25 Date Night Ideas for Married Couples

Have your date nights fallen into a rut, or even worse, are they basically non-existent? Now you can inject your marriage with new life when you enjoy one of these 25 date night ideas for married couples. And don’t worry, because I know how hard it can be to get out of the house with little ones, I’ve included at-home alternatives for many of these super fun date nights!

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[bctt tweet=”Whether your date nights are in a rut or non-existant, you’ll be ready to spice things up at home and on the go with these 25 date night ideas for married couples! #diyadulation #datenight” username=”diyadulation”]

It is soooo hard to make time for date night when your have a house full of kids, jobs, extra curricular activities, and 1000 other things that vie for your time and attention. Trust me, I get it. Not only do we have all of the above, we also have to schedule things around drill weekends, business trips, and military education courses. It’s not easy.

The problem is that when you stop making your relationship a priority, it quickly becomes something that struggles. Now that all of our kids are in school during the day, we started having the occasional lunch together during the week. It is a simple way to enjoy each other without having to worry about a sitter or trying to stay up late after the kids go to bed (which we’re not great at).

Unfortunately, even that is going to have to end with the implement of a new work schedule. That’s forced us to realize we have to get proactive in carving out date nights for ourselves. Even one night a month can do wonders for your intimacy and the strength of your relationship. Luckily, I’ve got a ton of awesome ideas to try out below!

1. Have a Coffee Date

Coffee is a staple in our life but there’s something special about chatting with your spouse over a delicious coffee splurge. The best thing about a coffee date is it is super easy to fit in no matter how short your time constraint is.

2. Go to a Drive In

Skip the traditional movie date on your next date night and opt for a drive-in instead. If you can’t get out of the house, grab your tablet and watch a new movie from the comfort of your car and maybe make a move on your spouse while you’re at it.

3. Have a Romantic Picnic

There’s no rule that says a budget-friendly date night can’t be romantic. Plan a romantic picnic at a local park or, if you can’t get a sitter, take it to the backyard. Cook up a delicious meal and spread out a blanket for a romantic meal together. Kick up the romance a notch and enjoy your picnic at sunset or in the early evening by candlelight.

4. Play a Board Game Together

Personally, we love board games! Even if you’re not the fans that we are, there are ton of options out there. You can literally find something no matter what your tastes are. This is a quick and easy date night idea that you can pull out anytime you have some free time together.

5. Head to an Arcade

There’s nothing better than an awesome competitive night at an arcade. Grab your spouse and head to the nearest game stop. If you love classic arcade game, try to find a retro arcade packed full of Pac-Man, DigDug, and Space Invaders!

6. Play a Video Game Together

You don’t have to head to the arcade to get your game on. Instead, spend some time playing your spouse’s favorite video game on the console at home. You can even go retro here with one of these awesome plug and play games.

7. Visit an Escape Room

Try your sleuth skills together at an escape room! Even if you don’t solve the puzzle you’re still sure to have an awesome time together.

8. Go Dancing

When is the last time you enjoyed a dance together? Whether you like line dancing, a waltz, or prefer freestyle you can find somewhere to do it. If you want to really up your skills skip the bar/club and take some dance lessons together.

9. Play Laser Tag

Team up or compete against each other in an epic battle of laser tag. Again, this one can be done at an paid establishment or buy a kit and play at home any time. Play one round or multiple rounds. Either way, loser buys/makes dessert after!

10. Play an RPG Game

Until recently, I never would have thought you could have a fun date night playing an RPG (role playing game) because one of you would have to be the game master. Luckily, we found Pathfinder deck game (we have Wrath of the Righteous) which is an awesome alternative to the traditional RPG because the cards direct the game play instead of a game master. With it you can both work together to defeat the baddies.

11. Watch a Stand-Up Comedy Show

Hit the local comedy club and take in a show full of laughs. Laughing together is a great way to bond and grow closer. If going out isn’t an option, watch a comedy special on Netflix after the kiddos go to bed.

12. Take a Drive to Nowhere

When is the last time you and your spouse got in the car and enjoyed a drive? Grab your favorite tunes and hop in the car to take a drive with no destination in mind. Enjoy the sights and each others company for this super simple date night.

