Creative Date Ideas To Try This Year

A walk along a white sandy beach followed by a candle-lit dinner might be many people’s idea of the perfect date, but there are so many other possibilities! Here at Bonbon Fusion, we love games, adventures and shared activities and so had great fun exploring novel date ideas to help break the ice or enjoy some downtime with that someone special. 

If you're a bookworm, an outdoor enthusiast or an art lover, we've got some very cool suggestions for you! In this blog, we'll be diving into creative and unconventional date ideas that are sure to capture your imagination. From cosy bookshop dates to romantic picnics, captivating aquarium and museum visits, we've got something for everyone. Read on for some real inspiration for your next dating experience!

Bookshop Dates: For the Literary Lovers

If you and your date share a passion for books and all things literary, a bookshop date is a perfect choice. It's not just about perusing the shelves and picking out your favourite reads; it's an opportunity to connect on a deeper level over your mutual love for reading … and perhaps embark on a literary adventure together! Plus, it’s always fun to discover a new section, which can often happen when two readers share favourites. Fantasy and sci-fi, rather than historical fiction – why not?

Start by researching local bookshops in your area that exude a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Independent bookstores generally boast a unique selection of books and have a welcoming ambiance that will transport you into a world of imagination. Many also house cafés and sitting areas, which highlight the fact that there’s no rush. Bookshops are among those places, like ice-cream shops and day spas, that are designed to make you feel good! 

Fullers Bookshop in Hobart, Readings in Melbourne and Avid Reader in Brisbane are among our favourites. Their wide selection of books is one thing, and then there’s that feeling of relaxation as you walk through the door!

Once you've found the perfect spot, it’s time to plan a date around it!

Try kicking off your date by grabbing a coffee or tea or chai (or whatever takes your fancy) from the bookstore's café or a café nearby (assuming refreshments while browsing is OK) and settling into a cosy nook with your partner. Browse the shelves together, share your favourite books, and recommend good reads to each other. You can even pick out books for each other to read and discuss them later (a bit like an intimate book club!).

Any why not take your bookshop date to the next level by checking if the bookstore hosts book readings or signing events and attending one (or more) together? It's a fantastic way to immerse yourselves in the literary world and bond over your mutual love for books. There’s really no end to sharing the joy of reading!

Date Picnic Ideas: For the Outdoor Enthusiasts

If you and your partner or friend enjoy spending time in nature and relish the idea of a romantic picnic, then a date picnic is an excellent choice. It's a simple yet thoughtful way to create a special moment and spend time in each other's company amid the splendour of the great outdoors. In fact, even if you don’t usually gravitate towards nature settings, why not give it a try? Australia’s climate is perfect for it, plus you can find a place where Pooch can come along, too!

Start by selecting a picturesque location and one that’s not too busy. It tends to take away from the personal touch if you’re surrounded by lots of other people! It could be a local park with lush greenery, a beach cove with the sound of crashing waves, or an accessible hiking trail with breathtaking views. Pack a delicious spread of your favourite snacks, sandwiches, and refreshing drinks. Or, if you’re out to impress, try filling the picnic basket with some delicious home-made creations. We love many of the Women’s Weekly’s 38 ‘hottest picnic food ideas’, particularly those with high easy-to-eat value! Try the (pasty-lookalike) broccoli and cheese hand pies, mushroom and tomato tarts, and easy vanilla cupcakes.

Don't forget to pack a picnic blanket and some comfortable small cushions to sit or lean on. If you’re yet to discover the waterproof-backed picnic blanket, you’re in for a nice surprise! They prevent moisture seep and keep your blanket free from dirt and leaves. They’re designed to fold easily, too, so are easily portable and great for camping as well. Also check out Mum’s Grapevine who’ve come up with Australia’s best picnic blankets in 2023.

As you set up your picnic spot, let nature be your backdrop as you enjoy each other's company. Relax over a leisurely meal, engage in heart-warming conversations, and take in the beauty of the surroundings. You can also bring along some games, like frisbee or a deck of cards, to add an extra layer of enjoyment to your date. And, of course, we’d highly recommend sharing a pack of Bonbon Fusion Date Night crackers for an extra special fun and unique experience for two!

