Nowadays, when I think date night – it’s usually within the comfort of home. Going out is great, don’t get me wrong, but more times than not I am happy to skip the whole “getting ready” and “going out” part, and lounge in my pajamas by the time the sun goes down. Besides, bringing the romance from home can STILL be exciting, guys! And there are plenty of FUN date night in ideas that don’t totally suck.
Sure, switching things up or coming up with ideas can be a challenge – you might even say screw it by the time the night rolls around and you resort to watching whatever’s on TV. Preach. My husband and I go through periods of this struggle often, but we learned that we need to be a bit more proactive with what it is we choose to do, and make the focus on us connecting, one way or another.
If you or your SO is a total homebody who prefers a night-in over the night-out experience, then this list is for you! There are times when you may need to think a little outside the box, instead of the classic popcorn and a movie. These date night in ideas aren’t limited for nighttime use, either – think day dates ideas, too!
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20+ Fun date night IN ideas that don’t suck
- Create a 4-course meal together (from scratch – if you’ve never made fresh pasta and homemade sauce, um, you should try it)
- Movie/TV show marathon (make it a game: i.e., whoever laughs first has to…’give the other a massage’)
- Pull an all-nighter (challenge each other – who can stay awake the longest)
- Play a board game/build a puzzle (create your own keepsake puzzle for an added surprise)
- Got a pool/hot tub? Have a pool party – just the two of you (drinks, floats, a bbq)
- Create your own at-home beer/wine tasting (some companies sell mini wine bottles – all you need is the charcuterie board)
- Snuggle up by a fire pit (don’t have space? Propane fire pits are “the thing” – safe, easy to use, and no cleanup)
- Build a living room fort for storytelling and a sleepover (OK – so maybe minus “storytelling”, but don’t forget the snacks)
- Paint a mural – yes, I said MURAL – on a wall!
- JOURNAL TOGETHER. Who says you have to wait around for disaster to strike to strengthen your relationship? Tighten your intimate bond, communicate to connect, and be proactive in bettering your relationship all around (whether you feel you need to or not).
- Read a book together; Take turns reading a good series (or even your Bible)
- Have a paint night (get some canvases, paints and brushes – make some memorable wall art)
- Bake some sweet treats (cookies, or a cake – then reap the benefits over a glass of wine or a movie)
- Find a YouTube channel to watch together (my husband I are obsessed with RV travelers, gardeners and people who live in remarkable places like Jonna Jinton)
- Married? Watch your wedding video or go through your engagement/wedding pictures (don’t justify reliving the moment once a year – do it often)
- Start a vegetable garden
- Breakfast…in bed…for dinner (Decaf or tea, comfy robes, movie marathon and all)
- Plan a “Honey-do” night (kidding, but kind of not) – *This is about doing something for one another that maybe you’ve been “putting off” (make it interesting with a “reward”)
- Plan a night to give each other a haircut (or for her, maybe her roots need retouching)
- Get in the mood – romanticize one another, for real (whatever that be: champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, a hot oil massage, couples breathing exercises or meditation, or candles and music)
- SIT DOWN and talk about ways to improve upon your sex life, and make it happen, literally!
- Get cultured with a new cuisine you’ve never tried (whether that be making it yourselves or getting takeout)
- Play “Truth or Dare”, “Never Have I Ever”, or “Would You Rather” (make it legit – spend the day or week coming up with your ideas on notecards)
- Fondue FTW (whether that be cheese or chocolate – neither can go wrong). Need a fondue set? Look no further!
- Breakfast, lunch or dinner in bed (Heck – make a point to stay in bed all day)
- Create a memorable scrapbook (make use of those photos on your phone or computer! Snapfish offers insanely cheap prints for pennies)
- Take it waaaaay back – get your dance on, or learn some new moves (and I’m not talking
Taylor Swift– more like Billie Holiday) - Play video games (OK, so maybe not Call of Duty – unless that’s your thing – but a game you both can play together and enjoy, like Rayman or Supermario)
- At-home spa night – mani and pedis (Snag some goodies from Sally’s)
- Sketch portraits of each other (do it Titanic style for that added twist…and spark)
- Get your DIY home improvement on (Looking to replace the carpet, or cabinets need refacing [see my tutorial here]? Do it together)
- Write out your bucket lists, and read them together aloud (do a travel bucket list, life bucket list, financial bucket list, etc.)
- Two words: body paint. I’ll let you go from there.
- Learn more about each other by reading books such as The Five Love Languages or Love and Respect.
- His and Her date night choice, give each other options to pick from (i.e., write down ideas on popsicle sticks in a jar, or do rock, paper, scissors), and switch off (from the food, activities, etc.)
- Throw an indoor or backyard picnic (picnic style, on the floor)
- Have a legit “massage night” – profesh style: candles, oils, music, the works!
- Play “fake” real estate on Zillow/Trulia (Choose a [crazy, cool] location, set a [realistic or unrealistic] budget, and pretend you’re “in the market”).
- Have a beer, burgers or dogs BBQ (throw in some backyard competition like cornhole, ringtoss, or ladderball)
- Do a workout together, like Tabata (I know, I know but make it a game – each rewarding one another afterwards)
- Go for a walk around the neighborhood (bring the dogs – spend the time talking and reflecting)
- Rearrange your furniture (you know, feng shui)
- Have a garage sale or go through your stuff to donate (nothing wrong with decluttering and/or making some cash on the side)
- Make your cocktail/mocktail favorite and lay by the pool, or under an umbrella in the backyard to some music
- Go to your local nursery (or Lowe’s/Home Depot), buy some plants, and spend the day picking weeds and sprucing up the yard together
- Create a scavenger hunt or play hide and seek – be little kids at heart again!
- Play a board game, especially the old school ones (like Trouble, Monopoly, Scrabble, etc.)
- Lay on a blanket under the stars (better yet, use a blow-up mattress, a bunch of pillows or a down comforter)
- Camp out in the backyard (you only use that camping tent a couple of times a year, anyhow – make use of it)
This post contains affiliate links. All products and links listed on TML are affiliates through 3rd parties such as Etsy and Amazon. Meaning, at no cost to you, by clicking and purchasing through those links I will earn a small commission. To learn more read TML Terms and Disclosure.
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