If you're anything like me, you're constantly at a loss for new and interesting date ideas. Seriously, I love dinner and a movie as much as the next girl but every now and then you need something a little more exciting. Petals n Buds staff think there is nothing wrong with the quintessential standard dinner date but think if you consider yourself spontaneous and maybe even ‘above average’ in the realm of candidates for dating you may want to put a twist in your dating ops. And we have come up with a few ideas to get you thinking.

Start a Water Fight

Grab some water guns at your local dollar store and have a water gun fight. This is a fun outdoor activity in which you can play hide and seek, run around like kids, and generally have a fun time. Opt for water balloons and pelt each other with them. Get silly together.

Go On a Pick-nick

A tried and true, but often overlooked date option. Pack up your picnic basket, add a bottle of wine, and choose a great spot. To make it more interesting, choose an ethnic cuisine, do a breakfast, or moonlight picnic.

Go Wine Tasting

We have a tone of really good wineries around the Saanich Peninsula. Try Church and state Wines Victoria, Symphony Winery, Invinity Sparkling Winehouse, and Roost Farm Winery and Bakery. Try taking a tour of two or three in one day. 30 min max each stop. Go with another couple just make sure you have a designated driver.

Do a Game night –with stakes

Have a game night with stakes set ahead of time. You could play anything, a game of cards, board games, or even a video game. The stakes could be something like “looser has to send a box of pizza to your work place the following week. Or introduce you to their best friend first etc. Whatever you want it to be. These are just ideas.

Stargaze during a meteor shower

Sometimes meteor showers start very early in the morning like 3:00am so let your date know to get some rest, you be there to pick them up (pajama and all) with a blanket. Use the free Sky Map app to see which constellations and planets you’re looking at in the night sky in front of you.

Prefer a more professional venue? Visit a Victoria’s Center of the Universe.

At home themed dinner and a movie night

Choose which cuisine you and your partner would like to make together (Mexican, Italian, Asian, Thai, etc.) and pick a dish to make at home. Watch a free movie at home.

Dance Lesson

You can slow dance or learn how to do a specific kind of dance with your partner. Try Afro-Latin Dance lessons by Latin Victoria or Bachata Kiz Salsa with BaKiSaDance.

Go to a local museum

Check out what’s on at the BC Royal Museum, or what is exhibiting at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Museums give you a chance to get out, walk around, learn some new things, and enjoy spending time together. Plan an afternoon wandering around the exhibits. If Art isn’t your thing, try a Science, History, or visit Victoria Castles and historic sites Hatley Park, Craigdarroch Castle, Royal Roads University, or the Government House.

Look for Treasure

Browse antique stores, flea markets, secondhand shops, or yard. You don’t have to buy; just looking is fun. Victoria tends to offer a lot of fanciful and antique finds. One of Petals n Buds favorite thrift stores are Langford ReStore and Good Things Consignments in Oak Bay.

Do a restaurant tour

Especially buy tickets for Dine-Around-Victoria January 20 – February 5^th 2023 Start with cocktails and appetizers at a restaurant with a bar or lounge, head somewhere different for the main course and finish up some place else with fabulous desserts.

Rent bicycles

Rent bicycles on Douglas Street downtown Victoria or try. Step it up by renting some old-fashioned bicycles or a two-seater bike and go on a biking tour of your area. There are often organized bike tours or routes already mapped out for you at Cycle BC Rental and Tours on Humbolt Street.

Rent a boat for the afternoon

Try the Hot Tub Boat in Sidney or rent a rowboat, paddle-boat, or kayak at Ocean River Paddle Shack in Oak Bay.

Amusement Park

Saanich Fair is the best time ever and comes to Victoria in September. Ride roller coasters, eat cotton candy, get your picture taken in the photo booth, try your hand at some carnival games, and check out the view from the top of the Ferris wheel.

Broaden your dinner horizons

Some of Petals n Buds favorites are 10 Acres Bistro, Vista 18, and Beach House. Choose a new restaurant you have never been to, pick a small lesser known restraint such as Sushi Victoria in Esquimalt, or Baan Thai. Do a place neither of you have ever tried. Bonus points if it’s a different ethnic cuisine than you normally eat.

Mini Golf

Old-fashioned fun, friendly competition and inexpensive, what’s not to love.

Bingo

There is a reason it’s an elderly lady’s game of choice. Playing bingo is more fun than you might think. Find a local community organization, buy your cards and get ready to shout “Bingo!”

Outdoor Games

Engage in some friendly outdoor competition. Have a date at the driving range, batting cages, or go-kart track, try Out-door Frisbe Golf.

Dinner Theater

interactive murder mystery-type dinner shows have become very popular. Good food, lively entertainment, and fun. A perfect date combination. Chemainus Theatre has shows and dinner you will enjoy.