13 Fun First Date Ideas for College Students
Between trying to balance school, a social life, a job, and dating, starting relationships in college can be a challenge. Luckily, planning the first date doesn’t have to be! Try these fun first date ideas for college students:
1. Geo-caching
Impress your date with a fun and unique activity like geo-caching, which is basically a real life treasure hunt. It’s sure to be entertaining and gives you time to work together and get to know one another.
2. Make a meal together
Get together and cook a tasty meal, then enjoy! To make the date a little longer, start by going to the grocery store to buy ingredients. Just make sure to check if your date has any allergies.
3. Unique three-course meal
Make your own three (or more) course meal by going to different restaurants! Eat appetizers at one, dinner at the next, and dessert at a different place. You can always do it on the cheap by going to a food court or by trying a few different food trucks!
4. Board games
Work together to learn how to play a new game, or have fun playing your favorite games!
5. Bowling
This seems cliché, but I love bowling dates! It’s a great opportunity to break the ice with your date - if the conversation is awkward, you’ll have to get up to bowl momentarily, and if you run out of things to talk about, talk about the game!
6. Trampoline park
This one is pretty casual, but lots of fun! If the trampoline park goes well, take your date out for a meal afterwards!
7. Laser tag
Get a group of friends to all find dates and play laser tag!
8. Dance
Whether it’s a school-sponsored event, or something else, take your date to dinner and get to know them, then go to a dance! There are some dance studios that will even teach a few dances step by step before the actual dance event starts.
9. Service project
This is a unique and fun idea! Many universities have clubs that do community service. Volunteering at a shelter or helping build houses can give you a chance to really get to know your date, and help your community at the same time!
10. Go on a walk
Take your date on a casual walk through a park, or on an easy hike. If it’s not against the rules of the park, bring bread to feed the ducks or pigeons, or begin or end the walk with a picnic!
11. Stargazing
Pack a blanket and some snacks and take a date stargazing. Download a constellation app so you can try to locate constellations together. Bonus: sharing a phone a screen is a good excuse to get a little closer.
12. Arts and crafts
Choose an artsy activity that allows you to talk to and get to know your date and show off some creativity. Get some inexpensive supplies and look up how-to videos on YouTube, or find a local paint your own pottery place or canvas painting night.
13. Attend a local carnival or festival
Check Facebook for any free events nearby! Lots of cities have cultural events like the Greek food festival or the Indian food festival. You may also find some local carnivals or fairs to wander around. Explore something new and remember to hold hands so you don’t get lost in the crowd.