5 Cute At-Home Date Night Ideas
Enjoy date nights at-home in your living room!
Date nights… Something we look forward to every week! We didn’t think our date nights would often be at home when we first got married, but after having 5 kids we’ve learned how to make at-home date nights just as, or maybe even more, fun!
With 5 kids in our home, date nights are still one of the best parts of our marriage.
At-home date nights have always been a consistent part of our relationship–even during the times we were budgeting down to the dollar.
We knew it was so important to keep that spark and continue dating even after marriage, but dating can be hard when you have kids. There are only so many places you can go without having to worry about finding a babysitter, and even then, it's not always affordable. If you're looking for some fun at-home date ideas, you've come to the right place! We've gathered some of our favorite ideas that will keep both of you entertained and spending good quality time together. So grab your partner or spouse and get ready for some fun!
P.S. Be sure to check out our list of romantic movies that are perfect for cozy nights in with your lover at the end of this blog post!
Some of my husband and I’s best date nights have happened in the comfort of our own home with our kids sleeping soundly a few steps away. Whether you are on a budget or looking for some creative date ideas to enjoy at home, we’ve got you covered!
You can either go budget-friendly or check out my “go all out” where I explain how you can take date night to the next level!
Here are five cute at-home date ideas that are sure to bring fun to you and your best friend.
#1 Starry Night
Grab a blanket, some yummy snacks and head outdoors (whether that is your backyard if you have kids in the house, or a local park or beach) and enjoy looking at our night time sky! Consider downloading a stargazing app so you can map out the constellations and learn more about the nighttime sky. We love doing this during the fall and spring when the temperature is just right.
Materials: Blankets + Pillows + Stargazing App
Food and Drink Ideas: Cheese + Charcuterie, Chips + Dip, Bacon Wrapped Dates
Get Creative with It: Think of the things that make you and your relationship unique. For me and my hubby this looks like bringing our instruments out and playing music together or dancing to our wedding playlist!
Other ideas: Consider camping out! Build a fire + make smores! Make dinner ahead of time and start before the sun goes down! Bring out candles!
#2 Cook a meal
This one may seem like an obvious date, but try finding a new recipe that you and your significant other can try out together. We’ve made homemade dumplings, homemade sushi, hibachi, and other unique dishes while all dressed up with nowhere to go!
Materials: New Recipe + Groceries + Table Set Up
Food and Drink Ideas: Homemade Dumplings, Unique Pasta Recipe, Homemade Sushi
Go All Out: Get dressed up like you’re going out to a five star restaurant! Spend the day preparing, and set up a special spot for ya’ll to enjoy your delicious meal! If it ends with an order from Uber Eats–at least you get a good laugh out of it!
#3 Sleepover
You may be thinking–I sleep with my hubby every night so how do we have a sleepover? I’ll tell you! Grab some pillows + blankets + maybe even your mattress and head to the living room, sunroom, or guest room. Anywhere in your home that is not the place you sleep every night!
Materials: Blankets + Pillows + Mattress + Board Games/Xbox/Activities
Food and Drink Ideas: Snacks! Fondue, Wings, Pretzels + Cheese, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Favorite Desserts
Go All Out: Wherever you plan to have this sleepover, set up ahead of time. Buy some new pjs, surprise your spouse with a gift, play a game that leads to… more connecting! When you wake up, take the kids out for donuts!
#4 Themed Nights
We love doing this one after we have recently watched a good movie like Casino Royale or The Great Gatsby. We love setting up our sunroom with card games, getting dressed up like we are headed out on the town in Las Vegas, and gambling our love away... to each other! The last time we did casino night, I was pregnant and enjoyed sipping on mocktails + eating shrimp cocktail!
Materials: Cards, Poker Chips (optional)
Food and Drink Ideas: Grapes, Cheese, Chips + Dip, Bacon Wrapped Dates (See recipe)
Go All Out: Make dinner ahead of time, prepare your favorite dessert, and start before the sun goes down. Enjoy watching the sunset and laying out with the stars! Consider camping out if that’s an option for you!
#5 Tap Into Your Uniqueness
What makes you and your spouse’s unique? Do something along those lines! For us this looks like video game nights or painting + yummy desserts! Think of the things that make you and your spouse unique and bring them into your marriage. Do ya’ll like dancing? Learn a new dance together. Photography? Have a fun photo shoot! Are you a writer? Sit down and write a letter to yourselves in 10 years. Love to build things? Build a piece of furniture together! You may find yourself enjoying their hobby too!
Materials: Whatever you need to make this happen!
Food and Drink Ideas: Try to think of things that would go along with the activity! Try having appetizers that can be picked up without too much of a mess if you are going to be using your hands!
Go All Out: Get whatever you need to make this date happen! Good chances are you will have another date night like this so think of it as an investment in your marriage. We’ve bought new video games, art supplies, and even an espresso machine–all still put to good use!
These are just a few ideas to get you started - ultimately, the best at-home date is one that fits your unique relationship and makes you both happy. So get creative, have fun, and enjoy some quality time together! Consider downloading my date night bucket list and hanging it up so you can start marking off your date nights!
List of Romantic Movies:
Safe Haven
The Choice
The Notebook
Titanic
Just Go With It
The Proposal
Hitch
The Age of Adeline
Twilight
Couples Retreat
The Christmas Card
The Time-Traveler’s Wife
Mr. and Mr. Smith
Top Gun (original and Maverick)
Date Night
(Send me more and I’ll add to this list!)
Tag me on instagram and let me know which date night idea you try!
