Has date night disappeared with kids underfoot? When you’re busy being parents, it can be hard to find the energy to be a couple. Reconnect with your partner. We’ve put together a list of easy at-home date night ideas to help rekindle the romance, focus on each other, and transition from ‘parent mode’ to ‘partner mode’. Whether you wait until the kids are asleep or give them a little extra screen time, these ideas will help you talk, relax, and reconnect, and all without leaving home.
Have breakfast in bed
Start your morning with some quiet quality time before the kids wake up. Sneak in a breakfast in bed to reconnect before the daily rush begins. Check with a local cafe to see if they offer breakfast hampers to make the morning feel extra special.
Cook a meal together
Have fun cooking a meal at home together. Try a new recipe or cook up one of your favourite dishes. Take the time to talk while you chop, saute or grill.
Order food in
Staying in doesn’t have to mean missing out on a great meal. Order takeaway from your favourite restaurant and bring the restaurant experience to your own dining room. Many places now offer gourmet takeaway or chef-prepared meals that you can easily reheat at home. To make it feel fancy, set the table with your best linen, crockery and cutlery, light a few candles, and enjoy a ‘fancy’ dinner in without the need for a babysitter.
Enjoy a living room or backyard picnic
Wait until the kids are asleep, spread a blanket out inside or on your back lawn, and play your favourite Spotify playlist. Grab some high-end cheese and crackers, nibblies and wine. Don’t forget dessert!
Do a workout together
Skip the gym and sweat it out together on a ‘fitness date’ right in your living room. For inspiration, check out our fun at-home workouts.
Do yoga together
Release the stress and tension from your bodies by doing a yoga practice. There are numerous yoga practices on YouTube but one that was recommended by a yoga-loving friend was Yoga4U with Anneriek. Her Yin Yoga practices are reputed to be especially effective for stress relief and relaxation.
Parallel Play
What’s parallel play? Sitting together with no tech. One of you might read a book, while the other does a hobby (like sketching or journaling), but make it romantic by doing it while sharing a foot soak or a bottle of wine.
Have a wine or beer tasting night
If you’re not be able to get out to a local brewhouse or winery, replicate the experience at home. Set up a DIY tasting at home with a selection of craft beers or wines. Just pick up a few varieties on your next grocery run and let the ‘at-home’ tasting begin.
Experiment with cocktails
Skip the crowded bars and enjoy a DIY cocktail night at home. It’s the perfect excuse to break out the fancy glasses and try a new drink mix together. The Dan Murphy’s website has tons of cocktail recipes that you can try.
Board game date
Hang out and play chess, checkers, Scrabble, Jenga, Guess Who? or backgammon. It’s a simple way to reconnect and get your brains moving. If you’re both in the mood for something a bit naughty, try Strip Scrabble where for every six-word or seven-word letter you place down, your partner has to remove a piece of clothing.
Retro gaming
Wait until the kids fall asleep and then start playing their Playstation, XBox or Nintendo Switch. Go old school with a classic game like Super Mario Bros. or Mario Kart.
Stargaze in the backyard
Take advantage of a clear night by creating a cosy nest of blankets in the backyard. Stargazing is a beautiful, low-effort way to reconnect; just lie back, look up, and enjoy the stillness of the evening together.
Do a jigsaw puzzle together
Dig out a jigsaw puzzle, clear off the coffee table and enjoy solving it with your partner. It’s the perfect low-pressure activity that lets you chat and unwind while working toward a common goal. To keep the mood light and fun, pick a design that isn’t too complex.
Learn something new about your partner
Learn more about your partner and play Never Have I Ever or ask one of the 36 Questions That Lead to Love. These 36 questions are probing questions which help you understand your partner better.
Enjoy a live concert together
Watch a live gig without leaving your loungeroom. In the Live Events feed on Spotify, you can discover and find tickets for concerts and events near you, personalised based on your listening habits. Or, search for Full Concerts on youtube.
Watch a movie
Transform your living room into a private cinema for the night. Settle in with a movie you’ve both been dying to see. To make it feel like a truly special event, go all out with popcorn, drinks, and all your favourite treats.
Look through photos together
Take a walk down memory lane by dusting off your old photo albums or scrolling through the early days of your camera roll. Revisit the early years of your relationship or flip through your wedding photos together. It’s a beautiful way to reminisce, share a few laughs, and reconnect with the feelings that brought you together in the first place.
Take a dance class
Get up close to your partner and learn how to dance a waltz, rumba or the cha cha. You can find lots of dance videos on youtube or visit the Learn To Dance website.
Enjoy a dessert buffet
Create your own dessert bar at home. Splurge on all the treats you usually skip and set up a mini-buffet right on your coffee table. If you’re feeling a bit fancy, break out the fondue set and spend the evening dipping fruit and marshmallows into warm chocolate while you chat.
Recreate LEGO Masters
Enjoy a playful, hands-on date night with LEGO. Working on a LEGO set together is a wonderful way to decompress after a long day. Whether you’re following a guide or building from scratch, it’s a therapeutic and fun way to spend quality time together.There’s even a book for adults that LEGO commissioned called LEGO Build Yourself Happy: The Joy of LEGO Play.
Binge watch some TV
Sometimes the best date is the simplest one. Pick a TV series you’ve both been dying to start and make a night of it. It’s the perfect way to switch off from the day’s demands, sink into the sofa, and simply enjoy each other’s company.
Paint & sip night
Host your own private ‘Paint and Sip’ night once the house is quiet. It’s a creative way to relax and express yourselves. Just grab your supplies of choice, a couple of glasses of wine, and start on your masterpiece. You can find some great Paint by Numbers kits at the larger chain stores, or you could try painting each others portrait. Don’t stress about the final product – it’s about the joy of creating something together.
Visit an attraction on your date
Visit Australian landmarks, zoos, aquariums, galleries, museums and world heritage sites from your home. We’ve found 30 virtual online tours you can do across Australia. Some involve Google Steet View tours while others let you view online exhibits.
Watch your favourite sports team
Do you and your partner love going to games together? Instead of going out to watch a game in person, watch one at home with your partner. Have the beer and snacks ready beforehand.
Enjoy some bubbles
Break out the bubbles! Bath bubbles, that is! Once the kids are tucked up in bed, embrace the cooler nights by sharing a warm soak in the bath. Set the mood with some soft music and candlelight for the ultimate evening of relaxation.
Rub each other the right way
Trade the stress of the day for a relaxing massage. Take turns giving each other back or foot rubs to unwind and reconnect.
Any other at-home date night ideas we can add? Email us with your suggestions.