Spring date ideas get easier once the days stretch past 7 p.m. and the parks fill back up. This list has 40 springtime date ideas for couples and families, sorted by setting and budget. Each idea includes a short note on what to bring or plan. The first day of spring 2027 is Saturday, March 20.
Spring date ideas at a glance
| Category | Ideas | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor spring date ideas | 10 | Free to $$ | Couples who like to move |
| Spring date night ideas | 8 | $ to $$$ | Evenings out |
| Cheap and at-home ideas | 8 | Free to $ | Rainy days, tight budgets |
| Family date ideas for the spring | 8 | $ to $$ | Kids of school age |
| Spring dates with a baby or toddler | 6 | Free to $ | New parents |
Outdoor spring date ideas
- Pick strawberries at a local farm. Check opening dates first, since many fields open in late April or May.
- Walk a botanical garden during tulip or cherry blossom season.
- Pack a picnic with a blanket, sandwiches and a thermos of coffee.
- Rent a tandem bike and ride a park loop.
- Hike to a waterfall. Spring snowmelt usually means stronger flow.
- Play a game of pickleball or tennis at a public court.
- Go to an opening weekend baseball game and split a hot dog.
- Rent a canoe or kayak on a calm lake.
- Try a sunrise walk and finish at a bakery.
- Go fishing and bring a small cooler for lunch.
Spring date night ideas
- Eat dinner on a restaurant patio on the first warm night.
- Watch a movie at a drive-in theater.
- Take a pasta or sushi cooking class.
- Book a rooftop bar for sunset drinks.
- Set up a moonlight picnic with string lights in the backyard.
- Go stargazing away from city lights with a star map app.
- See an outdoor concert or a local theater show.
- Throw a Pi Day dinner on March 14 with pizza and pie.
Cheap and at-home springtime date ideas
- Plant a herb garden in pots on the balcony.
- Decorate Easter eggs together and hide them for each other.
- Have a blind taste test with spring fruits or local jams.
- Do a spring cleaning sprint, then order takeout as a reward.
- Make a playlist of songs from the year you met.
- Host a spa night with face masks and a foot soak.
- Paint the view from your window, side by side.
- Visit a farmers market with $20 each and cook what you buy.
Family date ideas for the spring
- Go to a spring festival or county fair.
- Fly kites at a beach or open field on a windy day.
- Take a day trip to a state or national park.
- Plant a family vegetable bed and give each child one row.
- Visit a trampoline park or climbing gym on a rainy weekend.
- Take a short river cruise or ferry ride.
- Join a guided birdwatching walk at a nature center.
- Plan a weekend road trip to a town you have never seen.
Spring dates with a baby or toddler
- Visit the zoo when baby animals are often on show.
- Push the stroller through a park and stop for a picnic.
- Have a family dinner on the porch at sunset.
- Take a toddler to a petting farm.
- Read picture books on a blanket under a tree.
- Spend a short morning at the beach before the summer crowds.
How to plan a spring date
- Check the forecast two days ahead and keep a rainy-day backup from the at-home list.
- Book patio tables and farm visits early on warm weekends.
- Bring layers, since spring evenings cool down fast.
- Pack allergy medicine during high pollen weeks.
- Take one photo you can print later for a keepsake.
The Farmers' Almanac lists the 2027 spring equinox for Saturday, March 20, at 4:25 p.m. EDT (Farmers' Almanac). A first-day-of-spring date that weekend is an easy way to start the season.
Matching sweatshirts or caps with your initials make picnic photos look planned. Browse our personalized embroidered gifts. For winter plans, read our Valentine's Day date ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What are good spring date ideas?
Strawberry picking, a botanical garden walk, a patio dinner and a drive-in movie are easy places to start.
What are cheap springtime date ideas?
A picnic, a sunrise walk, planting an herb garden or a $20 farmers market challenge.
What are date ideas for the spring with kids?
Kite flying, a spring festival, a family garden bed or a trip to the zoo.
What can couples do on a rainy spring day?
Take a cooking class, host a spa night, paint together or make a shared playlist.
When is the first day of spring 2027?
Saturday, March 20, 2027, according to the Farmers' Almanac.
