Summer is here and we are so excited about it! Warm summer dates are the best and we've put together five ideas for you. So, grab your favorite gal or guy and go have some FUN! It's time to create some Summer 2021 memories.
VOLUNTEERING DATE
This idea could be anything from playing with animals at your local shelter or serving meals at a nearby soup kitchen. You could also take advantage of the many virtual volunteer opportunities available: Tarjimly is a free app that connects refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers with multilingual volunteers via video chat; By the People is a crowdsourcing initiative from the Library of Congress in which citizen archivists transcribe field notes, diaries, manuscripts, and other historical documents; and Be My Eyes is a free app that connects visually impaired people who need assistance with everyday tasks (think: reading an expiration date) with sighted volunteers through live video chat.
OUTDOOR MOVIE
Many local parks and community centers play outdoor movies during the summer months—or, you may even be lucky enough to have a drive-in theater close by. Bonus points if an action or scary movie is playing—these types of films elevate your heart rate, which can increase feelings of attraction and love, says Marisa T. Cohen, an associate professor of psychology and author of From First Kiss to Forever.
FOOD TRUCK DATE
Gone are the days when food trucks only offered hot dogs and pretzels. They've become a nationwide trend in recent years, offering people a casual way to try the tastiest (and trendiest) snacks in your city or town. As you take turns sampling a lobster roll or Korean taco, you can combine the charge of trying something new together with the benefits of shared physical activity—consider walking or biking for this date!
LAZY (or not so lazy) RIVER
A leisurely float gives you and your partner time to get to know each other better (why not play a round of "never have I ever?) while beating the heat. Make a picnic out of it with help from a floating cooler. Alternately, you can add a little thrill and spike those oxytocin levels by seeking a river that gets mildly choppy with rapids.
STARGAZING
"Sometimes the most beneficial thing a couple can do for their relationship is to allow each other to stop overthinking, overdoing, and just be," says Fraley. Something as simple as heading to a dark spot and looking up at the night sky can be an incredibly romantic experience. (For help spotting planets, stars, and constellations, we recommend downloading a stargazing app, like SkySafari, Star Tracker, or SkyView.)
Oprah Daily
