Looking for easy stay at home date ideas for couples?
In this uncertain time where most of us can’t (and shouldn’t) go out, it’s still imperative to have fun and connect with your other half. Date nights just can’t wait.
So what are you to do when you can’t go out?
Now is the time to get creative with stay at home date night ideas!
No matter where you’re at in this lockdown mode, it’s essential to take time to turn off the news and de-stress with your spouse. Date nights at home may be cheaper, but it doesn’t mean they have to be any less fun than a night out on the town.
Here’s a look at 13 creative date night at home ideas to try this weekend:
1. Play Board Games/Card Games
Are your board games collecting dust on a shelf? It’s time to bust them out. Grab a game and turn on your favorite music to have a game night. Nix cell phone usage and keep it all about the game at hand.
A few classic favorites:
- Uno
- Chess
- Risk
- Yahtzee
- Jenga
- Rummikub
- Scattergories
- Sequence
If you get bored with the games you have, switch games with your neighbors. If you’re in serious quarantine mode, just leave games on the doorstep with a note. Swap back when you’re ready.
2. Have a Dress-Up Night
If you normally love to dress up and go out for a night on the town, you can still do the same thing at home. Dress up nice and take pictures together — before, during, and after your date night. You can have a candlelit dinner and then follow it up with a relaxing activity together.
Some ideas for a chill evening:
- Stargazing
- Bonfire
- Dance party
- Watch your wedding video
- Flip through old photos together
Want to keep it interesting? Ask your partner to pick what outfit you wear for the evening! If you love the idea, consider alternating who plans the activities for the evenings you do dress up but stay in. Keep it a surprise.
3. Work Together on a Puzzle Challenge
Try to finish a puzzle one weekend a month. But there are rules. If you’re a parent, absolutely no talk about the kids. Don’t discuss work or worries. And with each puzzle piece you put together, change the conversation topic.
Some conversation starters:
- What’s your favorite memory of us dating?
- What’s a new hobby you’d like to try?
- What’s something that would surprise me about you?
- What’s your favorite childhood memory?
- What’s one goal you’d like to achieve by the end of the year?
- What do you remember the most from our wedding day?
This is a challenge that will build patience and also rekindle your relationship no matter how long you’ve been together. Share favorite memories, details of your childhood, or exciting plans you have that you may not have had time to share with your spouse.
4. Have a Spa Night
When was the last time you actually relaxed? Consider making your home a spa-like oasis for the evening. Light candles, put on the spa music, and create a serene atmosphere to unwind in.
To have the ultimate spa experience:
- Get in comfy robes
- Do face masks (yes, together!)
- Soak your feet
- Offer foot or shoulder massages
- Enjoy a glass of wine or beer
If you have kids, wait until they’re in bed and totally settled in. Then you’ll be able to fully enjoy your peace and quiet — just like a real spa. Consider taking selfies together in your face masks for a fun photo memory of your date night.
5. Plan the Ultimate Vacation
Vacations plans seem like they’re suspended indefinitely at this point. In the near future, expect that life will return to normal. Imagine your leave time is already approved. Think about no travel restrictions, no budget restrictions. What would your dream vacation look like?
For inspiration, check out:
- Top-rated Airbnbs
- The Travel Channel
- Your dream city’s travel bureau website
- Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best List
Dream as big as you want. This is an exercise in having fun and drooling over the most gorgeous places on earth. If you’re really ambitious, set up a plan to make it happen. Check out how to score the best deals with our post Where to Find the Best Military Vacation Deals Around.
6. Wine and Movie Night in Bed
If you’re feeling especially lazy, just climb into bed with your favorite beverage and relax together. Turn on a movie you both haven’t seen in a long time. Comedies are always a good choice during times like these when you could use a little uplifting.
Need some snacks to accompany your wine? A few ideas:
- Cheese and crackers
- Tapenade with crackers
- Salted nuts
- Grapes
- Olives
Can’t decide? Pick your top two movies. Then, flip a coin to decide!
7. Teach Each Other Something New or Learn a New Skill
Every couple has their individual talents, strengths, and interests. There’s no better time than now to discover your other half’s passion. Teach one another a skill that you normally don’t have time for. Or, learn a new skill together.
