Board and Card Games. Usually more of a group thing, board and card games are a fabulous way to have fun when the weather isn’t cooperating. If you are willing to spend a little money, start the night by picking and buying a new game from the store.

Bookworm Date. Visiting local book stores can be a perfect way to spend a cold day.  Browsing through different book titles can help you get to know each others interests while also providing amusement and enlightening on different subjects.   Finish the night by stopping at the Cocoa bean on your way home!

Do a Puzzle: Puzzles are a fun, low key and creative way to get to know a person. Be ready with things to talk about, sitting in silence can be rather awkward!

Go bowling. Bowling is a great way to get to know someone in a fun low pressure environment. There is no shame in putting up the bumpers if you are a little rusty!

Home Cooked Goodness!: Impress your date with your awesome cooking skills! Spend the night buying, cooking and eating dinner together at one of your apartments. Get creative with it for example try eating with no utensils, or spaghetti without plates. Post your own successes and ideas in the comment section.  Don’t forget desert!

Have an Indoor Picnic: Lay a blanket in the living room and have a basket full of fun picnic foods. Come up with different ideas on how to make the room appear like summer.

Craft Fair: Doing Crafts are an excellent way to stay entertained when you don’t want to be outside. Bust out the crayons, markers, finger paints, glue and paper and other critical supplies as you create your masterpieces.   As long as everyone involved is having a good time, it really doesn’t matter what you do or make.  A great site for unique craft ideas is Craftster.org. You might try visiting an art gallery to compare.

Visit a Museum or Art Gallery: Looking at art can be a fun yet relaxing date. This can be expecially good if one or both of you knows a little about art and the humanities. Spend the night teaching each other about the different things you see.

Have a Photo Shoot: Put on the most ridiculous clothes you can find, then take time taking pictures of it. This can be especially fun at Desseret Industries or Goodwill. After you take the pictures have fun enhancing them using Photoshop or similar software. Post your pictures on facebook or another blog.

Go to a play or other live performance: Almost everywhere you visit you can find live performing arts. A relaxing way to enjoy yourself as someone else provides the entertainment!

Overview

The Rexburg Tabernacle is a local historic Gem. It was originally build as a meeting place for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but was recovered by the City of Rexburg shortly after the Teton Flood. The Tabernacle Features a large stage, pipe organ and seating for over 1,000 people, including the balcony. It plays hosts to numerous local groups on various nights and weekends. Probably one of the most popular groups seen here is Rexburg’s Barbershop Carousel which features different local men singing barbershop music. The basement of the Tabernacle houses the Teton Dam Flood Museum. Here you can relive that destroyed the valley years ago. Whether you visit the tabernacle or the museum it makes for a enjoyable night out.

Directions

Cost

For Museum:

Adults $2.00
Youth (12-18) $1.00
Children (under 12) $0.50

You may want…

Dress Clothes if you are going to a concert

Helpful Resources

Teton Museum
http://www.rexburg.org/play/localattractions/floodmuseum.aspx
Rexburg Tabernacle
http://rexcc.com/thingstodo/attractions/tabernacle.html

About the Author

Robby Myers is an BYU Idaho Alumni and currently is attending BYU in Provo. He is single and anxiously awaits the day that he finds the right girl

It’s challenging to stay active during Rexburg winters. And none of us like feeling like an idle “tub of lard” so… Here’s a list of climbing gyms! It’s fun, affordable, WARM, active, and social!

If you climb please share your thoughts on each gym in the comments below. Your feedback is valuable.

If you aren’t a climber…. what the heck is wrong with you! You’ll love it! And this winter is the perfect time! Ask anyone that climbs. It’s the perfect addiction : )  It works your body, mind, and builds your confidence.

This makes a great date or family/group activity. Go do it… then come back and share!

Regional Rock Walls

Author’s Review

Regional Rock Walls is the only indoor climbing gym in Rexburg with longer routes. I like this place because there’s a good variety of climbing. You end up paying more for it, but it’s still pretty cheap.

More about Regional Rock Walls – Videos, pictures, directions, pricing and more…

Sticks and Stones

Author’s Review

Sticks and Stones climbing gym is great if you like “bouldering”. Bouldering Definition: Short, hard climbing routes using no rope.

Sticks and Stones offers great traverses, about a 30 foot bouldering roof, and the cheapest Rexburg area prices. You can still rope up, but it’s limited. I have bought a climbing pass here.

