Just because we’re stuck at home doesn’t mean date night should be cancelled! While going out for date night is what most couples are used to, you can use this time as a really fun opportunity to try different indoor ideas for a change! Don’t get me wrong, going out will feel SO good once this is all over, but if you try a few of the ideas below you might just find yourself staying in some nights!

I’m a homebody and even though I love going out, I really love staying in intentionally. These are some of Beau’s and my favorite date-night-in go-to’s:

1. Have a board game tournament

You can still have an epic game night with just two players. Check out our favorite games for two players for some ideas. This year, Beau and I decided to keep score of all the games we play as one year-long game tournament… As of the time I am writing this post, let it be known that I am winning. And no, I’m not competitive! You are! 

2. Take a newlywed “How Well Do You Know Each Other Quiz”

Speaking of competitive… This is a super fun game to play as long as nobody’s feelings get hurt. See it as an opportunity to get to know each other better if the scores don’t look exactly like you wish they did. 

3. Go through old pictures and videos together

This is one of my favorite stay-at-home date ideas! Go through your Facebook albums, Instagram posts, old school albums, or Google Drive. Pictures really are worth a thousand words, so you’ll have plenty to talk about and share.  

4. Actually dress up for a candle lit dinner

I think we’ve all been quarantined long enough that even the homebodies miss dressing up. Take this as your opportunity to put on actual clothes and get done up. Not only will you feel good, but it will make the night feel all the more special and intentional. 

5. Table topics date night

Let’s be honest, even if you’re quarantined with your soul-mate, you might be running out of things to talk about. Even if you haven’t hit that point yet, a table topics box will give you something new to talk about that you may not have thought of yourself. They have different themed boxes, too, including a specific date night box, family gathering, infomaniacs, happiness, and what would you do? – to name a few! We absolutely love our table topics box. 

6. Charades date

If you’d rather not talk one night, a charades date can be really fun and a little relaxing. Mime your way through a meal and choosing your activities. You’ll feel like little kids again! 

7. Brainstorm bucket lists

Beau and I love brainstorming bucket lists! It is one of our favorite past times on road trips, and we’ve also made it a tradition to make a list of hopes and dreams every New Years Eve as well. It makes for a fantastic date of dreaming together about what you want to experience both as an individual and as a couple. We like to write ours down so that hopefully one day we can go back and see them. My lovely mother-in-law gifted us this classy journal that we keep on our coffee table for easy access. 

8. Plan your dream trip together

I know, I know, we can’t go anywhere for the foreseeable future, but that should not stop us from dreaming! If you don’t already have a trip in mind, try watching a documentary. Also, table topics has a fun travel box to get your travel mind going! 

9. YouTube binge all of your favorite videos

I have a bunch of go-to YouTube videos that I’ve gathered throughout the years that are guaranteed to either make me laugh or feel nostalgic. Do you have some favorite videos? Take turns sharing them with your partner for a super fun night. Beau and I were both 2000’s pop punk kids so we have this date night often… especially since we can’t go to concerts right now. 

10. Take a virtual dance lesson

This is a great opportunity to try your hand at dancing together! Way less pressure since it’ll just be the two of you. You can pause it and go at your own pace, you won’t have to trade partners and dance with strangers like some classes make you do… you can literally dance like nobody is watching! Beau and I really enjoy line dancing on date night and are hoping to try a swing dance class sometime soon! 

11. Take virtual museum tour

Some of the world’s most renowned museums are offering limited time virtual tours! Definitely worth checking out!  

12. Have a Movie Marathon

A classic date-night-in idea with even more incentive, since we’ve got a lot more time on our hands than usual. Watch an entire trilogy, or take turns picking your favorite movies from different genres or eras. Beau and I are on a 90’s movie kick right now. Ok, fine, we’re always up for a 90’s movie. There’s something about movies made in the 90’s that just makes you feel good and that everything is right in the world… 

13. Take a Cooking class together

There are countless free cooking classes all over the internet. Google your favorite meal, and chances are you’ll find a video. 

14. Take a painting class together

YouTube your heart’s desire, and chances are there is someone out there teaching you how to paint. 

15. Watch a documentary or read a book together and discuss

For a nice little break from talking about the news and whatever show we are currently binging, Beau and I love discussing either a documentary or a book we’re both reading for some fun debriefing and friendly debates.   

16. Learn a new language together!

Duo-lingo is way more fun as a duo! Is there a language that you’ve always wanted to learn? Learning it with your date might just be the incentive you need!

17. Have a theme night 

Now that you’ve mastered Italian, how about pulling all of your new skills together and have an Italian themed night? Italian food, a movie set in Italy, and trying out your new language skills….

If you’re looking for some stay-at-home compliant “outdoors-y” type dates, check out our suggestions. 

For our next few dates, Beau and I are going to read the latest book, “8 Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love” by our favorite author and psychologist, Dr. John Gottman of the Gottman Institute. I’ll do a follow up post once we go on the 8 dates!

What are your favorite at-home date ideas?