Date Night Ideas For When the Sitter Cancels

BY: Honey Rowland By Honey Rowland, Contributing Writer - January 31, 2013.
last updated 01/31/2013
Date Night Ideas For When the Sitter Cancels

Dinner and a movie sounds wonderful! But, the sitter cancelled. AGAIN. Luckily Dayton has some kid friendly activities that will allow for some romance with your partner. Sound good?

Date Night Ideas For When the Sitter Cancels

Dinner and a romantic movie sounds wonderful! But, the sitter cancelled. AGAIN. You've got to get out and do something or the family will have an impromptu demonstration of Stir Crazy! Luckily Dayton has some kid friendly activities that will allow for some romance with your partner. Sound good? I thought so too. Now granted, kids and romance sound like an oxymoron but it is possible and a blast to do.

The Kettering Ice Arena (located at the Kettering Recreation Complex) is available from late August to April, and Riverscape Ice Rink is still open until the end of February. You and your partner can glide gently along the ice, holding hands and talking. Meanwhile the kiddos can skate around practicing their skills. You can rent your skates in case your last pair was worn back in the 70's. Then when you need a break or just want a chance to talk without moving, you can grab some hot cocoa and snacks while watching the kids and reminding each other what it is you love about one another.

Bowling Alleys are also fun. We've personally enjoyed JD Legends in Franklin. On Mondays they even have 1$ bowl and shoe rental! Your whole family can bowl for less than 10 bucks! Remember if you're like me and don't bowl much to utilize the bumpers so your ball's not always in the gutter. After working up an appetite check out the great burgers. If you eat first drinks can even be taken out to the lanes for free refills. There's even an arcade to play and win prizes.

Want a larger arcade? Come and enjoy Scene 75. You two can have a drink from the extensive drink list which features 24 beers on tap while eating dinner. Maybe you could use some help on that mini-golf swing-even though you play better than he does. There's a bounce zone and if you've older kids go-garts to ride. They don't have double seaters but they will soon. It's like a carnival but without the scary guy that wants to guess your weight.

Want something different? More intimate? Grab the kids, pile in the car and head out to the grocery. Pick up some frozen pizzas and some extra toppings, grab some popcorn, sodas and candy. I recommend double dipped chocolate covered peanuts to eat with some salty, buttery popcorn. WHAT?! You've never had it? Oh my - you're in for a treat. Just do it and thank me later. Oh, don't forget to pick up a classic movie or a new release and head home. Assemble the pizzas, pop the popcorn, settle down around the coffee table and eat, eat, eat all while laughing and enjoying your family.

The point is to have some stress free time to flirt a little, smooch a little and hold hands with your soul mate -all while your family has a good time-and all while wondering if you can sweet talk your neighbor's teen daughter to babysit next Saturday.

For more ideas, check out Dayton Local's popular guide for families, appropriately titled: "Things to do with kids" - but what we really want are YOUR ideas!  Share and comment below!

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