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!
![Easy Ways to Date Your Spouse at Home](https://thisbluedress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Easy-Ways-to-Date-Your-Spouse-at-Home-1.png)
*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!
This post may contain affiliate links. You can read our disclosure policy here. Thank you for supporting our family business!
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