Summer is coming to an end. The days are getting cooler, the sun is setting earlier, and the fun and excitement of summertime is coming to a halt. Sad day.
While the days are still warm, try some of these outdoor date ideas to help you and your spouse soak up every last bit of summer left.
1. Go on a hike
If you live close enough to the mountains or foothills, google nearby hikes and find one that looks good. Remember the little things like comfortable shoes, yummy food, bug spray, and water. Oh, and don't forget to whisper sweet nothings in each others' ears when you get to your destination.
2. Have a picnic
Picnics are totally romantic, simple, and just plain delightful. Pack your favorite foods, pick a gorgeous location next to a river, stream, or overlook and just enjoy being together in the great outdoors.
3. Ride bikes
If you are an outdoorsy couple to begin with, you may already have mountain bikes. If you do, use them! If not, go rent the kind of bike you prefer, and just cruise around with your spouse. You can cover a lot of ground on bikes while enjoying conversation, scenery and exercise. Make sure and fuel up on some good grub afterward.
4. Go swimming
Swimming you say? Yes, swimming! Now, you may be thinking about swimming laps, but I'm thinking about hanging out at the pool together (without the kids) and just playing around in the water together. THE COUPLE THAT PLAYS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER! Hanging out at the pool in the evening with your spouse just cries out for a fun, flirty time together.
5. Have a fire and make s'mores
Try and find a park or picnic area nearby that allows fires. Plan ahead and pack firewood, kindling, matches, and stuff for s'mores. Spice up your s'mores with fun variations of graham crackers, fruit, marshmallows, and chocolate. Yum. A quiet night together around the fire is going to make you and your spouse want s'more of each other, s'more of summer, and s'more of life together. Just as it should be.
6. Go to a outdoor concert or sports event
Concerts and sports events are fun events where you can be together as husband and wife, and yet be surrounded by tons of other people (admit it, people watching is kind of fun). Get your tickets early, bring extra hoodies and blankets, and pack good snacks. Then go enjoy your favorite band or sports team while you soak up the final days of summer.
7. Play tennis
Tennis is a great outdoor date option because it is free, you can play it with just two people, and it is great exercise. Plus, it brings out a positive competitiveness between spouses that invites laughter, teasing, and flirting. If you have been playing tennis for years, but your spouse hasn't, take this as an opportunity to share one of your favorite hobbies with your spouse (make sure and take it easy on them!).
8. Go paddle-boarding, kayaking, canoeing, or boating
This option is for the real outdoor adventurer. If you live even remotely close to water, try and rent a canoe, boat, kayak, or paddle-board and just go have an adventure on the water. Selfies are definitely allowed on adventures like these (but don't drop your phone in the water). Grab an ice cream cone after and relish your last few bites of summer.
9. Go fishing
Okay, so maybe not my top pick, but for some couples out there, fishing is just plain romantic. In the quiet of the morning you get to enjoy the beauty of the earth, have time to think, and stare at your oh-so-good-looking spouse. Just remember to whisper so you don't scare the fish away. And bring donuts, so that even if the fish aren't biting, you and your spouse can have something to eat. A romantic fishing trip may just end up being a very romantic, quiet, and long three-hour breakfast date.
10. Go to a rodeo, county fair, carnival, or monster truck gala
Sounds cool, eh? Activities like these = date night awesomeness. Every community has summer carnivals, rodeos, and fairs. Really cool communities even have monster truck gala's. Try and buy your tickets in advance, but if you hear about something last minute, be spontaneous and give it a go. Dates like these are sure to make it on your spouse's "favorite date list," and be the topic of conversation around the water cooler Monday morning.
This article was originally published on Nurturing Marriage. It has been republished here with permission.
