After getting married and having children, dating can seem a bit pointless. When was the last time you and your spouse planned a date night? For most of our married life, our date ideas in Singapore become less romantic unless you are eating at a fancy restaurant! Let's rekindle your sweet relationship with these simple and affordable but still romantic date ideas!
What to do: 16 date ideas in Singapore
Not only is dating not a waste of time, it doesn't need to be complicated or expensive.
In fact, the best dates are often those which cost your wallet nothing at all! This leaves you free to lavish effort on what really matters: spending time together.
In case your dating skills have gotten a bit rusty, here are some unusual, 100 per cent free date ideas in Singapore that can help reignite the spark in your marriage.
1. Spend an evening reliving the past
To call up the old flame of romance in your marriage, where better to take a trip than down memory lane?
Set aside a quiet evening to look at your old wedding albums together by candlelight!
Share the old-but-gold memories you have of your courtship days and talk about how both of you have changed together. No need to get out of the house and spend a dime!
2. Have a DIY spa night
Put the kids to bed early and spend the rest of the night relaxing with a DIY spa treatment.
Give each other foot rubs and back massages.
Have a long soak in a bubble bath or scrub each other under the shower.
As you do so, tell each other how your week went and feel the stress of the day melt away!
3. Pack a picnic
Put together some sandwiches and anything else you happen to have in your fridge! If you want to take it up a notch, assemble a cute charcuterie board and a bottle of champagne.
There's no need to go all the way to Botanic Gardens for this date, either — if you are strapped for time, the nearest neighbourhood park or rooftop garden will do in a pinch.
Bring a deck of cards or just soak in each other's company.
4. Get craftsy
To reignite the flame of your married life, why not create the perfect memento of it? Spend a night putting together a family scrapbook. Bring out those movie tickets, bottle caps and other things you kept when you started dating and get creative!
Alternatively, write the story of how you met and fell in love, for your future kids and grandkids to read.
5. Go volunteering as a couple
Have you heard of "honey teering" — a trend fast catching on where newlyweds spend their honeymoons volunteering?
Rather than visiting luxurious hotels and paradise beaches, these couples celebrate their romance by fuelling their passion to give to a greater cause.
Couple volunteering in Singapore is a great way for you and your spouse to reflect on the life you've made together with gratitude, and count the blessings of your married life.
You can make a difference in the lives of other children besides your own with the Singapore Children's Society, or help low-income families with Beyond Social Services.
If both of you love animals, why not lend a helping hand at the SPCA?
You can also spend quality time with the elderly at Lions Befrienders or the Dover Park Hospice. This is one of those date ideas in Singapore that are both classy and noble. That's a kind way to spread love.
6. Play some bedroom games
Light the candles, set the mood with some slow tunes, and spend a few hours playing games with a flirty twist. How does strip trivia sound? Truth or Dare and Would You Rather: Bedroom Edition will help you reconnect between the sheets. If you're feeling a little frisky, put some sex toys in the mix.
7. Enjoy a tranquil retreat in rural areas and nature reserves
Visit Kranji Countryside, a rural area with farms and nature reserves. You can explore the local produce, interact with animals, and enjoy a different side of Singapore.
8. Uncover lesser-known museums with fascinating exhibits
If you're both into history, you can visit the lesser-known museums like the Intan, a private home museum dedicated to Peranakan culture or the Changi Museum which tells the story of those who suffered under Japanese occupation during WWII.
9. Embark on an artistic quest to find captivating street art
Explore the vibrant neighbourhoods of Haji Lane and Arab Street, known for their colourful street art and murals. It's a unique way to discover the city's creative side. Bonus tip: you can try new cuisines there too!
10. Explore the beauty of the great outdoors
Singapore's Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is perfect for a date. Walk along the serene pathways, visit the National Orchid Garden, or enjoy a picnic on the vast lawns. It's a no-fail date destination in Singapore.
11. Take a leisurely walk through the charming Seletar Aerospace Park
This industrial park catering to the aerospace industry is more than it seems. With dining options, an aviation-themed playground and open spaces, it offers an unusual yet romantic setting for a date. You can even go plane spotting at the Seletar Airport located within the park.
12. Experience the thrill of island-hopping, exploring different isles
Explore Pulau Ubin, a small island situated in the north-east of Singapore. It's a perfect place to escape the city's hustle and bustle and immerse yourselves in nature.
13. Indulge in peaceful moments of solitude at Yishun Dam
Yishun Dam offers a peaceful spot with a panoramic view of the sea and sky. It's a great place for a quiet, intimate date, especially during sunset.
14. Discover the city from a unique perspective by riding a Vespa
Want to feel an adrenaline rush? Rent a Vespa and discover Singapore in style. Ride around Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, or any other iconic spots in the city.
15. Engage in an adventurous journey on a two-wheeled vehicle
Rent bicycles and explore the East Coast Park, a beach park stretching over 15 km. You can also indulge in water sports, barbecue pits, and food centres.
16. Create joyful and lasting memories with 3D artwork
Head to Click Art Museum, a Korean-inspired photo studio filled with interactive 3D artworks. It's a fun-filled spot where you can create unforgettable memories together.
Dating is Crucial For Your Marriage
Here's what married couples often don't realise: quality time is well worth spending on. Not only does it keep your marriage strong, but it also makes your home a safe, happy space for your kids.
In fact, Bryan Tan, the CEO of Dads of Life and the Centre for Fathering, recounted to The Straits Times how prior to setting up regular date nights, the tension in his marriage distressed his children:
"Our children seem to be benefiting from our closer relationship as a couple. They no longer exhibit that fear and anxiety that I once saw in Michael whenever Adriana and I disagreed...
After a series of regular dates, we have managed to reconnect so that we feel strong as a couple, and present a genuinely united and consistent front for the children."
"As I started to re-focus on my marriage, I began to appreciate Adriana all over again, not just as the self-sacrificing mother of my three children, but also as that gorgeous and dynamic woman whom I had prayed really hard to marry years ago."
Though date nights probably don't seem too important in your married life right now, it's all about constantly feeding your marital spark.
It's better not to wait till the cracks appear in your marriage, if any! Your kids will surely feel the difference and thrive on the atmosphere of love that you and your spouse create.
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