Since you guys loved my fall date ideas post so much, I wanted to do a list of the best Summer date ideas for any a budget! These are good couple activities for a summer night or day, even when you're broke! My birthday is the first day of summer, and ever since we started dating he would always wonder, “what can you do with your girlfriend in the summer?” as he tried to make our summer nights extra special! After 8 years together, we've gotten pretty good at coming up with unique summer date ideas that we're sharing with you!
55 Unique Summer Date Ideas For Any Budget
1) #Basic Scavenger Hunt
I don't know about you guys but the hubs and I love sleuthing. Whether it's online or in the streets, there is something so fun about people stalking watching. Create a fun Scavenger Hunt and try to find all the #BasicSummerLife finds you can!
Rules:
You can either work as a team, against each other, or enlist other couples and friends.
Create a list of #basic Summer finds (ideas below)
You can either find other people doing these things OR partake in them yourselves (like chowing down on that Doughnut Ice Cream Sandwich).
Some #basic ideas:
– Pool floats (either people rocking them or grabbing some and relaxing in the water near you!)
– Cheeky Shorts (seriously, how do people sit in those?!?)
– People taking insta photos of their ice cream or popbars up in the air #NoShame
– People taking Insta photos at the beach (True Story: we legit saw 6 girls do this in one hour and one was only 12!).
– Someone eating avocado toast at a cafe
– Find a dude rocking the male romper
* What are some others you would/can add to this list?
2) Summer Treats!
Something about spending all day outside makes me want sugar in the summer! Here are some summery treats to try with your S.O.
DIY Fruit Pops! Grab whatever fruit you would like, put them into a fun mold, top with some juice and freeze! In the same vein, you could also spice up a summer drink with some fruity ice cubes! Just grab whatever shape mold you want, chop up the fruit so it fits and add water.
DIY Campfire Smores Cones! Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen put together this delicious recipe that's so easy to do!
3) Fly A Kite
I don't care where you are, grab a kit and fly it! Seriously, this is SO much fun! E and I feel like kids whenever we take our kites out. Forewarning: it's probably way harder than you remember!
4) Lazy Day Binging In Bed
Binge worthy summer shows/movies:
*there are totally more binge worthy entertainment, but these will get you feeling all the summer vibes
Dirty Grandpa (HBO or Hulu)
Bloodline (Netflix)
Wet Hot American Summer (Netflix)
The Shallows (not sure where I binged this, but it's a thriller with Blake Lively… you may not want to go into the ocean right after though)
Vanderpump Rules (Hulu/Bravo) – say what you want, but I only watch 2 reality shows, this and the Bachelor. Nothing makes me feel like it's summer time like binging last season of Vanderpump Rules
Flaked (Netflix) – This show starts off amazing in the first season (especially if you've ever been in a 12 step fellowship, it seriously hits the nail on the head in such an eerie way) – gets a little slow and annoying (as most alcoholics do at some point in their life), and ends with a bang. Season 2 is even better and I'm praying they will bring it back! Although it doesn't sound super Summery, it's filmed in Venice, and the city is an unspoken character in itself and for that reason it makes it onto the list!
Girlfriends Guide To Divorce (Netflix/Bravo) – Another California based show (can you guys tell I love Cali? Like can someone pack my bags and move me there asap)?
Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates (HBO)
Neighbors 1 + 2 (HBO)
5) Find Summer Spa Deals
Summertime usually comes with a ton of wellness discounts and packages (YAY). Some states will even do things like “Summer Spa Month” featuring amazing deals from even more amazing spas to get people in the doors. Sometimes you can find treatments up to 75% off plus access to their wet lounges for the day #winning. Find the nicest spa near you and either set a google alert for deals or subscribe to their newsletter to find out when their deals are.
6) Go mini golfing
7) Go frolfing
8) Hit the shuffle boards and baci balls
Okay, I know most of these options are for the kid at heart, but can you blame me? They are so fun! I don't know about other parts of the country, but the mini golf courses near me have really stepped up their game in the last few years. Grab a date or some friends and get outside! Play some shuffle board, mini golf, or baci ball and have fun! Whoever loses pays!
9) Visit the pool
10) Take a surf lesson or just go surfing
11) Got kiteboarding
12) Have a beach day
Alright, I know not everyone can hit the beach, but hit some sort of body of water. The community pool, a bathhouse, springs, a K spa. I don't care what it is but find some water to get refreshed and recharged in!
13) Go paddle boarding
14) Visit a bathhouse
15) Hit up a K spa
16) Kayak or tube down natural springs
17) Take A Class Together
The price of this will vary depending on the class and location you're in! I know a lot of local yoga studios have at least one “by donation” class per week! You can also check discount sites for classes like cooking or pottery! Because don't we all want to re-create that scene from Ghost on some level?
