We are officially heading into month 10 of the pandemic and this virus has upended every area of our life, especially how and when we can go on first dates.
Social distancing, face masks and regular hand-washing are part of our new normal now, and many of the public gatherings we would normally go on a first date to are no longer an option.
So, after we land that Tinder or Bumble match and want to take it to the next level, what should we do?
1. Hop Online
Let’s get this one out of the way first. Clearly one thing we can do is hop on a video call with this new person and learn more about who they are.
How can we make that initial video call more interesting? While some bloggers recommend wearing a funny hat or outfit, I advise you to think about doing an activity together like participating in an online game or sharing a favorite recipe and cooking it together.
I know it is not ideal to create connections over a screen, but if women can fall in love with their pen-pals in prison, you can start a relationship on Zoom.
2. Get Active
The great outdoors are your friend. There is a lot less of COVID risk when you are outdoors, so it can be fun find something active to do outside.
If you are near bodies of water, try renting kayaks together. If you are more on level ground, a bike ride can be fun. If you are surrounded by beautiful nature, hiking would be a good bet. Heck, even rock climbing is a possibility.
If it’s winter, well, there’s always snowshoeing.
There is one activity we can all enjoy: walking. When we are cooped up in all our own houses, even a walk can be a fun thing to do.
3. Go Drinking
While clubs and parties are a no-go for pretty much everyone these days, many small businesses have adjusted by creating outside wine-bars and enhanced beer gardens.
Perhaps you can even find a place with bocce or cornhole to keep you together while playing from farther away.
4. Meet Outside
If you are not up for an active date and would rather sit or lay down, then an outdoor picnic is your best place to be.
If you are near the coast, the beach is a great place to hang out. Otherwise, I am sure there are parks near you just waiting for a blanket and a couple glasses of wine.
5. Gather Produce
One great date idea is to find a farm and pick some fresh produce or flowers for you both to enjoy.
It is the fall season in most places in the United States which means that pumpkin patches are open for business. You might also live close to an apple orchard or berry farm. Soon it will be Christmas tree season, too.
You could even see if there are any edible plant species in your area that you could go hunt for. You could find fresh mushrooms and herbs right in your backyard!
6. Compete
If you are looking for a more competitive edge with your first date, finding a way for friendly competition could also be a great date idea.
Outdoor mini-golf places are growing in popularity so you could also hit up a driving range. There might even be a paintball place near you, or perhaps even laser tag? The only limit is your imagination.
7. Go shopping
Everyone needs to eat, right? So, what’s more fun than going to a farmer’s market together and walking amongst the stalls, asking the farmers questions about how happy their chickens are. Maybe you could even get some food for an outdoor BBQ later.
Many municipalities are also opening up public spaces for crafts fairs and other businesses too. See what is coming up in your area.
8. Hop on a novel mode of transport
One last date idea is to hop on separate modes of transport together. Earlier I mentioned kayaking, but you could also rent canoes or boats and take them out into the water.
If both of you know how to ride them, you could each rent a scooter or motorcycle for the day and head into some truly epic places.
So, there you have it: 8 possible date ideas for shelter-in-place. If you are looking for more dating help, schedule a free coaching call with me.
What do you think? What activities have you found work well when meeting someone? Comment below.
