Children are told to divert their eyes from TV screens, phones, and tablets. This is great advice, but adults should also make the same choices. We may not have growing bodies and developing brains, but too much time in front of a screen can be detrimental to us too! The problem is that going without a screen can leave us struggling to find things to do with our time.
Consider that problem solved. You can use any or all of these ten, screen-free entertainment options for adults. Give them a try on your own, but especially on date or in a group!
1. Have a Board Game Night
Want a date night that’s budget-friendly, fun, and competitive? First, you’ll need a decent dating app — try this one. Then, grab some board games, throw a pizza in the oven, and your favorite drink. It’s the perfect combination for a good time and great conversations. Invite a few more people to make it an event.
2. Paint And Drink Wine
A few years ago, this was all the rage. It may not be the trendy choice it once was, but it’s still a great time. Check your local Google search results to see if there are studios that host paint and sip events. Some may even offer alternatives like creating and painting pottery.
If that’s not available near you, host your own painting and drinking party. Just head to your local arts and crafts store for some inexpensive canvas, paint brushes, and acrylics. You could also spread some of the effort out by asking anyone you invite to bring a bottle of wine or snacks to share.
3. Head to Karaoke Night
Show off your talent or just enjoy being entertainingly bad. Yes, karaoke bars are still a thing, and fun as ever. Give this a try the next time you’re tempted to stay home and watch yet another singing competition show.
4. Take a Dance Class
Get some exercise, have fun, and pick up a useful skill. There are dance classes available for people of all ability levels and talents. Sign up for a group class to learn hip hop dancing, find a country western bar that offers line dancing lessons, or take some beginner ball dancing lessons with your partner.
5. Go to The Circus
This one may be time and location-dependent, but if it’s an option you are sure to have an amazing time. Yes, even adults love the circus.
Here’s the exciting part. If you live in or near a larger City, you may not have to wait for one of the larger circuses to come to your town. You may be surprised to learn that many cities have their own circus, and it may not be widely advertised. These small, local circuses offer great entertainment and a much more up close and personal experience.
6. Spend a Night at The Theater
No, not the local multiplex. Make date night special and plan a night at the local theater. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the level of talent that goes into productions like these. Besides, the local arts community always needs your support.
7. Watch or Take Part in a Spoken Word Night
Do you love poetry? Have you ever thought about reading something you’ve written to a group? If there is a strong spoken word community in your area make plans to attend their next event. You may just hear something that touches your soul.
8. Attend a Con
Do you like any of these things?
- Collecting stamps and coins
- Posters and vintage t-shirts
- Sneakers
- Board games
- Video games
- Comic books
- Animation
- Trains
- Horror movies
- Rocks and gems
- Anime and manga
- Photography
If you do, congratulations! Every single one of these hobbies or interests is associated with the convention community. So, if you are interested in spending a day or entire weekend with people who love the same things you do, make plans to attend a convention.
Even better, this is just a partial list. Think about what you love to do and then go find your community.
9. Read a Book
Yes, reading can absolutely be a group or date activity. Start a book club with friends who enjoy reading the same things that you do. Another option is to have a reading night where you take turns reading passages from the same book.
10. Have a Cooking Contest
This is a fun twist on cooking for a group of friends. Even better, there are so many cool ways to pull this off. Here are just a few options:
- Give everybody the same base ingredients to make their best dish
- Hold a cook-off where everybody prepares their best version of a single dish
- Set a limited budget and challenge participants to make a gourmet meal
- Source a unique ingredient and try to use that in an app, dinner, and dessert
Ditch The Screens For Just One Night
Let’s keep things real. Screens are part of our lives. Most of us are unwilling and unable to give that up. Also, it’s simply impossible to deny that screens can be fun, useful, and entertaining. Still, if you can commit to putting screens aside for just one night a week, you’ll enjoy some significant benefits and have a great time.