Sometimes the simple date ideas are the best date ideas! No need to make a huge production, but easy last-minute date ideas work wonders when you’re looking for the perfect simple date night. Here are a ton of no-prep ideas for your next simple date night!

Needing a weekend where your date requires no prepping? We feel you – dating can require a lot of planning and creativity to mix it up and keep the sparks running. Often, simple date ideas turn into the best date nights! With this list of no-prep date ideas, you can just go and have a wonderful evening without worrying about the details!

No Prep Date Ideas

Just Grab Lunch!

Or maybe dinner if you have time. But sometimes a classic meal together to connect is the perfect date. If you need ideas, check out our Lunch Date Ideas to help inspire your next lunch date!

Go For a Hike

A hiking date night is such an easy way to enjoy the great outdoors. And we love that this is free date date too!

Explore Facebook for local events, pick an appealing “today” event, and go!

This is a super-easy way to find street fairs, farmers markets, yoga in the park, art walks, conventions, local free events, you name it! Just make sure tickets or entrance isn’t sold out.

Act Like a Tourist in Your City

Drive-in, park, and walk around the downtown or main street scene near you. This really gives an opportunity to appreciate the murals and the street art. Also, you can admire the architecture from your town’s history.

Walk or Bike Around a Park

If you have other things readily available, you could also go to a park near you and longboard, rollerblade, hammock, or picnic while you’re there! But honestly, just walking around and talking is an incredibly rewarding, romantic date, so don’t feel like you need to pack up your car to enjoy this activity.

Do an Adventure Challenge Date.

We’ve loved the Adventure Challenge Couples Edition book to help us on nights we’re not up to planning our own date night fun. It’s a scratch-off date night book that gives you a fun activity to complete. Many only take an hour or two, and almost all you can do without any prep!
Also, Get a bonus 10% off any order with the Adventure Challenge Promo Code: INLOVE10

Go to a Rock Climbing Gym

Rock climbing is such a fun active date idea! They have everything set for you, you just show up an enjoy a fantastic endorphin-boosting date.

Paint Pottery

We booked a pottery painting date at one of the most stressful times of our lives when we were working in different cities. Let me tell you, it was the perfect easy date night! We had a lot of fun creating something and pretending to be artists. It gave us so much time to talk and reconnect. And all we had to do was schedule a time and show up.

Attend a Comedy Show

If you could use a good laugh, grab tickets for a comedy show or improv show. We always recommend this date when couples could use a great date to reconnect and laugh together.

Easy Date Ideas

Build a Fort at Home

Blanket forts are the best – check out this awesome one we created. The only thing it requires is some creativity and willingness to redecorate your living room for an evening. Pop some popcorn and throw a movie to enjoy from your cozy setup!

Visit the Thrift Store and Dress Each Other Up

Get ready to pop some tags and channel your inner Macklemore. Whether you want to challenge each other to dress each other in things you’d actually wear, or aim for the most ridiculous things you can find, it’s a blast. Take this to the next level by wearing those outfits to dessert after. Let the laughs commence.

Find a Romantic Spot and Watch the Sunset.

Have a favorite spot or a favorite park in your city? All this simple romantic night requires is double-checking what time sunset falls (by asking your phone or looking outside) and hauling yourself out there. Also, this no-prep date is a great way to share a little personal experience with your date.

Have an Indoor Picnic

During our most chaotic working years as young professionals, we loved a good indoor picnic date! Particularly when it’s the time of year it’s too hot or too cold to go outside, an indoor picnic is a great change of pace!
Simply order takeout and change up where and how you eat it. We love a good living room picnic with a blanket on the floor. It’s so simple, and really helps the date night feel more intentional.

Have a Dance Party

It takes about a minute to find a great playlist and set yourself up to let loose and dance. You can even find an online dance class to learn some moves before the party begins.

Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

If you have an animal lover for a date, they’re going to love this date idea! Animal shelters often need someone just to pet, walk, and play with animals. It makes a great date while you do some good.

Last-Minute Date Ideas

These last-minute date ideas are great if you discover that your original plans were canceled or your calendar suddenly opened up.

Peruse the Shopping Mall.

Whether you need a new pair of pants or you’re just window shopping, this is a great last-minute date idea if the weather outside isn’t ideal to walk in.

Go for a Long Drive.

People spend so much time in cars, rushing to work or to the next event, that sometimes it’s nice to remember that driving can also provide a relaxing, comfortable setting to sit and chat.

Share Your Favorite Social Media Videos with Each Other.

Wanting a simple, stay-at-home date? We all know YouTube is an endless source for entertainment, so it’s time to capitalize on it. Share some funny videos you discovered lately with your date or your all-time favorites. If you need help getting started, you can also start with our preloaded favorites.

Hit Up Your Local Farmers Market

We love a good farmer’s market date because there’s always something fun to see and new things to try. It’s one of those cheap date ideas that is a little different every time you go, and takes zero prep!

