28 Winter Date Ideas That’ll Help You Forget About the Cold
Explore winter wonderlands with these adventures.
It’s easy to want to stay under a pile of blankets all winter, cozying up to your crush on the couch. Given the below-freezing or cooler-than-usual temperatures, a day-long movie marathon is an enticing idea. But don’t let the chilly weather keep you from switching date night up every now and then. After all, there are tons of winter date ideas that only come around once a year, and you definitely don’t want to miss an opportunity to hang out with your crush or explore a budding romance just because the weather’s too cold to make a fun plan.
Believe it or not, ice skating isn’t the only cold-weather date idea out there. Take advantage of the winter wonderland and bundle up to go sledding or have a snowball fight. If just the idea of stepping outside runs a shiver down your spine, then bring the fun indoors with a game night or shopping trip at the mall. From December to March, there are so many winter date ideas that you and your crush will enjoy all season long. Here, teens give us a list of the best winter date ideas.
Host a Game Night
Grab a ton of board games and some snacks and invite your crush and some friends over. It's a casual way to get to know your date a little bit better.
Roast S’mores
If you don’t have access to a bonfire pit or a fireplace, the microwave does the trick, too. Roast s’mores, get cozy, and enjoy your tasty dessert as you get away from the cold.
Host a Karaoke Night
Plan a karaoke night and invite all of your friends to sing along. Or, make it a date night with a few other couples. It’ll be the perfect opportunity to sing your favorite songs at the top of your lungs (you’re trying to win!) and have fun.
Watch a Sports Game Together
Plan your next date around an important gaming event, like the Super Bowl — just don’t forget to grab some pizza and wings. And don’t forget to ’gram your cute couple selfie with this one of these perfect Super Bowl captions.
Cook a New Recipe
Even if you’ve never touched a stove, it would be a cool to see if you and your date can nail a new recipe. With two heads working together, you’re bound to end up with something delicious in the end.
Go See a Play
It’s even better than watching something on TV — and the play doesn’t have to be expensive. Check out some of the local theaters or high schools to see if they have any productions coming up.
Make a Gingerbread House
There’s nothing sweeter than bonding over dessert. Pick up some gingerbread cookies, frosting and toppings at the store. You’ll be getting away from the cold, and better yet, you’ll end up with something delicious to eat at the end.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Ready to work up a sweat? Then try indoor rock climbing. Your heart will literally be racing, but it’s so satisfying to see how far up you made it. Plus, there’s a chance to impress your crush.
Take a Painting Class
Get ready to show off your creative side with this cute date idea. Find the closest art studio and paint something to take home with you. You can even work on something to give your parents or your significant other for the holidays!
Go to a Concert
It’s always a good time seeing your favorite band live, and when you see them with your crush? It’s even better. Find out when they’re playing, or, see if there’s someone new in town that you haven’t had a chance to see yet. Either way, it’ll be a memorable date night with great music and company.
Hit Up an Arcade
Who doesn’t love a little competition now and then? Play some games at a local arcade — or, if you’re in some warmer weather, check out a nearby fair — and at the end of the night, you both can pick out a cute prize for each other to remember the day.
Go Sledding
Might as well enjoy the snow while it’s on the ground, and what better way than an old fashioned sled ride?! You both can go down the mountain together — just try not to crash when you hit the bottom.
Check Out a Winter Festival
Chances are your town or a town near you holds a winter festival to celebrate the season at some point. Go check it out and have some fun winning prizes for each other and riding the ferris wheel together.
Hot Chocolate and a Movie
OK, sometimes the best dates really are the most relaxed ones, and what tops a cozy movie marathon? Make a steaming cup of hot cocoa and play one of your favorite flicks for a low-key night in.
Have a Snowball Fight
A snow day doesn’t mean you should be far away from your crush. Meet up together or with some friends and have a blast going against each other in a snowball fight.
Brainstorm a Creative Game
“The holiday season ends up being a crazy time for buying presents. So one year my boyfriend and I did a mad dash at Target. It became a game of who could end up with the best present for $20 in under an hour. It’s fun, creative, and way competitive.” —Stephanie, 21
Hang Out and Chat
Keep the date night chill and simply hang out at someone’s house. The conversation could last all night long, especially if you just started seeing each other. Or, film a funny TikTok together — there’s always a new trend to try.
“I think a good heart-to-heart and hangout sesh is SO underrated.” —Steph, 14
Take a Stroll
A romantic stroll in the snow? Yes please.
“One of my favorite memories is walking by the river with my girlfriend and her friends. The river was so peaceful and serene at night, when it started to snow. Suddenly, looking at her laughing, I thought everything looked beautiful.” —Tina, 21
Have a Bake-Off
Whip up something sweet, but make a little competition out of it with a bake-off. Choose to make the same baked treat, or two different bites, and have a third person (like a friend, sibling, or parent) be the judge.
Go Ice Skating
The ultimate winter date, obvi. Even if you’ve never laced up a pair of skates before, that gives you all the more reason to hang on tight to your S.O.
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