super helpful for you and your partner to learn about love languages because it’ll give you insight into the best ways to show love to one another.
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6

Play strip poker.

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1. Turn up the heat on your date while playing a sexy version of poker. The rules of poker are nearly identical to regular poker; the only difference is that whoever gets the worst hand in each round has to take off a piece of clothing. Keep playing strip poker until one of you loses all your clothing (or as much clothing as you’re comfortable with.)

   • Comfort is key, so check in before playing and discuss your boundaries. If you’re both comfortable baring it all while you play, great! If not, figure out how far you’re willing to go to ensure the game doesn’t cross that line.
   • If you’re in the mood for a night on the town, try playing poker (and other fun games) at a casino instead. Get dressed up with your date and see how much money you can win!

7

Make playlists for one another.

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1. Compile a playlist of songs you want to share with your partner. Choose an app or music platform that lets you make playlists—like Spotify or Amazon Music—and spend an hour or two creating playlists for one another. Making playlists can be a surprisingly fun and romantic activity for you to do with your date!

   • Your playlist could include all kinds of different songs, from romantic tracks that express your feelings for your partner to songs that you love and want your partner to hear too.
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8

Cook a meal together.

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1. Find a delicious recipe and hone your cooking skills together. Making a gourmet meal by hand can be a surprisingly romantic activity! After all, you get to enjoy a private dinner for two when you're done. Look for a recipe—either in a cookbook you own or online—that you and your date want to try. Then, cook the recipe together, and savor your tasty meal.

   • Do you and your date have old, beloved family recipes? Rather than trying something new, whip up those family recipes and sample one another’s favorite childhood dishes.
   • Alternatively, try a DIY cheese or chocolate tasting. Buy several varieties of cheese (or chocolate, if you have a sweet tooth) from the grocery store and sample them together!

9

Have a video game night.

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1. Play a few games for laughs (and a bit of friendly competition). Do you have a console and a couple of controllers at home? Then consider booting up a multiplayer game for you and your partner to enjoy together. Pick a game you and your partner will enjoy, whether it’s a competitive racing game or a cooperative simulation game you can master together. For example:

   • Mario Kart is a super fun game that involves racing as different Nintendo characters and competing to see who can win different racing cups.
   • Overcooked is a cooperative game for multiple players; the goal is to work together in a fast-paced kitchen and make completed meals.
   • Unravel Two is another cooperative game wherein you and your partner play as yarn creatures and work together to solve puzzles.
   • If you don’t have any games at home, head to a local arcade! Play classic games with your date—and see how many cool prizes you can win.
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10

Have a movie marathon.

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1. Pick a theme to make it a fun and memorable marathon. What’s an easier date night than cuddling up on the couch and watching a few movies together? If you’re unsure what to watch together, come up with a theme that both of you enjoy—like “zombie movies” or “romantic comedies starring Jennifer Lopez”—and then watch movies that fall under that theme.

   • Other fun themes could include high fantasy movies, sports movies, ocean-themed movies, or adventure movies about treasure hunters.
   • For example, if your theme was “adventure movies about treasure hunters,” you could watch Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, and Uncharted.
   • Don’t forget to stock up on a few snacks! If your cupboard looks empty, run to the nearest grocery or convenience store for popcorn and your favorite candies.
   • Reader Poll: We asked 435 wikiHow readers about their favorite date night activity, and 66% agreed that if you’re hanging out at home, the most romantic thing you can do together is cuddle and watch a movie. [Take Poll]

11

Play “Would You Rather?” together.

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1. Try out a steamy version of the popular party game. Would You Rather? is super simple; just take turns asking each other questions that begin with “Would you rather…” and have 2 different scenarios to choose from. Plus, since you’re doing it as part of a date, try asking steamy or romantic questions—you’ll learn more about one another’s desires and even set the mood for intimacy later. For example:

   • Would you rather have a sexy shower or a sexy bath?
   • Would you rather have a picnic together or go to a fancy dinner?
   • Would you rather live in a camper or a castle?
   • Would you rather have a big wedding or elope?
   • Would you rather be kissed on the lips or the neck?
   • Play other question games with your partner, too! For example, you could play a few rounds of “Never Have I Ever” or “Truth or Dare.”
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12

Have a DIY spa night.

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1. Treat one another to a sensual bath or massage. Even if the date is last-minute, you can enjoy a spa night using whatever basic supplies you have at home. Light a few candles, play mood music, and take a relaxing bubble bath with your date. Then, take turns giving one another romantic massages. A DIY spa night can be a great way for you and your date to unwind together!

13

Make ice cream sundaes.

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1. Pick up a few sundae ingredients and create customized desserts. Who doesn’t like a good ice cream sundae? To create your own makeshift sundae bar, just run to the store before your date and grab some ice cream and your favorite sundae toppings (or use any supplies already in your cupboard). Then, make sundaes with your partner and enjoy them together.

