If regular date nights have become a thing of the past, these easy home date ideas can help put date night back on the calendar!
*This post was originally published in February 2018 and was updated in February 2021.
You’ve probably heard how important it is for your marriage to have a weekly (or at least regular) date night. My husband Joey and I rocked at this our first few years of marriage and said we’d always make it happen.
Well, six kids happened. Work happened. Life happened. And there have been several seasons where it has felt like we don’t really get to “date” each other anymore.
We finally found some ways to make date night a regular thing again, and I hope some of these ideas help you get your date on too!
I’ll focus on home dates in this post so that you don’t have to count on a babysitter (or go out during the current pandemic), but this list of creative date ideas has ideas to do at home or for going out!
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10 Ways to Date Your Spouse at Home
1. Add Candlelight
I thought it was really romantic that this was one of my husband’s first ideas when I brought up this topic. Eat dinner by candlelight, take a bath or give massages by candlelight, or just add candles to any other activity to give it an extra romantic flair.
Choose a scent that has special meaning to you; we like honeysuckle, or use flameless LED tea light candles to create the mood without the sparks.
2. Good Ol’ Movie or TV Show
You might be enjoying “your show” together already–so make it into a date! Pop popcorn, snuggle with an amazing blanket, or wear something exciting while you watch 😉 Have a set night when you’ll watch your show together even if you technically could watch the entire season in one go.
*Joey and I are both closet binge-watchers, so it keeps it exciting to look forward to watching a show together.
We’ve loved watching Psych, Monk, and Sherlock on Vidangel (edits content to your preferences), The Mandalorian, and lots of favorite movies. Our current standing date is Star Wars: Clone Wars when our toddler actually goes to sleep at a reasonable hour.
The keys to making this an official date are intention and connection.
3. Work on a Project
This one can be really exciting! Choose a dream project you could work on together and take steps on it each time you have date time!
A few years ago Joey and I worked on building shelves together in our garage, and it was lots of fun and made something practical. I was reminded of our date every time I walked through the garage.
Lately, we’ve had some big work projects going on like building a spec house and working on this blog, so some nights we sit on the couch and work on our separate projects, but at least sit together.
We can ask each other for advice, have a fun drink, and still connect while we’re pushing some projects through.
4. Food!
You probably have a special restaurant that you both love or a food that brings back fun memories. Get take out and enjoy it together at home or learn how to make a special meal together at home! It will likely be cheaper than going out and can still be fun!
5. Laugh Together
Watch funny Youtube videos (our favorite is Studio C), comedy acts (several are available on Vidangel), or a funny movie. You could also read a humorous book together, or talk about a subject you both enjoy.
The only downside to this one is you might end up talking the night away as things get more and more hilarious as it gets late.
6. Game Night
We used to play games allll the time when it was just the two of us! It’s been fun to get back into it again. We love playing quick rounds of Yahtzee or Monopoly Deal or a favorite game on Steam.
Sometimes we’ll make silly bets, and the winner will choose a reward. Board and card games are also easy to adapt to bedroom games also. 😉
7. Intimacy
Spice it up! I’m pretty sure this printable set from The Dating Divas was one of my husband’s favorite gifts ever and would be an awesome gift for your spouse for any special occasion.
It’s a fun challenge to have some “couple time” (you know what kind I mean) every day for seven days–I’ll let you check the details out for yourself on this one.
We also love the games in this Ultimate Intimacy Pack and many other games available at The Dating Divas. Add a good massage oil and each other, and you’re set!
8. Dream Together
Make an awesome budget. Pick out plans for your dream house. Plan an amazing vacation. Learn something new. Share your goals and dreams for your family, career, home, personal development.
Talk about life like you used to when you were dating–only it’s better. Be like the couple on Up and plan your next big adventure together.
9. Plan Ahead
It does help sooo much to have a designated date time. Do try to make one! If life is just too crazy right now and you know it’s just for a season, try to take advantage of whatever time you can.
Look for windows of time you can be together and choose to make your spouse a priority during that time!
It can also be tough to plan an at-home date night if you have children who aren’t the best at bedtime. Boy, can we relate.
