Date nights can be really hard to prioritize. Sometimes you can’t find a babysitter. Sometimes you can’t afford one. Sometimes your kids just aren’t at the stage where they’re okay going to bed without you. I get it. But your marriage is important, and it deserves some time and attention too. The good news is, spending time together doesn’t always have to mean getting a babysitter, getting dressed up, and going somewhere.
There are so many simple ways to spend time together, reconnect, and maybe even get out of a little marriage funk if you’ve found yourself in one. Sometimes you just need to make the time and be intentional about it.
Game Night
This shouldn’t be about the most competitive game that you can think of. This should be about spending time together and having fun.
- Card games–These are some of our favorites and there are tons of two player games out there!
- Board games
- Video games–Mario Kart, Boomerang Fu, Mario Party, there are so many fun ones to play together.
Dinner In
One person puts the kids down and the other one goes and picks up dinner. Then you can have an uninterrupted meal after the kids go to bed.
Dessert In
One person cleans the kitchen while the other goes and picks up your current favorite dessert.
Find a New Show
Find a new show and put your phone away. You’ll have a built in date during the week and something to look forward to.
Outdoor Movie Night
Pick your favorite fall movie, cuddle up with a blanket outside, and enjoy the last few weeks of summer weather.
Read a New Book
This might not be in everyone’s wheelhouse, but it could also be fun! Pick a spooky book to read together, whether it’s an audiobook or you physically read the book, sit down and read together and discuss when big things happen. Bonus points if you pick a book that has a movie as well and then you can watch the movie when you finish!
Backyard date
Set up a picnic after the kids go down, roast marshmallows, or just sit in the backyard and talk. The simplest dates can be the best.
Cook A New Recipe Together
Pick a recipe that you have never tried before and make it together. Rate it and decide if you are going to add it to your regular rotation.
Taste Test
You know that these are our favorites. You can taste test the same thing or have each other be in charge of a different ones. It’s guaranteed to bring laughs. Here are some ideas:
- Pizza
- Soda
- Ice Cream
- Donuts
- Cookies
- Chips
- Hot Chocolate
Hobby Date
This could be a two part date: go to the store to find something to try out, then do the date at home the next night or the next week. Here are some ideas:
- Puzzle
- Painting
- Crochet
- Origami
- Sculpting
- Lego set
Home Spa Night
I promise you, your spouse needs a relaxing night in. Foot soaks, foot massage, pedicure, face masks, whatever you are feeling, do it!
Plan Your Next Trip
It’s so hard to sit and have a normal conversation with your spouse with kiddos running around, let alone plan a trip. Sit down and power through a 30 minute planning session. Bonus points if you have a treat afterwards!
Let Each Spouse Pick One Thing
Having a hard time figuring out what to do? Pick one thing each, even if it isn’t something you want to do. You show your spouse you love them and want to spend time with them. For example Emily loves to do puzzles and I don’t, but I know she would love to spend time together doing a puzzle. The intention of this date night is everything.
If you want it to actually feel like a date
I’d use this rule: don’t just do something together. Do something you wouldn’t normally do together.
And honestly, after the kids go to bed is probably the easiest babysitter-free date night of all. You don’t need to leave the house. You just need to put your phone down and stop doing chores long enough to actually spend time together.
