29 Fun Active Date Ideas to Energize Your Love Life in 2024

Active date ideas are all the rage these days as more and more couples prioritize both their health and making quality time together.

Hectic schedules can make it hard to carve out time, but as the American Heart Association states, "Being active as a couple doesn’t mean you need to go to the gym together every single day. It’s about finding what each other loves to do and sharing that together while you stay happy and healthy!"

What better way to improve your love life than improving your health at the same time? If you're wondering: How can I be active on a date? Or, what activities should you do on a date? You can find the answers right here with our list of the best active date ideas to try this year. 

Jump to Section

• Indoor Active Date Ideas
• Outdoor Active Date Ideas
• Unique Active Date Ideas
• Romantic Active Date Ideas

Indoor Active Date Ideas

1. Dance Classes

What could be a more enticing active date idea than taking some dance classes with your special someone? Try searching for dance classes in Orlando, dance classes in Los Angeles, dance classes in Chicago, dance classes near you or online dance classes.

Find your rhythm together with the guidance of a talented dance instructor. Whether you're looking for ballroom dance or salsa dance classes, you'll have fun learning just how to show each other off and finding your groove.

2. Fitness Classes

Try taking a fun kickboxing class or aerobics class, made even better by the ability to playfully compete with your date. Trash-talking never sounded so fun as when you're throwing competitive glances across the room during a spin class or hot yoga class.

Giggle together as you manage your way through goat yoga.

3. Indoor Gyms, Arenas, Pools and Rinks

These days, if you can do it outdoors, you can do it indoors, too. Skate around a rink or arena, whether it's covered in ice or you're on wheels — rollerskating and ice skating are always fun couple activities.

Climb up a rock wall or try indoor skydiving for a bit of adventure. Or go swimming — race in laps or just splash around until you're both laughing. These make for perfect active date ideas indoors that get your body moving as you have a blast getting to know one another.

4. Volunteer Together

Spending quality time together is the point of a date, so why not spend that time giving back to your community, as well? Volunteering will give you time to get to know each other; plus, choosing the way to donate your time can help you learn about your values and passions in common.

If you can't decide, make it a theme date — choose one volunteer activity to attend together each week. You'll learn about the world and about each other in the process.

Active date ideas for volunteers could include picking up trash, joining Habitat for Humanity or taking foster or shelter dogs for walks. 

5. Gaming

Whether you're looking for ideas for a first date with a girl or romantic date ideas for your boyfriend, you can't go wrong with a night of indoor games. Strap on vests for laser tag or test your bowling arm.

You can find places for axe-throwing, ping-pong, Wii Sports and even antique arcade games. These are fantastic active date ideas for teens. Who is the best at air hockey or arcade basketball? Find out!

6. Attend a Jazz Club With Dancing

Swing dancing at a jazz club, what better way to test your chemistry? Find out if you both love the same songs and how well you each move to the music.

The best indoor date ideas and first date ideas involve finding ways to laugh and chat together, while discovering easy ways to improve your intimacy — through conversation and linking hands.

7. Homemade Love

Share your trials as you learn to make a meal together in one of these unique date ideas. Whether you're kneading dough for pasta from scratch or tossing pizza dough in the air, you'll love getting to know your significant other all over again or at a deeper level.

This can be done from home or any vacation city you choose, so it makes for perfect active date ideas in NYC, date ideas in Houston, date ideas in Chicago and even stay-home date ideas for couples. Share your time and savor the profits!

Outdoor Active Date Ideas

8. Archery

As long as you follow all the safety protocols, you'll have a blast taking archery classes for an active date idea with your sweetheart! Stretch your muscles and pretend you're Robin Hood as you learn a new skill and compete for the best scores. Make a bet: the winner buys dinner.

9. Hikes or Trail Walks

Jog or walk around a beloved local park and play frisbee or catch for an active date idea with fresh air and beautiful views. There are also plenty of gorgeous vistas that can be reached along hiking trails, perfect for fall date ideas, especially in New England with the colorful foliage — and leaf-peeping trips are cheap date ideas, too.

There are beaches to explore and historic homes and extensive grounds for your next adventure. You could even try Geocaching — discover new places around your hometown or nearby your favorite vacation city.

10. Double Date Outdoor Games

Invite some friends for some fun double date ideas. You could play water balloon volleyball until everyone's clothes are sticking to their bodies, play kickball, or paintball, go to a mini golf course, play racquetball, go horseback riding or play basketball in teams of two.

Whether there's just one other couple or a few, you can find an exhilaratingly fun couple activities to send everyone home happy and feeling connected.

11. Water Sports

In the summer months, what could be more satisfying than splashing about with your loved one? Surfing lessons are an active date idea that lets you learn a new skill together and enjoy the feel of water beneath your body.

Kayaking or canoeing on a lovely lake or down a lazy river can inspire the sweetest daydreams and conversations. If you like something a little more wild, water skiing and snorkeling will expose you to all the wonders and delightful laughter you could ask for in active date ideas for couples.

12. Snow Sports

If you're looking for winter date ideas for couples, look no further! There are ample snow-bound athletics you could pursue with your loved one. Take a skiing, snowboarding and tubing trip, trek through the snow-covered woods shoeing, or simply go sledding in your backyard.

The best part is that you can finish your fun day off by cuddling up in front of a fire with a cup of hot cocoa or a hot toddy.

13. Ropes Course

Monkeying around never sounded so good! Any list of fun first date ideas must include a ropes course. Climb around and learn the heart of what it means to work hard and take risks with superb rewards.