Working hard to develop better sleep habits can give you better quality date time, and of course, help improve your children’s health and mood. Plus it will help you not stay up crazy late to have time with your spouse.
We’ve had success with family movie night then date movie night.
10. Try to Show Love Every Day
Date nights are always more successful when you’re trying to show love throughout the week. My Bachelor’s degree is in Human Development, and I took a lot of interpersonal relationship classes.
Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Languages has definitely stuck with me. You can learn more about them and take a free survey here to find out your top love languages and have your spouse take it too!
It can help you find the most effective ways to show love to your spouse and receive the kind of love that speaks most to your heart in return.
This love languages calendar has been a great reminder to show love in a variety of ways to my husband! I got it last year for Valentine’s Day. I haven’t used it every day this past year, but it makes a definite difference when I use it regularly.
What’s your favorite at-home date night? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
-Maegan
Game night is one of my absolute favorite ways to spend time with my spouse! We’ll usually order pizza or make dessert, play games and have some wine. Super fun!
Love it! I think we need to add ordering pizza back into our regular rotation 🙂 -Maegan
Can I say how much I love this post. Listen, we all would like to pretend that we have tons of time to date outside of the house, and saying “you need to make time” sure sounds like great advice. But honestly, there are times (even years) that life happens and gets in the way. I love that you put this list together, because sometimes is just being connected and on the same page that we really need to focus on, not so much the location.
Ah, thanks Jen! Honestly I was worried that that some people would think this idea was a cop-out instead of “just making date night happen”–but for my family right now dates at home IS making it happen! And I feel much more connected to my husband since we started having regular dates at home. Thanks for the encouragement!
If it’s summer – we sit out and have a meal outside – often with a favourite one of our hens keeping us company.
If it’s winter – we read together often or watch a fave TV programme that we both like. Simple – but it’s the togetherness that’s important 🙂
Yes, it is definitely about being together no matter what you’re doing! We’re saving up to buy some land and want hens someday, so I love this picture you painted of your dates! -Maegan
My husband and I love, love, love to dream together. It’s our favorite “date” time at home! I love these other suggestions, too!
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the list! Dreaming together is one of our favorites too! -Maegan
We have 5 kids and it can be next to impossible to get out for a date (if we do, the sitter alone costs us a fortune). This is a great way to have quality time at home after the kids go to bed!
Yes, babysitting can get so pricey especially when you have a bigger family (we have 4 kids and one has special needs so finding the right sitter is tricky). Hope you’re able to find the best date night fit for your family! This season does make it extra special when my husband and I do get to go out together! -Maegan
This is awesome! When we aren’t watching food or kids shows we enjoy watching Victoria and The Crown together.
Ha, totally relate to the kid’s shows 🙂 Thanks for the recommendations–adding them to our watch list! -Maegan
Working on some kind of project for the home together can be so fun! Once in a while, we like to get out a game, like Boggle, for a little bit of friendly competition as a “date”. 🙂
I think some friendly competition can make a great date night too 🙂 -Maegan
Great advice!
Thanks Erin, so glad you found it helpful! Hope you have some awesome date nights! -Maegan
It’s so important to always date your spouse and keep your relationship full of love for one another. Such cute ideas.
Thanks so much! I definitely feel more connected to my husband when we make time for our dates! -Maegan
We used to date too! I love how simple these are but when the focus is on your SO it’s much more special!!
Yes, I think you totally nailed why these work–just thinking of your SO makes all the difference! I love that my spouse can still give me butterflies over a quick game of Yahtzee. -Maegan
This is a good list with very creative idea. since becoming parents a lot of our dates revolve around #2,#4 and #8. thanks for sharing.
Thank you! That’s great that dreaming together is a regular part of your date nights! I think that helps keep marriages strong and exciting for the future when date nights out become easier again -Maegan
All great ideas! I especially love #8. Some of my favorite memories and conversations with my hubby have been planning our future, budget, vacations, etc. It makes you get real with each other!
