When you’re a young, newly married couple, you don’t think much about date nights. They require so little planning that you can choose a nice restaurant to visit on a whim, casually get dressed, and head out the door without a care in the world – but all that changes when you become parents.
If you’re a parent of young children and you find yourself missing all the time you used to spend with your spouse, take heart. There are many ways to have fun and relaxing date nights, even without leaving the comfort of your home. Next time you’re planning a nice evening-in with your significant other, try one of these at-home date night ideas for busy parents.
Make a Pizza Together
Making a meal together can be a fun and romantic date night. What could be tastier than making a homemade pizza? There are so many opportunities for connection and conversation with this idea. If you find a simple recipe, it’s easy for anyone to make – and you two can share a bottle of wine or some pre-pizza snacks while you wait for the dough to rise.
Then, choose your favorite toppings and prepare the pizza together. Spending time together in the kitchen is the perfect way to connect with your spouse, and the result of a homemade pizza is a bonus.
Watch Your Favorite Show or Movie
Let’s be real – parents of young children are tired. Whether you work from home or you’re a stay-at-home mom and your spouse goes off to work, even raising one infant or toddler can be draining. At the end of the day, you might feel like collapsing on the couch after putting your precious little one to bed.
Instead of engaging in a solo couch-rot session, find a movie or show you and your spouse can enjoy together. Not only is this a laid-back way to relax, but it gives you a chance to snuggle up close and even pause and have a conversation whenever you feel like it. Unlike sitting next to each other and just scrolling on your phones, this allows you to engage in the same activity and gives you something to talk about.
Dream About the Future
Sometimes, the best date nights are the ones where you and your significant other talk for hours. There isn’t any fancy dinner or even anything to watch. Just the two of you connecting and chatting like you used to. One of the ways to do this is to spend some time dreaming about the future together.
Between the kids, work, and everything else that fills your schedule, it can be easy to feel stuck and drained by the same routine. But taking time to dream about the things you want to do together or plans that you have for your family can give you both hope and help the long days feel a little bit easier.
Plan a Game Night
Games are another fun way to connect with your spouse after the kids go to bed. You can pull out your favorite board game or even play a favorite video game together. No matter what your interests are, there are options out there for every couple.
Many couples enjoy competing against one another, which can make playing competitive games like Catan or Scrabble an excellent choice. But if either you or your spouse gets a little too competitive when playing, there are plenty of collaborative board games you can play together too.
Enjoy a Picnic
Who says picnics have to take place at the park? One fun at-home date night idea is to enjoy a picnic together. You can plan a picnic on your patio, in your backyard, or even in your living room if that’s the best space in your home.
Grab a blanket and a basket, filled with a home-cooked meal or some of your favorite drinks and snacks. There are some simple ways to make your picnic romantic as well – try setting up some twinkly lights or lighting a candle to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Get in Shape Together
For most parents, date nights at home are going to take place after the kids are in bed. But if you can spend time together during the day or you have a space big enough to exercise in the evening, working out with your spouse can be a great way to spend time together.
Whether you lift weights together or find an online workout routine that can get you moving (and possibly laughing), working out is physically, mentally, and emotionally beneficial for you and your significant other.
Learn Something New
Some couples have a lot of shared hobbies, and others feel like they have very little in common when it comes to interests. No matter which one sounds more like you and your spouse, learning a new hobby or skill together can be an exciting way to spend quality time while also learning something new.
Think about some of the things you’ve always wanted to learn – whether it’s how to paint or how to play the guitar. If you can’t think of something you both want to learn, take turns picking something to try together. You might be surprised at what you discover about your spouse during this process.
Read a Book Together
If you and your spouse enjoy reading, reading a book together can be a great way to connect. Before your date night, choose a book for you both to read and either buy paperback versions or download the book on an e-reader. Then, if you have time during the day, you can both read a chapter ahead of time.
After the kids go to bed, talk about the chapter you read. What was your favorite part? Who’s your favorite character so far? If you’re not a fan of fiction, you can choose a non-fiction book to read together instead, which could be about a shared interest or a book about parenting or marriage.
For the Perfect Date Night: Remember What Matters Most
Even if you look back with fondness on your pre-parenting days, remember that what’s most important for planning a date night is the quality time you spend together. Although doing something fun and exciting together can be a great way to bond, even something simple like cooking together or sharing a meal can help you reconnect with your spouse after a busy day of working or chasing a toddler.
Parenting isn’t easy, but in many ways, it can help you and your spouse grow closer together if you’re intentional about the time and effort you put into your marriage.
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