We all want time with our special someone.
But sometimes, picking a date can be hard.
I mean . . . how many movie nights have we had now?
Probably more than is good for us.
So, if it’s date night and you’re struggling again, here’s a guide to help you out.
I made a list of ideas based on your mood so you can find just what will fit you and your partner (and none of them is watching a movie).
Generous: Put together and drop off an anonymous care package
This is a different kind of date, but it’s a fun way to step outside of yourselves while you spend time together.
Just think of someone you know who needs some help or a boost and you put together a care package for them.
And no getting caught when you drop it off!
(Sometimes service is best when anonymous.)
Oh, and if you’re target person has a lot of security at their house, try mailing an anonymous care basket via Amazon instead!
(I made a list with a bunch of ideas that you can look at here.)
Exhausted: Walk memory lane together
This is a great date for when you’re weary to the bones, but you still want to put in the effort to spend time with your special someone.
Pick a device and scroll through old photos together. Laugh about memories, remember the people you care about, and enjoy the bonding.
Even if you haven’t been dating long, this can be a fun way to get to know each other’s pasts.
Also, you get bonus points if you raid the pantry for munchies.
Time to break out the secret snack stash!
Silly: Set a timer and write a song together in 10 minutes, then make a music video
This is a quick and easy one that sounds like a blast!
Write a song about something ridiculous (like ducks) or about how you met. Then record yourselves singing it in funny places.
And if you want to make your music more official, try and use the app BandLab to record it (they have drumbeats and instruments you can put in).
Or use GarageBand if you’re an Apple person.
Bonus points if you buy some mini instruments off Amazon in advance and include those.
Curious: Attend a workshop together or learn a new skill off YouTube
I like this one because it’s easy to tailor to the needs of you and your partner.
If you can plan in advance, see if your local library or any local businesses offer workshops. Sometimes you can find calligraphy, dance, or even woodworking classes through community resources.
But if you don’t have time or you didn’t plan in advance, pick a skill off YouTube and grab supplies from the store down the street.
(Or just find a skill that uses stuff you already have—something like juggling might work!)
Whimsical: Design each other’s perfect Met Gala outfit
I didn’t know much about the Met Gala until writing this article, but apparently they have a theme each year for what attendees should wear.
So, look up this year’s theme and imagine if you and your partner were invited to attend.
Then, design each other’s outfits. Have fun, and maybe laugh together at what you both come up with!
Flirty: Try an intimacy app (I look for Christian ones)
This is one that I saved for marriage, personally. And, even after we got married, I wasn’t sure that intimacy apps were for us.
That is, until we downloaded a couple and tried them.
It ended up being really fun. They have great ideas on how to spice things up!
And if you’re concerned about getting weird stuff (e.g. suggestions for adding in another sexual partner—which my husband and I would NOT be interested in trying lol), try specifically looking for Christian Intimacy apps.
(It’s okay if you’re not Christian—they just tend to be the ones that are most customizable).
A lot of them offer a free tier or a free trial that you can test out for a date night or two. Then, if you enjoy it, you can pay for more.
My husband and I specifically tried and liked the free tier for Intimately Us (though I should add that I think there were some things in settings that we opted to not include in the games).
Here is a link to the apple version (the link up above is for android).
Lazy: Eat takeout while building a “favorites” playlist on the couch together
I love how simple but great for bonding this one is!
My husband is away for work right now, but music is something we connect over. I want to try this one with him when he gets back.
I think this date would work well in an app like Spotify (though you could use YouTube’s playlist feature too).
Competitive: Have a cooking competition with back-shelf pantry items
This is an easy, spontaneous, and exciting date idea for when you feel up for a challenge.
(And maybe it’ll help you finally clean out the back of the pantry.)
Add a theme for the night if you want, like “Italian” or just “dessert.”
And when you finish, let your kids or the neighbors judge who the winner is!
Serious: Write a gratitude journal entry for the year and share with each other
Maybe not everyone wants to have a date night when they’re solemn, but if you’re determined, this is a good option.
In fact, gratitude is shown to reduce stress, improve mental health, and help with better sleep. So, this may be just what you and your partner need!