13. Go On a Double Date

Admittedly, we are terrible about this one. We probably haven’t been on a double date in 4 years but it has always been fun when we did it in the past. Even better, sometimes including more people opens up more date night possibilities. Take turns picking the activities with other couples and find new things you love to do.

14. Paint Pottery Together

This is another great date night that lets you unleash you creative side together. If you can’t get out of the house to do it, you can also enjoy this date at home. Hit up a craft store and purchase unpainted ceramic pieces and your paints. After the kids go to bed, pull out your materials and create something beautiful together.

15. Drive Go Karts

Put the pedal to the metal with a fun and competitive go karts date! It’s a super fun and high energy date that will have you laughing together for hours. Bonus points if you get to gloat your victory after.

16. Join a Sports League Together

Why not take all of the guess work out of date night and join a sports league? There are leagues for bowling, darts, basketball, volleyball, and more. Find a sport you both enjoy (or would like to try) and make a weekly date night out of it. You might even make some new couples friends while you’re at it.

17. Go Swimming

Hit the beach, the pool, or even an indoor water park for some splashy fun. What is great about a swimming date is that it pushes you out of your comfort zone if you hate wearing a swimsuit (like yours truly) and adds a little sexy to your date night. Seeing your spouse dripping wet in a swimsuit is hot. Period.

18. See a Concert

There are so many options for concerts these days. You can purchase tickets to see your favorite groups, of course, but you can also check out free performances as well. Maybe a local band is playing at a bar near you or check out festivals for free concert options. Don’t limit yourself to the “rock concert” idea either. You can also check out orchestral concerts or even choral concerts to change things up.

19. Go Roller Skating

When is the last time you strapped on a pair of skates and took to the rink? If you’re anything like me, probably not since high school. Change that with your next date night and hit up a roller rink. Don’t forget to indulge in a Suicide together when you’re thirsty! (If you’ve never had one, a Suicide is when you miss all of the fountain drinks together into one beverage.)

20. Visit the Book Store

For nerds like me, a trip to the book store is always a fun date night. Personally, I recommend hitting up a store like Half Price Books because in addition to tons of awesome things to read, you can also peruse board games, video games, vinyl albums and CD’s, and even find a new movie for your next movie night. So much awesomeness in one date night.

21. Tackle a DIY Project Together

If you’ve never taken on a do-it-yourself project together, take my advice and start with something small. For some reason, stress and a big messy project can bring out the worst in people. This is especially true if you’ve never worked together in this kind of setting. Your styles for completing the project are going to differ. Better to pick something you can complete in an afternoon and enjoy the fruits of your labor right away.

22. Go For Ice Cream

Date night doesn’t always have to mean hours spent eating a meal or watching a show on the big screen. Instead, take 45 minutes to yourselves and indulge your sweet tooth with some ice cream. Feel free to pick somewhere that you can get some totally crazy creation, but take my advice, gummy bears in ice cream leads to hard-to-chew frozen bears that really don’t taste great.

23. Try a New Restaurant

When you don’t go out to eat very often, it’s easy to fall into a habit of picking the same restaurant whenever you do eat out. Change up your routine and try someplace new for your next date night. How many tiny restaurants do you drive by and never stop at? What family-owned (non-chain) restaurants haven’t had the pleasure of your patronage? You can even make a list of new places you want to try and pick one at random for a dinner date once a month.

24. Get a Professional Photo Shoot

The kids get school pictures every year and you sometimes get family photos on vacations or at Christmas, but when was the last time you and your spouse got professional pictures alone? Get dressed up and make a date of getting professional photos done. These don’t have to be some crazy boudoir thing, it can simply mean hiring a photographer and hitting the park or even hitting a JC Penney. Don’t forget to order prints to hang at home when you’re done.

25. Make Out in the Backseat Like Teenagers

How about a date night that you don’t have to get a sitter for that will make you feel like teenagers again. After the kiddos go to bed, hop into the backseat of the car, turn on some tunes, and make out like teenagers. You might feel awkward at first, but “Hey!” that’s how you felt as a teenager, too, right? Don’t feel the need to jump right into it either. You can bring some snacks and talk for a while before getting to the sexy stuff.