More about Sticks and Stones – Videos, pictures, directions, pricing and more…

Stonewalls Rock Gym

Author’s Review

The YMCA owns Stoneswalls Rock Gym. It’s located in Idaho Falls. There are dozens of high climbs to rope up for, plus a great bouldering area. It’s offers the most and naturally is the most expensive. But it’s still pretty cheap… especially if you are a YMCA member.

More about Stonewalls Rock Gym – Videos, pictures, directions, pricing and more…

Game Overview

Ever got stuck with a group of people you just met. This game help you cut through the awkwardness and has a good time : )  You can play it with stranger or friends. Either way… it gets creative and fun.

“What If?” create laughs, inside jokes, and hilarious memories all thanks to a pen and paper (per person.) This is a superb game to break the ice and see the zany side of maybe the most serious person.

Where to Play

ANYWHERE where there’s a supply of paper and pens

How to Play

It’s simple, actually. Here are your steps:

1. Get a bunch of people and sit them in a circle.
2. Give them slips of paper and something to write with/on. (aka a pen, pencil, and hey! what the heck- maybe a crayon…though, I don’t reccomend that.)
3. Once everyone is asking “what the heck is going on?” as a group pick one person in your group to be what you could call the “victim.”
4. Have everyone write a “what if question” about the person.Examples:
   • What if Joel was Catholic?
   • What if Jenny was a brunette?
   • What if Katie was president?
   • What if Matt was good at math?
   • What if Andrew wasn’t a ladies man? (ho ho ho)
5. Now that you have your what if questions written down, everyone puts the slip of paper in the middle.
6. Mix up the pile of paper slips
7. Have everyone grab one. DO NOT GRAB YOUR OWN
8. Now, answer the questions starting with the word “then.” BE CREATIVE/FUNNY!Examples:
   • What if Andrew wasn’t a ladies man? Then he’d have to date his textbooks.
   • What if Joel was Catholic? Then he would find the church tomorrow.
   • What if Bob was mayor of Utah? Then Ashley Tisdale would shake his hand.
9. Okay. Now that the questions are answered, have every one put the slips back.
10. Shufflem up!
11. Have everyone take one again. DON”T GRAB YOUR OWN!
12. Start with the person/victim chosen in step 3. Have them read ONLY their QUESTION aloud.
13. Have the person to their right read their answer aloud. (This is NOT the victim’s answer)
14. Then have that person read their question aloud.
15. Continue this pattern of people reading their answer and then their question until the victim is the last to read and reads their answer as the answer to the question of the person to their left.
16. After everyone has read save/toss the slips. You can say which questions you answered or which you asked.
17. Repeat another round! It’s a lot of fun so play again. There’s no competition! Just LAUGHS!

If played right you all of you may be shocked that the juxtoposition of answers to questions makes legit SENSE. This is really funny too.

(If you are too cool for random humor then go read your Einstein Standup Comedy books and don’t read this post anymore. )

Here’s an example of what will happen in a typical game (…notice the order):

• What if Andrew wasn’t a ladies man? Then Ahsley Tisdale would shake his hand.
• What if Joel was Catholic? Then He’d have to date his textbooks.
• What if Bob was mayor of Utah? Then he’d find the church tomorrow.

Wacky, huh? Now that you get it, give it a try TONGIHT!

Game Overview

Do you like being sneaky?

Here’s a game that will keep you entertained…

A group is on a park playground. The person that is “it” keeps their eyes closed. The three others try not to get tagged. If you aren’t it, you have to be sneaky like a ninja!

It’s fun to get close to the person that’s “it” and sneak past them. But watch out, if they hear you….

… you may be toast!

Where to Play

Rexburg’s Park Playgrounds:

• Porter Park
• Smith Park
• Elementary Schools

How to Play

1.)   4 or more people is best…

2.)   The person who’s “it” has to keep their eyes closed and try to tag the others

3.)   Those who aren’t “it” try to not get tagged

4.)   Once someone gets tagged, they become “it”

It’s more fun if you try to sneak by the person who is “it”! It brings out your inner ninja.

This is a great game for double dates, groups, and families. It’s active, social, and fun (if you are willing to get into it). You can play it outside during the winter or the summer.

