date ideas

We have a new spot for you to ask all your burning questions about relationships, dating, and more: it's our Group Therapy Google+ community! Whether you're confused about an on-again-off-again relationship, dealing with divorce, reigniting your marriage or relationship, figuring out how to tell your crush you like him before he slips away, or looking for online dating tips, you can use this group to glean advice from those who've been there. And since it's a private group, only fellow members can see what you write. To kick things off, we're asking you to share your date ideas in Group Therapy.

To begin, follow us on Google+ and join our private Group Therapy community. We'll then approve your request, and you can choose the topic you want to post about from the options along the left. In this case, you'll choose date ideas. Then just post your best date idea!

The couple that learns together, stays together. Truth be told, there's no better way to keep your relationship fresh and fun than by trying out new things in your spare time. Since Fall is all about going back to school, we love the idea of going back to school as a couple — sort of. You don't have to hit the books but you can certainly find ways to soak up knowledge and share it with one another. Read on for 40 ideas of things to learn that will make you an even more awesome couple than you are now.

1. How to speak the language of a country you plan to visit together
2. How to cook a romantic meal
3. How to play a new instrument
4. Important self-defense moves
5. Home improvement skills, like painting like a pro
6. How to build a fire for camping trips
7. The moves to romantic dances like tango or salsa
8. A new sex position
9. How to play a Fall sport like soccer
10. What it takes to do improv
11. How to make killer cocktails
12. Fancy dining etiquette
13. How to rock climb
14. Yoga moves to practice together
15. How to make ceramics, Ghost style
16. How to really listen
17. Everything about your childhoods
18. How to give a sensual massage

Read on for more things to learn this Fall!.

Get your stretch pants ready because Oktoberfest is going strong, and there's only one way to celebrate. Take advantage of this special time by grabbing your best guy or gal and sipping your way through all the festivities with these date ideas. Bonding over beer? Sounds like the perfect time.

Visit a Beer Garden

Believe it or not, many beer gardens are really cute. Full of greenery and even waterfalls, they're a great setting for an afternoon relaxing with your honey.

Go Beer Tasting

There's nothing like discovering new things with your partner, and beer is no exception. Find a bar or restaurant that lets you taste different kinds, and take a few bottles of your favorite home to cheers with later.

Attend a Beer Festival

'Tis the season for beer festivals galore. Find one in your city, don your best lederhosen or dirndls, and tell yourselves you're at the real Oktoberfest in Munich. Do so before it's too late!

Brew Your Own Beer

Take on the challenge together of making your own brew. It can take up to a few weeks, but all the fermenting and bottling will be worth the pay off at the end. Plus, you'll have a good story to tell all your friends.

Tour a Brewery

Getting the inside scoop on where your favorite beer comes from is definitely a date well spent. Pick up some tips for your own brewing, and share a pint once it's over. Cheers!

Did you know? Since 2009, Sept. 11 has officially been considered a National Day of Service. Congress declared it a charitable day as a "forward-looking tribute to the 9/11 victims, survivors, and those who rose up in service in response to the attacks." So, while we will never forget the tragic events that took place on that morning, we can honor the date with volunteer work. And what better way to spend time with the person you love (or are getting to know) than with some do-good and feel-good activities? Even if you can't get to volunteering today, consider adding these ideas to your weekend bucket list. As cheesy as it sounds, any time is as good as any to make the world a better place.

• Plant trees on a sidewalk or at a park.
• Take turns cuddling a baby in need — it's a real thing.
• Collect food for a food bank.
• Build a home with Habitat For Humanity in your city.
• Host a game night for teens in a foster-care group.
• Serve a meal at a homeless shelter.
• Clean up a beach — and then spend time at the pier!
• Read stories to the elderly at the hospital.
• Put together a care package for a soldier overseas.

Keep reading for more volunteer date ideas!

Summer is quickly coming to a close, but don't let it slip away yet. Celebrate the long days and great weather with these fun and romantic date ideas from YourTango.

Hot air balloon festivals, outdoor workouts, and more things you and your guy need to do ASAP.

We're not sure what it is, but there's something about summertime that just screams romance. As temperatures begin to cool and tan lines begin to fade, keep your relationship red-hot by spending some quality time with your man, starting with these fun date night ideas.

1. Catch an Outdoor Movie
Shake up your usual dinner-and-a-movie plans by getting cozy in the park. The Central Park Film Festival shows both classics and current flicks. Don't live in the area? Pick up a bottle of wine and set up your laptop under the stars. Extra points for making your own popcorn!

2. Visit a Zip-Lining Course
Show off your sense of adventure! Later on, try and re-create the exhilarating experience between the sheets. Seeking more adventure? Try one of these YOLO-inspired dates.

3. Take a Barbecue Cooking Class
If you usually go out to eat on Saturday night, try spicing up your grilling repertoire this weekend instead with a barbeque cooking class! It will be fun and exciting to learn new techniques together, especially if one of you is usually head chef in your kitchen at home.

4. Attend a Wine Tasting
Take a trip to a nearby vineyard and attend a wine tasting. Be sure to take advantage of websites like Groupon and HowAboutWe that are swimming with discounts for couples.

5. Take an Outdoor Fitness Class Together
A couple that sweats together, stays together. Take your gym routine outside while the weather still permits!

6. Create Your Own Mini Bar Crawl
OK, we aren't suggesting that you wear matching t-shirts and pound pitchers of Bud Light like you did in college, but why not actually attend all of those happy hour hot spots that you pass on your way to work? You can even make up your own rules — like trying a different beer or appetizer at each bar.

7. Attend a Hot Air Balloon Festival
Get a glimpse of some gorgeous Fall colors — before any Autumn foliage sets in.

There's something magically nostalgic about hot air balloons, so even if you have to travel a bit, the experience will make the trip worthwhile! Find one near you.

— Tiffany McHugh

More from YourTango:

• Ten Date Night Ideas That Won't Break the Bank
• Five Date Night Ideas For Couples
• Second Date Ideas: How to Make It as Amazing as the First