 

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You’ll be ready for your next date night easily with these 25 date night ideas for married couples. Even when you can’t get a sitter or get out of the house, there’s still plenty of fun you can have together. Stop putting off date night and make your marriage a priority again with these ideas to get you started.

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Moms Ultimate Date Night Out Checklist + Free Printable

This post is sponsored by Degree Women but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. 

Summer break takes a toll on even the most seasoned stay-at-home mom. At the end of it you definitely deserve a night out. Don’t worry if you’ve fallen out of practice. I’ve got you covered with this moms ultimate date night out checklist!

Collage of date night outfit and checklist with text overlay: Moms Ultimate Date Night Out Checklist

 

[bctt tweet=”Reward yourself with an awesome date night out! From prepping for a sitter to choosing the right deodorant, this moms ultimate date night checklist has will have you ready! #ad” username=”diyadulation”]

You may know that I’m a military spouse. My husband is in the Army National Guard. That means every summer I spend at least 3 weeks alone with the kiddos (and that doesn’t even take into account any deployments we’ve gone through).

Frankly, at the end of summer I feel like a superhero that deserves a medal. One that’s says, “I did it and no one died!” In lieu of that, though, I’ll settle for an awesome date night out.

 

Grab Your Copy of Moms Ultimate Date Night Out Checklist

Moms Ultimate Date Night Out Checklist Printable with text overlay: Click Here to Download Your Moms Ultimate Date Night Out Checklist

 

Open Babysitter Binder on Table

Step 1: Take Care of the Kiddos

Despite the fact that your tiny humans can drive you crazy, you still miss them when they’re away from you. That’s why it’s important to make sure things run smoothly at home when you’re gone.

This DIY Babysitter Binder makes it easy. Organize everything from from the kids’ routines to emergency information in one convenient place.

Once your kids are taken care of, you can focus on enjoying your time with your husband. If you think you will be anxious about being away, designate a time with your sitter ahead of time to call and check in.

 

Dress, Degree Spray, and Gold Wedges Laid Out on Bed

Step 2: Rock Your Date Night Look

With 3 kids running around, date nights outside of the home are rare. That’s why I think you should always get dressed up for date night even if you’re only grabbing ice cream together. This is my go-to date night outfit process:

Choose the Dress

Do Your Hair

 

Woman's face

Add Some Makeup

Wear the Shoes

 

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Step 3: Choose the Right Antiperspirant Deodorant

This may sound silly, but the right antiperspirant deodorant can make or break your date night. Don’t let odor and wetness keep you from enjoying yourself on the dance floor or from celebrating after your third air hockey victory. Even worse, the wrong deodorant can totally ruin your dress with yellow stains.

 

Degree UltraClear Black White Spray on Shelf

The new Degree UltraClear Black + White Dry Spray is seriously my new go-to fave! It provides up to 48-hours of protection from odors and wetness so you can be fresh for your date after a long day of chasing kids.

 

Outside of Walmart Store

Home and Pharmacy Side of Walmart Store

Even better, it is gentle on clothes to help prevent white marks on black clothes and yellow stains on whites! Order it at Walmart.com now and thank me later.

Bonus Tip:

Step 4: Set the Ground Rules

Before you head out for the night, set some ground rules with your husband. Namely, no talking about the kids or chores you need to get done. This isn’t a marriage meeting, it is a recharging session. You can’t recharge if you’re not letting go of the day to day.

This can be hard. Trust me, I’ve been there. That’s why I created these free Marriage Conversation Cards to help get the fun flowing. You can learn more about them and grab your free download right here.

Lastly, don’t run errands. You will be tempted to pick up that gallon of milk you need on your way home. (Come on, it’s efficient right?) Don’t do it. This is your night and trying to combine trips will have you focused more on the clock than your time together.

 

 

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Step 5: Pack Your Bag

How many times have you simply grabbed your everyday purse for date night? Too many, I’m sure. However, there is a really good reason why you should take a special one.