If you plan your picnic for late afternoon or evening, you can lie under the stars and enjoy some romantic stargazing as the sun goes down. Is there anything better than looking up at the magnificence of a star-studded sky? In so many ways, a date picnic is perfect for disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnecting with that someone special in the serenity of nature.

Creative Date Night Ideas: For the Artistic Souls

If you and your partner appreciate art in any of its many forms, a creative date night is a fantastic way to explore your artistic side together. From painting to pottery, there are endless possibilities to unleash your imagination and create something meaningful together.

Consider taking a painting or pottery class together. Look for local art studios that offer couples' classes or workshops. Painting lessons are really popular right now and there are lots of ‘Paint & Sip’ options. If you’re in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, check out Cork & Chroma, which offers group classes, as well as private tête-a-tête sessions – perfect for a date with a difference! You don't have to be experienced artists; it's all about having fun and expressing yourselves creatively. Plus, you’ll end up with personal keepsakes of a date to remember!

Or why not get your hands dirty and spend time together shaping clay into unique pottery pieces? And if you’re a novice, ‘unique’ is the operative word! There’s bound to be hours of fun ahead as you hand build or use a potter’s wheel to create a would-be perfectly proportioned bowl or plate or two! 

The joy is in embracing the process and enjoying one another’s company. Regardless of its level of finesse, your artwork will be significantly enhanced with a special (or maybe humorous) message or dedication to your partner!

If you're feeling more adventurous, consider trying out other forms of art, such as glassblowing, candle making, or even a DIY craft project. Get inspired by each other's creativity and explore new artistic mediums together. There are some wonderful opportunities available through Meetup, AirBnB Experiences and Trip Advisor. Like a lampshade making workshop, which a friend and I recently did – such fun!

To add a touch of romance to your creative date night, consider setting up a cosy and artsy ambiance. Light some candles, play soft music, and sip on some wine or champagne as you immerse yourselves in some drawing or a DIY project. This takes your date night beyond the traditional candle-lit dinner and leaves you with beautiful memories and a meaningful art piece or two to cherish.

Aquarium Dates and Museum Dates: For the Curious Explorers

If you and your partner love to learn and explore new things, an aquarium or museum date is a fantastic choice. It's a chance to immerse yourselves in a world of knowledge, discovery, and wonder as you explore the mysteries of the deep sea or the marvels of art, history, or science.

Start by researching local aquariums or museums in your area and choose one that grabs your attention. There are often special exhibitions or events that can add an extra element of excitement to your date. 

This month in Brisbane, for example, the ‘Monet in Paris’ exhibition opened (and it’s on tour Australia-wide in 2023). An innovative take on the traditional art exhibition, it's promoted as “an immersive multi-sensory art experience combining high definition projections of Monet and the famous Impressionist paintings with digital surround sound.” There are over 3,000 digital images on display – so many conversation starters and points for discussion or debate! If you’re a French Impressionist enthusiast, what better way to share the love? (Other than going to France, of course!)

To make your aquarium or museum date even more special, consider arranging for a behind-the-scenes tour or a special guided tour. Not just for celebrities or the rich and famous, personalised tours are offered in many aquariums and museums. 

Take the highly-popular Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart, for example, which has private tours conducted with an expert local guide and includes all costs (transport, entry, etc.). You can just relax and enjoy each other’s company while appreciating the incredible and far-from-mainstream art. By the way, if you’ve never been to MONA (and as a bit of a plug from this Tasmanian-born blogger), it’s an amazing place and beyond description – “Anything we say to describe Mona will date quickly, given we are constantly changing our mind about what Mona is”! 

Whatever venue and exhibition you choose, take your time to read, observe and discuss the wealth of information and artefacts on display. Ask each other questions, share interesting facts, and you might find you spark an intellectual conversation, if that’s your thing! You can even create a friendly competition by challenging each other to an artefact hunt or quiz (find the oldest antiquity, locate X artist’s earliest work, discover the most endangered sea creature in the aquarium …).

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It was the search for more exciting and entertaining dating experiences that motivated Bonbon Fusion Director Nick McLean to design and create his range of Date Night crackers. These crackers are sure to add that extra something and element of fun to your date with someone special!

Snap the crackers… solve a mini jigsaw puzzle… find a hidden code… unlock a gift box and discover a special keepsake! And, to cap it off, there’s also a fun conversation starter in each bonbon!