37 at home date night in ideas for married couples (non-TV activities). Find romantic date ideas for married couples.Looking for at home date night ideas for married couples? Show
Date night in ideas that you'll *actually* have time to use? A year or two ago, my husband and I felt huge time constraints. We had an infant, and felt like there was no time or energy to plan things to do on a home date. I wanted to find out where the heck all of my time was going to (as if the answer wasn't crawling around, babbling in front of me…hint – our 1-year old baby), and if it went to places that were actually a priority. Like continuing to date my husband, even when our date nights would be at home. I used the free time-tracking app, Toggl, to account for almost every minute of my day for three whole weeks. I even tracked our couple's time, but in two different ways:
The learning made it all worth it. One of the biggest nuggets that came out of this?
The results were…well, bad. I mean, we have our shows together that I just adore. But I had no idea that this was basically our only couple's “activity” we were doing together when we finally put our little guy to sleep each night. Once I showed the results to my husband, it put us on a mission to get more couple time together, at home, that doesn't involve a television (even just in the background). Meaning, we needed to come up with some pretty awesome, and cheap, at-home date nights plus non-TV activities for couples to do.
Importance of Date Night for Married CouplesI cannot stress enough the importance of date night for married couples. Consistent date nights. Around the same time that I did that toggl accounting of my time and discovered the enormous amount of television intruding on our couple's time, we went through a free online marriage class to enhance our marriage relationship.
So, we decided to plan a date night every single week, and take turns with who was in charge of it. And to make it part of our married life together. That was about two years ago, and I can't tell you the difference it's made in our relationship, and in each of us. Twice a month, I get to just “show up” to date night with my husband, and twice a month he gets to come home from work to a planned evening together.
So, what do date nights at our home look like? But First, How Date Nights Work in Our HouseholdWe're in a season of life where most of our date nights are fit in at home after the baby has gone to sleep (we probably get a babysitter just once every other month). And, we're both kind of exhausted. Still, we've placed a huge importance on date nights in our household and in our relationship — no matter if we have an 8-month old, a 2-year old, or whatever. We set the following parameters:
We have over two years of experience with coming up with cheap, at-home date nights, so I'm sharing some of our favorites with you! Date Night In Ideas After Kids Go to BedDate nights look…different after kid(dos) come along. Sure, we could get a babysitter once a week and make things proper by going out on the town. Truth be told, we probably DO get a family or friend to babysit for us about once a month to do just that. But doing this every week for the first 22 months of our child’s life? It just wasn’t in the cards for us. There’s sleeping schedules, sleep deprivation, feeling comfortable with leaving your baby at night with someone (did I mention, your FIRST baby?), etc. So, while we’ve had some hellacious-ly fun dates out on the town since baby was born, the majority of our weekly at home date nights for married couples (that's us!) have been in the comfort of our own home (er, well, at least in the comfort of within baby-monitor-distance. You’ll see more info on that below). With the help of ideas from others, we’ve managed to come up with some really unique ways to create an experience that feels just like we’d been out on the town.