It carries your everyday life in it.

How are you supposed to stick to the ground rules when you are literally lugging around that purse full of toys, half-eaten suckers, and goodness knows what else. Leave the weight at home and pack a purse with just the essentials for the night:

  1. Identification
  2. Cash
  3. Lipstick
  4. Hair Tie
  5. Gum or Mints
  6. Tissues
  7. Hand Sanitizer
  8. Keys
  9. Phone
  10. Optional: Portable Power Bank or Charger

 

Moms Ultimate Date Night Out Checklist Printable

Date Night Outfit Laid out with text overlay: Mom Ultimate Date Night Out Checklist

Now you will be ready for dominate your next date night with this Moms Ultimate Date Night Out Checklist. Don’t forget to grab your free printable checklist. Put it in your makeup organizer or in your planner so that you always have it handy.

Also be sure to check out the new Degree UltraClear Black + White Dry Spray! It is a busy mom’s lifesaver when it comes to staying fresh all day (or night) long and protecting those clothes while you’re at it.

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Learn More About New Degree UltraClear Black + White Dry Spray

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After Dark Bedroom Egg Hunt Date Night

Have your date nights fallen in a rut? Spice them up with this after dark bedroom egg hunt date.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

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[bctt tweet=”Have your #datenights fallen in a rut? This after dark bedroom egg hunt date is a great way to reconnect with your husband on a physical level.” username=”diyadulation”]

When is the last time you made physical contact with your husband a priority? One of the things my husband and I are focusing on this year is making date nights a priority.

Since we’re also intensely paying off debt, these date nights have to be frugal too. However, that doesn’t mean they have to be boring.

After hating most of what we found on the internet (except for the awesomeness over at The Dating Divas) we decided to come up with our own.

So I’m just gonna say it: my husband and I are so much happier when we’re having sex. When we make sex a priority everything else in our lives runs smoother.

We fight less. We are more patient. It’s not just us, either.

Sex improves your mood because of basic biological chemistry. It is releasing those feel-good hormones that make stress and anxiety dissipate. There are tons of additional speculated benefits as well.

According to this article from Woman’s Day, it can even be good for your skin. Score!

Unfortunately, we too often put sex on the back burner. When physical intimacy stops being a priority in our marriage, other areas start to suffer as well.

That’s why this first frugal date night is all about the bedroom. I’ve got 2 free printables that will make this date night a breeze and your husband will love it!

 

             Date Night Eggs Printable Blank Egg Hunt Date Night Printable

Bedroom Egg Hunt Date Night Materials

 

Date Night Eggs Printable

Step 1

First, print out your Date Night Eggs. You can either use the pre-filled one here or you can print out a blank one to customize for you and your husband here.

If printing the blank one, be sure to fill it out before moving on to step two.

 

Cut out Date Night Eggs

Step 2

Next, cut out all of your Date Night Eggs.

 

Close up of open plastic Easter Egg with paper date night activity inside

Step 3

Place one Date Night Egg in each plastic egg.

Step 4

Lastly, hide the eggs throughout your bedroom for your husband to find.

 

Date Night Eggs Printable with plastic eggs

How To Enjoy Your Bedroom Egg Hunt Date Night

After the little ones have gone to bed, lead your husband to the bedroom. Tell him that there are eggs hidden that he has to find. Each time he finds one, he opens it and has to do what is written inside. Feel the desire build with each egg found. At the end (if you can last that long) finish the game with the big finale.

 

Date Night Eggs Printable with plastic eggs

Close up of open plastic Easter Egg with paper date night activity inside and text overlay: After Dark Bedroom Date Night

This after dark bedroom egg hunt date night is the perfect frugal and low-prep idea to rebuild the passion in your marriage. It is time to make physical intimacy a priority again in your relationship.

This is also a great way to get your husband on board with weekly or monthly date nights with a bang (no pun intended).

Change it up between physical intimacy one date night and emotional intimacy the next date night. This will help you grow closer on every level and that is the ultimate goal for our marriages.

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Collage of Egg Hunt Date Night Photos with text overlay: After Dark Bedroom Egg Hunt Date Night

 

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