Saskatoon may be known for its extreme sub-zero temperatures, but this post isn’t about the weather. You can get through some of the coldest days of the year without giving up and hibernating if you put a bit of thought into your winter date ideas.
This week, I asked Do Sask’s private group members if they prefer indoor or outdoor activities during the winter. It was no surprise that the winner by a landslide was indoor.
So in the spirit of the group’s choice, I’m inviting you to try some new things while the weather is keeping you locked up indoors. This post gives you ideas on where to go to do everything from laser tag and axe throwing to making laser cuts and painting pottery.
Here are my top winter date ideas in Saskatoon.
Got cabin fever? Make a plan to get active indoors with these winter date ideas:
Pretend you’re in a real-life shooter video game.
In a little over 30 minutes, you’ll get your codename, backpack, and laser gun and run around forming a team with other players. Each laser tag game is 15 minutes in length. BONUS: you won’t come out of it with welts like you would with paintball.
Where: Prairie Jurassic Family Fun Centre
Hurl an axe like a lumberjack (beard and flannel not required).
When my friends ask me for a memorable first date idea I always recommend Timberjaxe. Not only will you learn how to swing a throwing axe into a giant wooden tree trunk target, you’ll get to know whether your date is adventurous or not. That beats dinner and a movie any day of the week.
Where: Timberjaxe Throwing Sports
Make your date do flips up the walls for you.
I’m not the only one who’s dreamed of a world full of trampoline floors. The good news is that there’s a place in Saskatoon that’s making it happen one jump at a time. Go during open jump hours, or Club Apex where DJs spin and disco lights cascade across the entire park.
Tip: 30 minutes is really all you need to wear yourself out if you’re an adult. But if you’ve got a bit more energy you can book up to 2 hours here.
Where: Apex Trampoline Park Ltd.
Scale up the cliffs of Saskatchewan…
When was the last time you climbed up the walls? If you can only remember doing it when you were a kid, it’s probably time you tried rock climbing. With a combination of top rope, lead, and boulders, Grip It is Saskatoon’s rock climbing facility. You can go with your date, or try it solo since they have auto belays to hold your rope and plenty of rental gear to get you started.
Where: Grip It Indoor Rock Climbing
Yell fore in the middle of winter at the province’s only indoor golf dome.
Most of the golf courses in town are now cross-country ski destinations, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your game on pause. Take advantage of off season and hit the range. With over 37 driving ranges in a temperature-controlled environment you likely won’t have a problem finding time to drop-in for some practice.
Where: The Golf Dome
Speaking of golf… Mar’s Mini Golf is an indoor, ocean-themed, 3D glow course. Just sayin’!
Now that you’ve worked up a sweat you can get crafty at these 6 DIY-lover locales:
Supplies ain’t cheap, so this place is making it more accessible to art.
When you’re scraping by getting artsy is a luxury – especially when supplies run you hundreds of dollars. SCYAP is a Saskatoon non-profit that provides a place to get creative for little to no cost to you. All-ages drop ins are Tuesday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. You can also register for a workshop or class on whichever type of medium interests you.
Where: SCYAP
Art doesn’t have to be so intimidating for newbies.
Pop in for some free doodling time, or get to know the intricacies of linocuts. Creative Commons is a non-profit dedicated to providing the tools you need to immerse yourself in arts and crafts. They run regular workshops in a variety of artistic techniques for beginners to the more experienced.
Where: Creative Commons/Void Gallery
Up your maker game by learning how to use high-end technology.
So you want to get even more hands on with your crafts than ever? You don’t have to dump thousands of dollars into your own machine shop. Take advantage of the full lineup of tools and other equipment to make things like decals and wood furniture. Membership, events, and drop-in rates available.
Where: Saskatoon Makerspace
Is your date a foodie in training? Help them take their cooking skills to 100.
Visit the sophisticated clubhouse that lets you get hands-on for sustenance’s sake. The Local Kitchen is a collaborative space where you can learn how to cook with others. Check out any one of their upcoming events, or apply to teach one yourself. (Be quick. Many of their events sell out!)
Where: The Local Kitchen
A workshop space where you’re only limited by your own imagination.
Pick a piece of pottery, or canvas and paint it any way you like. Wet Paint Pottery is a place to drop in for a little relaxed craft work. If you think you aren’t creative enough – think again! Choose from many designs for beginners… and no one will judge you if you want to get a little subversive with your cursive.
Where: Wet Paint Pottery
Produce your own movie, or print a huge photo.
That blockbuster movie script you wrote back in high school now has a chance to be produced. Rent the studio to create any type of new media project from photography to audio production. There are many different free, or nearly-free workshops if you don’t know where to begin.
Note: PAVED Arts is not for business use, so anything made must be for passion’s sake.
Where: PAVED Arts
I challenge you to do at least half of these winter date ideas before the snow melts. You can do it! And if you finish them all and want to try something else, Do Sask has plenty of indoor events for cold days: brewery tours, speed dating, and craft parties.
DO YOU LIKE THESE WINTER date ideas FOR THE BEST INDOOR ACTIVITIES IN SASKATOON, OR DID I MISS YOUR FAVOURITE? JOIN THE DO SASK FACEBOOK GROUP TO HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE DISCUSSION.
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