I’d like to pass those along to you in your quest to keep the intimacy + romance + fun alive with your partner. Romantic date ideas for married couples at home:These make the perfect date night ideas for married couples looking to build more intimacy into their lives. Because we don't just want to keep the spark alive…we want to build the spark to be even bigger, right? 1. Download a Spicy Bedroom App and Get to Gettin'There are several free, and really spicy relationship apps you can use after the kids go to bed (and a few? Well, they're best for day-long foreplay when the two of you are apart). Try out one of these relationship apps for couples:
2. Love is Art Body PaintingYou cannot believe the look of surprise on my husband’s face when I presented him with this Love is Art kit (once he figured out what it is we were actually about to do). That’s right – you get naked (or in swimsuits – whatever you prefer), and you create a canvas work of art! Instantly a memory we’ll always cherish and definitely something we’ll never forget. Did I mention we might actually frame this and hang it above our bed (maybe for an anniversary gift)? It’ll be an awesome inside reminder of our relationship. 3. Spend the Night in a DIFFERENT RoomOne of the best night ideas for couples is to just spend the night in a different room. Got a guest room? Or an office you hardly use + an air mattress you only break out for the guests? Make this fun date night special by spending the night at a “hotel” in your own home (a romantic getaway…at home!). Breakfast in bed? Why, yes, pleassssseee. Our own twist for this – we actually built a fire in our fireplace, and laid out blankets/pillows in front of it on Christmas Eve for our date night. That is a cherished memory we’ll always have (nope…I’m not sharing any of the other details!). 4. Get Date Night Delivered to Your Front DoorHow much easier (and, more interesting) would it be to plan at home date nights if someone else planned the whole thing out, boxed it up, and shipped it to your front door? We're parents of a little one, and we simply just haven't had time to always plan weekly date night at home for each other. SO, we started “outsourcing” one date night a month by getting a date night subscription box delivered to our front door! You can read all about our date night box reviews here, but I'll share our favorite one here (#1 pick!): Crated with Love (use this link and coupon code “FRUGAL” to get $5 off). 5. Create a Cheaper Version of the Game of LoveThe Game of Love – a really saucy, but totally fun date idea for couples – usually costs $55. But this woman has a way for you to make it yourself for much less (she calls it the Between-the-Sheets Game). Hint: dollar stores bed sheets will work just fine for this!
6. Paint with a Twist (At-Home Version)Painting with a Twist is a really fun night out where couples go to little art studios, listen to music, drink wine, and learn how to paint a painting. However, it typically costs around $35/per person (so $70, plus the cost of a babysitter!). You can create your own, at-home version, by buying the supplies at stores like Michael’s (don’t forget to look for a 40% off coupon to their store), and then painting along with YouTube artist tutorials. 7. Create a Graffiti WallEver just wanted to do some graffiti…you know, the kind that easily gets cleaned up? Could be a fun release of stress, artistic expression, and whatever else! You’ll need paints (who says you can’t use up all those old paint cans and spray bottles in your garage? We have about a bazillion from all the paint jobs we’ve done over the years), a way to protect your wall (I’ve got a tarp we used to use for our wood pile out back that will work perfectly), and paper or a cloth canvas. Move your furniture and anything else that could be spattered away from the wall – I would do several feet away – and hang both the protective layer as well as your “canvas”. Don’t forget to protect the floor! You could use trash bags, or anything else that will keep the paint from bleeding through. Then…have some FUN with painting a huge graffiti mural with your partner! Best part is? You can roll the whole thing up and trash it before the kids wake up the next morning. 8. Do a Couple’s Yoga SessionDo you want to get a bit…physical with your partner during your date? How about a rockin’ partner yoga session? From the comfort of your own home, you can mess up and giggle your way through without any weird looks.
9. Have a Couple’s Massage Date NightThis guy, Denis, is the MAN to go to for couple’s massage tutorials and tips. I’m a member of his email list AND his FB group (he’s not currently accepting new members), and I can’t get enough of his techniques! His videos are not only entertaining, but you’ll pick up enough massage tips to make this night pleasurable for you both. (Hint: he sells an almond massage oil called Melt – the only ingredient is almond – and I bought us a set to use on our couple’s massage date night!). Fast forward to my personal pick for videos to check out (warning: he has lengthy intros to his videos – keep watching!):
10. Star Gaze in an Inflatable PoolSeveral years ago, I came upon this awesome, quirky idea on Pinterest: to use your child’s inflatable pool as a star-gazing venue for you + your beau. I can officially say, it’s a really cool idea! Take yours up a notch with this free printable date night under the stars. For us? It was surprising my husband with the blankets and pillows already set up, snuggling under a star-studded sky (yes, we were both surprised by how many we could see, even though we’re in the city), and listening to the bugs chirp. Just wonderful. Here are 17 more backyard date night ideas for couples.
