DATE NIGHTS AT HOME CAN BE JUST AS FEEL GOOD AND FUN AS A NIGHT ON THE TOWN. THESE CREATIVE STAY AT HOME DATE NIGHT IDEAS WILL SHOW YOU HOW!
Who doesn’t love a dreamy date night? One where sparks fly or the two of you rekindle a bit of romance? Maybe you’re simply looking for a few uninterrupted hours where you can connect and just be.
Whatever your reason is for planning a stay at home date night, you can absolutely have a lovely time in the comfort of your own home, whether embracing a frugal living lifestyle, practicing a no-spend weekend, stuck at home or simply craving a cozy evening away from it all.
(And if you’re specifically looking for budget-friendly ways to spice up a Friday or Saturday evening at home, make sure you visit this page before you go!)
All of that said, setting time aside for and planning that special evening at home can get challenging. Not only are you working around everything else occupying your time and headspace, but you might be at a loss when thinking of creative, fun or romantic ways to spend your date night in.
Which is exactly why I pulled together some of my favorite stay at home date night ideas. What I love about this list is that many of these ideas are quite affordable, and there’s something for everyone — no matter if you’re newly dating or walked the aisle years ago!
Here you go: 19 at home date night ideas to connect and unwind with the one you love.
1. Enjoy a dip in your very own backyard pool
Local parks and swimming pools have been closed for quite some time because of the coronavirus pandemic. And being in the water is so refreshing on those hot summer evenings!
So my husband and I took the plunge and invested in an inflatable pool for our backyard — eee!
Our pool is very similar in style and size to this one. Plop it down, inflate and fill it up once you find the perfect spot. We love to set our outdoor mosaic table next to the pool, bring out a bowl of snacks and make ourselves a couple of drinks.
What you might need for your date night backyard dip:
- Inflatable pool
- Snacks and a tasty poolside beverage
- Drink tumblers
Keep in mind you’ll also need a way to inflate your backyard pool. (We use a small air compressor to fill up ours.)
2. Try a date box for your stay at home date night
What if your date night idea came to you wrapped in a cute little box? And all you had to do is open it to discover what awaits for your evening of romance?
This is 100% possible!
Date Night in a Box delivers unique and exciting dates once a month. Each date night box includes interactive activities, accessories to set the mood, snacks or mixers for two, plus a suggested chef-inspired dinner menu.
Ready to learn more about Date Night in a Box now? Just click here. You’ll be able to browse their previous date night boxes and see what kind of options would work best for your date. Use the code 15OFFNIB to receive 15% off all plans!
3. Share old photographs with your date
The days of developing film might be a distant memory. But I bet they’re not so far behind us that you don’t have a stash of old photographs from your childhood or teen years, whether you took them yourself or your parents passed them along to you for safe keeping.
So do some digging and find those puppies!
Snuggle up on the couch and flip through the memories together. Open up about what was going on behind the scenes that day — the people you were with, the places you were, the emotions you felt.
4. Cook something new together
Spending time in the kitchen is such a fun way to get to know each other, learn something new and practice a little teamwork to bring you closer. Choose a dish that neither of you has attempted before — something completely new!
Plan ahead to give yourself plenty of time to decide on the recipe and buy the ingredients.
Here are a few of our favorite places to find recipes and cooking inspiration:
- Tasty
- Minimalist Baker
- Chef John with Food Wishes
Another option would be to have the ingredients and meal plan shipped straight to you. My husband and I recently started ordering some of our dinners from Green Chef. The meals are easy to cook with a tad less prep, not to mention they’re delicious and restaurant quality.
5. Stargaze for an extra romantic date night in
Nothing is quite as breathtaking than a blanket of stars above. But while the stars are what makes the stargazing what it is (you need stars to stargaze, yeah?), there is so much more to it! The breeze, nature sounds and that occasional lightning bug are also a big part of the entire experience.
Not to mention being with the one you love.
Make it an event to remember. Spread out a blanket (this picnic blanket on Etsy is perfect for the occasion), pour a couple glasses of wine and put together a meat and cheese board to share.
