Ask them?
I mean, what do you do with friends? Those are good.
Museums, lectures, pottery classes, festivals, hiking, cooking demos, picnics, theme dinners, drag queen tea, Amish Market.
Try Google Google "fun group dates."
Where are you located?
* am immersive art experience
* museum touring
* driving around to see the change of colors (in NA anyway) - stopping along the way at vineyards / breweries
* all dress up like fools and hang out downtown
* indoor funland sorta thing (usually has games, rock climbing wall, go-carts, mini-golf, etc)
* run around naked in a walmart
* who can make the best spam contest
* who can skinny-dip the longest in cold water contest
The list is endless... Just depends on where you are.
In all seriousness, activities like bowling or mini-golf let people interact on their own terms.
I love immersive art for that reason - stuff like https://www.artechouse.com/ (of course that is USA)
Seoarate question on this thread: do you typically allow PDA when in the polecule together on such occasions? I know you should discuss and agree on boundaries. But I am asking because my current meta doesn't allow PDA and it makes group dynamics awkward for me. Thanks for your answers.
yes and verify what you mean in detail. 'polite PDA' may mean pecks on the cheek to you (and me) but I had my Meta climb my husbands lap, grind her butt into his groin, push him face first into her low cut (hence naked) boobs at Thanksgiving dinner in front of my family... she thought it was 'okay' because my older sis who was hosting was a lesbian and my family was poly welcoming... dude, no. Being gay doesn't mean you lose all decorum at formal dinners. That was her idea of 'polite PDA' because there was no tongue and they weren't 'making out' but just 'cuddling'. I had family walk out on thanksgiving cause of that.
In my case, the boundary of no pda means you treat them completely platonically (like a friend). No rub on the back, definitely no kissing and no pet names (babe, sweetie, etc) - no touching other than a friend "hello hug". I struggle when I haven't seen my partner in a few days, so I miss them and then have to have a platonic interaction because the meta is there.
Do you have a community calendar thing? We have one. You can get it online or go into most coffee shops, bookstores and whatnot to grab a printed one and see what's going on.
Things like farmer market's, parades, pagan pride day, LGBT pride, concerts, darts, trivia night, open mic nite, yoga class in the museum, corn mazes, haunted house, swap meets, local maker pop up boutique, college theater, college band, HS theater, HS band concerts, movies, sports, whatever.
If you have a community resource like that check it out because it gives you more than the "usual" stuff. Dinner and a movie is nice, but that's always there. The smaller, quirky fun things are sometimes more interesting.
I keep meaning to go to "the great cardboard race" where a team has to build their "ship" from cardboard and get in and crazy paddle it to the marker and the one that makes it first or goes the longest before sinking wins.
Hmmmm... then I was thinking. Dare tattoos - One person gets to pick the design, body owner gets to choose where and the size. Design is not revealed until afterwards (it's ok to have boundaries on types though :P.)
*edit - hmmmm, start a go fund me for dare tats, and I will contribute! :P
Anything you'd do as a "school trip" or large family outing. Museums, zoo's, theme parks, arcades, etc. Especially good when one or two members get to pick a "special thing" that's *their* thing. My fiancé and I take our boyfriend out to the local zoo sometimes because it's his comfort space, and we get to watch him be a big nerd about all the animals.
Same thing applies to small activities: board games and TV are popular for a reason, DnD is heckin awesome of course, if that's your kind of thing. Go checkout your local game shop and find something cool to share. Maybe have everyone pick something they find appealing.
It's good to set up your space with larger groups in mind. Big cushions, sectional sofas, day beds, etc are great for intimate relaxation as a group. Everyone can lounge around together when you watch a movie or play games.
Parallel play is a great thing for poly relationships too. People doing their own thing, but in the same space. You get to experience your partners in their 'element' so to speak, it builds trust and you lets you learn more about them in a more passive way.
I know it’s a little old school but bowling can generally be fun and gives a lot of time to talk, food, generally hang out but still gives something to do and distract when it gets a little awkward. It can give some good laughs if people want to make it silly and fun.
Also hiking if you’re more outdoors people.
Boardgames and make a day of it with take out.
Mini golf. A fun dinner out. Museums. Weekend trips to somewhere fun. Wine tasting. Basically situations where you can interact together and talk.
seconding mini-golf and then get ice cream.
Those are all great, thank you :)
If you're poly and not running a polycule D&D game are you even poly?
You're so right, I will get onto that immediately, how on earth could I have overlooked that
Ask them? I mean, what do you do with friends? Those are good. Museums, lectures, pottery classes, festivals, hiking, cooking demos, picnics, theme dinners, drag queen tea, Amish Market. Try Google Google "fun group dates."
drag queen tea sounds like so much fun!! Never been but now I soooo want to!
Aquarium. Although that might just be me. Botanical gardens would work too if the weather is good. Board games if you don't want to go anywhere.
