85 first date ideas for teens

If you’re looking for first date ideas for teens that aren’t awkward or embarrassing, or you’re a mom or dad wanting to help your teen have a fun date that’s still within your comfort zone, this list is for you.

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So maybe you’ve been thinking about that boy or girl a LOT lately. And you’re wondering about how you can ask them out on a date with a suggestion that’s bound to have them saying yes (as if you weren’t enough!).

Or maybe you’re about to have that first date. And although you thought the hardest part was seeing if they would date you in the first place, now you’re wondering what exactly you’re going to do to make sure your first date is not your last.

Here you’ll find 85 suggestions for first date ideas for teens like you. They’re grouped into various categories to fit you and your date the best. The reality is, you’re going to feel nervous before your date so picking something within your comfort zone will help relieve some of those nerves.

In addition, these date ideas have been selected because they fit the first date criteria – they give you something to do so there’s not a lot of awkward silences, and as such they’ll also help you get to know one another. They are also safe activities which will help everyone feel more comfortable.

You may also like: Date ideas for teens (aged 13-15).

Active first date ideas

If you and your date are the kinds of people who love to be active, then these first date ideas for teens are a good choice.

Some are more casual and can be an easy introduction into getting to know one another better, like going for a run or doing a workout.

Others, like having a game of table tennis or mini-golf can bring out your competitive side.

1. Go bowling
2. Fly a kite
3. Shoot some hoops or play frisbee
4. Go on a bike ride
5. Go to a water park
6. Race each other on go karts
7. Check out a trampoline park
8. Do a workout together
9. Go for a surf
10. Play table tennis
11. Go for a run together
12. Go mini golfing
13. Go ice skating or roller skating
14. Play darts
15. Try stand up paddle boarding

At home first date ideas

Having your first date at home has pluses and minuses.

Pluses can be that it’s less formal as you are at your place (a study date for example) and your parents can provide low key supervision.

Negatives can be that it’s less formal as you are at your place and your parents can provide low key supervision!

Some of these ideas involve a bit of prep but are lots of fun and involve you working together: the mystery date night being a perfect example of this.

1. Have a themed movie night
2. Set up a backyard movie night
3. Have a study date
4. Build some legos
5. Solve a mystery
6. Do a jigsaw puzzle together

Creative first date ideas

If you and / or your date are the creative types, then these first date ideas for teens will give you a prime opportunity to express those creative sides while getting to know each other more. Depending on your creative bent (the arts, music or making things) some options will work better than others.

1. Have a photo shoot contest
2. Learn a song together (a super cute date idea for teens)
3. Make a short film
4. Decorate a clothing item together
5. Take a class together
6. Do a DIY tutorial on You tube

Event first date ideas

If you’re super nervous about your first date then consider picking an event to attend. This will help in several ways: the experience will be time-bound, with a clear beginning and end, and it will also have a focus that is off you and on something else.

If you’re still at high school and worried about getting teased by your peers, then school events may not be the right fit. In that instance, consider checking out what events are on in the community.

1. Go watch a school sports team
2. Check out your local high school’s drama production
3. Go to a musical
4. Attend a live sports event
5. Go to an outdoor concert
6. Attend a free lecture
7. Hear an author talk

Food-related first date ideas

Including food into your first date is a great idea – making something to eat gives you something to do and is lots of fun – and then you have the bonus of eating it!

These first date ideas for teens are all focused around food from no skill level at all (purely eating!) to more challenging (make your own pizza). They also range in price.

1. Have an ice cream date at your favorite ice cream parlor
2. Make s’mores together
3. Go berry picking
4. Have a picnic (check out these ideas for romantic picnic foods)
5. Bake cookies
6. Go out for brunch
7. Take a cooking class
8. Depending on the season, make hot chocolate or ice cream
9. Go to an all you can eat taco night
10. Hang out at the coffee shop
11. Make DIY pizzas
12. Try a cuisine neither of you have ever had
13. Visit a tea room
14. Grab take-out then eat it at the park

Free or cheap first date ideas

The reality is that most of us aren’t super-flush with cash in our teens. These ideas are either completely free or cost only a small amount – and yet they are still fun and memorable ways to spend your first date.

1. Go thrift store shopping
2. Go to the library (try a modified version of date night at the library)
3. Walk in the park or local botanical gardens
4. Go to a museum
5. Go to a local swimming hole ( a great summer date idea for teens)
6. Hang out at the pool
7. Learn some local history (take a town tour)
8. Walk the dog
9. Spend the day at the beach
10. Go to the mall
11. Take your dog to the dog park

Fun first date ideas

If you and / or your date love to have fun, then these first date ideas for teens will give you many hours of entertainment. Even after all these years, I’m still a big fan of playing at the park, which has the extra bonus of being free.

Alternatively, check out an amusement park for some adrenaline-filled activities.

1. Visit an amusement park
2. Play video games
3. Go to an arcade
4. Play at the park
5. Visit a state fair
6. Play cards
7. If it’s the right time of year, check out a haunted attraction (here’s the best in Texas, California and Illinois)

Romantic first date ideas

On the opposite side, if you’d rather go for romance than a racing heart, these first date ideas are super romantic.

1. Have a bonfire at the beach
2. Go to an observatory and watch the stars
3. Watch wind surfers at the beach
4. Look through old photos (choose with caution!)
5. Watch the sunset together

Unique first date ideas

Finally, maybe you’ve been searching for a first date idea that’s as unique as the person you’re asking out. In this instance, these ideas might work for you.

1. Have a mystery date – put a list of possibilities in a jar and commit to doing the first one you draw out
2. Do 5 random acts of kindness
3. Have a minute to win it challenge
4. Go to a drop in meditation class
5. Get your aura read
6. Visit the zoo
7. Get your palms read / a tarot card reading
8. Learn the latest dance craze and video yourself doing it
9. Visit the aquarium
10. Share your favorite hobby
11. Do a mini road trip
12. Take a trip on a ferry
13. Go to a famous local attraction neither of you have ever been to
14. Try an escape room

Final thoughts

Out of all the things in the world, the first date is perhaps the most full of excitement and uncertainty. You think – you hope – there’s a connection between the two of you but now is the time to find out if you’re right.

Whether or not your first date is the beginning of a long-lasting love story, or an experience best saved for telling embarrassing stories with your friends, will of course depend on much more than what you choose to do on this date.

However, these first date ideas for teens will hopefully give you some inspiring ideas for making the experience both easier on the nerves and more memorable.