Simple At-Home Dates You’ll Actually Use

In the decade we’ve been married, the most consistent piece of marriage advice we’ve heard from others is date each other regularly. Keep your relationship a priority and make time to date.

But how is dating in marriage possible with kids, jobs, and the expenses of life? 

For all those reasons and more, we haven’t always made dating a priority.

However, we’ve found that making time for each other has saved our relationship in a million ways. Sometimes it’s 10 minutes at the table for talk time over coffee; other times it’s a walk with the littles falling asleep in the stroller; and still other times, it’s simply a game of yahtzee on the couch.

Date night doesn’t have to be detailed, and I want to help you find ways to build date night into the routine of your life.

Find what works for you.

• Compare schedules. What time of the day do both of your schedules line up? Date night doesn’t have to be Friday night. The best time for you two to connect might be Monday morning or Wednesday afternoon! Don’t keep trying to fit everyone else’s mold. Make your own.
• Once a week feel impossible? Shoot for once a month and add from there.
• Put your together time on the calendar. Schedule it in and guard it.
• Lower your expectations. Listen, you might be too idealistic. I am! When I think of date night, I think of this special time of connection and fun, but the reality is – life gets in the way! Your time might be interrupted, and you won’t have fireworks every time. You will spend some dates exhausted and maybe others you’ll end up mad at each other. That’s life, and it’s okay. The pressure is off. Do the best you can to be consistent and to show up with a humble heart. That will take you a lot further than your idealism ever will. (I learned this the hard way.)
• Get creative. Time together doesn’t always mean time away. If you’re in a season where you can’t afford a babysitter or a date out, take the time right where you are and use some of the ideas below.

At-Home Date Ideas You’ll Actually USE!

• Play a game for two! (You could even take it up a notch!)
• Popcorn and movie.
• Camp out by the fireplace and cook indoor s’mores. (No fireplace? Use one of these or these.)
• Enjoy breakfast in bed — in the morning OR at night!
• Make a movie — Set up your smart phone and hit record while you each tell the story of how you fell in love or describe your wedding and how you felt or share what you love about the other person. Record together or separately (then watch what the other person said!) and have a keepsake for your kids for years to come.
• Cook something together! Try a new recipe or an old favorite. Cook together and enjoy the spoils!
• Slingshot date :: Build your own slingshots and grab some empty tin cans and see who has the better aim. {This ideas was from this great source.}
• Spa night — set up a foot soak while you relax on the couch. Massage each other’s feet with lotion, then trim his toenails, and let him paint yours!
• Get physical — Challenge him to a game of HORSE or kick the soccer ball around or play good ol’ fashion keep off the ground with a balloon!
• Create a masterpiece — Pull out your inner creativity and paint together or grab an adult coloring book, or you know – grab some whip cream and chocolate sauce and paint each other! ;)
• Bubble bath for two!

• The Photography date :: set up a photo booth and get silly or think outside of the box, snapping close ups of what you love about your spouse (his strong hands, her listening ears) and tell a story or what your spouse means to you. For a marriage devotional, Scripture to read, and prayer ideas for this date, check out this great resource from author Gary Chapman.)
• Make a bucket list together or plan your dream vacation!
• Picnic in the park (or living room)
• Enjoy a date that surprises you both by letting these guys plan your date!
• Take a trip down memory lane and look at old photos and videos of the two of you together
• Movie marathon or binge watch a season of your favorite show.
• Play indoor golf :: Set up a mini course in your living room, down the hall and to the kitchen. Use a plastic cup or a small cardboard box on its side as the ‘hole’. If the ball touches the wall, it counts as an extra stroke. Take turns setting up new routes and placing obstacles in the way! {Source}

Want to take your date out of the house? Check out these FUN, out-of-the-box date ideas for couples!

Question for you ::

What is your favorite way to spend an at-home date night?

Resources for you ::

• Have a hard time planning date night? Let these guys do it for you and have a date night show up on your door step every month! We’re excited to try this out!
• I LOVE this simple resource, filled with 175 creative date ideas you will actually do!
• Want to take things deeper? Gary Chapman wrote a book with 52 purposeful dates. (That’s one a week if you can swing it!) Each date includes a devotional, Scripture, prayer ideas, and encouragement.
• Don’t miss our FREE #RelationshipReset challenge — 4 weeks of encouragement and daily ideas to reset your relationship and take your marriage up a notch.