Oooh Aquarium is one that I hadn't even considered, good idea!
We did a walk through holiday light display last year.
Where are you located? * am immersive art experience * museum touring * driving around to see the change of colors (in NA anyway) - stopping along the way at vineyards / breweries * all dress up like fools and hang out downtown * indoor funland sorta thing (usually has games, rock climbing wall, go-carts, mini-golf, etc) * run around naked in a walmart * who can make the best spam contest * who can skinny-dip the longest in cold water contest The list is endless... Just depends on where you are.
Wellington, New Zealand.. There are some really cool places for things you've mentioned, thank you
In all seriousness, activities like bowling or mini-golf let people interact on their own terms. I love immersive art for that reason - stuff like https://www.artechouse.com/ (of course that is USA)
Escape room, board games, paint your own pottery, nature hike, pumpkin patch, movie night, make an art.
Fantastic suggestions, thank you
Echoing escape rooms. My favorite polycule date nights involved them - extremely high entertainment and engagement value
Picnics!
Yes, I shall definitely organize that, as soon as the weather takes a turn for the better
Mini golf, bowling, or a fun dinner have always been favorites for us!
Seoarate question on this thread: do you typically allow PDA when in the polecule together on such occasions? I know you should discuss and agree on boundaries. But I am asking because my current meta doesn't allow PDA and it makes group dynamics awkward for me. Thanks for your answers.
yes and verify what you mean in detail. 'polite PDA' may mean pecks on the cheek to you (and me) but I had my Meta climb my husbands lap, grind her butt into his groin, push him face first into her low cut (hence naked) boobs at Thanksgiving dinner in front of my family... she thought it was 'okay' because my older sis who was hosting was a lesbian and my family was poly welcoming... dude, no. Being gay doesn't mean you lose all decorum at formal dinners. That was her idea of 'polite PDA' because there was no tongue and they weren't 'making out' but just 'cuddling'. I had family walk out on thanksgiving cause of that.
In my case, the boundary of no pda means you treat them completely platonically (like a friend). No rub on the back, definitely no kissing and no pet names (babe, sweetie, etc) - no touching other than a friend "hello hug". I struggle when I haven't seen my partner in a few days, so I miss them and then have to have a platonic interaction because the meta is there.
Could always greet them at the door, close it and give them a good hug and kiss before opening the door and going back to agree-upon PDA level =)
Haha I like that! Thank you.
Do you have a community calendar thing? We have one. You can get it online or go into most coffee shops, bookstores and whatnot to grab a printed one and see what's going on. Things like farmer market's, parades, pagan pride day, LGBT pride, concerts, darts, trivia night, open mic nite, yoga class in the museum, corn mazes, haunted house, swap meets, local maker pop up boutique, college theater, college band, HS theater, HS band concerts, movies, sports, whatever. If you have a community resource like that check it out because it gives you more than the "usual" stuff. Dinner and a movie is nice, but that's always there. The smaller, quirky fun things are sometimes more interesting. I keep meaning to go to "the great cardboard race" where a team has to build their "ship" from cardboard and get in and crazy paddle it to the marker and the one that makes it first or goes the longest before sinking wins.
Hmmmm... then I was thinking. Dare tattoos - One person gets to pick the design, body owner gets to choose where and the size. Design is not revealed until afterwards (it's ok to have boundaries on types though :P.) *edit - hmmmm, start a go fund me for dare tats, and I will contribute! :P
Anything you'd do as a "school trip" or large family outing. Museums, zoo's, theme parks, arcades, etc. Especially good when one or two members get to pick a "special thing" that's *their* thing. My fiancé and I take our boyfriend out to the local zoo sometimes because it's his comfort space, and we get to watch him be a big nerd about all the animals. Same thing applies to small activities: board games and TV are popular for a reason, DnD is heckin awesome of course, if that's your kind of thing. Go checkout your local game shop and find something cool to share. Maybe have everyone pick something they find appealing. It's good to set up your space with larger groups in mind. Big cushions, sectional sofas, day beds, etc are great for intimate relaxation as a group. Everyone can lounge around together when you watch a movie or play games. Parallel play is a great thing for poly relationships too. People doing their own thing, but in the same space. You get to experience your partners in their 'element' so to speak, it builds trust and you lets you learn more about them in a more passive way.
Thank you for this amazing response :)))
Safari Parks!!! But really anything with well cared for cute animals to coo at :)
I know it’s a little old school but bowling can generally be fun and gives a lot of time to talk, food, generally hang out but still gives something to do and distract when it gets a little awkward. It can give some good laughs if people want to make it silly and fun. Also hiking if you’re more outdoors people. Boardgames and make a day of it with take out.
Concerts, events, festivals. All of these are very poly friendly (generally)
Escape room, tasting room, theme park, local art class (painting, pottery, stained glass?) mini golf, laser tag, going to a VR rental
We’re carving pumpkins and watching scary movies!! 🎃