A fun variation could be to include 5 points about what you’re thankful for in each other.
You could even use Canva or ChatGPT to turn the lists into cute prints as keepsakes after the fact!
Adventurous: Visit a local attraction (but make it somewhere you’ve never been!)
Whenever I move away from somewhere, I’m always slightly disappointed in myself for not seeing more of the local attractions.
But even if you get to a lot of them. there is probably something new within a 1-hour radius that you could enjoy visiting!
Try searching for museums, specialized shops, and scenic hikes.
Or, check out Facebook events for local festivals, markets, and fairs that are nearby.
You might be surprised by what you find—and by what you enjoy!
Stressed: Give each other couple massages (Make it a little fancier with oil, candles, and music)
We’ve all been there: you both know you need some couple time, but one of you is just stressed out because life is like that. (It’s usually me, lol).
This is a great way to decompress. Play some music, pull out some oil, and light some candles.
Then enjoy the bougie vibes together for a bit.
And, if you’re stressed because you need to get other things done, set a timer for your date.
I’ve found it’s pretty much always worth taking the time to spend a few minutes with my spouse. We’re both happier, and everything in our home runs more smoothly.
Things are just easier when we get in tune with each other.
Mischievous: Play jar truth or dare
This is a simple twist on the classic game. Instead of coming up with questions and dares in the moment, write some down beforehand on strips of paper (or look some up on the internet and print them out).
Throw all your ideas in a jar and take turns drawing. You’ll likely have some good laughs and some great bonding time.
Cozy and Chill: Make a fort and read together
This might not be for everyone, but I was a real fort-maker back in the day, and sometimes it’s fun to get back to my childhood roots.
Use blankets, couch cushions, chairs, and more. Or, try it outdoors with tarps and the back of the car!
And when you’re done, grab some snacks or takeout and snuggle up with a good book together.
You can even plan ahead on this a bit and choose a book from the library beforehand.
Spontaneous: Go to the dollar store with a budget of $10 and buy gifts for each other
This is another that I want to try with my husband.
I mean, it’s not super classy, but it sounds fun.
(Though, maybe it’s because I just love the treasure-hunt aspect of dollar tree—you never know what you’ll find there!)
You’ll probably get some good laughs (there are certainly some odd things at dollar tree).
But, you may also walk away genuinely excited about some stuff!
The fun is in the surprise of it all.
Motivated: Set goals and make a vision board
This is a great date for when you and your spouse or boyfriend are in a go-getter mindset.
Talk about what you want to accomplish in the upcoming months and years write it down.
If you have some things you don’t agree on, don’t focus on those. Find the things you do agree on and let those motivate you to work together.
As you write your goals, use magazines cut-outs, internet images, Pinterest, or even Canva to put together pictures that represent your goals in a vision board.
In can be physical or digital, depending on what you as a couple prefer.
(And if you opt for digital, you can always print it out later).
Creative: Make up a board or card game and test it out
This sounds so fun! Get creative with it and make a game that matches you as a couple.
And if you need supplies, go and grab them at the Dollar Tree or Hobby Lobby. They usually have things like foam craft board, drawing supplies, dice, figurines, marbles, and more for affordable prices.
(Pro tip: you can get a deck of cards and then write over them with sharpie to make your own deck. That way you don’t have to print or cut anything.)
Dreamy: Go stargazing and talk about your hopes for the future
This is one that’s super easy to do without any advance planning. Just grab a blanket, maybe a snack or two, and go out in the grass.
(Or drive to a nearby park).
Look at the stars and chat about all the things you want from life.
Don’t get bogged down by the route there for now; just have fun dreaming about all the possibilities for what you could be together.
On another day, when you know better what you want, you can plan your path there (check out my idea up above for when you feel “motivated.”)
There’s always a date to match your mood
I hope you found something helpful on that list! Or that you at least got some good inspiration.
I think there are always date options out there, whatever our mood.
And, if you’re looking for more date ideas generally, check out this post with meaningful activities for couples.
Now get out there and have fun with your special person!
