15 Relaxing Date Ideas for Connection & Self-Care

A chill date is one of the best ways to unwind while connecting with your significant other or a new crush. Below, we’ll share fun, relaxing date ideas, including a food tour, a DIY spa night, and visiting a botanical garden.

The date ideas below are sorted by interest: enjoying food and drinks, getting creative, staying at home, or going outdoors. There are many unique ideas to unwind together, whether you're planning a daytime or evening date.

Relaxing Date Ideas for Foodies

If you like trying or preparing delicious food and drinks, a foodie date is the perfect way to spend time together.

1. Take a cooking class

One of the best bonding activities is cooking together. An in-person cooking class is ideal because everything you need will be available for you, while a virtual cooking class lets you enjoy your date night at home.

Learn how to cook a delicious meal, work as a team, and then enjoy your food together! Whether you're making pasta or sushi from scratch or trying out a new dessert, cooking together can be a fun and memorable experience.

2. Join a guided food tour

If you enjoy good food but don’t want to cook, a food tour is a great date for foodies! The best part is you don’t have to do any of the work to find great places to eat. 

With a food tour, your guide will take you to the best restaurants in your area to enjoy delicious food for lunch or dinner. Most cities offer local food tours, but if yours doesn’t, you could take a day trip somewhere nearby.

3. Go to a farmers market

One of our favorite relaxing date ideas during the day is visiting a local farmers market. You can sample fresh produce, try local treats, and enjoy the atmosphere together. You might also shop for fresh ingredients to cook dinner together after your farmers market date.

4. Get ice cream

Going out for ice cream is the perfect low-pressure date. It’s a classic date idea and an easy way to enjoy time together without coordinating an extravagant activity. Enjoy ice cream at a local shop or get it to go for a walk or to eat while relaxing in a nearby park. 

Relaxing Date Ideas for Creatives

Getting creative is a unique way to calm the mind and spend quality time together.

5. Take a paint and sip class

A paint and sip class is a fun way to get creative without much pressure. These classes offer all the materials you need and step-by-step instructions for a painting.

Most paint and sip classes allow you to bring your own drinks, while others have an on-site bar. Enjoy a drink while you paint and create a new memory together. Then, you get to take your artwork home with you to remember the experience!

6. Make pottery

Making pottery is a fun, hands-on activity where you can mold and shape clay into personalized ceramic pieces. 

Not only is pottery a great way to express your artistic side, but it also promotes teamwork. You can help each other out, share ideas, and create something special that reflects both of your styles.

7. Set up a scavenger hunt

Get creative and surprise your date with a scavenger hunt you can join them for. Plan a few spots to go to, and don’t forget to include a relaxing place, like a park or day spa. You can also go to a place or two that’s connected to a special memory, like your first date or a favorite spot.

To plan your scavenger hunt, give them a note at each location that gives clues for the next. For example, you might start at home and give them a note leading them to your favorite coffee shop. From there, your note can lead them to the next place. Make a few stops until you get to the final date spot.

8. Make cocktails

Making cocktails is a creative way to relax and enjoy drinks together. You can make cocktails at home with your own recipe or use a ready-made cocktail kit. There may also be a cocktail-making class in your area. 

Relaxing Date Ideas at Home

Staying in can be just as fun and romantic as going out, and who doesn’t love a cozy night in? 

9. Have a DIY spa day

Pamper yourselves with an at-home spa day. You can create a relaxing atmosphere with soft music, a candle, and cozy robes. 

Take a relaxing bath, give each other massages, and do facials. This is one of the best ways to unwind and spend quality time together, especially if you don't have the energy to go out for a date night.

10. Enjoy a backyard picnic

If the weather is nice, a backyard picnic is the perfect way to get outdoors without leaving home. You can lay out a blanket and have a picnic or snacks. 

If you’d rather stay indoors, you can create a picnic vibe in your living room with blankets and pillows on the floor.

11. Have a self-care night

A self-care night allows you to be intentional about relaxing together. This is one of the simplest relaxing date ideas that can make a big difference in your individual well-being and your connection with each other.

The following can help you have a successful self-care date night at home:

• Block the time off in your calendar
• Turn off technology
• Make refreshing drinks and snacks
• Choose one to three relaxing activities (e.g., reading, yoga, meditation, skincare)

12. Go indoor camping

Indoor camping is one of our favorite ways to relax at home together. Set up your space with a tent or fort, lanterns or candles, and cozy blankets and pillows. Spend the evening playing games, sharing stories, and cuddling.

Outdoor Relaxing Date Ideas

Spending time in nature without distractions can be a peaceful way to spend time together, whether you’re going on a first date or reconnecting with your significant other.

13. Go on a walk

Walks are ideal for an affordable, relaxing date that doesn’t require much planning. It’s perfect if you want to bring your pet along, too! Walk around your neighborhood or stroll through a local park. Add to the experience by grabbing a coffee to enjoy on your walk or finish with a picnic.

14. Watch the sunset

Watching the sunset is a romantic way to unwind together. Do a bit of research beforehand to know what time the sun sets and to find the best place in your area for sunset views. Add to the romance by bringing a bottle of champagne to sip on with your date. 

15. Visit a Botanical Garden

Enjoy a unique nature experience exploring plants and flowers at a botanical garden. If there’s not one in your area, this could be a fun opportunity for a day trip. Botanical gardens are peaceful spaces that usually have benches where you can relax and chat.

Relaxing Date Ideas: Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful and are excited to plan a relaxing date together! Whether you’re looking to enjoy good food and drinks, get creative, stay at home, or get outdoors, there’s something for all couples to enjoy.