6. Play board games
It’s hard to go wrong with board games because there are so many options available — you’re bound to find something that’s right for you!
The first board games that come to mind might be the classics. Oldies but goodies, and you might already have some of these tucked away at home:
- Monopoly
- Scrabble
- Risk
- Battleship
- Sorry
Looking for something new or different? Here are some other board games that may spark your interest:
7. Craft something together at home
Unleash your creative side. Even if neither of you consider yourselves to be crafty. Because crafting something together is a chance to get messy, bond and be silly. And who knows? Your craft date night might spark a new hobby!
Paint an old side table that could use a refresh. Build a pair of hanging wall shelves similar to this one on Etsy. Make a dreamcatcher or DIY string art.
Another option that’s a little less crafty but still creative? Sharpen some colored pencils and get to coloring with an adult coloring book.
8. Build a popcorn bar for your stay at home date night
While popcorn and movie night go hand in hand, you don’t have to wait until the TV turns on to pop some corn. Actually, a number of ideas on this list would be the right time to snack on popcorn, like when you’re playing board games, sharing old photographs or having a no electricity night.
Create the ultimate popcorn bar for your stay at home date night with these ideas:
- Try using an air popcorn popper or a Whirley Pop (which is what we use and love!)
- Sprinkle that corn with sweet toppings like coconut flakes, dark chocolate chips, Reese’s Pieces or gummy bears
- Go for spiced toppings like cayenne pepper, cinnamon, rosemary or garlic powder
9. Indulge in a spa night for two — at home
You want romance. You want intimacy. And you not only want to feel pampered alongside your special someone, but are looking for a chance to unwind after that rough week just kicked you in the pants.
You need a luxurious spa night for two.
Planning a couple’s spa night on a whim is absolutely doable. All you really need are massages, a good soak in the tub and a few lighted candles. But a little extra thought can go a long way in making the evening really sweet.
Here are some ideas to help you create a memorable at home spa night:
- For the mood. Ambience is everything. Tidy up your space, dim the lights, light some candles and play those instrumental slow jams softly in the background.
- For the massage. Learn a few basic massage techniques. Use an unscented carrier oil like coconut, sweet almond (this is the kind I prefer) or grapeseed. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Lavender is a good option, but get inspiration with these 7 essential oil blends if you want to make a blend.
- For the tub. Go for bubbles, bath bombs or oils. Gently exfoliate using a DIY salt scrub. Enjoy a glass (or two) of champagne together. When you’re out and semi dry, slather on some body cream and slip into a robe for the night.
10. Join an online fitness class
Try an active date night for something a little different that gets the body moving and energy flowing. A HIIT or Tabata session will really get the blood pumping, while a soothing yoga class can relieve tension and promote relaxing vibes.
Check out these fitness YouTube channels for your sporty date night in:
11. Make pizza from scratch
Much like the date night idea of cooking something new, making pizza gives you a chance to spend some quality time in the kitchen. And who doesn’t love pizza? So instead of purchasing a pie from your local pizzeria, stop by the grocery store to pick up any ingredients you’ll need.
Make the dough from scratch if you want to go all out. But because making dough can be more time and labor intensive (and it’s not always easy to get it right on the first go), ready-made pizza crust is a good option, too.
Here’s what you might need for your pizza night at home:
- Quick + easy pizza crust recipe or Boboli pizza crust
- Seasonings like fresh parmesan cheese, dried oregano, crushed red pepper or fresh basil leaves — yum!
- Cuisinart nonstick pizza pan
12. Go wine tasting from the comfort of your home
One of the great things about wine tasting at home is that you can personalize the experience to your taste — literally! Not a fan of white wine? Stick to red. Love wine from a certain region? Choose something from there you haven’t yet tasted.
Then create a wine menu that appeals to you. You could keep it themed — for example stick to one country or price point. Another idea is to have a blind taste test.
A helpful tip: Sip water or eat a cracker between tastings to help cleanse your palate.