Some ideas to explore together:
- Woodworking
- Gardening
- Cooking
- Scrapbooking
- Card making
- Digital design
- Website creation
There are so many skills that can be learned. Pass along your love for hobbies during a stay at home date night. During this process, try to keep an open mind and get excited about whatever your spouse is passionate about.
8. Have Your Own Wine Tasting
Miss going out to your favorite local winery? If they offer shipping, keep supporting them by buying and having your vino hand-delivered or shipped to your house. Once it arrives, set up flights like you would for an actual winery tasting. Not into wine? You can do the same with beer!
To make it feel like a night out:
- Get out actual wine glasses
- Set the table
- Make an hors d’oeuvres spread
- Light candles
- Play music
- Pop open your favorite wines
Do a blind taste test to make it even more exciting. Write down what “notes” or strong flavors you taste and compare your written notes to the bottle to see who got it right.
9. Eat Takeout by Candlelight
There’s not much that’s more romantic than dinner by candlelight. If your local restaurants are still open, consider giving them much-needed patronage right now by ordering take-out. Have it delivered or pick it up, whichever you prefer.
A few ways to set the mood:
- Dim the lights
- Turn on your favorite soft tunes
- Light candles you love
- Talk about anything other than worries
The best part of ordering in is that you can enjoy a no-fuss dinner. That means no dirty dishes or loud customers to disturb your evening. Plus, you can still satisfy your taste buds with the best cuisine in your town!
10. Watch a Your Favorite Singers From Home
Since most concerts have been canceled over the next several months, consider watching one from the comfort of your own home. Singers are adapting to the new changes by live streaming their shows and special events. Some will even host Q-and-As with fans.
A few of the stars you can watch live:
- Common
- Niall Horan
- Keith Urban
- Charlie Puth
- John Legend
- Chris Martin
Join in and watch these celebrities on their Instagram and other social media platforms. Have fun with it by dropping your favorite singers a note when they go live.
11. Binge Watch Netflix
Is there anything better than cuddling on the couch and binge-watching your favorite t.v. shows together? Sure, it’s not super productive. But date nights are meant to be relaxed and enjoyable.
Not sure what to watch next? A few suggestions:
Drama:
- The West Wing
- Breaking Bad
- Mindhunter
- Maniac
Comedy:
- Parks and Recreation
- Schitt’s Creek
- The Good Place
- The Office
Crime Drama TV:
- Better Call Saul
- The Stranger
- Longmire
There are a ton of excellent binge-worthy shows on Netflix, but these are just a few to check out. Create a queue of your favorite shows and save it for your next movie night binge.
12. Make Your Own Dessert Night
Now is the time to hit up your Pinterest dessert board. Pick two different recipes to try together. Each of you can make one and then taste test to see which you like best.
Dessert night ideas:
- Cookies
- Brownies
- Cake
- Pie
Like a little competition? Set a challenge to use only the ingredients you have on hand. It’ll be like your own little version of Chopped.
13. Have a Picnic
Even if you’re on a mandatory “stay-in-place” or lockdown order, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying a nice picnic together. You just have to get a little creative. Toss out a blanket, grab your favorite finger foods, and savor a picnic-style meal together.
Since most public parks are off-limits right now, have some fun with different ways you can picnic.
A picnic at home can be:
- On a balcony
- Right in your living room
- In a screened-in porch
- In your backyard
Make it extra fun by “packing” several types of foods and blindfolding each other for a mystery taste test. See who can guess the most correct blindfolded.
Stay at Home Date Ideas for Couples Can Be Fun
Now are you excited to try some of these stay at home date night ideas?
You can get super creative with how you spend your one-on-one time together. Pinterest always has a plethora of ideas. There are even some date night boxes you can get shipped to the house, too, for a fun evening in.
And date night doesn’t even have to wait until the weekend.
Honestly, you can try these any night of the week. If you’ve got kids, just make sure they’re down for the count so you’re not interrupted during your date night in!
Whether you do one or attempt them all, the point is to spend quality time together. If your spouse is getting extra time at home thanks to the new quarantine rules, take advantage of it. Being at home and doing dates a little differently doesn’t have to be boring. The experience is what you make of it!
What at-home date night ideas for couples are your favorite? Share in the comments below!
Feature image courtesy of Unsplash
