Date Night Ideas for your Teens & Tweens

Think back to some of your very first dates as a teen and you’ll likely come up with a list that includes roller-skating and trips to the local movie theater. While those romantic mainstays are fine staples, why not help your teen or tween come up with some other creative get-togethers…especially if you’re planning on tagging along for the ride to chaperone!

Keep it Cool

Tucked inside the mega sports and fitness complex known as RDV Sportsplex, the Ice Den (mvpsportsclubs.com) in Maitland features an Olympic-sized ice rink that offers public skating seven days a week. Every Friday, from 7-9:45 pm, the RDV presents Teen Night with DJ tunes, arcade games, contests, and prizes. Skates are available for rent for about $3 and admission is $9.53 plus tax. Similarly, The Ice Factory (icefactory.com) in Kissimmee offers day and night public skating times, as well as DJ Skate Nights on Friday and Saturday evenings. The $10 admission includes basic skate rental.

Get Star Struck

On any given night in Orlando, about 50 to 70 stars are visible to the naked eye. But according to Derek Demeter, director of the Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State (seminolestate.edu/planet), escaping the city’s urban glow or peeking behind a telescope instantly reveals more than 3,000 stars illuminating the night’s sky! To bring the stars closer to home, the Planetarium offers a catalogue of more than 30 shows scheduled Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the year. Live and interactive, these presentations answer questions about mythology, science, and culture relating to astronomy. Tickets are $4 for students and $6 for adults.

On the first and third Saturday evenings of the month (November 16, 2013 through February 15, 2014), the Crosby Observatory at the Orlando Science Center (osc.org) will present SkyWatch, when the clear, winter skies reveal a host of celestial objects all accessible, at least visibly, through the rooftop refractor telescope. Regular admission, which includes access to the 3D Hollywood blockbuster movies playing in OSC’s Digital Adventure Theater, is $19 for ages 12 and up.

Meals on Wheels  

The roaming food truck trend has swept across Orlando where gourmet meals on wheels can now be found at dozens of weekly and monthly food truck events. These starlit shindigs are perfect for an atypical (and affordable) dinner date night for those who don’t mind bringing their own chairs or blanket ─ just be sure to give your young truckers a few extra (parking) spaces. Popping up in parking lots and parks across Osceola, Orange, and Seminole counties, these foodie affairs feature the typical hot dogs and French fry fare; but many trucks up the gourmet factor by offering items like lobster rolls, chorizo tacos, and root beer flavored cupcakes. Check www.thedailycity.com/p/orlando-food-trucks.html for a full list of area food truck events.

Active Adolescent Adventures

Definitely don’t cross roller-skating off the dating list completely; teens love shaking their booty around the rink to top 40 tunes and you’ll likely love the nostalgia if you end up tagging along. But if roller rinks aren’t their cup of tea, consider heading to Aiguille Rock Climbing Center (aiguille.com) in Longwood, where walls range from 24 to 30 feet high. Climbers 14 years and older are welcome to scale the walls in pairs without adult supervision; however, kids under 18 need a signed waiver from their parents, which can be downloaded online. The best time to go is on Friday nights from September to May, when students receive a special all-inclusive rate of $12 for admission plus equipment rental including shoes, harness, and belay device (normally $10.75 admission and $6.50 for equipment rental).

Starlit Flicks

From retro films to animated features, starlit flicks are popping up at parks all over Central Florida. Fall and winter are the perfect seasons to head outdoors for a PG date night that mom and dad might not mind chaperoning. Attendees are welcome to bring their own chairs, blankets, and snack packs filled with their favorite movie grub. Check out Popcorn Flicks in the Park in Winter Park, Cranes Roost Sunset Cinema, Avalon Park’s Movie Under the Stars, and Kissimmee’s Movie in the Park. Most of these events are held at least monthly.

Game Night

A bevy of teen-focused events regularly occur at the Orlando Public Library (ocls.info) Downtown Branch, including the Animanga Mini-Con Party slated for Thursday, November 21 at 6 pm. Attendees in grades 6-12 are invited to join in this anime and manga-inspired mini-convention style party featuring activities, games, and costume contests. This program is hosted by the Animanga Club, which meets the third Thursday of every month. Also on deck for this month is Teen Gaming Night on Monday, November 4 at 6 pm at the library’s Hiawassee Branch. Teens ages 13-18 will be able to take part in some friendly-competition to break the ice in a relaxed, fun, and safe environment.

Do you have other ideas for age-appropriate dates? Stop by Orlando Family Magazine’s Facebook page to share your chaperone-approved list of teen or tween hot spots.