For all those old, married folks out there, when’s the last time you had a date night? Does your idea of a night in together revolve around Netflix? Are you and your spouse so tired by the end of the day that you have a hard time having a conversation with each other, let alone time for romance? Before kids, my husband and I used to go out all the time. After three kids we are always exhausted, and actual date nights out may be few and far between, but we’ve found that you can still have a great time with your spouse even if you spend the evening at home. Put the kids to bed and try one of these date night ideas.
♥ 14 Stay At Home Date Night Ideas ♥
1.Cook Something Together. Getting into the kitchen and creating together forces you to communicate in a different, more organic way. Put on some music and have fun shimmying around the kitchen. I recommend signing up for Cook In, a 12 month subscription service that sends out monthly date boxes that include: A themed menu, recipes with ingredient list, movies to watch, songs to listen to, and conversation starters geared around your relationship.
2. Chopped: Couples Edition. Make your own version of the popular cooking show, Chopped. Both of you can shop for 4-6 strange ingredients and then challenge your spouse to make a dessert out of the things you’ve chosen. This is a great time to get creative and have fun!
3. Create Something for your Home. My husband and I used to enjoy making each other things for Valentine’s Day, but how much fun would it be to make something together for the home that we share? Try this I love you because sign, these 11 creative ideas. or these 35 Ikea DIY hacks
4. Get Playful. Play a game of Twister, Boggle or Scrabble. I know this isn’t exactly a wild night out, but playing games together can lead to lots of laughs (like when my husband always has to spell balls or crotch because he thinks he’s still a teenager) and some great conversation.
5. Cuddle Around the Fire. If you don’t already have one, invest in a fire pit. You can find a decent one on Amazon for just over $40. Take turns making s’mores or just snuggle on your spouse’s lap.
6. Have Your Own Wine/Beer Tasting. Buy a few different types to try, along with some food that pairs well, such as chocolate or cheese. Write down your thoughts on what you’ve tasted and compare notes.
7. Discover Your Inner Pop Star. YouTube has a karaoke version of just about every song you can imagine. Invest in a microphone like this one and take turns singing your hearts out, or better yet, sing some duets!
8. Dance the Night Away. You can still go dancing even if you’re stuck at home. Look for DVDs at your local library, on Amazon or search for specific dances on YouTube.
9. Create Your Own Game Room. This may require an investment, but it doesn’t have to be a large one and all it really takes is one game. For example, my husband and I set up a dart board in our garage. Our neighbors had a shuffle board table and it provided us with hours of amusement. Check on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for great deals on air hockey tables, foosball tables, arcade games, etc.
10. Write, Share and Discuss Your Bucket Lists. You’ll be surprised what you’ll learn about each other, even if you’ve been together for a long time.
11. Plan Your Next Vacation. Visit Trip Advisor to create a folder of hotel, restaurant and attraction ideas for your next trip.
12. Have Your Own Paint Night. Find cheap canvases and paint at Michaels and don’t forget to use their weekly coupons. Look for paint night tutorials on YouTube.
13. Read and Discuss a Book Together. Try the books Color Code by Taylor Hartman, The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman or any of John Gottman’s relationship books.
14. Go Back to the Beginning. Write down the story of how you met and your first date and then take turns videotaping each other reading what you wrote. Keep the videos to share with your kids.
With the stresses and struggles of everyday life, it’s much more difficult for couples to sustain the romantic love they had when they got together. However, it can be done if you both agree to make it a priority. It may not look the way it did when you were first married, and keeping it may take time and effort, but it is worth it. Good luck!
♥ Erin