18) Prank war
Have a water balloon or water gun fight, wrap the toilet seat, and just be silly together in your own home!
19) Plan a staycation
A self care staycation is one of our absolute favorites! Especially when summer thunderstorms start to roll in or maybe we got a little too sunburnt on our last summer date outing.
20) Attend a concert or music festival
21) Sunset picnic outside
22) Sunrise coffee in nature
23) Drive in movie night
24) Enjoy a matinee movie
25) Go on a road trip
26) Do a DIY project together – Create a romantic backyard oasis for future date nights
27) Go boating or sailing
28) Visit an amusement park
29) Go fishing
30) Cook a new recipe together
31) Go dancing
32) Wash your cars
Nothing screams summer romance like a sudsy car wash…
33) Watch the fireworks
34) Visit a park
35) Do an outdoor workout class
36) Stargaze
37) Attend a sports game
38) Pick some fruit at a local farm
39) Watch a movie in the park
40) Go bowling
41) Have a bonfire
42) Rent a tandem bike
This has always been a dream of mine!! If you can't find a tandem bike, just rent some beach cruisers! We've had SO much fun doing this!
43) Visit a museum
44) Look up local festivals
45) Go indoor skydiving
46) Visit your local arcade
47) Hit up the local botanical garden
48) Go rollerblading or skating
49) Pack up and go camping
50) Go to a food truck festival
51) Enjoy a hike (even at night!)
52) Visit a farmer's market
53) Have a backyard BBQ
54) Race bumper or go carts
55) Visit your local zoo
56) Attend a carnival
57) Go skinny dipping
Which of these unique summer date night ideas are you going to try first? How have you figured out what to do with your boyfriend or girlfriend in the summer? I'd love to hear what your best summer date ever was in the comments!!
Totally loving the list you put together! I really should watch Dirty Grandpa hahaha De Niro always cracks me up xD Also…I’m trying to remember the last time I flew a kite hahah that’s such a 90’s to-do…such throwback <3
Great ideas! We needed some binging together movies for our stay at home dates!
a scavenger hunt sounds like so much fun!
I love ideas and love flying a kite especially at the beach. The scavenger hunt idea sounds so much fun too!!
Such good ideas!!! You are too cute. But I think “summer treats” is our go to and my favorite summer idea! 🙂
Kayla
http://Www.runningwithstrollers.com
Oh my goodness if I saw guys rocking the male romper I would lose it. Game over!! hahaha. And just finished watching Bloodline with my husband.
Haha, sometimes I feel sad for not living in the US! You guys have so many awesome tv shows and channels. We do have Netflix, but of course it’s completely different. Well, at least we have OINTB ;-). Love the ideas! It’s been years since the last time I flew a kite (is that how you say it?).
These are all such great ideas! I have always wanted to plan a scavenger hunt for my husband!
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
DROOLING over the campfire s’mores cone!! Thanks for the great tips! Oh, and I love your content and writing style 🙂 xoxo
These are all such great ideas! I especially love the idea of getting outside and doing an activity with your significant other. AcroYoga would be so much fun!
Tori
Such creative ideas! I think a spa day with a S/O sounds romantic and fun!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Oh my gosh those s’mores in a cone look delicious. I always love a spa day (summer/winter/whatever) and think it makes a great date idea! I also love going for a summer hike and having a picnic (it’s one of my favorite summer dates).
Such great ideas! I love the scavenger hunt and sweet treats. Your photos are too cute too!
So fun! I feel like sometimes my boyfriend and I fall back on the same old, same old. Definitely want to try yoga together I am going to see if there is a yoga fest near us like you!
https://www.runwaysandroses.com
Fun ideas! I love the idea of a scavenger hunt together. That’s a fun way to get out on the town together. My hubby & I enjoy having movie nights on our back porch. In fact, we’ve got one planned this weekend.
What fun ideas!!! I never would have thought to do a scavenger hunt, but now I totally plan on it! My husband and I talked about kites just the other day! Thanks for sharing!
SO many fun ideas.. and I love your scavenger hunt suggestions.. the cheeky one made me laugh!
Scavenger hunts are my favorite thing EVER! I did one for my birthday one year. People talked about it forever
Great ideas! I haven’t flown a kite in years. That’s on my summer to-do list!
we love to get popsicles or fro yo and walk around
I love the idea of a scavenger hunt – definitely going to do this!
thepostgradfiles.com
I love the scavenger hunt idea! My boyfriend and I will always plan a “date” night on the weekends, sometimes it’s just watching a movie together at home or a hike! Now that it’s getting warmer out, I’m so excited for some summer treat dates 🙂
Michael and I have been binging Blindspot!! I also make s’mores in the oven if we can’t outside!
Soooo it’s decided. I’m just going to take myself on all these summer dates, lol.
Yes girl!! HAHA! I forgot to mention I used to date myself when on a boy ban haha!
