A good date idea does half the work for you. When there’s something to do, something to look at and something to laugh about, the conversation stops being the only thing happening. After a long winter, spring is full of dates like that.
A blossom walk
Most towns have a street or a park that turns pink for a week or two. It’s a natural reason to walk side by side, and taking each other’s photos is an easy, playful job.
A picnic
Each bring one thing and make the case for it. A blanket and something to share does what a restaurant does, with birdsong instead of background music.
Fly a kite
It’s hard to be self-conscious while you’re both chasing a kite across a hill. Neither of you being any good at it is the best version.
A botanical garden or glasshouse
Plants you’ve never heard of are endlessly easy to talk about, and there’s usually a café at the end.
A rowing boat on the lake
Someone has to row, you have to cooperate, and you’ll both laugh at least once. Save it for a second date, in case one of you hates water.
A street food market
Pick a stall each, swap halves and argue about the winner. Deciding together is a tiny, fun test of how you get on.
A bike ride
Hire bikes and follow the river, with a stop for coffee halfway. Side by side and outside, with built-in breaks for talking.
An outdoor class
Spring brings yoga in the park, guided walks and foraging tours. A small shared challenge, with an expert doing the hard part.
Keep the first one short
For a first date, pick something with an easy ending: an hour or two, not a whole day. If it goes well, the next plan is easy to make while you’re still there.
Lines to borrow
- Suggesting the blossom walk: “The cherry trees by the canal are out this week. A walk and a coffee on Saturday?”
- Suggesting a picnic: “Picnic in the park? You bring something sweet, I’ll bring something savoury, and we’ll see whose wins.”
- At the boating lake: “I’ll row out. You’re rowing back. Those are the rules.”
- At the food market: “Pick a stall each, swap halves, and the loser buys the ice cream.”
- Making the next plan: “This was great. There’s a glasshouse at the botanical garden I’ve been wanting to see. Next weekend?”
Practice it
The Cherry Blossom is free to play every spring during the Spring Fling event: a stranger, a phone held out and a petal on her nose. Farmers Market is free to play all year.