8 Date Add-Ons for a New Spin

If regular dates have become part of your routine, congrats! You’ve established a habit that will pay off – strengthening your relationship in both the long and short-term – and that’s something to be proud of. So what’s next? Are you looking for a new challenge or a way to level up your dates? Or perhaps you’re experiencing a (good) problem – things have gotten to be a little too routine and predictable. Whatever the case, you could use some ways to inject some novelty and fun into your usual dates. There’s no need to completely reinvent the wheel, so here are 8 simple date add-ons that will put a new spin on your same old, same old.

1. Surprise!

If you both usually know what to expect, take turns planning a date, but keep your spouse in the dark. This likely means doing something out of the ordinary so that it’s an actual surprise. Give them just the information they need or drop some hints along the way to get their gears turning about what’s in store. Or incorporate smaller surprises for each other within a more typical date.

2. Everyone loves a theme.

Giving anything a theme adds a dimension of fun, and the same goes for a date! Go for throwback, outdoors, your favorite country you’ve vacationed to, or recreate a date from your favorite movie. Get creative! Let the theme help determine everything from what you wear to what you do.

3. Switch up the dress code.

If you typically opt for casual attire, change things up by putting on your Sunday best. Usually get a little dressed up? Let your hair down and go more relaxed. Have your date activity follow suit (no pun intended!)

4. Amp up the anticipation.



Dates with your spouse are something to look forward to, right? Build up the excitement leading up to it by talking about what you’re looking forward to, sending each other “can’t wait!” texts, or dropping hints if you’re surprising each other.

5. Throw it back.

Early in your relationship, there was a unique kind of build up and excitement for a date – the process of getting ready, the rush of butterflies when you see the person for the first time, maybe an undercurrent of nervousness. Try to recreate those giddy feelingGet ready in separate rooms and meet in the living room, or have your spouse drive around the block and swing back to “pick you up.” It might sound silly, but recreating those early feelings can add a new spark.

6. Heads or tails.

Add an element of unpredictability to your date by letting a coin toss make all your decisions. This part of town or that? Day or night? Sushi or Mexican? Hiking or dancing? You can use the coin to plan out the whole date ahead of time, or “play as you go” to truly see where the date takes you.

7. Bingo!

Leading up to your date, create your own bingo cards or scavenger hunt list of things to find or see when you’re out together. At the very least you’ll get a kick out of the random things you both put on your card. You can even come up with a good-natured prize for the winner.

8. Double your fun.

Shift the dynamic by inviting another couple along for a double date. More people can create more options for date activities – consider options that are more fun with more people, like a karaoke booth, bowling, or an escape room.

Keeping dates fun and interesting can sometimes be a challenge. These easy add-ons are a practical way to give your tried-and-true routine some new life. Do you have your own ideas? Let us know in the comments!