No babysitter? No problem! Skip the crowded restaurants and have a romantic at-home date night instead with one of these 10 easy ideas.
I’m almost embarrassed to admit how rarely the Husband and I get to have real date nights.
The last one was back in October for our anniversary…which means we’re averaging about two dates a year. That’s not good folks.
It’s not like we don’t want to go out together. Having three little ones means we’re exhausted by the end of the day, and going out just feels like extra work.
And even though we finally found a babysitter willing to take 3 kids for an evening, she’s busy too. So we’re at the mercy of her schedule.
Which is why it’s important to be able to improvise.
After all, the most important part of a date night is that we spend time focusing on each other, and not on the rest of the stuff cluttering our lives.
10 At-Home Date Night Ideas for Busy Couples
And that’s what’s great about these 10 at-home date night ideas. They’re all about reconnecting, even if you can’t get out of the house.
1. Play a Board/Card Game
We love family game night, but some of our favorites are just not appropriate for the kids. Pour a glass of wine and play a grown-up game of Scrabble or cards.
2. Wine & Cheese night
Before L was born (aka we only had one child), one of our favorite things to do was to grab a couple tasty blocks of cheese, some good wine and an artisanal sausage and then put the kid to sleep early so we could enjoy the goodies alone.
These days our focus is on having dinners as a family, but I think it’s time to re-institute a monthly wine & cheese night. So many good memories there.
3. Cook a meal together
The Husband and I both love to cook, and our styles compliment each other. I prefer to make homier meals or to bake delicious desserts; the Husband enjoys the challenge of attempting a more challenging gourmet technique.
Balance out your strong suits and make something together. You might want to check out This this fun cookbook for easy recipes that you can both enjoy making together.
4. Eat by candlelight at the table
Our family tries to eat together most nights, and often include the kids in setting the table, which means that we typically eat with sloppily placed forks, paper napkins, and a table devoid of anything that could become a plaything for little hands.
Properly set tables don’t have to be reserved for restaurants. Grab a tablecloth (or even a bed sheet), some flowers or garden herbs, a couple of votive candles, and some nice place settings. Even take-out can be made romantic if the setting is right.
5. Plan a dream vacation
Pretend you just won that billion dollar jackpot and plan a dream trip together. Here are some questions to get you started:
- Would you sail around the world or road trip across Europe or the US?
- What specific places would you visit?
- Who would you see?
- What would you eat?
- Would you stay in fancy hotels or B&Bs?
- When would you do it?
- How would you get around?
Take notes on what you pick and build on those dreams at another date night!
6. Spa Night
I’m not suggesting that you and your significant other should swap mud masks, but go ahead and pamper each other somehow. It could be as simple as swapping shoulder or foot massages with some scented oil.
7. Fireside picnic
If you have a fireplace, by all means use it! Spread out a picnic blanket, some simple food and a bottle of whatever you like and just enjoy the crackling fire together.
8. Play video games together
I’m not much of a video game gal, but every once in a while a game will hold my interest.
Before we had kids, the Husband and I spent many nights playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band. And since it’s something that’s special to my husband, it’s a simple way to show that he matters.
9. Go outside
If the weather’s nice where you are, go outside for a couple of hours and just talk.
Leave the phone inside and take the time to have a real conversation. Look at the stars, listen to the sounds around you, you could even put a tent up in the backyard and just camp out together for the evening.
Let the change of scenery add some excitement to your evening.
10. Reminisce
Go through old photos, of you as a couple, of your childhood, of your children…it doesn’t matter what. Discuss the funny stories that may have been forgotten.
Want more? Here are a few other ideas that you will LOVE:
- Valentine’s Day Dinners for Families
- 20 Heart Shaped Valentine’s Day Sweet Treats
- Adorable Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids
- Easy Heart-Shaped Cupcake Toppers Even Your Kids Can Make
- Heart-Shaped Sandwiches, 3 Ways
- Valentine’s Day Treat Bag Toppers
- See all my Valentine’s Day printables here!
Now, It’s Your Turn
Even if you can only get out of the house once every few months for date night, there are plenty of ways to enjoy spending time with one another.
How often do you go out on a date?
What would you do for an at-home date night?
Mother of 3 says
Great ideas! We often host an at home date night too.
Leslie says
With three little ones, I don’t know how else we would squeeze in regular date nights! Thanks for stopping by!
Mary says
Great ideas. Cooking and walks are our favorites
Leslie says
We should take more walks, that sounds like it could be very relaxing.
Holly B. says
Cute ideas…we’re always looking for something fun and new.
Leslie says
It is difficult to find exciting date night ideas after a while, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by!
Jess says
What great ideas!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Leslie says
Thanks for stopping by and for hosting a fun link party!
jen Ward says
We do semi-regular at home date nights as well. I love ordering take out after the kids are in bed and setting up a night candle light dinner. We also are big fans of UNO. Thanks for the reminder to add a few to my 2017 calendar!
