I think many of us are ready to bring back date night, but with venues closed, travel limited, and COVID-19 precautions still in place, staying in can be the safest and most creative option. Bridger and I had plans to marry in Cabo and honeymoon in Greece this year, so we’re definitely feeling the travel blues. To keep things fun and intimate at home, I put together a list of at-home date ideas you can try. If you have more suggestions, drop them in the comments. If your partner isn’t usually into “date night,” send them this list and let them pick one. Enjoy!
Airbnb Online Experiences: Airbnb offers thousands of online experiences hosted by people around the world. From cooking classes to music workshops and cultural tours, you’ll likely find something both of you will enjoy.
Try a Subscription Date Box: Subscription date boxes deliver a curated at-home date experience each month. They often include activities designed to spark conversation and help you connect more deeply, which makes them an easy, low-prep option for a special night.
Discover your love languages: Take a quiz together to learn each other’s primary love languages and use what you learn to plan future dates that make both of you feel appreciated.
Solve a Cold Case: Try an investigative kit or online mystery game with friends or just the two of you. We played one a few weeks ago and it was a total hit—engaging, collaborative, and tons of fun for a long evening of sleuthing.
Choose a Theme Night: Pick a country or style—Italian night, Mediterranean tapas, or a Greek-themed dinner—and build the evening around it. Make homemade pizza or small plates, create a themed playlist, print photos or decor, learn a few phrases in the language, and dress up to match the theme for a fully immersive experience.
Virtual Wine Tasting: Attend an online wine tasting hosted by vineyards or experts. If you don’t want to join a hosted event, buy wines from different regions and do your own tasting at home, taking notes on aromas and flavors as you sample each bottle.
Outdoor Movie Night: Rent an inflatable screen or simply set up a projector in the backyard. Lay out blankets or bring a picnic, pour some wine, and enjoy a film under the stars for a change from the usual couch setup.
Build a Fort: Transform your living room with blankets, pillows, twinkle lights, and sleeping bags. Make stovetop s’mores, grab popcorn, cover the TV, and watch a scary movie—or a favorite classic—while cozy inside your fort.
Fondue Night: Arrange both savory and sweet fondue options—chicken, steak, veggies, seafood for savory; chocolate, fruit, and marshmallows for dessert. It’s interactive, indulgent, and a fun way to slow down and enjoy a meal together.
Make Sushi at Home: Learn to roll sushi together and pair it with sake or a favorite drink. It’s hands-on, rewarding, and tastes great when you’ve made it as a team.
Sports Night at Home: Recreate the game-day atmosphere: print fake tickets, wear jerseys, make a big tub of buttery popcorn, turn up the surround sound, and act like you’re at the stadium while watching the game on TV.
Work Through a Cookbook: Pick a cookbook and try a new recipe each date night. It’s a fun way to build cooking skills together and explore dishes you might not otherwise try.
Create a Restaurant Menu: Write a menu and have each partner choose items for the other to prepare. Present the meal with candles and a printed menu for a restaurant-style experience at home.
Paint Your Pet Night: Order a kit and paint a portrait of your pet while enjoying wine or cocktails. It’s creative, playful, and you’ll have a unique keepsake at the end of the night.
Charcuterie and Wine Night: Assemble a board with favorite meats, cheeses, fruits, and crackers. Pair with wine or sparkling water and enjoy while watching a movie or sitting outside.
Cook Dinner Together: Keep it simple but special—music, candles, and two people working together in the kitchen can make an ordinary meal feel like a date.
Blindfolded Cooking or Baking: For a silly and challenging twist, have one person blindfolded while the other gives step-by-step instructions. Take precautions and choose safe tasks to avoid accidents.
Indoor Putt-Putt Course: Create a mini golf course around the house with cups, ramps, and obstacles. It’s goofy, competitive, and a lot of fun—Bridger loved this idea.
Virtual Paint and Sip: Join a guided painting class online, sip a favorite drink, and follow along to create your own artwork side by side.
Living Room Campsite: Turn your living room into a campsite with an air mattress, sleeping bags, lanterns, and no phones. Play card or board games and enjoy a night of unplugged conversation.
Mixology Night: Experiment with cocktails or mocktails and taste-test new recipes. Make a few drinks and rate your favorites.
Spa Night: Give each other massages, try facials, light candles, and play calming music. Low-key pampering at home can feel luxurious and restorative.
Take a Museum Tour: Many museums offer virtual tours—browse a few together and explore art, history, or science from your sofa for a cultured date night.
Map Challenge: Print a blank map of the U.S. (or another region) and compete to see how many states or locations you can identify correctly. Make it a timed challenge for extra excitement.
xx Rachael