Imagine trying to quickly fetch a ball faster than your competitor. Oh yeah… there’s one catch… you’re blind : )

You have to fetch the ball quickest, but you have to close your eyes. The only guidance you have is your partners verbal directions. So I hope you’re a good listener…

Where to Play

You can play “Blind Fetch” anywhere in Rexburg that is wide open. Ideal places include: city parks, baseball fields, and football fields.

How to Play

1.)   Blind Fetch requires at least 4 people to play.

2.)   Two people to a team (There can be more than 2 teams if desired)

3.)   The “Fetchers” (one from each team) FIRST close their eyes

4.)   THEN the ball or frisbee is thrown out a distance (30 yards or so) by any player that still has their eyes open.

5.)   Next, the count down from 5 to 0

6.)   At 0 the goal is to for each team to work together and fetch the ball first.

7.)   The blind person has to remain blind and should be led to the ball ONLY by verbal directions from his or her partner.

8.)   First team to fetch the ball and return to the starting point (always remaining blind) wins!

Overview

Directions

1. Picnic in the park.
2. Free concerts.
3. Make paper airplanes (good ones) and fly them off a bridge or tall building.  (Pick up your trash when you’re done mister!)
4. Homemade ice cream…..Bucket, large empty can, ice, rock salt, spoon…..Shallow layer of ice and salt in bucket.  Place the can in the bucket and surround with ice and salt.  Cream in the can (no lid necessary) and use the spoon to stir…..Stir and scrape the sides as the cream freezes. (~ 20 minutes.)
5. Google for recipes
6. Roller blade and park talk!
7. Hiking (with picnic)
8. Make kites
9. Glow-in-the-dark croquet….Put glow-in-the-dark tape on each ball, stick, and bridge. Play after dark…..Or play using flashlights.
10. Rock climbing
11. Sledding and hot chocolate
12. Snowman and hot chocolate
13. Backpacker’s dinner
14. Murder mystery dinner (Borrow a game and make dinner.  Requires 4 couples. )
15. Star gazing and star talk!
16. Bon fire, s’mores, hot dogs, and fire talk!
17. Dollar movie and ice cream
18. Scenic drive and car talk!
19. Lectures (not classroom lectures, but interesting and special campus or community lectures)
20. Fireside with private refreshments and mingle (but not that private.)
21. Homemade dinner and table talk! (Make it all together or wow the lucky lady with your culinary skills.)
22. Go for a wall … to an ice cream store… while your dinner is in the oven… to the park… around
23. the neighborhood
24. Running
25. Biking
26. Canoeing
27. Game night with other couples.
28. Rent a movie (Shouldn’t happen more than once a month and never on one of the first three dates.)
29. “Chutes and Ladders” bowling. # of pins you knock down = # of spaces moved along the board.
30. Make cookies and deliver anonymously to perfect strangers, ward members needing a boost, or your neighbors and hers.
31. Chinese checkers or chess in the park.
32. Service date at welfare square (Bishop Warehouse or cannery)
33. Games with elderly at a rest home.
34. National Enquirer read-a-thon.
35. Buy 2 pints of ice cream (one for each of you) and 2 National Enquirers.
36. Go to a park.
37. Look for crazy stories to read to each other.
38. Visit a ghost town.
39. Visit a farm.
40. Homespun movie
41. Write a 5-10 minute movie script…..Film it…..Watch it with popcorn.
42. Farm and fruit pie
43. Visit a local farm (or a neighbor’s tree) where you can pick the fruit yourself. (Farm’s usually charge per bushel or ½ bushel)….Pick the fruit…..Make a fruit pie or smoothie.
44. Bigger and Better…Each couple gets $5 to shop at a garage sale or dollar store….Go to the houses of complete strangers and try to trade your treasure for something bigger and better.
45. Dancing
46. Pay for it and go early for the free lessons.
47. Free swing lessons every Thursday evening in the Union Ballroom at the U of U.
48. Homemade pizza
49. Gingerbread houses (during Christmas, of course.)
50. Tour an art museum.
51. Scavenger / treasure hunt.
52. Picture scavenger hunt with digital cameras.
53. Road Rally (clues at each location that lead you to a token item and a new location)
54. Frisbee golf
55. Make your own course if there isn’t one.
56. Build a golf course.
57. Make your own golf course…..Play golf on your course!
58. Claymation Movie
59. Make play-dough….Make a 30 second film out of your play-dough creations.
60. Swimming.
61. Night swimming at a lake.
62. Marshmallow assassination in the park.
63. Backwards date night…..Kiss at the door when you pick her up…..Do your activity….Eat dessert….Eat dinner.
64. Walk in the rain, then puddle jump.
65. Indoor campfire
66. Set out camp chairs, turn out the lights and gather around a lamp with the shade removed.
67. Roast hot dogs and s’mores on the kitchen stove.
68. Play the guitar and sing.
69. Candlelight dinner at the park.
70. Cow tipping.
71. Finger painting with pudding.
72. Theme night (everything has to do with a single idea)….”J” everything you eat or do has to start with the letter J…..”Red” everything you eat has to be red, everything you use in your activities has to be red…..“Gym” night, do everything at a local sports complex
73. Gardening for an elderly neighbor.
74. Build or fix something for a needy neighbor.
75. Trick or Can and deliver the goods to a local food bank.
76. Serve food at a soup kitchen.
77. Random acts of kindness…Rake someone’s yard….Wash windows at someone’s house…Shovel the snow on their drive way…Clean off the snow from their cars….
78. Walk down a busy road with M&M’s and wave at the cars of the same color as the M&M you just ate.
79. Go to a thrift shop and purchase an outfit.  Go somewhere in your new threads.
80. Check out your favorite childhood books from the library and read them to each other. (Or read them to the children at the homeless day care center.)
81. Eat a picnic lunch and read one of Shakespeare’s plays (Have several couples and assign parts.)
82. Make spaghetti.  Tie everyone’s right hand to the left hand of the person at his or her right.  Give ‘em forks and go for it!
83. Deserted Island: eat dinner on the island in the middle of a road.
84. Make dinner for the missionaries.
85. Go to the family history library (or stake office) and do extractions or family history research.
86. Make visits to those who don’t get out very often.
87. Early morning breakfast and watch the sun rise!
88. Go caroling… even if it isn’t around Christmas.
89. Go to a baseball game late (then you’ll get in free).
90. Nintendo play-offs.  Find an old style Nintendo and all the games you used to play.
91. Dress up for Halloween and go Trick or Treating.  (Only to your friends, of course.)
92. Cowboy poetry.  Write the piece and the music together on a guitar.  (Even if neither of you play.)
93. Pumpkin Carving
94. Kindergarten themed night:   finger painting, play with blocks, nap time, coloring, story time…
95. Tin foil dinners
96. 5 $ dinner cooking for other couples
97. 5 $ dinner for each other

