Hinge's Guide to First Dates That Bring Out Your Playful Side

In 2026, Gen Z is embracing their inner whimsy — and it's showing up in how they plan dates. Rather than defaulting to dinner and drinks, daters are leaning into their niche interests and hobbies and making more space for play. On Hinge, we're seeing it in real time: daters are suggesting activity-based Date Ideas on their profiles, from beach days and bookstores to comedy shows and pottery classes.

Daters appreciate the effort and creativity that goes into planning a fun first date, and Hinge data backs up the shift. In a survey of Hinge daters, 89% of women agree it's more impressive when someone takes the time to plan a thoughtful date than when they spend a lot of money — and nearly half (48%) say trying a new activity together is what allows them to connect most deeply with a potential partner. 

Hinge's Love + Connection Expert Moe Ari Brown, LMFT (he/they) shares advice on how to lean into your playful side and plan low-pressure first dates that help you and your matches show up as your full selves with each other. 

Q: Why is Gen Z gravitating toward activity-based first dates instead of traditional dinner and drinks?

Moe: Sitting across from someone at dinner or drinks can feel like a lot of pressure. It’s easy to get stuck in your own head overanalyzing how you’re coming off and how they’re responding, and before you know it, the conversation can start to feel like an interview. And when you've been on enough of those dinner dates, they can start to blur together. You're going through the motions even if the person across from you is wonderful.

Activity dates are a way to break out of that routine and help you live in the moment with your date instead. When you do something new, your brain has to pay attention. Novelty makes us more present, more engaged, and more curious. We notice things we wouldn't otherwise notice. Those experiences become real memories, which is exactly what you want when you're building something new with someone.

Q: How can I let someone know I’d prefer an activity date over coffee, dinner, or drinks?

Moe: This is a great opportunity to take advantage of Hinge's Date Ideas feature, which lets you highlight three preferred first date ideas on your profile. That way, someone can see the kind of activities you like before you've even started messaging.

But if you're already in conversation, the most important thing is how you frame it. Ask yourself how you want this person to feel when they hear your suggestion. Let that feeling lead how you ask. Instead of "I prefer activity dates," try something like "I'd really love to try this pottery class with you this Friday — how would you feel about that?" You can be warm and inviting, while making your preferences clear. 

Q: How do I choose the right activity for a first date?

Moe: The question I want you to ask yourself is: what types of activities drop the pressure to perform and help you show up as your full self? What will bring out fun, laughter, and lightness between you and your date? 

Ideally, you're picking something you both could enjoy. Find that sweet spot where there's genuine interest on both sides, where you're both bringing something to the experience, and where you can both have fun. That's what makes it feel like a real shared moment. 

I’d recommend trying something interactive where you're working side by side, or both learning something new at the same time. For inspiration, here are some of the most popular write-ins for Date Ideas featured on daters’ Hinge profiles**:

• Friendly competition: Playing pool, board games, escape room, pickleball, tennis
• Spending time outside: Beach day, stargazing, watching the sunset, bike ride, skating, climbing gym, dog park, aquarium, zoo
• Creative interests and hobbies: Bookstore, art gallery, painting, pottery, record store
• Events and entertainment: Comedy show, concert, dancing, line dancing, theatre, sports game

Q: How can embracing more play in dating help build real connection?

Moe: Play is one of the most underrated ingredients in dating, and I'm so glad Gen Z is bringing it back.

So many people get focused on the goal of dating. They want the long-term relationship, the commitment, and they're so locked into "are we there yet?" that they forget they’re the ones behind the steering wheel. 

A great place to start: make a list of new things you want to experience or places you've been meaning to go — then plan your first dates around those. If you love film photography, see if a lab in your city is hosting an event and invite a match to join you. If pottery is your thing, go to a local studio's pop-up together. When you plan a date around something that genuinely excites you, it gives your match a real window into your world — and gives you both something to actually talk about.

Q: There’s a lot of pressure to show that I’m dating intentionally, but I also want to show my playful side. How do I balance this?

Moe: I think a lot of daters carry this tension, and I want to offer some real freedom here: intention and play are not opposites.

When you think about great relationships, you need thoughtfulness, emotional safety, and real care for each other. But you also need the lightness, the laughter, and the ability to be silly together and enjoy the moment. 

So continue to show up with intention. Lean into your curiosity. Ask thoughtful questions. Care about each other’s feelings. And at the same time, don’t be afraid to show off your silly side. Plan dates around your favorite activities and interests. Invite them to join you in your favorite hobbies, and light up about the things that make you passionate. 

When your real intention is to connect with someone and build something meaningful together, play is part of how you get there. 

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**Included in the top 100 custom Date Ideas by user adoption (as of June 1, 2026)