A few years ago, I decided to take my relationship with my husband to the next level by becoming more intentional about our dating life. I started brainstorming date ideas, and a few years down the road, my list has really grown. I’m proud of my list and it actually surprised me in a few different ways as I started it.
Date Night Ideas
First, I didn’t realize how much joy and excitement I would feel just from creating the list. I enjoyed the anticipation and excitement about all the fun activities waiting for us to do, even though we hadn’t picked dates to do any of the activities and had no idea when we would do them. I hadn’t even started on all of my ideas and I was already enjoying the fun to come with my husband. Second, the list gave me a new hobby as I enjoyed the process of discovering different activities in our city.
Now, I want to share some of the ideas for at home date night ideas that I’ve come up with for Dave and I. I know that most of these ideas will create a meaningful experience, but also, most of them are pretty inexpensive, or even free, and are pretty easy to put together.
Pizza Night (date night ideas):
Make your own pizza dough (or grab some dough at the store). Lay out toppings for the pizzas, have everyone make their own, and have cordial arguments over who made the best one (there’s going to be a bottle of wine involved, to increase the potential for a disagreement, I’m sure).
The Pantry Challenge:
Each person buys a random ingredient and the others have to make something ( a dish, strange concoction, etc). of course they have to be able to complete this challenge within a specific time limit. The person who successfully makes the best item (alone and in their opinion) wins a prize!
Game Night:
Date night ideas Bring out your snacks, some of your favorite games, and feel free to make some cocktails to loosen up the competitive atmosphere (or mocktails if you prefer).
Paint Night:
Choose to paint an object, date night ideas near me or even each other, and then build some art to decorate your home (this was again, just for decoration purposes) and then paint something for that purpose to decorate your at home date night ideas.
Sushi Night:
You can grab a really simple make your own sushi set. For that you can order some sushi rice and nori sheets and have them delivered to your at home date night ideas.
Cocktails and Records:
Make some fun cocktails and chat to some records and have a ton of fun just hanging out.
Dinner and a Movie:
Choose a movie and prepare a dish to go along with the movie, then sit down and enjoy your meal while watching the movie (e.g. make some Cuban sandwiches and then watch Chef).
Pottery Night:
Buy some really cheap clay and then make an object (you can do a bowl, a vase, or you can do it freehand) and it won’t be any of those craft things that you would have made if you had a lot of it, and you can do it together and get a free hand thing in the process.
Themed Night:
Choose a country, a movie, a genre of music, a book, or a series of books as your theme and then decorate the place with it, set the table to match, prepare appetizers, cocktails, and then do all of that together.
Indoor Picnicking :
Bring your favorite picnic foods to your living room or your outdoor space and enjoy a picnic while seated on a blanket
Starry Cinema :
Lay out some blankets and pillows, grab your snacks and drinks, then either set up your projector or stream a movie from your laptop and watch a film under the stars
Final Language Challenge :
Choose a language to learn together and ‘travel’ date night ideas every time you finish a lesson with some themed snacks or drinks
Blind Taste Testing :
Choose a snack to test, grab 5-7 of them, and rate them while you taste
Cooking Challenge :
Fun date night ideas in the kitchen while you attempt to do the macaron or ravioli or any dish from your favorite place together
World Cuisine :
Pick a destination in the world and recreate a recipe from that place at home date night ideas.
Virtual Museum Visit :
Enjoy cultured activities from your home
Garden Planning :
You can paint/decorate the flower pots for an extra date night too and plan a creative box for a mini garden or a flower garden
Camp Out in the Living Room :
Build a giant fort and order a movie. Don’t forget popcorn!
Surprise Breakfast :
Prepare their favorite breakfast and serve it to them in bed along with their favorite coffee
Spa Day :
Prepare a home spa with robes, essential oils, and calming music along with some tea to really evoke those zen vibes
Christmas in July :
Make your own holiday traditions in July by putting up your favorite holiday decorations and making cookies to celebrate!
Virtual Concert :
Just as good as a real concert, but way better because it’s private and way more romantic!
Candlelit Dinner :
Make it a good one, because we are putting the phones away!
Play Some Music and Get To Work on a Puzzle :
Pour some coffee (or wine) and get to work on that puzzle at home date night ideas!
Home Coffee Shop Date :
Bring the feel of a coffee shop to your home with a coffee drink made from your favorite (specialty) coffee beans, coffee shop music {this playlist is a favorite of ours}, baked goods, and coffee. You can talk, read the newspaper, a book, crossword, or do a puzzle.
Order Takeout from a Restaurant :
Date nights shouldn’t involve washing dishes. Even if it’s at home.
Stay in the Same Place :
Let’s watch movies, eat snacks, and be lazy.
Dinner + Drinks (At Home) :
Get ready like you are going to the restaurant. Don’t be at home like you usually are.
Playlist + Dance :
You can add points for cute, private, little songs.
International Film Night :
If you studied the language together, it’s better. If you are going to a favorite vacation spot, it’s better. If you made themed food and drinks, it’s better.
Spend an afternoon Tie Dying :
It’s an awesome way to upcycle some old white things, like t-shirts and socks, and it can be made really simple by just ordering a kit to your house.
Reading Club :
Choose the same book and agree on an evening to chat about it.
Pasta or Gnocchi Night :
You must have wine and italian cooking playlist for this! Binge the Favorite Show Again // Comfy clothes are a must.