11. Host a Chocolate Bar Tasting for DessertOver the course of several afternoons, I took our little guy on a date-night mission: we went to several stores to source exotic and indulgent chocolates of all kinds for a date night. Honestly, the act of sourcing chocolates I would never normally think about buying because of the high price tags felt really good (Hint: the place where there was the most selection? Whole Foods.). Total cost was just $15.86 (I somehow walked into a Buy-1-Bar, Get-2nd-Bar-Half-Off sale). I chose 6 bars to correspond with The Dating Divas’ FREE Chocolate Tasting Date Night Setup:
Why was this seemingly simple date night successful? Because it brought a new experience – tasting various chocolates from around the world – right into our living room. It was engaging, and sparked conversations + playful debates. Did I mention it took care of dessert as well? Home run!
12. Have Drive-In Movie…in Your DrivewayYou heard me right. We had a right and proper drive-in movie…in our driveway. And let me tell you, it made all the difference. We really felt like we were getting “away”, even though the baby was soundly sleeping just half a house away from us.
How we set up this date:
13. Hold a Solar Eclipse, Two-Part DateThis one was a blast to set up and keep secret (though offering emoji clues throughout the week) from Paul. I scouted out free, NASA-Approved solar eclipse glasses from a library in Houston, and actually found several pairs! Then I rolled through the movie rolodex in my mind. The only movie I can remember seeing that has a solar eclipse in it is Dolores Claiborne, by Stephen King. We both happen to be King fans, so it was perfect. Here’s how I set this up:
What an awesome (emphasis on the “awe”) experience this was for us. Even though we weren’t together for the entire part of it, it really brought us closer. Reminds me of those long distance date nights he and I used to have when he was living in Japan and I was living in Florida. 14. Have Tea and Crumpets…On the Bedroom FloorI had never in my life had an indoor picnic. But after cleaning out the tea portion of our cupboards and stumbling upon tea I had purchased while in London, I decided tea + crumpets (or, rather, finger foods) was just the ticket!
Here’s how I set this up:
15. Wedding Album Date NightGet out your wedding album and/or video. Stop off at your local bakery or cupcake boutique, and pick out the most wedding-day-looking cupcakes you can find. Serve them up for your spouse while you both look through your wedding photos and watch the day again, together. Reading through these date nights so far, you may have noticed something: these are all dates I set up for my husband. Don’t worry – his specialty seems to be in setting up on-the-town dates outside of the house (complete with finding us a babysitter). I’m a lucky girl for that! My specialty seems to be creating really unique experiences at home. What can I say? We work well as a team. Now, we'll move onto fun printable games for couples and other dating activities.
16. Have Deep Conversations with Life Sutra CardsAfter skipping several weeks of date nights due to moving for my husband's job, we decided to jump back into our schedule with this deck of Life Sutra Couple Connect cards created by licensed psychologist, Dr. Tania Sharma. Which was the perfect thing, because we both felt like we hadn't really talked to each other for awhile. You know, like really talked, beyond just logistics of getting through our day. These cards were SUCH a great conversation starter for some deep topics (and some fun ones!) that we haven't talked about for a long time…or ever. We got questions like:
We learned a few new things about each other (which is pretty cool, since we just celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary!), like how we each have comforted the other in the past year that was touching, and where we each fantasize about vacationing to, and something fun we both like to do in bed. Did I mention that these cards were truly gorgeous? The outside of them look like gold! Could be a great date night gift idea for a couple or long distance relationship gift for a couple you know.
Fun Printable Games for Couples – Dating ActivitiesLooking for the best fun printable games couples can play for an at-home date night? I’ve curated my top-hit list of MUST-DO’s. 1. Intimate Recipe Game for CouplesCan I just tell you how flipping excited my husband was when I whipped out this intimate recipe game for couples…and he got to pick out what he wanted from my non-mentionables drawer for me to wear? Lawdy, me, that was a fun night.
