Finding time to yourself can be almost impossible when you have kids, let alone finding time for your partner. That’s why these great weeknight date ideas for parents are perfect to help you stay connected and stress-free.
Between taking care of the little ones, keeping the house in order and working, there isn’t much time to do anything outside of the daily tasks. And by the weekend, you both might be too exhausted to do anything other than lounge around the house, and that’s okay.
There are various activities that you can do in this list, from simple projects at home to fancier options depending on your situation. For all the parents out there desperately searching for some good date ideas, look no further.
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8. Start a Project
Going on one date can be easy, but sticking to it in the future is challenging. Once you have a date night, it could take months before you find the motivation to go again, especially if you have a busy schedule. For this great weeknight date idea, you guys can find a project around the house, whether it’s repairing or redecorating a room, starting a puzzle, finding a long show to watch, start scrap booking or organizing photo albums for your kids, or even some type of arts and crafts that you enjoy.
This is a great way to start an exciting project that you look forward to doing together every week. It not only feels intimate by having your own special activity, but it also motivates you to truly set aside time for one another to enjoy your date. And it might even encourage you to do it more often if you really enjoy your activity.
7. Self-Care Night
Going out can take a lot of planning and can be pricey, plus finding a babysitter can be stressful. Thankfully there are countless of at-home weeknight date ideas for parents that are perfect for those trying to spend a bit more quality time with each other. One idea is doing a spa-night, or a self-care night. This can consist of anything you might deem self-care.
Whether you’re interested in giving each other massages, wearing face masks, drinking a few cocktails, sitting in a bath together with candles, or simply cuddling and staying close while talking about your week, there are countless ways to have a spa-night.
6. Backyard Picnic
When the kids are asleep, it’s the perfect time to step outside and chat under the stars. And what makes it even better is that you can create a fun time out of it by laying down a blanket, grabbing a few drinks and maybe some food or dessert you hid away somewhere.
Stargazing and spending time with your loved one can be cheap and easy by having a romantic picnic in the backyard. You not only feel like you’re getting out of the house and away from the kids, but you actually feel like you’re getting true alone time. It’s a great way to make sure there are no distractions and can focus on one another.
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5. Try Something New
Going on the same date over and over can get boring. And some couples that have been together for a while will most likely feel the monotony of going to the same few restaurants and finding nothing to talk about. Thankfully, there are easy ways to break this cycle. Try something new!
What interests you both? Take a class online and learn. Or maybe switch every month on each other’s idea. This could expand your knowledge as well as learn more about each other. One such site that allows you to learn from experts is called MasterClass.
Try Gordon Ramsay’s show that teaches you the perfect kitchen set up and unforgettable ingredients and techniques, all while preparing you to make unbelievable dishes. Or maybe you both want to pick up gardening to grow your own food and spend less on groceries? Ron Finley takes you down this road with his own show where he explains how to grow in your space, nurture your plants, and even grow your food.
There are several options out there to teach you something new that not only helps you and your loved one gain a new skill, but also lets you spend more quality time as you practice and grow.
4. Date Night Subscription Box
Planning dates can be just as hard as sticking them out, but thankfully there are ways around that. Subscribing to monthly, reoccurring shipments are great ways to make sure you always have a date planned, and there’s no extra effort. Some boxes even cost less than going out for a dinner for a night.
One such example is the Crated with Love box, where every month they send you a box fitting a single theme full of 4-5 games as well as extra items like recipes, movies, and music playlists to fit the theme. These games take you on romantic adventures that are perfect.
Other subscription boxes for your weeknight date ideas include Platterful, which are monthly charcuterie kits starting at $75 giving you three cheeses, two meats, some cracker packs, two to three spreads, and other accompaniments like dried fruits, olives, or chocolates. And Shaker and Spoon, which is perfect for the mixologists who want to try out different cocktails with their loved ones. For $59 you will be getting 3 recipes that can make four drinks each, for a total of twelve drinks. You will receive all ingredients needed except for the alcohol.
3. Recreate Your First Date at Home
It’s always nice to look back at fond memories, especially your first date with your loved one. One of the best weeknight date ideas you can do is by recreating your first date at home. While it might be hard for some dates, there is always a way to improvise. Rent the movie you both saw together, recreate the dish you both ate at the restaurant and the shared dessert, or decorate the backyard with lights and flowers if you went to the park together.
This not only gives you both some great quality time together, but it’s the perfect way to reconnect and show the other one how much they mean to you. It brings both of you back to where it all started and refocuses you two on your relationship.
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2. See Local Live Music
While going out is more expensive than staying in, there are some exciting and easy weeknight date ideas for parents. If you have a babysitter and don’t want to go back to another restaurant, finding local bars that perform live music is a great alternative. It not only is a change in scenery but has a bit of entertainment that you and your partner can talk about for a while.
There are also some great spots that you can find where the crowd is into it, and there’s room to dance. This is a great way to reconnect with your partner and living in the moment. Check out your local bars and see if there are any nights that work for you to see some live performances with a few cocktails and appetizers.
1. Staycation
Another great weeknight date idea for parents is a staycation if you have a babysitter and some extra money. It’s a bit pricier than others on the list but could be a huge help to not only reconnect with your partner but bring each parent some peace and quiet.
Finding a close hotel and renting a room for the evening is the perfect little get away. And if you want to be really fancy, you can order in some room service and rent some great movies to cuddle in bed with. Whichever way you want to use up this free time, it will be the perfect get-away to get some much needed you-time.
