Don't worry if you can't carve out a big chunk of time for a major date night. Micro-dating, or taking little bits of time to reconnect as a couple, is a great concept for busy people. These small date ideas are perfect for strengthening your connection if you're pressed for time or just don't get that many moments alone.
Small Date Ideas if You're in a Relationship
If you've been serious about each other for a while, your relationship can be important but also feel a bit everyday at the same time. Your schedules might not match up all the time, and the pressure of adulting and all that goes with it can take some of the excitement out of your interactions.
Shake things up with a mini date, whether it's on a weeknight or whenever you have a little time together on the weekend. These ideas can keep you connected:
- Make toasted marshmallows or s'mores in your oven.
- Plant some flowers.
- Draw or paint tattoos on each other.
- Take a shower together.
- Explore a neighborhood you've never been to.
- Pick a constellation and find it in the sky together.
- Build a blanket fort.
- Go for a scenic drive in your own neighborhood.
- Write each other a 15-minute poem.
- Exchange mini massages.
- Work on a scrapbook or photo album.
- Dance together.
- Make a simple, special breakfast to eat together.
- Arm chair travel to plan your next vacation.
- Spend 15 minutes snuggling.
- Read out loud to each other.
- Look at old photos together.
- Write each other love letters.
- Have a tickle fight.
- Meet for a happy hour drink after work on a weeknight.
There are no rules about how long a micro date needs to be. In fact, it can be as little as 15 minutes. The key here is just making sure it happens and doing something fun on your small date to make it a great experience for both of you.
Micro Date Ideas for Casual Moments Together
Not too serious yet? No worries. You can still do mini dates that let you get to know each other better without the commitment of an entire evening or weekend day. It's all about quality time and making it memorable. Whether you make these one-hour date ideas for after work or lunch breaks, or you sneak them in with even less time, we love these little ways to get to know each other:
- Go for ice cream or make your own sundaes.
- Play Frisbee in the park.
- Have a wine and cheese picnic.
- Meet to walk through a holiday light display or seasonal flower show.
- Teach each other a hidden talent you have (juggling, imitating famous people, that kind of thing).
- Explore a local park neither of you have been to before.
- Make a new craft together, such as soap or candles.
- Fly a kite.
- Rent scooters and explore.
- Listen to a short story or podcast together.
- Make a special new cocktail.
- Take turns making guesses about each other's past (first pet, favorite movie as a kid, what scared you, etc).
Last Minute Quick Date Ideas
If you haven't had a chance to plan, no worries. There are actually lots of quick dates you can have without a ton of prep time. Try one of these:
- Listen to each of your favorite songs.
- Go for a walk around the block.
- Watch an episode of a show you both liked as kids.
- Meet at a thrift store and see what treasures you can find.
- Grab to-go food and meet for a car picnic.
- Experiment to create a signature cocktail from whatever ingredients you have around.
- Meet for cupcakes at a bakery.
- Head outside and watch a sunset together.
Cute Mini Dates for Friends or Romantic Partners
We all get busy sometimes and need to reconnect with special people in our lives - and not just in a romantic way. You can use mini dates with your friends and strengthen your friendship with some quick moments together. Instead of the standard coffee shop meeting, try these fun ideas:
- Make a time capsule of this moment in your lives.
- Play a quick board game.
- Do some adult coloring or paint-by-number together.
- Hold a photoshoot where you take turns taking photos of each other.
- Play a quick video game.
- Learn a new yoga pose.
- Have a cup of tea and do a crossword together.
- Bake some cookies together.
- Meet at a bookstore or library and choose books for each other.
- Go to the grocery store and buy all the different brands of one thing to compare (such as string cheese, strawberry jam, or vanilla ice cream).
- Each make an appetizer and meet to share them.
- Pick up a book of Mad Libs and take turns to filling them out together.
Little Dates Can Be Big On Quality Time
No matter how well you know each other or how much time you have for your date, it's all about the quality time. You can't go wrong by asking each other questions and having a great conversation too. Ultimately, it's less about what you do and more about how well you connect, so relax and have a good time on your micro date.
