Have an old school video game date

Dig out the Wii and dust off the old Nintendo 64 because it’s time for a throwback. Playing some older games with your friends for the night is a good way to shake things up and get a little excitement bubbling.

Crack open the jug and make some punch

Everybody is used to the BYOB policy, but change that by holding a juice party. Get a big ole’ jug and fill it with your favorite ingredients, and share it around. It’s not usually too expensive, and it can be a nice break from the constant alcohol-protecting environment that comes with people supplying their own drinks.

Have a taco party

As with drinks, people are usually in charge of feeding themselves before/during the night. Switch it up by supplying supper and/or snacks for your friends. People appreciate the munchies, and you’ll feel good about yourself by preventing the drunken McDonald’s adventures.

Get outside

Play some bags, throw some discs or sit around a fire. Get outside and enjoy the night rather than being cooped up in a building.

Spend some money on an experience

Being outside is great – and so are your favorite places downtown – but branching out and shelling out the extra coin on a special experience is great too. Try Escape Chambers, Adventureland, Barcadium, SkyZone and whatever else that’s in the Des Moines area. Go ice skating at the Ames Ice Arena, hit up Ledges State Park or venture out to Jordan Creek for an afternoon of people watching and eating bad ethnic food.