Loving these ideas! It finally feels like Summer now where I live. Totally pinned for my summer bucket list! : )
Getting outside is the best! I love these tips – flying a kite sounds like so much fun! This is awesome!
I would choose a day at the spa hands down. However flying a kite is a pretty cute idea.
You got the right idea kid. Just remember to look back on this in 20 years to keep having fun!
Good ideas! I also love driving a few towns over to try new bars/restaurants with outdoor seating because it feels like a little getaway.
These are such fun ideas! I love hitting up local festivals. I’ve been hanging out with this guy lately, and every time we go on a date, we try to go somewhere both of us or at least one of us hasn’t gone yet, whether it’s a restaurant, bar, etc. It’s a fun way to get to know the local area.
Also, those DIY S’mores Cones look divine!
Fun ideas… now to find an S.O.!
I loved this post. There are some great ideas here, going to try some out. The laying in bed one sounds good, haha!
This looks like so much fun! When it’s warm outside I feel like we can do more things together!
xx, Melissa
https://elephantontheroad.com
Oh my goodness so many good ideas! Your scavenger hunt ideas had me loling ? I can’t wait to do that with my hub.
Now the only thing I need now is a boyfriend to do these things with haha
So many fun and unique ideas!! My fiancé and I love to get outside, walk by the water, play mini golf and eat lots of sweet treats.
All of these sound awesome!
-Alix
This. Is. Awesome. Seriously, love all these ideas! That s’mores recipe is definitely going to happen sometime soon. I love that you included shuffle board. I love shuffle board!! I wish there was some place close to play it. Great post!
I don’t know if I could convince Josh to try a class with me, but we love having active dates. This morning we made a special breakfast at home and went for a long hike near a beautiful river, and then went to a Farmers Market. It wasn’t such an easy, relaxed date but it was also fun! Love these other ideas you shared, too
My boyfriend and I love to go hiking and be outdoors as much as we can in the summer!
I laughed at your scavenger hunt idea! ha! Such a cute idea!
summer spa deals sounds like a must! I’ve been wanting to go to the spa for so long now.
These are such great ideas and definitely not the typical ones either! Love the movies you listed too – I was killing myself laughing when I saw Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates haha. Love the #basic scavenger hunt idea!
I love the ideas of scavenger hunts and taking classes together! They all sound fun!
I love taking advantage of all the local events that summer weather brings.
These are such fun ideas! Gotta love unique dates to mix things up a little bit.
Your yoga pictures are adorable!! You two look like you are having a blast!
These are such cute ideas! We love to go mini golfing or hang out by the pool.
Lying in bed for me. But you two look so pro in the yoga pictures
Those yoga poses of you two tho – DAYUM! You guys are epic!
I love this! You two are the cutest. I love the kite flying — A and I LOVE flying kites! And it is totally harder than you remember.
I love the idea of taking a class together. So fun!
such creative and fun ideas! #foreversingledoe
Great ideas! I’m always on the lookout for new “date” ideas I can do with my friends. I love the scavenger hunt idea, as people watching is so entertaining!
These are all so cute!!! I want to fly a kite now!! Haha. Your top picture reminds me of a beach we visited last year — are you at driftwood beach? Either way it looks very similar! We did mini-golf with the kids the other week and it was so much fun! (Even if it wasn’t an official mom- dad date.) Hope you have a great week!! XO
https://www.theweekenderafashionfieldguide.com
Great ideas! My husband and I are definitely in a dinner date rut. It would be fun to plan a mini-golf and ice cream date without the kids 😉
These are such great and fun ideas! I’m absolutely saving this!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Loving these ideas Rachel!!! Thanks!
Awesome ideas! I love the idea of doing a scavenger hunt with other couples. That would be so much fun. And you never go wrong with a trip to the spa.
These are great ideas! I love the idea of flying a kite, I always forget how fun that it! xo, B | http://www.theblistblog.com
These are great. Hubby and I need a date night and with a 7 month old- the cheaper the better!
I really like the idea of a scavenger hunt!! My husband and I have yet to fly a kit together. We weren’t able to go to Kite Fest in my city back in April, so maybe we can just plan a day for the two of us to do it.
I love these ideas! Always looking for great summer activities in the warmer months. Your scavenger hunt idea is so creative! Happy summer girl 🙂
xo Olivia | http://oliviadipede.com
Ahh these are all such great ideas! I’m all about getting out during the summer as long as it’s not 100 degrees. 🙂
Any sort of outdoor excursion is top of my list, oh and sweet summer treats, always!
These are great ideas! My favorites are the DIY dates, taking a class, and summer spa deals.
These are great summer date ideas. I often plan all of our dates and have been running out of ideas lately. Thank you for something that really helps out!
Loving these ideas – made me realize how long it’s been since I’ve gone to a bonfire. Hoping to implement some of these before baby girl arrives!