Make your wine tasting an occasion to remember! Break out the crystal or vintage glassware you typically save for special occasions, create a romantic table setting and prepare fruit and snacks to savor post taste.
13. Make believe a power outage
The last time the power went out at our house, my husband and I spent hours just talking to each other. It was lovely!
The fact that it took a power outage to bring us closer that evening sounds a little sad. But the truth is that there are so many distractions that ever so slyly steal our time and attention — the TV, YouTube, social media, your new favorite app, on and on.
Cut the cord — so to speak — and turn it off. All of it.
(No, no. Not stuff like the fridge and stove, but I think you know what I’m getting at.)
Here’s what to do: After you’ve enjoyed a romantic dinner for two, turn off the lights. Silence and tuck away your phones. Light the candles. Spend a distraction-free evening where the two of you can connect in a meaningful way.
Ideas to try for your no-electricity date night at home:
- Share childhood stories
- Read to each other
- Act out your favorite movie or play
- Build a fort, grab some snacks, bust out the flashlight and play cards
14. Go backyard camping for a date night at home
Make your great escape to the outdoors without traveling hundreds of miles to reach your destination. While the scenery might not be as grand as your favorite mountain getaway, that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the joys of camping in your very own backyard.
Pitch a tent, build a campfire and cook up your favorite camping foods (I’m looking at you, hot dogs and s’mores), then lay out under a blanket of stars as the evening winds down.
Things you might need for your backyard camping adventure:
- 2-person tent (A tent for this occasion doesn’t have to be terribly expensive — check out this one on Amazon to see what I mean)
- Sleeping bags and pillows
- Fire pit
- Roasting sticks
- Food, snacks + beverages
- Flashlights or a lantern
- Ghost stories
15. Play truth or dare
Playing truth or dare might take you back to your childhood years, which is exactly why it’s the perfect game to spice things up a bit!
It’s a fun (and slightly embarrassing) way to learn more about each other and get silly — considering you keep it fairly lighthearted. That being said, tailor the game to your relationship and use your best judgment when it comes to topics.
16. Take a virtual museum tour for an inspired date night
Go virtually where you’ve never gone before. See the world, experience time travel and scroll through collection after collection of artwork — all while snuggled up on the couch with your main squeeze. C’est magnifique, non?
Here are a few ideas for your at-home virtual museum tour:
- Musée d’Orsay — Paris, France
- Uffizi Gallery — Florence, Italy
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — New York City, US
- British Museum — London, UK
- The Vatican Museums — Vatican City
17. Have a photo shoot to capture the love
You can make a photo shoot as simple or extravagant as you want. And because smartphone technology is so advanced nowadays, you don’t even need a fancy DSLR to do this. But if you have a nice camera, by all means use it!
There are so many angles you can take when planning a date night photo shoot, from candid photos around the house to backyard shots in nature. You can even gather some props to make it themed or slip into something romantic for a boudoir photo session.
And just think — how fun would it be to look back on these photos and remember the fun you shared creating these memories!
18. Play video games
Whether you play video games today or haven’t held a controller in years, playing video games is the perfect chance to feel like a kid again and enjoy a little friendly competition.
Bust out whatever video console you already have, or buy something new!
If you’re in the mood to splurge, the Nintendo Switch is a hot item right now. Or if you’re feeling nostalgic, see if you can get your hands on a SNES Classic or NES Classic.
19. Create a couples bucket list
My husband and I created a couples bucket list when we first started dating. Our bucket list ideas went from watching a certain movie to taking a trip across the country. As our relationship progressed, one of the things we loved to do was cross off the things we’ve done together!
You can create one bucket list to capture every you would like to do together, or break it up into multiple bucket lists. For example, you could create a list of things you’d like to do by the end of the month, year or over the next five years.
Another idea could be to create a bucket list for different categories. You could create a movie bucket list, places you want to see bucket list or food bucket list, just to name a few.
What are your favorite stay at home date night ideas for two? Do share in the comments below!
RELATED READS:
Leave a Reply