School is officially out for summer, and while the kids probably have their activities and camps all planned out (or you, like me, simply have a few ideas brewing on summer activities for toddlers) – what are the parents up to this summer besides chauffeuring the kids around?
No, we may not be able to take the same vacations we did prior to becoming parents or enjoy much time away from work, but there’s still room for a little fun here and there!
Both of my kids are summer babies, so I’ve spent much of the last four summers postpartum at home or very close to home, on a budget.
If you find yourself in a similar position, or if you just need some new suggestions on summer date nights, here are a few simple ideas:
Back Porch Cocktails or Mocktails
Say no more! This is a super affordable way to spend time together after the kids go to bed. You don’t have to have a Pinterest-worthy backyard for this, either! Taking your date nights outside and off the couch can still feel a little less like you’re at home. I’ve also found that staying home for an intentional date night helps me to appreciate our home even more.
Bands on the Beach
A budget-friendly way to spend some time on the beach with your S.O. during the week while enjoying great local bands (Tuesdays from April through October).
Bands on the Bayou
This is another way to enjoy music and a water view in Bayview Park. While it does not occur weekly, it would be a great event to plan in advance. The next one is on July 27!
Jaco’s at Sunset
One of our favorite local restaurants on the water and the perfect place to watch a sunset if you’ve not seen it there yet. You can also extend this date night with a walk along Palafox!
Attend a Blue Wahoo’s Game
For the couple who loves baseball (or sports in general), this is the perfect Pensacola date night for you!
Brewery Hopping
Something my husband and I often did when we first started dating was spend date days visiting local breweries. We have some great spots all over town! And a few are very family-friendly, too, if you want to bring the kids along for an afternoon date. Some of our top favorites include Odd Colony, Alga, Pensacola Bay Brewery, Perfect Plain, and Coastal County Brewery, and I’ve heard great things about many others we’ve not yet visited. Check out the PMC Guide to Pensacola Breweries for a full list!
Grab an Ice Cream or Gelato
A classic summer date, grabbing ice cream with your crush! Pensacola has a great selection of local businesses for this one, and PMC has put together a guide for all the great spots (I’ve personally got my eyes on Lamonte Gelato next).
Day Trip to 30A
If you want to get away from home but don’t want to wander too far from the kiddos yet (that’s me!), then planning a trip to a getaway town within driving distance might be for you! We love the 30A area, and sometimes a change of scenery is just what we need to re-set and take a full day away together.
Grab Iced Coffees (and plan your next home project, garden, or garage clean-out)
I know, I know, some of you are rolling your eyes at this one (my husband). Seriously though, if we don’t romanticize some of the necessary tasks, we’ll never want to tackle them together!
Lunch Break Dates
Ok hear me out, this might not be the most exciting or logistically doable for everyone, but if you both work full time and are already paying for some form of childcare during the day, go have lunch together! This is one of the only ways my husband and I can connect throughout the week sometimes, and taking an hour to sit down and have a meal with only him goes a long way. This is great all year round, but sometimes summer feels extra busy, so I’m throwing it on the list anyway!
I know all of us parents are in different seasons of life with our kids, we may not always have access to childcare, and schedules may not always align, but for those of you looking to connect with your partner this summer, I hope you were able to take away at least one new date idea from this post.
Just remember, it’s important for us to have fun, too!
Quality time with your partner is important while raising kids, and if you’re new to all of it, like me, know you’re not alone.
