laptop movie in a park laptop with popcorn and bean bag

Laptop Movie in a Park

Movies are one of America’s favorite pastimes. If you are planning on watching a movie for your date and you want to make it more creative and romantic than just watching one at the theater or at your home, do a laptop movie in a park instead. Set out a blanket and bring a laptop that has a DVD drive, or download a digital copy of it. Bring some popcorn and bottled drinks, and of course bring those treats.

Afterward, you could cuddle and enjoy a nice conversation under the stars before returning home. Sounds pretty awesome right? I think so. And of course, being the nice person that you are you will let your date pick the movie to watch. Or you could make it surprise and see their reaction. Maybe bring a couple of options just in case.

A guy and two girls with a laptop watching a movie in a park.

This date really works well if you are on a tight budget. Watching movies at the theaters gets super expensive, not too mention the overpriced concessions that they sell. A laptop movie in a park is a cheap creative alternative.

Put a group date together or make it more romantic with just the two of you, it is totally up to you.

What you need for this date: 

You will need a laptop with an extra battery. Depending on your laptop of course. New laptops have a much longer battery life even when playing a movie on it. A good portable speaker will give you better sound than just the laptop speaker. Blankets to sit on and cuddle with, pillows, any snacks that you want to bring, and a nice park to have the date. Do you need some ideas for homemade treats that you can make and bring? Visit my food blog In the Kitchen with Matt to get ideas. You could also combine this idea with the picnic and a walk in the park idea if you would like a longer date.

Man and woman in a city park during sunset.

This date probably will only work when it is dark outside, otherwise, you’ll barely be able to see the screen. But you can go early and watch the sunset at the park and have a picnic first if you like. You might want to use this idea in the summertime, depending on where you live. For example, California would be a great place for it, but where I live in Arizona, not so much.

My commentary on this laptop movie in a park creative date idea:

Several times I have walked around parks near my old college and the only lights I’d see were those of laptop screens, with silhouettes of two people cuddling on a blanket as they watched a movie on it. Too bad I didn’t have some water balloons with me. Just kidding—I’m a nice guy, I swear. Laptop movies in the park were a pretty popular creative date activity years ago where I went to school. We need to bring this activity back—bring it to the masses!

Do you have experience with this creative date idea? Let me know in the comments how it went and if your date, spouse, significant other liked it. You can buy a copy of the book 101 Creative Dates: ideas, tips, and personal experiences from the life of a hopeless romantic here or visit the shop.

Here are other creative date ideas you might like:

Go to an Opera or Musical

Go for a Drive

Candlelight Dinner on an Overpass

Grill in the Mountains