2024 Date Nights (At Home)

Being parents to two young children means that the hubby and I do not get enough quality time alone. We usually spend time in front of a screen after the kids are put to bed, wishing we had energy to do more. We also have limited access to childcare – we live in the middle of nowhere so our friends would have to make a significant drive to help us out, my mom already watches our kids 3 days a week while I work, and we have limited funds to put toward childcare. 

However, I am determined to get a regular date night on our calendar this year – at least once a month. That means we need a lot of at-home date night ideas!

At home date nights work well for us since we prefer the down time at home anyway, and it eliminates travel time (again, we live in the middle of nowhere). 

Without further ado, here are some of our absolute FAVORITE at-home date nights. 

1. Fancy popcorn movie night – simple, fun, and minimal effort. We love popcorn! All it takes to make the night a little more special than usual is some fun popcorn toppings and a thought-out movie choice. Our favorite popcorn toppings are nacho cheese powder for savory and chocolate chips & caramel or butter, cinnamon, & sugar for a dessert popcorn option. I highly recommend a microwavable popcorn popper like this one for your fancy popcorn making!
2. Game night! Board games are a great way to spend time with your significant other. We love board games, but early on in our marriage we found a serious discrepancy in our skills and/or types of games we enjoyed. My hubby is more of a strategy gamer, and I prefer unfussy quick games. I also found that my competitive nature could sour our date night fun if I ended up constantly losing. So, we got creative and started to find co-op games! This is the perfect date night bonding experience because you are working together toward a common goal. Our favorite co-op board games are the Forbidden Games: Forbidden Island, Forbidden Desert, and Forbidden Sky. We have not yet tried Forbidden Jungle, but we look forward to the opportunity! There are plenty of other cooperative board games that could suit your date night theme. If you like video games, check out my video game recommendations for couples!
3. Indoor picnic. Simply eating somewhere besides the table can be a fun little adventure. Bonus points if you put up a backdrop or screensaver that fits with your theme!
4. Ice cream night – much like the fancy popcorn option, this is a tried-and-true easy date night idea. Grab a pint of each of your favorite flavors or get several favorite toppings to mix and match for sundaes. 
5. Sushi night. Either gather the ingredients for some yummy cali rolls or order a couple rolls from a local place for delivery. We have a favorite local sushi haunt, but sometimes making your own can be a fun experience all its own!
6. Nerf wars – play at your own risk! Some outdoor fun with Nerf guns in hand could be just what you need to get your blood pumping! Now, my hubby mods Nerf guns of all kinds so we have plenty around the house, but choosing your weapon at the store beforehand could be an added level of fun. 
7. Campfire for two. S’mores = love. At least, they can. A cozy backyard firepit or an indoor S’mores maker with a fire on your TV screen can be equally romantic. Snuggle up with some blankets and swap favorite memories for this cozy date.
8. Homemade pizza night. For fun in the kitchen, it’s easy to whip up some homemade pizza. We love to make homemade pizza! But if you or your SO aren’t so keen on spending a lot of time cooking, a pizza kit will help. 
9. Pillow/Blanket Fort. This one is perfect to combo with any other date night. Build a comfy fortress in your home and enjoy a favorite movie, some popcorn, or frozen pizza and enjoy your evening from a whole new perspective. 
10. Charcuterie & mocktails. Sometimes all you need is an adult lunchable and juice. Gather your favorite cold cuts, some fruit, and look up some mocktail recipes for some alcohol-free fun. Throw on a movie or play a favorite game and just relax with your SO. 
11. Workout together. For those of you who are fitness driven and not too tired, grab your SO and put on a workout video. Throw some yoga mats on the floor and do some basic bodyweight exercises. Tip: choose a simple workout you can both do or modify to your fitness level – some basic yoga or barre moves will keep it accessible and still fun. Or try some old jazzercise videos…A workout you can laugh at with each other is a bonus! And, once you get warmed up, who’s to say you won’t end up playing Twister? 😉
12. Fondue night – make it as cheesy as you dare! If you have space in your cupboard, grab this great fondue mug set, and enjoy some cheesy goodness! We have enjoyed many cheesy date nights – puns and bad jokes included – to keep the romance alive. A little humor goes a long way.