Love this, the dreams really are the more “real” part of marriage, not the daily to-do lists–thanks for the reminder! -Maegan
I love these ideas! It’s so important to have home dates.
Thank you! I just wish we had been doing them more diligently the past few years. But better late than never!
For sure!
These are all such great ideas! We love to make our own pizza and watch our favorite shows, but we may have to try a game night soon! 🙂
I think you’ll love game night! We used to make calzones for date night–we might have to bring pizza/calzone night back! -Maegan
That sounds awesome! Now I’m going to have to try making a calzone haha! Thanks!
I always keep electric candles burning – and they are on a timer. We have 5 cats, so I dare not do lit ones. We also routinely do our favorite take-out and game nights. We are both avid gamers. Last night, we stayed up till 2 AM on the Xbox!
! love spending time with my husband. We love trying new places to eat. We also love kicking back watching a movie and getting take out. I love your ideas!
We try to do all of these at least bi-weekly! It’s so hard when raising kids but when you look outside of the box on how to spend time with your spouse, you really have all the time in the world. You make time for what matters 🙂
Love this post! We love game night! We also enjoy doing puzzle together–its a great bonding experience and helps promote communication!
I seriously love this idea! Life is hectic and with kids in the mix, sometimes focus can be lost on each other. Thank you for these ideas – date nights are going to be implemented in my house for sure.
This is such a fun little list! My boyfriend and I have been trying to get more into game night lately, and definitely FOOD as well!! x
We just did movie night this past weekend! Great list!
Thank you! I don’t think I could ever get tired of movie night with my husband! -Maegan
Great ideas, movienight, food and projects are our go to nowadays. Will definetely Rey yo incorporate more of your ideas, thanks for sharing.
Hope you’re able to find some more activities that you’ll love! -Maegan
Our season is that we’re so darn busy, we rarely are both home in the evening at the same time. It takes as much effort to have an at-home date night as to go out. Candlelight and a meal together make it perfect.
There are so many ways to stay home and still enjoy a date night with husband. Doesn’t have to cost a small fortune. Enjoy all your ideas.
Thanks for reading! Yes, sometimes dates at home end up being some of my favorites!
My sister just moved out who was basically our live-in nanny. Me and my husband have been going crazy without her! Thanks for the great ideas <3
That would be a tough adjustment! Hope that goes smoothly for your family and that you’re able to find a good date solution in this new season! -Maegan
My favorite at home date night is to order takeout and watch TV at home together. We can enjoy some great food (that we didn’t have to cook) and just relax together!
This sounds like a perfect date night!
Date night seems impossible in our house sometimes! Love the work on the project together one!
Oh, we are so not good with regular date nights! We talk about doing it and then a whole bunch of time passes (it’s been harder since we have a toddler but I know it’s not impossible). When we do have a date night we have so much fun and say we have to plan it regularly! These are great ideas, especially since I am a homebody 🙂
Love these ideas! Candlelight used to be one of my favorites… However, with chitlins running around in the house that makes it a little difficult these days! Maybe the next time my children spend the night at their grandparents Ill pull out the candles again! 🙂
Great advice! My boyfriend and I try to have date night once a week, after the kids go to bed. We stay in and spend time together. Lots of great inspiration here!
I love all of these ideas, but especially the one about dreaming together! Such a fundamental part of a healthy relationship!
I love these ideas! It’s so important to spend quality time together. For my boyfriend’s birthday last year I put together a Year of Dates and we’ve been having so much fun doing them every month. But I love just snuggling up on the couch watching TV together at the end of the long day too.
I bet your boyfriend loved the Year of Dates gift! TV and snuggling is definitely one of my favorite things to do with my sweetheart also. Keep up your great dating habit! -Maegan
Food is a huge date night plus for me and my hubby. I love this list of ideas!
Amazing post, will definitely take some ideas into consideration
I love your ideas! We’re huge fans of doing projects together too! The teamwork is great, and for us, it’s usually pretty funny too lol.
What a lovely post and great tips, thanks for sharing!
Shared all this love on twitter too x
This is such a good list. I feel like we already do a lot of these but it’s good to remember to make it special every so often.