   • Want to make the dessert feel extra special? Then try making the ice cream from scratch together!
   • If you and your significant other aren’t huge ice cream fans, there are plenty of other desserts to try. For example, you could bake brownies together or make a pie and enjoy it when you’re done.
   • If the two of you are competitive, why not have a “dessert-off”? See who can make the tastiest dessert creation—and enjoy both desserts together when you’re done picking a winner.
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14

Have breakfast in bed.

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1. Prepare a simple breakfast and enjoy a romantic morning together. Breakfast in bed doesn’t need to be intricate or prepared well in advance to be romantic! Look through your cupboards and find something for the two of you to eat for breakfast, like cereal, oatmeal, or toast and fruit. Whip up a quick and easy breakfast, and spend a little time relaxing in bed with your partner.

   • If you don’t have much for breakfast at home, try ordering food instead! Many restaurants allow orders on delivery apps like Postmates and Doordash.

15

Do some couples’ karaoke.

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1. Sing along to your favorite romantic songs with your date. Karaoke is a fun date idea to use anytime, and it’s easy to do both at home or out at a karaoke bar. If you and your date prefer singing out in public (and grabbing a few drinks while you’re at it), go to a local karaoke bar. If you prefer staying in, queue up a few karaoke versions of songs on Youtube and do some DIY karaoke at home.

   • Remember to choose plenty of romantic songs—especially duets!
   • Share a sweet moment with your partner while singing songs like Elton John and Kiki Dee’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” or Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
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16

Visit the library together.

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1. Chat about books and find a few new reads for each of you to borrow. Library dates are both entertaining and completely free! Bring your date to the local library and browse through the many books there. Pick a few books to rent (and help your date do the same if they want recommendations). Then, head home to read or find a cozy corner of the library to read together.

   • Don’t feel like going out? Stay home and start your own little couples’ book club by picking a book off your shelf and reading it together. Take turns reading out loud (and try acting out the different character voices for extra entertainment.)
   • Alternatively, visit a local bookstore and make a game of picking books for one another to buy. When you’re done, grab a cup of coffee and start reading.

17

Go on a mall scavenger hunt.

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1. See how fast you can finish the scavenger hunt as a team. To start, make a list of different things to find at the mall. Try to make your list diverse, so you’ll have to visit a bunch of different stores and locations to find it all. Then, head to the mall with your partner and try to accomplish every goal on the scavenger hunt list. For a challenge, time yourselves and see if you can do it in 1 or 2 hours!

   • Get creative with your scavenger hunt list! For example:
     • Find the cheapest item in the mall.
     • Find something that could be a decoration.
     • Find a receipt for something you didn’t buy.
     • Take a picture of yourself in a crazy hat.
     • Learn the name of a store manager.
     • Find a store that starts with the last letter of the alphabet.
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18

Visit a museum.

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1. Look for museums with free admission days or membership discounts. When you don’t have any time to plan a date, museums are an easy last-minute option. They’re entertaining, educational, and you can usually spend at least a few hours there. Run a search online to see if any of the museums near you have free admission days, too—you might be able to save money on your visit.

   • Even if the museums near you don’t have free admission days anytime soon, they might still offer discounts. For example, some offer student or veteran discounts if you have an ID. See if you can find any deals that apply to you!

19

Be a tourist in your hometown.

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1. Pretend you’re a visitor and explore places you haven't seen yet. You might be surprised by how much fun you can have right in your hometown! First, look up your hometown's most popular tourist attractions and activities. Then, pick a few to do and spend the day acting like tourists, and prioritize any attractions you or your date have never had the chance to see before!

   • Instead of touring specific locations, you could just go for a scenic drive. Spend a couple of hours driving through the most picturesque areas near you—and stop by a roadside restaurant if you get hungry.
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20

Visit the zoo.

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1. Check out all of your favorite wild animals together. A zoo date is perfect for animal lovers, and there’s no pre-planning required! Head to the local zoo, buy tickets and explore the different animal exhibits with your partner. Chat about the animals you love most—and, to complete the date, grab something to eat when you’re done with the zoo.

   • Do you and your partner prefer aquatic critters? Visit a local aquarium instead, and enjoy an afternoon surrounded by colorful fish.

21

Go on a hike together.

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1. Spend a few hours enjoying nature and breathing in the fresh air. Find a hiking trail in your area—ideally, one with a great view at the end for you and your partner to appreciate! Opt for a gentle hike if you’re just looking to take it easy and enjoy the sights, or a challenging hike if you and your partner prefer to work up a sweat and get a little more adventurous.

   • If you live in a more urban area with no hiking trails, plot out a walking route instead and look for scenic areas of the city to take a stroll in. Walks are simple and give you plenty of time to chat with your date.
   • Alternatively, go for a bike ride! Bring your bikes to a nearby bike path, or rent a pair of bikes for the day.
   • There are plenty of ways to get a little exercise and have a fun date! For example, you and your partner could do some yoga together at home.
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22

Have a romantic picnic.

