by Mark Wu
Picture this: Your girlfriend wants to go out with her two best friends and their boyfriends – again. Girls love planning group outings involving their significant others, but going on dates with other couples can be pretty hit or miss.
Yes, group dinner dates are enjoyable every once in a while, but once you find yourself playing the “so what do you do?” game with another dude on your sixth dimly lit tapas night, it’s time to suggest some group activities that are fun for you – that the girls will approve of, too.
1. Mixology class: You’ll graduate as a group from drinking vodka cranberries when you sign up for a cocktail making course together. Learn basic bar techniques to craft your own cocktails – and then have a drink or two together to celebrate!
2. Video game night: If you’re just looking for a fun night at home, dig up your old gaming consoles and play some of the classics. Mario Kart on N64 is a guaranteed good time for everyone.
3. Brewery tour: Head to a local brewery to join beer enthusiasts, tourists, and thirsty folks for a behind-the-scenes look at how your favorite local beer is brewed.
4. Shooting range: While definitely not a date in the traditional sense, it’s a date idea you can definitely rally the other guys behind. And it’s always nice to have others around to admire (or commiserate over) your own marksmanship.
5. Wine and cheese party: Have each couple bring over a bottle of wine and a few of their favorite cheese pairings for an easy and delicious night in. Girls love hosting, and you don’t even have to leave the house – just drink and eat cheese.
6. BYOB painting: Channel your inner artist and create your own piece de resistance at your nearest BYOB painting venue. Most painting party spots provide instructors and all of the art supplies – all you need to bring is your own wine.
7. Bowling: Bowling is a classic group activity for a reason: It’s one of the few sports that’s enjoyable even if you’re terrible at it, and the beer and greasy finger food usually makes you forget about all but those strikes.
8. See an outdoor movie: For a group twist on the traditional dinner-and-a-movie, throw together your own picnic baskets and grab a few bottles of wine to take to an outdoor movie. It’s much easier than socializing along a row of seats in a dark movie theater – plus more romantic, too.
9. Go-karting: Put your driving skills to the test with wheel-to-wheel racing at a nearby go-karting center. It’s fun, competitive, and gets the blood pumping.
10. Comedy club: Nothing breaks the ice for an awkward group date like a good laugh. And even if your group isn’t that funny, at least the show will be hilarious.
*Bonus* Minigolfing: One of my best date ideas. Think about it – it’s a low skill game so either one of you can win. It keeps you moving and occupies you with something to do, but also slow enough so that you can talk and flirt with each other. It takes a pretty reasonable amount of time. You can make fun of each other’s bad shots and bond over the great ones. It works great as a 1 on 1 date as well as a group date. Try this bad boy out on your next date!
Photo via Flickr. Creative Commons Attribution No Derivs.
About the author: Mark is a Marketing Manager at Zoosk. He enjoys playing basketball, going clubbing, and watching Jeremy Lin.
Wow what a great article! I can’t wait to take my wives to these events! It sure does get awkward sometimes when there’s more than one couple trying to enjoy themselves!
Hi! I think these are great ideas! Keep it up Zoosk!!
Great ideas! I love video game night…can’t wait to school the other couples..
this is a helpful piece. i think boys these days are pretty lazy about planning interesting outings, whether it’s with groups or 1 on 1….hopefully guys will take note! and girls too
Totally agree with these great ideas. I hate those drab and often all too forgettable conversations over dinner. Guys like learning new things and honing skills in friendly competition. Also an excuse to stay home be able to catch Sunday Night football in HD is golden. Need more practical lists such as these! Bookmarked*
mini golfing is definitely an excellent group date idea! i’ve done this myself and enjoyed it immensely!
also, thanks for posting these other ideas! i think a lot of times couples get lazy about doing more creative things with each other as time goes on….girls and boys should all take note of these alternative outings!
Awesome list of ideas, just in time for my girlfriend’s birthday. Was getting stressed out trying to think of ideas haha.
I’ve been minigolfing a few times and it’s really fun – 2x as fun with another couple!
Great list of group date ideas! The mixology one can get interested, as you can have different types of couples mixology classes. Here are some additional ideas that we’ve found couples really enjoy as well:
1. Wine Mixing Party: As a compliment to the wine & cheese idea, each couple can bring a specific varietal (red or white), and then entire group mix each others varietals to produce their own blend to try.
2. Cooking Class: Group cooking classes are always a fun interactive way to also learn some culinary skills.
3. Dance Classes: What better way to be close to your partner and share in the fun in learning a variety of dance types – salsa, hip hop, etc.
What about outdoors activities?
I also enjoy hiking or a day at the beach!
Love all of these ideas, especially the BYOB painting – that’s new and unique!
? Find someone who isn’t afraid to admit that they miss you. Someone who knows that you’re not perfect, but treats you as if you are. Someone who’s biggest fear is losing you. One who gives their heart completely. Someone who says I love you and means it. Last but not least, find someone who wouldn’t mind waking up with you in the morning, seeing you in wrinkles and your gray hair, but still falls for you all over again ?
? Love is not written on paper, for paper can be erased. Nor is it etched on stone, for stone can be broken. But it is inscribed on a heart and there it shall remain forever. ?
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? Here’s wishing that wonderful deeds
Of the prophet ..Touch you life .. And inspire you to make your life more beautiful ?
؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟Hay a écrit votre nom dans le sable mais les vagues il emporté
J’ai écrit ton nom sur ma main mais je l’ai lavé le lendemain
you forgot about bowling!
excellent list of social dating experiences!
hi
Omg these are great ideas! I’m definitely going to save this list to use sometime soon!
Recently tried BYOB painting – super fun, I highly recommend it
Recently tried BYOB painting – super fun, I highly recommend it
everything is better with wine and cheese!