40 Ideas for Date Night at Home
Ok, I know we’re all home, we’ve been home, and we’re probably going to continue being home. And, if you and your spouse haven’t murdered each other, well, first of all, good for you. secondly, you should celebrate that with a date night at home. I mean, you know, you should be having date nights regardless. Just because you aren’t leaving the house, doesn’t mean you need to give up on date night. In fact, I think, more than ever, it’s important to keep date nights going, so, ya know, you don’t actually end up murdering each other or whatever.
Here are some ideas for date night at home that either Dave and I have done, or are planning on doing. Most of them are relatively easy to put together and inexpensive {or even free} but they still create a meaningful experience which is really all that matters anyways.
Pizza Night // Make an easy dough {or pick up pre-made}, set out a bunch of topping options, create your own pizza and have a friendly competition for who has the best flavor combo {all over a bottle wine, of course}
Pantry Challenge // Select a few random ingredients for each other, set a timer and see what you each can create; bonus points- the winner gets a prize!
Game Night // Pick your favorite game, set out some snacks, mix up a cocktail {mocktail} or two
Painting/Drawing // Pick an object for you both to paint, paint each other, or even try creating some art to decorate your home
Make Your Own Sushi // This kit makes it super easy. Plus, you can even order nori sheets and sushi rice right to your door.
Cocktails + Records // Mix up some drinks + spin your favorite tunes
Movie + A Meal // Make a dish based on a movie, then eat the meal while watching the movie {i.e. make cubans then watch Chef}
Make Pottery Together // This clay is super inexpensive and, while you won’t be using it to craft plates anytime soon, you can certainly create mini bowls, vases or other freehand objects together.
Theme Night // Pick theme, be it based on a movie or a country or a book, then plan everything around that, outfits, food, drinks, activities, movies, music, etc.
Have a Picnic // Set a blanket in your living room or backyard and enjoy your favorite picnic foods right at home
Outdoor Movie Night // Put out some blankets and pillows, grab the snacks and drinks, set up a projector, or just stream something on a laptop, and enjoy a movie under the stars
Learn a Language // Pick a language to learn together; bonus idea- you can have themed snacks or drinks every time you take a lesson
A Taste Test Evening // Pick something to test {like types of chocolate or types of potatoes chips or types of cookies}, get 5-7 of whatever it is your testing, then work your way through the items, rating them as you go
Wine/Beer/Liquor Tasting // Like you’re at a winery or brewery, but at home
Tackle a New Recipe Together // Maybe you’ve always wanted to make macarons, or homemade ravioli, or recreate a dish from a favorite restaurant or trip…whatever it is, tackling it together makes for a fun date night in the kitchen!
Kitchen Travels // Pick a destination in the world, find a recipe from the destination and recreate it
Virtual Museum or Exhibit Visit // Get cultured right from your couch
Plant a Garden // …or window boxes, or even flower pots. Bonus points- for an extra date night, you can even get creative and paint/decorate the flower pots!
Camp in the Living Room // Set up a fort, make popcorn, put on a favorite movie and camp out
Breakfast in Bed // Make your partner their favorite breakfast and bring it to them in bed. Don’t forget the coffee!
Spa Day // Face masks, spa treatments, essential oils, serene sounds, zen vibes…don’t forget the tea and robes!
Christmas Celebration // Because it doesn’t have to be December to play merry music or movies, put up decorations and bake Christmas cookies
Watch a Concert // It’ll be just like you’re actually there, but without all the crowds so actually way more romantic
Candlelit Dinner // No phones allowed!
Put Together a Puzzle // Put on some tunes, pour some coffee or wine {depending on the time of day} and get to work
Tapas Night // Because enjoying lots of different foods together is more fun than trying just one
Lounge Day // Stay in pajamas all day, indulge in comfort foods and have a movie marathon
Relive a Favorite Vacation // Recreate a dish from a favorite restaurant of a trip, play a themed playlist, maybe watch a movie that is set in the location, wear outfits like you would have on the vacation and, of course, don’t forget to sip on the local cocktail of choice
Coffee Shop Date at Home // Recreate a coffee shop experience at home with specialty coffee drinks, using your favorite beans, put on some chill coffee shop tunes {we like this playlist}, bake up some treats, like cookies or muffins, and savor your coffee while you chat, read the paper or a book, or do a crossword puzzle
Order in From Your Favorite Restaurant // Because a date night shouldn’t involve doing dishes, even if you are at home
Stay in Bed // and watch movies, eat junk food, be lazy
Get Dressed Up for Dinner + Drinks // Just because you’re not leaving the house doesn’t mean you have to look like it
Curate a Playlist + Dance // Bonus points for meaningful songs that are special to just you two!
Foreign Movie Night // Especially fun if you pick a move from a location of a favorite vacation and/or you make themed food and drinks, or, better yet, if you pick a movie in a language you’ve been learning together
Scavenger Hunt // This provides some great ideas on how to set one up.
Spend an afternoonTie Dye-ing // It’s a great way to give a second life to some plain white items you probably already have on hand, like t-shirts and socks, and you can order a kit right to your door to make it extra easy.
Read a Book // Pick a book to read through together and select one evening a week to discuss it
Make Candles // This kit makes it really easy.
Make Homemade Pasta or Gnocchi // Don’t forget the wine and Italian cooking tunes!
Rewatch a Season or Series of a Favorite Show // Loungewear not optional