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1. Visit a local park or set up the picnic right outside in your yard. Want to make a simple lunch or dinner date feel super romantic? Turn it into a picnic! Pack enough food for you and your date to enjoy, along with a blanket or towel to sit on together. Then, head out to a picturesque park, beach, or another fitting public area to have your picnic.

   • If you’d rather stay closer to home, set up the picnic in your backyard! Plus, running inside and grabbing more drinks or food is easier that way.

23

Go stargazing at night.

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1. See which constellations you and your date can spot together. Find a spot outdoors—in your yard, your date’s yard, or a public place that’s open in the evenings, like a park or beach, and lay out under the stars together. Spend time looking at the night sky, picking out constellations, and talking with your date. Stargazing is a simple activity, but it can be extremely romantic as well.

   • Live in a city where the stars aren’t always visible at night? Find a place with a view and check out the city’s skyline instead. Watching the sun set behind a city skyline can be just as breathtaking!
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24

Visit a mini golf course.

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1. Play a round of mini golf and see which of you wins the game. Before the date, check online for different mini-golf venues in your area; mini-golf typically doesn’t require a reservation or much planning beforehand, so even if it’s last minute, you and your date can hit up a venue and get started easily. If you both like a little competition, keep score as you play and see who gets the better score by the end of the game.

   • Want to create stakes for the game (while keeping things light and playful, of course)? Have the loser take the winner out for ice cream afterward!

25

Go on a pub crawl.

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1. Explore a few of the best pubs and taverns in your area. Need something fun to do on short notice? Look up all the local pubs near you and have an impromptu pub crawl, working your way through the pubs and having a drink with your date at each. Make sure you and your date can get safely to each location by walking or with a designated driver.

   • If pubs aren’t your usual scene, try making custom cocktails for one another at home! Use whatever alcohol and mixers you already have, or take a quick trip to the liquor store for inspiration.
   • Do you and your partner consider yourselves to be foodies? Replace the pub crawl with a “foodie tour” and sample dishes at a few restaurants featuring locally-grown, farm-to-table food.
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26

Take a spontaneous day trip.

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1. Hop in the car and explore a new place within driving distance of you. Day trips are relatively easy to do and don’t require much planning! All you really need is a destination and a car. Pick a place to visit that’s a couple of hours away from you or less. On the day, look up some fun attractions and things to do there—and then explore the new locale. When it’s getting late, get back in the car and head home!

   • Alternatively, try planning a dream couple’s vacation for the future. Figure out where you want to go, what you want to do there, and make a budget to help you save money for the trip.

27

Visit a local thrift store.

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1. Take turns dressing each other up and comparing outfits. You never know what you’ll find at a thrift store—they’re always jam-packed with random, cool clothing and knick-knacks. Bring your partner to a thrift store (or two) and pick out a silly outfit to try on—or just pick out something you think they’ll look good in. Spend a couple of hours perusing the store and seeing what interesting items you discover.

   • Alternatively, check out an antique store with your date and see if you can find any intriguing pieces to bring home.
   • Look online to see if there’s a farmer’s market near you, and enjoy all the fresh produce and handmade goods there.
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28

Share your favorite YouTube videos.

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1. Spend an evening laughing at all the silly videos you've saved. Lots of people watch funny YouTube videos, and some are so entertaining they’re worth showing to others too! Pull up a few of your favorite YouTube videos, and have your partner do the same. Then, take turns showing one another the videos you chose. The more you have to show one another, the better.

   • If you have a smart TV or a console that supports the YouTube app, try watching your videos on the TV (rather than a phone or computer). Cuddle up on the couch and treat it like a good old-fashioned movie night!

29

Catch a drive-in movie.

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1. Put a romantic spin on movie nights by visiting a drive-in theater. Check out local listings online to see if there are any drive-in theaters in your area. If so, snag a couple of tickets for you and your date, and spend the evening watching a movie together at the drive-in. Bring some snacks and drinks with you—or some change to buy them at the theater.
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30

Look for last-minute tickets online.

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1. Plenty of venues sell discounted tickets for last-minute events. Weeknight concerts and sporting events tend to be discounted at the last minute if not every seat is sold out! Check online for any events, concerts, or sports games in your area that might be happening that day, and pick up tickets for you and your partner if you find something up your alley.

   • Local venues might manage their own sites and ticket sales, but sites like Ticketmaster and StubHub may also be good places to look.
   • Alternatively, check online to see if any restaurants, cafes, or lounges nearby feature live music, and listen to some local musicians for a few hours.
   • You might also find an open mic night near you! Open mic nights are usually free, and you can listen to amateur singers, songwriters, and musicians perform there.

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