We have all been at home more with the global pandemic that continues to spread around the world and couples are feeling this in various ways. For those that live together, there is not much time to be separate and for those who don’t date night has become a real issue because so many establishments are closed. Date nights are a special opportunity that allow us to show one another something special and take a break from the day to day. While a date night could be as simple as ordering take out or going out someplace nice for dinner, they should be something creative that helps rekindle the passion for a couple. It can be difficult to come up with new ways to create a date night without losing the magic that they should contain. Add to that kids, work, a busy schedule, and a pandemic and it is likely you are totally out of new ideas. That is why this article was written, to offer some date night ideas you may not have tried. These are great at-home options perfect for pandemic restrictions. These encourage you to be resourceful and save money, great for this point in time.
- Movie Night with a Twist – Debating or fighting over what to watch on television can be tough, but there are ways to make thing smore exciting. The easiest way to do this is making your movie choices thematic, like Christmas movies around Christmas, but another option is to close your eyes start clicking and watch whatever you land on. Who knows, you may find a new favorite to share.
- Cooking Night – Whether you have great cooking skills and she doesn’t or vice versa, there are several dishes you can make together to try. Try something new or stick to a favorite as long as you work together to make it special.
- Learning – Take some time to share a new skill with each other. Whether it be cooking or painting a picture, take time to teach each other something new.
- Game Night – Whether with the family or as a couple, board games are a great at-home idea. Buy a new game or get out an old favorite to enjoy some fun and a bit of competition.
- Indoor Picnic – Picnics are not just for the great outdoors. Avoid the bugs and questionable weather indoors. Spread a blanket, light a candle, and enjoy snacking on some favorite treats.
- Massages – Getting a massage can be awkward when a stranger is doing it, but with just a couple towels and some massage oil your significant other can give you a massage that is romantic and relaxing. Best of all, if you have the massage oil, it is a totally free date night idea.
- Fondue Night – Though typically a group event, as a couple you can enjoy fondue at home. Dip fruit into chocolate and enjoy them yourself or feed eat other to make it extra romantic. You can also do cheese fondue with bread for a heartier snack. Fondue pots are relatively inexpensive and the rest of the ingredients are up to you.
- Video Games – Video games are mostly multi-player these days so find something you like and compete or work together to bond over the game.
- Cook for Your Partner – After a busy day, nothing is better than a home-cooked meal. If your partner is working outside the home, fix a romantic dinner for two to enjoy a special date night.
- Intro Classes – Quarantine has left many of us with a bit of extra weight. Ease your way back into exercise with your partner through an introductory class of yoga or fitness. Many live or prerecorded trainings are available for free online. This may turn into a weekly or daily activity if it is something you both enjoy.
- Music Lessons – This is ideally someone teaching both of you at the same time, but if you each already play an instrument, why not teach each other. This is a great way to bond. If neither of you play and no lessons are available, YouTube has wonderful tutorials.
- Movie Marathon – Rom-Coms are predictable and cheesy, but they can still be entertaining. Create a rom-com playlist and set the atmosphere for romance as you binge watch. Try some wine, candles, a warm blanket to cuddle under, and some take-out to make it a true date night.
- Wine Tasting – Wine can be delivered after online ordering in many places, so start ordering and try something new. If you do not drink, have a tasting of another type at home with non-alcoholic beverages.
- Bake Off – Set up your kitchen like the show Cupcake Wars and try to impress each other with your creations. Even if the cupcakes are far from worthy of Pinterest, you have cupcakes to eat and enjoy and you have had fun for the evening.
- Paint Off – Much like the bake off, grab some canvas and paint and see who can create the best picture. Choose a still object to base the picture on and have some fun. If you are willing, try drawing one another’s portraits.
- DIY Project – We all have projects we would like to tackle and just haven’t so choose one and work together to knock it out. Working as a team makes everything more tolerable.
- Closet Clean Out – Organizing closets is a pain, but a good project to tackle together is to clean out a closet. Set aside stuff you do not need or want and get rid of it for a neater look and team project.
- Bucket List – Create a couple’s bucket list for the next ten years. Outline your goals and desires to bring you together and deepen the relationship. Display the list somewhere so when things open up you can get started.
- Garden – Whether indoors or out, you can create a garden together to care for and enjoy. This is a mindless task that allows you to relax and discuss whatever comes to mind.
- Drinking Games – We can no longer party like we used to, but there are still fun drinking games you can play together. Play beer pong or flip cup in your own kitchen or create your own game. Use juice or water if you want to involved the kids.
- Card Games – Break out the classic card games or buy a new deck to enjoy a date night spent playing poker, Old Maid, Go Fish, or even Crazy 8s. This can lead to hours of entertainment.
- Read Together – Whether reading to one another or reading silently to yourselves while cuddled up on the couch, a great environment can be created with this activity. Everyone has their own taste in books, but there are also great options for co-reading.
- Stargaze – This is definitely an outdoor activity, but you can still stay home. Lay a blanket in the yard if you have a home or head out to the roof or balcony of your apartment building to cuddle up together and watch the stars. Make sure to take extra blankets in case it gets chilly.
- Puzzles – Choose something large and complicated, possibly 3-D to spend date night working on completing your masterpiece.
- Deep Conversation – Deep conversations can start in many ways, but one fun idea is to play sleepover games like Never Have I Ever or Truth or Dare. Let the answers guide your conversations in whatever way they go.
- Love Letters – Get out the pen and paper and write each other a love note that contains all the reasons you appreciate one another. This creates a strong sense of intimacy.
- Indoor Bowling – Buy a plastic bowling set or use empty soda bottles and a rubber ball to enjoy a rousing game of bowling indoors.
- Plan Ahead – The pandemic will eventually end so start planning now for what your future dates will be.
- Build A Fort- We loved this as kids so why not make a fort in your home and cuddle up with your loved one. Maybe some battery-operated candles and a few snacks can set the mood for something more.
- Photo Booth – Have a little fun by squeezing the whole family together in a small space, like a closet, and snapping some shots on your phone. Use the burst option to create your own photo array. For a real throwback feel, grab a disposable camera to take the photos.
Being outside and spending money on the few activities we can still do is not always an option right now, so enjoy these fun indoor activities. Keep the list handy and try a few each month or a new one each day to break up the tedium of this pandemic as a couple or with the whole family.
