Creative Date Night Ideas

If you weren’t a homebody before, there’s a good chance that after the last year you probably are one now. Trust me, I get it; I’m there too. I was more a homebody before the pandemic really took over, but since then, I’ve really become one. In all honesty, the idea of going out just isn’t that appealing to me anymore at all. My boyfriend and I agree on this, and we’ve come to heavily rely on our homemade date nights every Saturday for the last year. However, I’m not going to lie, and I’m sure everyone can relate, that sometimes doing the same thing over and over again can become redundant. This is another challenge we’ve all been faced with over the last year: coming up with new, fun, and creative ideas to keep us going and sane through this madness.

The last year has been challenging for everyone, and a lot of times, we’re all drained by the time we wrap up our days. This is even more true for those with kids who are doing distant learning from home, commuting to school, or even a little bit of both. With all the craziness, coming up with new and exciting things to do can seem like a major chore when you’re spent and feel like Netflix isn’t cutting it anymore because you’ve gone through your entire watchlist. But if there’s one thing the last year has taught us, it’s that cherishing the time with our loved ones is important because it can be gone in a second, and that with our loved ones, we can find some sense of stability and peace. It’s important that we make time for the people we care about, and get out of the house safely every once in awhile to feel some sense of normalcy.

Keep on reading for 19 creative date night ideas to try ASAP.

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Creative date night ideas:

• Visit an art gallery or museum. How often do you get to visit an art gallery or museum? Maybe you’re lucky and it’s pretty frequently, but for those of us who don’t get to do that sort of thing very often, it can be a fun way to see new and learn new things, and also switch things up! Get a little dressed up and go on a little adventure together.
• Go bowling. If you wanna throw it all the way back to your childhood, have a date night at a bowling alley! It’ll be fun and fresh, with a little bit of healthy competition on the side.
• Go roller skating/ice skating. Roller skating is a major throwback to my childhood, but I personally prefer ice skating. In December of 2016, my boyfriend and I went to NYC and actually ice skated in Rockefeller Center; it’s one of the best memories we have together and it was so much fun. If you’re looking for a fun date night, go roller skating or ice skating with your S.O!
• Go to a bakery together. If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth and want to enjoy some gourmet desserts without the hassle of cooking: head to a bakery with your S.O! This has been a favorite in my relationship as of late, as it’s a great way to get out of the house, go on a little adventure, and get a reward in the form of dessert in the end. Don’t forget to grab extras, you’ll want them later on!
• Go home shopping together. Turn your house into a home, switch up your style, or even daydream and plan about your future dream house together. Either way, you’ll be getting out of the house, doing something different, and something that will have you both thinking about and excited for the future.
• Take a scenic hike. Switch up the scenery and get some fresh air by taking a scenic hike together. You’re guaranteed to have some great talks with your partner and some great views along the way.
• Go on a day trip. Another fun way to get out of the house and switch up the scenery is going on a day trip. Get up early in the AM and out of the house. Even if you just take a drive to look at some nice views (like the coast), it’ll be a great way to get up, start the day, and spend time with your S.O.
• Play cards/chess/board games. Who said competition can’t be friendly? Play a card game, chess, or even a board game. My boyfriend and I have loved playing chess in the past, and as of late we’ve been loving Kings in the Corner and Monopoly. If you really want to up the ante, sprinkle in a little prize for the winner—maybe they have to do dishes for the entire week.
• Visit an aquarium or zoo. Visiting either an aquarium or zoo is another creative date idea you don’t get to do everyday. I’m personally a huge fan of the aquarium because I love the water, and I can vouch for the fact that is indeed a great date spot.
• Go wine shopping/tasting, or visit a local brewery. For the wine and/or craft beer lover, when you want to switch up your adult beverage choices, head on down to a nice wine store, a wine tasting, or local brewery! I’ve done this with both the wine store and tasting, and I can vouch for the fact that it’s a good time.
• Visit a casino. When people hear the word ‘casino’ they often think of card games, slot machines, and gambling—but casinos are so much more than that! A lot of them usually have arcades, shopping, bars, restaurants, pools, spas, and more. There’s a lot to do at a casino, and it makes a great date spot.
• Try to recreate your favorite restaurant dishes at home. If you’re looking for something fun to do on a cozy night-in, try recreating your favorite restaurant dishes right in your own kitchen!
• Practice self-care together. Grab some face masks, make your own DIY face masks, give each other massages, or do some mediation and guided imagery together to level up your consciousness as a couple.
• Try a new restaurant. Get out to that new restaurant you’ve been dying to try.
• Have a pizza night. Make the pizza from scratch or order in, the choice is yours. Either way, you can’t go wrong with pizza.
• Go to the movies or have a movie night at home. Head to your local cinema for a good old fashioned movie night; or pick out a movie, grab some popcorn, soda, and candy, snuggle up on the couch, and have a movie night at home.
• Pick a theme and cook accordingly. Cook at home but make it fun and cultural! Pick a theme from around the world and make dishes accordingly.
• Mix up some fun cocktails. Become your own mixologist and whip up some fun drinks at home.
• Visit an amusement park. Calling all thrill seekers, head to an amusement park together and get ready for a day filled with adventures and adrenaline rushes.