2. Spouse ScattergoriesGet to know your spouse better and have a few laughs with this free, printable Spouse Scattergories game. It's got tons of questions for you both to try out, plus printable letters so that you randomly choose one. All you'll need is a timer. With a Twist, Please: Use the blank answer sheets to craft your own 12 questions for a personalized round. You can, *ahem*, come up with anything you're curious about or think would be hilarious. 3. All-About-Us Charades Printable GameHow about you guys act out facts about your relationship in a game of charades? Use these free printables to bring some giggle-fests to your date night. 4. Couple’s Truth or Dare Deck of CardsPrint out this free game of couple’s truth or dare and play a round…do you dare?
5. Play Escape Room in a BoxEscape rooms are pretty awesome – my husband and I did one together about a year ago – but did you know you can create that kind of experience at home? There are several escape-room-in-a-box options that will really spice things up.
Perhaps you're looking for not only date night ideas that are at home out of convenience (it's a lot to find a sitter), but you also want the fun activities to be cheap, too. I totally get you! That's why each of these ideas listed below is with that in mind.
Date Night Plan #1: Mini Wine/Beer TastingPick up those hotel-like small bottles of wine and single bottles of beer you can get in liquor stores so that you can get a large variety without breaking the bank. Then pick up an assortment of finger foods, or have fondue night (cheese + wine = yum!). With a Twist, Please: Go to your local warehouse-type alcohol store, and pick small wine bottles and single beers from each of the countries you've visited as a couple together. Not stepped outside of the great ol' US together? Choose beers and wines from states you've visited, or even local breweries and vineyards. Then, hold your own wine tasting! Date Night Plan #2: Impromptu Photo SeshReady for giggles? Ready to see your beau in a whole new light? Target your loved one through a lens. Try different backgrounds (don't be afraid to hang some sheets!), try different yard locations, try lots of different things. Funny selfies? Totally acceptable. With a Twist, Please: Why not make a private photobook of your photo sesh together? You know, for your eyes only? Or just print a few out and include them in their lunch bag one day. What a lovely way to commemorate a fun evening. Date Night Plan #3: Pokemon Go HuntingWait…I didn't say screen-free, right;)? Download the Pokémon Go app on your smart phone over your lunch hour (one that you actually take!), play around with it for a few minutes. Better yet, find someone under 4′ tall − they'll likely be able to show you how to play it. And if you have a really little one? You can venture away from your backyard by taking them on a walk with you in the stroller while you guys get your hunt on. With a Twist, Please: Make this competitive by having both of you download the app on each of your phones and seeing who can capture the most Pokémon in a set amount of time. Date Night Plan #4: Cook a New Recipe TogetherMy husband loves to cook just as much as I do. It's rare when we're both in the kitchen together (usually the other person is wrangling our 22-month old or decompressing for a few minutes after a long day). Make a point to research a new recipe or meal, gather the ingredients during your next grocery shopping trip, and work on it together in the kitchen. Oh, and music is key here. So, create a mixed CD or load up your MP3s and have those playing in the background. With a Twist, Please: Each choose a few recipes you've been dying to try, then set up a tasting station for one another a la The Taste. Date Night Plan #5: Read Aloud to One Another (Double Points for Kids' Books)Have you ever read aloud to one another? Paul and I love doing this. We sit in the library and read excerpts from what we're reading that we think the other person would find shocking or interesting, or we read a chapter or two together. With a Twist, Please: What's even more fun than reading out loud to each other? Reading a kids' book to your spouse. I know, sounds crazy. But it's comforting and the pictures are lovely. Share one you find particularly endearing from your own childhood and your spouse will learn something new about you as well. Date Night Plan #6: Backyard PicnicSometimes just changing things up with new scenery to look at makes it feel special. So choose your meal for the night, but instead of eating at the dining room table or in front of the tube, dedicate an area out back where the two of you can eat. Use a blanket, a picnic table, or really whatever you've got. You could even wait until the stars come out (especially helpful if your little ones don't go to sleep until it's dark). We find that just going outside on our back patio after putting our baby down gives us enough separation from him to feel like we're alone. With a Twist, Please: Tent it up. Pitch your tent in the backyard and spend the night somewhere new! Got a baby? Set up some monitors so you can completely disconnect from the house but still have your ear out in case they need you. Date Night Plan #7: Midnight Backyard PicnicThe next time there’s an amazing event happening in the skies at night (eclipses, shooting stars, meteor showers, aurora borealis sighting, etc.), *actually* set an alarm or stay up to witness it. Prep your food + picnic area ahead of time so that you can sleepily grab a box or plate from the fridge, a couple of drinks, and lay outside at 2:00 in the morning. If nothing else, this will be one the two of you won’t forget!