Leslie says
Love the candlelit dinner idea! Why didn’t I think of that? Thanks so much for stopping by!
Laurie says
These are great suggestions Leslie. My husband and I like to tackle projects together. Get that feeling of accomplishment, plus spending time together. I know how it is when your kids are small . . no time! Thanks for sharing with us this week at Snickerdoodle! Pinning to share.
Leslie says
I would totally be on board with tackling projects as a date night. I may just have to see if my husband agrees! Thanks for hosting!
Michelle says
Thanks for these ideas, I’m going to get some board games! My husband and I don’t have kids yet, but we work long hours and love to cook at home so we don’t go out often. Some of these ideas, board games, candlelight and romantic walks, would work perfect for us.
Leslie says
Those long work days can make it so hard to find time to spend together. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Janine Huldie says
Need to do an out home date night again here real soon with my husband. So thanks for the awesome suggestions 🙂
Amy @ HandbagMafia says
Great ideas here. We forget that it doesn’t have to be a huge, expensive OTT thing sometimes! Simple is nicer!
Daddy poppins says
I doubt I’d get away with a playing video games date night but I love the fire option. It would need to get a tad warmer first though
Donna says
We love all of these! When me and husband met, I already had the boy, so this is pretty much what our dating life was! #familyfunlinky
relentlesslypurple says
Great ideas. We love playing games together, reminds me we must get another console 🙂 #familyfun
Helen says
I think we go out about as often as you (3 last year!). We like putting the kids to bed and having a takeaway on a Saturday night. #familyfun
Eva Katona says
These are perfect. Very useful tips – and lets face it, we often end up with a date night at home. #familyfunlinky
Leanna says
Great ideas, that would maybe tempt the other half away from TV, which I loathe watching. Thanks for sharing.
Micah | Home Faith Family says
I love how simple these date ideas are, and most hardly cost any money. I’m definitely pinning and saving for later. Have a great day, friend! =)
PAOLA says
Great post, so glad I’ve found your blog through #BrilliantBlogPosts.
I was happy to see we already use many of these… we are not so bad then :D. We also struggle with having a decent dating schedule.
One piece of advice I got from a friend blogging at https://leanlife.fi/ and I want to share: she and her husband deposit an amount every month in their “dating fund”, then they use that to have nice dates (maybe paying dinner, babysitter, …). It’s a nice idea, at least my husband and I often use the excuse “we don’t wanna spend money on a sitter+dinner”. 🙂
Alana - Burnished ChaOs says
Great ideas here, we don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day as it’s also my husbands birthday but we try to make as much time for each other as we can throughout the year and love going out for meals together when we can rope one of our parents into babysitting. At home, our best nights are just sitting and chatting while enjoying a bottle (or two) of wine, sometimes we have music on, sometimes we watch trashy tv, but we a,ways make sure the phones and iPads are put away.
Thank you for joining #FamilyFunLinky x
Lisa says
Lovely ideas–I think it is so important for the health of your marriage to take time for date nights. When your kids are young it is often hard to make time, and even now that our children are grown, its difficult to find time on our own, as our youngest is living with us while she takes a gap year between college and law school. So, this year, we decided to go out to dinner and then stay overnight in a hotel downtown for Valentine’s Day.
Whitney says
I really enjoyed your ideas. I especially loved the idea of planning a dream vacation together. It is very cold here right now and I love the idea of being somewhere warm and exotic.
Lisa Pomerantz says
These are great ideas! And the Mrs and me, we can really use a date night. It has been TOO TOO LONG! #familyfun xo
Jann Olson says
Great ideas! Hubby and I do some of these. We just planned two trips together. One is next weekend. Can’t wait! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Wendy | The Art of "Why Not?" says
It’s so easy to get into the habit of turning into a vegetable on the couch when there is nothing planned out of the house. All of these ideas are a great way to keep that from happening. Any time you can be intentional about doing something together, it’s a good thing!
Julie says
I just had to laugh when you said you don’t get to have that many date nights out. That’s exactly how my husband and I are. And we have 3 girls. I can’t remember the last time we went on a date alone. We’ve gone out with the youngest before (who’s almost 2), but that’s not the same. It’s not really a relaxing meal together. I love these home date night ideas. I just posted on my blog several movie to watch at home for a date night.
I found your blog on the Pretty Pintastic Party. I’m going to follow you by email and on all social media.
Sam says
very cute 🙂 Some nice ideas here, reminded me of the times when my partner & I used to sit outside under the stars at night. simpler times!
Kelsey | Precious & Petite says
While I don’t need a babysitter yet, I am still always looking for good date night ideas! Thanks for the ideas, we will definitely have to give some a try! I’m currently battling infertility (feel free to read about my journey on my blog) and I am constantly looking for things to keep my mind off my struggle. These will definitely help!
Sheri says
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing in our link party!
Crummy Mummy says
Love these ideas – the candle light one is my fave! #familyfunlinky