![Love in the Time of Corona[virus]: 19 Ideas for At-Home Date Nights](https://momadvice.com/blog/www.momadvice.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Corona-date-1.png?preset=default)
Stuck at home, but still looking for some fun ideas for quality time with your spouse? We have 19 creative and fun ideas for spending alone time together during these crazy days.
From our marriage & parenting contributor, Mary Carver.
Remember six months ago, when we thought making time to date our spouses seemed so hard?
Or we agreed that sometimes, it’s just not possible to go out?
That because of budgets or babysitter shortages or whatever other reason that wasn’t “the pandemic,” because we had no idea that could be a real situation we’d live through, we would just have to figure out how to make a date night happen at home?
Oh, Six-Months-Ago Mary, you had no idea.
We didn’t know what was coming, but now we’re here and though our whole world feels like it’s upside down, the basic needs of a marriage are still the same.
Married people need time together.
We need the chance to look at our person, right in the eyes, and connect.
We need to remember we’re on the same team. We need everything a “date night,” whatever that may look like in this season, offers–possibly more than ever before.
Now, obviously, I could just list off random activities and add “strip” to the beginning or “by candlelight” to the end.
But in case you need a little more than that, here’s a list of 19 creative ideas for connecting during the time of coronavirus.
Love in the Time of Corona[virus]: 19 Ideas for At-Home Date Nights
Learn a new board game
Of course, the first thing that popped into my mind was, “play a board game.”
But I can honestly say I haven’t played a board game with just my husband in years, if ever.
I’m not sure he’d be too excited if I asked him to play Scattergories with me this weekend.
But maybe…maybe he’d be up for us learning to play chess together.
Or, you know, something less mentally taxing. I’m going to give it a try!
Build something with cards or dominoes
Talk about working together as a team! Have you ever tried building a house of cards with a partner?
It takes some teamwork and patience — but can also lead to a lot of laughter (or pride in your accomplishment if you’re better at building than we are)!
Become a LEGO Master
I know, I know, you just got your kids to put away all those pesky blocks. But why not try to make something yourselves?
Fire up an episode of LEGO Masters on Hulu or Google some ideas for using the blocks you have on hand.
Then get creative! (You could even play a guessing game, where you each make something then the other person has to figure out what it is…)
Nothing wrong with a good ol’ movie night
Seriously.
I’m all about creative ideas, but the truth is, the go-to choice at my house is always going to be a movie night. (Here are a few movie recs, by the way!)
Make it the real deal with low lights, yummy snacks, snuggly blankets, and no phones.
Cook something new
Especially in a time where more people are in our houses more often, demanding more meals and snacks than usual, cooking can be a real chore.
But what if you start with a clean kitchen and make something TOGETHER that you’d never made before?
What if you try a copycat recipe for one of your favorite restaurant dishes?
What if you make something you and your husband will love but you KNOW the kids would never eat?
Take an online class
You can find an online class to learn how to do just about anything.
From building a birdhouse to giving each other massages, just search. It’s out there.
Slow dance in the living room
Pick up all the toys and papers and shoes and dishes that have made your living room their home. (Or, I don’t care, shove them in a basket and set it behind the couch! And obviously you don’t have to pick the living room…)
Turn down the lights, light a candle or two, and fire up a playlist of your favorite slow songs.
And just…dance.
It might feel silly at first, but what if you do it anyway?
Is it possible you could connect with your person in a way you both need? Maybe…!
Break a sweat with a good workout
If you all are the exercising types, why not work out together?
You could even make a plan to try a new fitness video once a week and vote on which ones you’ll add to your regular exercise routine.
Or simply take the opportunity to cheer each other on as you try to break your personal records running around the block.
Put together a puzzle
Did you know you can make a puzzle out of any picture?
I’ve made a couple out of photos I took in Kenya, but I’d imagine you could have some fun putting together a puzzle made from a photo of the two of you on your wedding day, during a favorite vacation, or simply making a funny face for the camera.
I made mine through Walmart Photos, but most photo printing companies do this.
Binge a show
It doesn’t to be Tiger King.
But if it’s Tiger King, I’m not here to judge. Haha!
Pick an old favorite you want to revisit, or something that’s all the rage right now, or something that’s been in your queue for a while but you just hadn’t gotten to it.
Walk around the neighborhood
Speaking of all the rage, neighborhood walks are really experiencing a renaissance right now, aren’t they?
And for good reason. Fresh air, a little cardio, seeing other humans (from a distance!), and reconnecting with the world for a few minutes–it’s all good for our minds, bodies, and hearts.
Go get groceries
But stay in the car!
Order your groceries online and drive to pick them up.
Wear your masks and use your hand sanitizer. (Or, if this isn’t safe or comfortable, don’t do this one!)
Support a local restaurant by getting takeout
Be fancy about it.
Set the table with dishes (and, obviously, the candles).
Play some music — bonus points if it’s the same style the restaurant plays!
Put away your phones and enjoy that meal together.
Tackle that home project you’ve been putting off
Stain the deck, re-arrange the guest room, finally create a gallery wall along the stairs, organize the garage.
Those are the things on our list, things we’ve wanted or needed to do, but haven’t had time.
Well, now we have time. Why not tackle these things together?
Dream about the future
We won’t be staying at home or sheltering in place forever.
Even for those of us whose finances are being destroyed by what’s happening, times won’t always be quite so difficult.
Together, dream about what you might do when days are different!
Will you go visit those friends or family member?
Take a family road trip?
Go on a romantic getaway?
Make a list if you’re a list person and keep it somewhere special.
On the days you’re feeling trapped or crowded, pull it out and remember that–even if you don’t get to those particular goals–you will get to go somewhere together again!
Write letters
Together, come up with a list of people you want to reach out to.
Maybe you decide if you simply want to send notes, or a gift card, or a photo, or even a picture you color or sketch.
Then divide up the tasks and get to work reaching out! (My husband isn’t much into writing letters and certainly not excited to get crafty or creative with paper products. But I know he’d help me make a list and stick stamps and return address stickers on the envelopes!)
Get drinks
At home, though. Open that bottle of wine (or whiskey or whatever your beverage of choice is), and take turns asking each other get-know-know you questions or conversation starters.
Pinterest is full of these kinds of lists, by the way!
Go on a (virtual) field trip
So many amazing things are FREE to watch and listen to online.
Visit a zoo, a museum, or a national park. Watch a stand-up comic or listen to an orchestra.
We might not be able to physically go out, but we can still experience new places together!
Work together to help others
Assemble care packages for those in need, bake cookies to deliver to neighbors, draw encouraging messages or an elaborate hopscotch board on your driveway, or even sew masks together.
As many needs as there are in our communities right now, there are just as many ways to help.
How have YOU connected with your spouse during this season?
Don’t miss these other great ideas from MomAdvice:
How are you being creative with date nights right now?
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