50 At-Home Date Night Ideas
A list of at-home date night inspiration when you need a little boost!
→ Click here to download the list of 50 at-home date night ideas here! ←
This year Jeff and I are aiming to have two date nights each month. And I’m willing to bet 80% of them will be at our house. Here’s the thing. I do believe dates night out of the house are valuable — they really do give you a different level of refresh — but it’s not realistic for us to have a date night out on the town once a week or even twice a month in this season of our life.
There are a lot of factors that need to align for at date night out to happen—the kids can’t be sick (this time of year that’s a doozy), you need to find a sitter (it takes the right sitter to watch four children), and you need to be prepared to pay that sitter (easily $100 for a date night).
A date night out is an undertaking! And with all of the factors, it can actually be a barrier to spending intentional time together.
I’d rather have dates nights at home then not have them at all!
At-home date nights can be just as fun and just as refreshing as going out. We’ve found that we need to add a little magic to make our at-home dates nights special and challenge ourselves to not fall into the “let’s just watch a movie” rut. Here are some tips we’ve found helpful!
6 tips for adding a lil’ magic to your at-home date nights
Find a unique + unusual location
Just because you’re home doesn’t mean the location can’t make it more memorable! The key is to pick an unusual location for the activity you’re choosing.
On the first anniversary of our engagement, before were married, my husband and I climbed onto our roof, popped a bottle of champagne, and sipped it from the rooftop. It wasn’t anything extravagant, but it was really special and memorable. (Also, I’m not sure I’d climb onto our roof now so I’m glad we checked that off of the list.)
Tell me what sounds like more fun? Eating dessert at your kitchen table — or — having a dessert picnic on a blanket in your truck bed with only your camping lantern and the stars to light up your evening.
Go as far as the monitor will stretch!
Set the ambiance
You know how the holidays feel incredibly special and memorable, but really you’re just eating meat and potatoes like any other week?
Obviously there’s a bigger reason for the season, plus time with family and friends makes it extra special, but it’s also the production of the holidays. The glitz, the glam, the lighting, the smell of pine — it’s the extra attention to details make it special! So. Get out the snazzy plates and your fanciest glassware, put on a tablecloth, and light a candle!
When you’re home, these little details will make it all feel more special.
Make it a competition
Will this ruin the date night? Possibly. Will it make for a firey date night? Hopefully!
There’s nothing wrong with food, drinks, and a movie, but every once in a while a home date needs to be more than food, drinks, and a movie. What about games? I’m talking board games, cards, yard games, 20-questions, Twister — any and all games are welcomed!
Making it a competition brings a different energy.
Throw it back (…or forward) for your at-home date night ideas
Trying throwing it back with a round of Mario Kart or a nerf gun fight. Or throwing it “forward” with something trendy you haven’t tried yet like a backyard America Ninja Warrior course or learning a TikTok dance.
Play with nostalgia and newness!
Try an unusual time of day
Ok, stick with me on this one. I know I said date night, but what about early morning?
Maybe mornings aren’t your thing and that’s ok, but if you and your partner are willing to wake up early, try a morning date!
When Jeff and I were dating we use to meet up on weekdays at 5am, go to a spot on the tippy top of an east-facing hilly road, sit in the back of his Jeep with the trunk open, watch the sunrise, and drink coffee. So simple and yet so much fun!
No basic food
It’s a rule that dates have some sort of food, right? This is another opportunity to make time together a little more special and it doesn’t have to be wild and crazy. Maybe you make a brand new recipe, you pick up takeout, or you each pick three ingredients and combine them make a DIY trail mix!
The point with all of these tips is to do something different! Your date shouldn’t feel like you're going through the motions. At home dates can be something really special and really attainable if you challenge yourself to think a little outside of the box.
50 At-Home Date Night Ideas
To help you get started, I made a list of 50 At-Home Date Night Ideas. Check them out and leave a comment once you’ve given one a try!
→ Click here to download the list of 50 at-home date night ideas here! ←
