Want inspiration for a fun, adventurous night on the town? Skip the same ol’ dinner-and-a-movie date night that you’re used to and trade it for a couple’s scavenger hunt. With these scavenger hunt date night ideas, you can reconnect in the fun and carefree way that you once did.

There are two ways you can make this date night happen.

We say, plan them both!

One lends itself to more spontaneity and the other takes some advance work to make worthwhile.

Team Scavenger Hunt

This scavenger hunt is one that you and your spouse will complete as a team. First, sit down as a couple and brainstorm fun things you want to “hunt” for on your date night. The idea is to choose things that are slightly obscure so they are more fun to find.

Once you have a list, you’re ready to go! Decide where you can drive to find the items and then hit the road. Up the ante by making a bet on who can spot the most scavenger hunt items first. The loser has to cook dinner the next night – winner’s choice!

Bonus: you can do this without spending a lot of extra money. Date night on a budget? Yes, please! All it costs is gas money to drive around. You can bring snacks to eat in the car or pack a picnic to stop and enjoy along the way. This scavenger hunt is a great way to bring some of the carefree fun you had together when your relationship was new.

Ideas for your list:

• Payphone/telephone booth
• Person holding flip phone
• Something neither of you has ever eaten
• Street sign that begins with a certain letter
• Particular make/model of car
• Paper job application
• A painting (not just a print of one!)
• Book originally printed in a specific year
• Business sign that displays the time and/or temperature
• Piece of change on the ground
• Vintage toy
• House with their Christmas lights still up
• Local landmarks

Surprise Scavenger Hunt

This scavenger hunt will take a little more effort. One of you will create a scavenger hunt for the other person. Make it as simple or elaborate as you want and create a series of fun clues that lead to a “prize” at the end.

Why is this scavenger hunt “worth it” for your relationship?

There is so much passion when you first start dating! You “chased” after one another like crazy. You put so much effort into even the simplest of evenings together. Then, as you grew comfortable with one another, the passion you once put in may have slowed down and even stopped – but it shouldn’t!

Make it about your relationship. Create clues that lead to places where you’ve made memories together; maybe a first date, first kiss or where you proposed. Relive some of those moments that your relationship is built on.

Or, make create an elaborate date night. Give your spouse clues that lead to the next step in your date night; you may go to dinner, shopping at their favorite store, out for dessert and then on a moonlit walk in the park.

Engage others in your hunt. If you can plan ahead well enough, leave the clues with a hostess or store attendant. You can also hide clues in locations – keeping in mind that an unsuspecting stranger may happen across it. If you can’t do this, just plan on giving your spouse the next clue once they figure one out.

Puzzles and limericks and word scrambles, oh my! Be sure that the clues aren’t too easy to figure out. The cost of a hint? Maybe you will kiss and tell.

Putting together a scavenger hunt may seem like a lot of work at first, but we promise it’s worth the effort. Spend as much or as little as you want and laugh together as you create new memories that you can enjoy for a lifetime.