Do a Random Act of Kindness

Bake or write something nice for somebody you think needs something nice today and doorbell ditch it at their place. Serving others is an easy, feel-good date that helps make the world a better place. For more ideas, check out our Random Acts of Kindness date.

Drive Out of the City and Star Gaze.

We’ve done this before and absolutely love it. Consequently, it’s one we’ll likely repeat again and again! It’s oh so simple – just grab a blanket and go!

Make Each Other Breakfast in Bed.

This is such a simple way to feel extra special right in your own home. Treat each other to breakfast in bed!

Have a Drive-in Movie Date.

Roll in and catch a double feature with little time or prep! A drive-in movie date night is always a good idea! 

Simple Date Ideas

Finally, if you had a busy or exhausting week but are itching to do something fun, these easy and simple date ideas are really the way to go.

Teach Yourself Couples Dance with Online Tutorials.

Waltz, ballroom, salsa, hip-hop, swing dancing, Bollywood – it’s your call! If ballroom couples aren’t your style – you could also learn signature dance moves like the Dougie. The best part of this easy date – you can stay home and learn for free.

Have a Backyard Picnic

Grab some food from the fridge and a blanket and enjoy the view from your porch. Need we say more?

Pull Out the Board Games

Have some good old-fashioned board games or cards on hand? You’ll be surprised how much time you can fill revisiting some favorites you played growing up. A game night makes a great double-date idea too! 

Have a Hot Chocolate Date

In the cooler months, there’s nothing like cozying up by the fireplace with a good cup of hot coco. Or try warm apple cider or tea of that’s more your thing. But lean into all the hygge vibes and make a simple winter date.

Attend a Trivia Night

Many bars and hipster diners host a trivia night several times each month. They are such fun dating ideas for couples who want to have a great time with a date they can simply show up to. Enjoy a little game show style competition, with this fun date night!

Go Karaoke

The best part about a karaoke date is you can literally show up and have fun! Create your playlist together, try a duet, and enjoy some laughter with this perfect last-minute date idea.

Ride Bikes

There’s something so fun and easy about a bike ride during great weather months that just makes for the best date! You get bonus points if you ride to dinner or around a scenic location.

Take a Yoga Class

If you could use a little zen your life, get some inspiration from a local yoga studio! Just register and show up for a fun and active date.

Bring the Zen Home 

We’re going to guess the reason you need a no-prep, simple date is that your life is pretty stressful right now. And a couple’s massage is a great option! Help each other unwind physically and mentally by giving each other a neck massage and guided meditation. Additionally, if you’re not feeling capable of doing this alone, you can also find how-tos on YouTube.

Simple Date Night Ideas

Go Get Ice Cream.

Or maybe frozen yogurt, or another quick refreshing treat. It’s always a fun date night, and it’s one you can fit in between all the busy activities or even teenage schedules.

Review the Book, Articles, and Videos on the Five Love Languages and Discuss.

Take advantage of this slower moment to discuss how you and your spouse can effectively communicate and demonstrate your love for each other by reviewing the Five Love Languages. If you don’t have the book, you can also read articles and watch videos online that cover the basics. See our Five Love Languages Date Night with a free printable. 

Have a Bookstore Date

Go to your local bookstore and spend some time pursuing books and magazines together. You can share favorite books from your childhood, your last great read, or find a new recipe to make together.

Order Dessert Only at Your Favorite Restaurant.

If it’s a last-minute date you want to get in before the day is over, try shaking up the traditional dinner date by going just for dessert! We often skip dessert after eating a large, delicious entrée. Additionally, dessert is also a great option because you can go after the busier hours.

Make a Simple Dessert at Home

You can go simple like making cookies or grab a brownie mix for this date. There’s something about a freshly baked treat that makes a great easy date. It’s one of our favorite first date ideas too!

Binge-watch a tv show together.

Netflix and chill is a favorite of all at-home date night ideas for a reason. It’s easy, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect excuse to cuddle on the couch. 

Have a Movie Marathon

Do you have a favorite movie that has a sequel? Set yourself up for a double feature with a movie marathon at home. Order pizza, grab some soda (or beer if it’s your thing) and make a comfy movie night in feel like a special simple date.

Take a Cooking Class

Sign up for a cooking class at a local culinary school. You’ll learn to make a new recipe, how to handle different ingredients, and work on recipes with the supervision of a professional chef. The class feels so romantic and special, but it’s very simple to just book the class and show up!

And if you don’t have one in your hometown, try a meal kit or an online cooking class as a great alternative.

Do you have any other really simple date ideas that you’ve loved? We’d love to hear what you did! Share it with everyone else in search of simple ideas in the comments!

Like these simple Date Nights? You’ll find even more easy date ideas in these posts too:

52 Completely Free Date Ideas to Do this Year

50 Spring Date Ideas

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40 Cute Date Ideas