Whether it’s your first date ever, or just your first date with a new person, these special nights can be nerve-wrecking. You want to make sure you get along with this person, you hope they like you, you hope you end up liking them, and there’s just so much that can go wrong. The trick is to not take it too seriously, which is easier said that done.
Here’s the truth: You’re going to have many great dates throughout your life, and you’re going to have some complete disaster dates. It’s okay to have a bad date, it’s not the end of the world. Just make sure you’re meeting someone you know, your friend’s or family know where you are, and you know that you never have to give into any pressure to do anything you don’t want to do, and you don’t have to put up with anything that makes you uncomfortable.
Now that I’ve reminded you of those important facts, here are some ideas of things you can do for a first date that will help you get to know the person you’re dating, while also minimizing the chances for awkward moments. Here are some first date ideas for teens that are worth considering.
4. Lunch, coffee, tea, etc…
You don’t have to make a while night out of it. If it’s your first time going out alone with this person, you can always just grab lunch (more casual than dinner, less expectations, less pressure, shorter time, etc.) If things go great, awesome, plan a second date. If you aren’t having a good time, you can get out of there in about 45 minutes flat. If you have a nice time at lunch, you can always plan to go for a walk, sit in a park, or watch a movie or something spontaneously after if you both have time. If not, just say that you have to get home for dinner or that you have plans in the evening with your friends, or just tell the truth that you aren’t really interested in continuing the date. Honestly, if you can just be frank and upfront like that, it might rub some people the wrong way but anyone who is mature enough to be dating should also be mature enough to appreciate someone who is being straightforward and doesn’t want to waste their time.
Grabbing a coffee or a tea is even more casual than lunch, and it gives you a chance to chat for a bit and spend time with your date on your first date, without having to dedicate hours and it’s good for all of the same reasons as lunch.
3. A Walk, hike, etc…
Doing something active is a good way to improve your mood on the date, to loosen up, and to share in a shared interest of being active. If you already know this person, a nice hike is a good option, but hikes can last for an hour or two or even longer, so you don’t want to end up on a long hike with someone, if you get tired of spending time with them after hiking an hour away, you’ll have to keep them company for at least that much longer on the way back. Yikes!
Walks around the park, or even going on a walk near their place or your place is a quick date, and it ties in nicely with grabbing a coffee and whatnot.
2. A Movie Date
Movie dates are pretty classic. They give you enough time before the movie to chat for a bit and get that initial awkwardness out of the way, and they give you an easy chance to hold hands or cuddle a bit, if both people want to. It’s an easy way to show that you’re interested in someone.
After the movie, you can chat for a bit, and you’ll have something to talk about thanks to the movie you just saw. It gives you some easy conversation.
Some people don’t like movie dates because you’re spending a lot of the time in silence as you watch the movie, but it’s still a shared experience where you’re close to them, and there’s time before and after the movie to get to know them, so this isn’t the worst first date idea in the world, especially if you already know them at least casually like if you have some mutual friends or you go to the same school or whatever.
1. Mini Golf
Mini golf is another classic first date idea. When you’re a teenger, you’re just a little bit too old for mini golf to a point where it’s still fun as in, doing something for kids type of fun, even when you know you’re a bit old for it. You’re still not so old for it that you’re actually too old, either. Does that make sense? Either way, you probably know what I mean!
Mini golf makes a solid first date idea for teenagers because you’re doing something together, it’s somewhat competitive but nobody really cares if they win or lose, either. It gives you some insight into how someone’s personality might be, if they take the game way too seriously or if they’re able to take a silly little game and make it fun. If they can do that, they’re probably somebody who can make all sorts of things fun, and that’s always a good characteristic of a partner.
Final Thoughts on First Date Ideas for Teenagers
Just find something you like to do, the best first date ideas for teenagers are activities that you’ll both enjoy, sometimes trying something new or maybe an old favorite activity, and just making sure this person is good company. The first date is like a first audition, if it goes well then they can earn a second audition with you. If you don’t have a great time, or you aren’t getting along, or something just feels off – move on! There will be plenty more first dates for you.
