Home date night ideas…

Honest question: When is the last time you had a date night? If you’re like many mums, you’re probably laughing right now – or maybe even crying.

That part of your life might seem like it’s well behind you, but you still need to take the time to bond with your partner, even after you’ve settled down and started a family.

Many mums tell me going on a date is pretty much impossible because they don’t know who to leave their kids with, but I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to worry about that as it’s easier than you think to have a home date night once they’re tucked away in bed!

Now that you have no excuses left, here are some home date night ideas that will help you keep your relationship strong. Set aside one night a week and try something different each time!

Home date night ideas

1. Have a game night

You probably play board games with your kids all the time, but how about your partner? Prepare some snacks and break out the board games and make a game night out of it. A little friendly competition can really make for a fun time.

If your library is limited to basic games for younger kids, look for creative ways to make them more challenging or even suggestive. Whether you play one game or have a tournament, it’s a great chance to bond away from the TV and smartphone.

2. Enjoy a picnic

Eating dinner at home on a date night might not feel special if you do it at the same dining room table where you eat with your family every night, so consider having a picnic.

If the weather cooperates, put a picnic blanket outside in the yard, light a few candles, and enjoy picnic food with your partner under the stars. You can also do this inside if necessary; just dim the lights and put your blanket on the living room floor!

3. Come up with themed home date nights

Make your home date night special by giving it a theme, and use everything from the food to your clothes to set the tone. Perhaps you’ll focus on a place, like Spain or Italy, and make the appropriate food and put on a film from that country, or maybe you’ll go with a decade or other historical era. The sky is the limit!

4. Candlelight dinner… stress-free!

A candlelight dinner is romantic, and it might have been a long time since you’ve had one. Instead of waiting for that night out without kids that might never happen, get your favorite takeaway and light some candles at the table. This is your chance to eat something together that you don’t normally enjoy because your kids don’t like it. You could even take this to the next level by getting dressed up.

Whatever you do, make sure you leave your phones out of reach and simply enjoy the chance to have uninterrupted conversations. No cooking, no cleaning, and good food? That’s the very definition of a perfect date!

5. Have a cook-off

Why not challenge each other to a cook-off? This is a great way to get those competitive juices flowing and spice things up a little with your partner. We’ve never done this, but Neil and I love bonding over food, so this one’s definitely on the cards!

Choose an ingredient, like garlic or pears, and each of you can try to come up with a dish – or three courses, if you’ve got more time – that incorporates it and then see whose turned out best!

As you can see, there’s no need to ask your mum to watch the kids every weekend or go out and spend loads of money. Some of the best date nights are the ones you have at home, getting creative in enjoying your time together while having the peace of mind that your kids are tucked in safely under the same roof.

If you have any favourite date night ideas I haven’t covered, please share them with us in the comments!