The tangible electricity and playful flirting so characteristic of a summer romance have always been popular portrayals in books and movies. But what makes summer romances so killer?
Maybe it’s because long sunny days lead to sunny dispositions. Maybe it’s the warm weather, which leads to scantily clad women everywhere you turn.
Maybe it’s the plethora of fun ways to fill a gorgeous summer day.
Actually, I think that might be it. (Okay, it might have more to do with the scantily clad women, but just roll with it).
The summer provides so many date ideas that lend themselves to laughing, touching, talking – you know all the ingredients to get the sparks flying.
If you’re fresh out of ideas, you’ve come to the right place. The heat is on, quite literally, to make the most of your summer.
Work on Your Tan
Options of things to do outside are practically endless, but these should get your wheels turning:
- Hiking
- Geo-caching
- Play croquet
- Swimming
- Laying out (and of course helping her with sunscreen)
Beat the Heat
As much as you love the summer sun, sometimes you just need a break from the heat. That break is usually best with accompanied by water or air-conditioned places you don’t frequently visit (aka, not the movie theatre):
- Water park (yes, fun even as adults)
- Play water volleyball (with water balloons and towels)
- Car wash (the old fashioned way with a hose and a bucket that practically begs for a water fight)
- Ice skating
- Read to children in a hospital
- “Test” all the toys in a toy store (the real kind, the ones kids play with. Get your mind out of the gutter.)
- Take a cooking class together
- Go rock climbing at an indoor gym
Be a Tourist
Every city has its own things that make it unique and appealing. Be a tourist in your own city, don’t forget your camera and check out all the local attractions such as:
- Zoo
- Aquarium
- Arboretum
- Botanical Garden
- Historical landmarks
- Museums
- Tour city buildings
Quintessential Summer Activities
Your best guide for inspiration on these activities is to check out the calendar of events on your city’s website. You’ll be surprised at the number of activities happening, a lot of which are free:
- Walk on the boardwalk/pier
- Carnival
- Attend the county fair
- Watch an outdoor movie (this could mean setting up a projector in your backyard)
- Attend a film festival
- Listen to a local band perform in a park
- Float down a river in an inner tube
- Mini-golf
- Go fishing
- Day at the beach
- Make s’mores (preferably over a bonfire, if possible)
- Go to a baseball game (and cheer for opposite teams if you need to shake it up a bit)
- Any sort of picnic
- Popsicle eating contest
Giving Back
The summer is a great time to get involved in volunteer projects around your community and enjoy the outdoors at the same time. Working on a project together is not only fun, you’ll learn a lot about her. Take a look at your local Volunteers of America website to get an idea of what’s available in your area. Chances are you’ll find options like these anywhere:
- Give out water at a race
- Help out at a parade
- Walk dogs at an animal shelter
- Participate in a city clean up
- Do yard work for elderly neighbors
Relaxing Strolls
Taking a walk together is one of the most basic things you can do to talk, hold hands and just revel in the euphoria of a new relationship. Shake up your standard walk with these ideas:
- Visit an outdoor mall
- Take a walk in the rain
- Find a summer arts festival and walk around
- Watch a sunset and THEN go for a walk (choose a safe, well-lit neighborhood though)
Romantic
If you’re ready to really make her gush, try something that’s a little less sweltering and a little more enchanting:
- Stargazing; watching meteor showers
- Midnight picnic
- Wake up early and watch the sunrise together (then make breakfast)
- Skinny dipping (I know you were thinking it)
For the Brave
Maybe you just want to do something kind of zany. Try these on for size:
- Go on a local road trip, stopping for pictures at local landmarks and historical sites
- Set up easels and paint a sunset together
- Photo scavenger hunt
Obviously every suggestion isn’t going to appeal to you, but the point is to find activities/date ideas that allow you to enjoy the light-heartedness that naturally comes in the summer months and let those sparks fly.
Or, at the very least, have a really good time and maybe work on your tan while you’re at it.
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