Date Night Plan #8: Take-Out Sushi + Marie Kondo’s Netflix EpisodeOkay…so an occasional TV-oriented date night IS going to slip in on this list😊. I was blown away when my husband watched our kiddo, sent me to our favorite take-out sushi place to pick up dinner, put our little guy to sleep, and I got to come home to eat sushi + watch Marie Kondo on Netflix with him. What a fun date night (which had particular significance for us, as we met one another in Japan). Date Night Plan #9: Cultural Date NightAlright…my husband and I might be geeks, but we totally have these cultural at home date nights together. What does that mean? It usually starts off with one of us getting interested in a culture or area of the world. For a while, we were really into Russia, then it was India, and eventually the Nordic region. Read more about it in my article on creative date night ideas for married couples. How do you make a date night home special?There are several tricks to keep date nights at home just as exciting as ones where you get a sitter and go out on the town.
Come back to this list of cheap date nights for married couples and mix'n'match to keep things spicy + interesting. And please tell me about your own date night in ideas below! We're always looking for new at home date nights for married couples to keep things interesting. The following two tabs change content below.
Amanda L. Grossman is a writer and Certified Financial Education Instructor, Plutus Foundation Grant Recipient, and founder of Frugal Confessions. Over the last 13 years, her money work has helped people with how to save money and how to manage money. She's been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger, Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Business Insider, LifeHacker, Real Simple Magazine, Woman's World, Woman's Day, ABC 13 Houston, Keybank, and more. Read more here. What is it for couples to do in Miami?Along with checking out the theme park, one of the best things to do for couples in Miami is to spend the day at Joia Beach, a beach club and restaurant. This beach club is like a little bit of paradise in central Miami. At the club, you can relax on the white sand beach and eat at the stylish beachside restaurant.
What can couples do for fun inside?33 Indoor Date Ideas You and Your Partner Will Love. 01 of 33. Cook a Restaurant-Quality Meal. ... . 02 of 33. Go Indoor Camping. ... . 03 of 33. Game Night. ... . 04 of 33. At-Home Casino. ... . 05 of 33. Play "Would You Rather?" ... . 06 of 33. Read a Book Together. ... . 07 of 33. Make Your Own Photo Booth. ... . 08 of 33. Set Up a Beer or Wine Tasting.. What can couples do together for free?It's Date Night—Here Are 12 Free Ideas That Are Both Romantic and Fun. Go on a scavenger hunt. ... . Learn to make a new meal together. ... . Hit the library. ... . Have a movie roulette night. ... . Stargaze. ... . Take in a local show. ... . Visit a museum or art gallery. ... . Go camping (on your terms). What should my husband and I do for date night?Here are 50 fun and affordable date night ideas for all you lovebirds out there.. The supermarket challenge (aka set a spend limit, separate and go and buy each other fun gifts!). Cook dinner for each other.. Wine tasting.. Go for a romantic picnic.. Stargaze.. Make something together.. Go for brunch.. Go to a museum or gallery.. |