1. Snow shoeing
2. Go Sledding or Tubing
3. Build an Igloo
4. Sleigh rides
5. Cross Country Skiing
6. Ski or Snowboard
7. Snow Angels
8. Put Out Bird Seed for the Winter Birds
9. Haunted Houses or a Corn Maze (more of a Halloween thing)
10. Snowmobiling
11. Back Country Skiing
12. Snow Camping (Try it in a Cave)
13. Have a winter picnic. Bring a warm sandwich and cookies in an insulated bag , cocoa and hot soup in a soup thermos. Take blankets or sleeping bags to sit on.
14. Go Look at Christmas Lights
15. Snowball fight
16. Polarbear Swim (BRRRRR)
17. YellowStone National Park (Most parts you will probably need Snowmobiles)
18. Cut Out Paper Snowflakes
19. Ice Skating
20. Billards
21. Bowling

Overview

The Civil Defense caves are large tubes formed from lava that snake underground for thousands of feet. Because of the insulating qualities of Lava, the interior of caves are cold, even on the hottest days of the summer.

It’s really fun to explore. The caves vary from 50 feet high to areas that you need to crawl through.

Direction

The first right off North Salem Road (which is is about 16.8 miles this is also the North Rexburg exit, from the I-20 interstate at N 44°06.273′ W 111°48.285′.

The next turn, a left turn, is about 3.7 miles from the first turn off and is located at N 44°08.656′ W 111°45.803′.

Go one more mile or 4.7 miles from the main road and you will arrive at the cave. N 44°09.326′ W 111°46.551′.

You will need…

• A jacket
• good footwear
• flashlights or head lamps (with extra batteries)
• To be mindful and remember the path you take in so you can backtrack and get out (which isn’t hard, but it’s worth pointing out…)

You may want…

• A snow hat or beanie
• Gloves – the rock can be rough
• Glow sticks (for fun and for back up)
• A camera