There could be no better metaphor for building a relationship. Start your relationship or improve it with a fun trip to your local high ropes course for an active date idea that will start you off on the right foot.

14. Amusement Parks

Check out the amazing and diverse world of amusement parks, zoos, carnivals and food festivals. Dine from food trucks and ride roller coasters like it's your job (maybe not in that order).

Enjoy viewing animals from around the globe and eating sugary or fried foods as you make your way around the exhibits. This is a classic active date idea that will really hike up your step count as you walk around exploring the sights.

15. Explore Local Agriculture

Take a trip to your local farmers market — or take a tour of all the markets in your local area. Make your own agricultural “pub” crawl.

Related active date ideas include spots to pick your own fruit, whether that be berries during the summer or apple and pumpkin picking in the autumn. You'll love to find what your community has to offer.

Unique Active Date Ideas

16. Tour Your Home City

Whether you're enjoying staycation ideas or visiting somewhere new, there's always something exciting to do in the city, including a variety of walking tours.

Active date ideas in NYC and Chicago, among other busy locales, include beer tours, tours of historical sites around the city and ghost tours.

Then there's always the self-designed bar or restaurant “crawl,” which could also count as a walking tour of the city. One fun thing to do is to pretend to be a tourist in your hometown (or city) and visit all the tourist hot spots, such as the Empire State Building or Sears Tower, or Faneuil Hall for those in Boston.

17. Home Projects

Looking for active anniversary date ideas? Take on an ambitious home project with your loved one! Refurbish an old dresser, build a new desk, paint a room or redecorate together.

You'll get it done faster — and with more fun memories — when you work together. This active date idea will make for a delightful reminder of how well you've built your relationship. Keep up the good work!

18. Walk Around the Aquarium

Explore the aquatic worlds available at the aquarium. Surprise your significant other with your knowledge about fish or pet stingrays together. Face the sharks head-on or learn more about dolphins during a trainer show.

Discuss your favorite animals to visit or your dream travel destinations while you peruse creatures from throughout the oceans of the world. It's an active date idea that ramps up your step count as you admire relaxing aquatic scenes.

19. Window Shopping

Browse window displays along the street or in the mall and discuss your own aesthetic and tastes to get a better feel for your similar interests and opinions (or opposing views). It's an active date idea that allows you to learn a great deal about each other in a short amount of time.

20. Build a Snowperson

Show off your creative talents when you build a snowman or snowwoman with your special someone. Active date ideas for winter have never been quite so romantic!

Choose your favorite accessories to adorn your creation and then tell stories, as in the classic seasonal song “Winter Wonderland.”

Or build your individual snow forts and lob snowballs back and forth until you're able to declare a winner. This time, the loser buys the after-date drinks.

21. Gardening

Planting a garden is an active date idea that gets you outdoors while working as a superb bonding experience. As you shop for plants together, whether you're interested in perennial or annual flowers or vegetables, you'll learn about yourself and your date simultaneously.

Then you get to the dirty work, measuring and digging and watering until your plants are organized and in the ground. This is also a perfect reason to continue having dates — to work on weeding and otherwise caring for your garden in tandem.

22. Scavenger Hunts or Escape Rooms

Visit an escape room to discover your joint love of puzzles — and your creative problem-solving skills! How well do you work together?

Alternatively, find a scavenger hunt (or app) for an active date idea around your town to find fun adventures and discover new favorite locations for future date nights.

Romantic Active Date Ideas

23. Swap Spots

If you're from the same area, but just getting to know one another, this could be the perfect active date idea for you. Share your favorite local spot and discuss with your loved one the reasons and memories that are the foundation of your love for this particular locale.

Then let your date do the same. Not only does this involve lots of walking, so it is an especially active date idea for couples, but it also augments the emotional intimacy of your relationship.

24. Karaoke

If you're looking for the letter K in your alphabet date ideas, or looking for a unique option for your date jar ideas, karaoke is a great choice! Break a sweat as you take the stage and rock out together as you perform for the audience.

25. Tandem Bike

Isn't it always fun doing anything in pairs? For an active date idea that is oh-so-romantic, enjoy a bike ride for two on a tandem bike. Take a ride on a secluded local trail with stunning views or wheel through the city to see the sights.

26. Random Acts of Kindness

You have so much love to give — pay it forward! Spend an afternoon performing random acts of kindness together and share in the warm, fuzzy feelings that it creates.

These can also be fun activities for couples at home, such as writing cards to veterans or knitting clothing for the homeless. To make it an active date idea, walk around town and leave sticky notes with positive messages around town for people to find to spread some positivity together!

27. Sunset Sailing

While this is one of many popular active date ideas in NYC, it's not a bad idea no matter where you live. If you have access to a sailboat and the water, taking your lover out for a sunset cruise is a lovely way to spend time together. Take sailing lessons together and get active as you hoist the sails. 

28. Wander Around Art Galleries

If you are visiting New York, you'll find that the ARTECHOUSE immersive art gallery is thrilling and well worth the time spent. The technology-driven exhibits are on the cutting edge of art and an app allows you to interact with each presentation.

If you're not in New York, there are plenty of other immersive art experiences around the globe — look up your closest exhibitions and get your steps in as you wander!

29. Row Boat

Paddle your row boat around a lake and enjoy a peaceful yet active date with your significant other. You could go fishing together or spend your time reading poetry.

Maybe once you get to the middle of the lake, you'll choose to go for a swim and then return to the boat to sunbathe. Go with whatever floats your boat!

Say "I love you" by extending your life expectancy — and do it in a fun way, together with your loved one. The active date ideas shared here are the first step toward a happier, more active romantic life.

For even more fun date ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!