27 At Home Date Night Ideas that are Frugal & Fun

Whether you and your partner are looking for some good at home date night ideas because you’re saying “I’m broke” too often or you are still avoiding going out to public places and are opting to hang out at home together, I can help! I’ve come up with a bunch of great at home date night ideas that I think you’ll just love. Some are cheap, some are not. But, hopefully something on this comprehensive list will strike your fancy!

Stay At Home Date Ideas For Couples

In desperate need of a date night? I hear ya. I’ve been craving some time together with my hubby lately as well. But, between work, the kids, and well…Covid, getting some much-needed time together has been quite the challenge. Not to mention the fact that going on a date can be a little on the expensive side. 

I have a bunch of at home date night ideas (COVID edition!), and I’ve broken them up into two different categories: romantic date night ideas and fun ideas.  So next time you’re looking for ideas for a date night at home with your boyfriend (or girlfriend, or main squeeze), look no further! These stay at home date ideas for couples aren’t Pinterest perfect, don’t require a ton of work to set up, and aren’t crazy expensive.

What Should I Do For A Date Night At Home? (If I’m Looking For Romance, That Is!)

1. Gaze up at the night sky.

Stargazing can set the mood for a very romantic evening. When’s the last time you slowed down long enough to relax on the lawn (or roof), and star up at the sky together? The best part? You can do it from home, for free. So, grab your telescope, download one of the many constellation apps to your smartphone, and start gazing up at that big beautiful sky of ours. To make it even more romantic, play some love songs while you’re at it. 

2. Bring on the heat!

If you happen to have a backyard and a firepit, why not have a bonfire and make some yummy s’mores while you are at it. Or, if you have a fireplace, cozy up by the fire with your loved one and settle in for a night of cuddling. 

3. Cook a meal together.

If you and your partner both enjoy cooking, why not put on some aprons and get to work in the kitchen on a new recipe. This is one of my favorite romantic date at home night ideas. You can make something completely from scratch or cook up one of those boxed meal kits that are currently all the rage, like HelloFresh or Blue Apron. 

Another great idea is to pick a country you’ve been wanting to travel to and cook a dinner together inspired by that country. You can even pair it with a bottle of wine or a few beers from that country. Homemade pizza and Chianti, anyone?   

4. Enjoy a candlelit dinner.

Nothing says romance like a candlelit dinner. Whether you cook the meal together or order from your favorite take out place, light some candles, turn off the lights, and enjoy some delicious food together! Candlelit dinners are a good idea for a classic date night that is easy, quiet, and relaxing.

5. Get dressed up. 

Just because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean you have to hang out in your sweats all night, especially on a date night. Why not try dressing up? Head to the closet and bust out one of your fanciest outfits for your at home date idea. 

6. Put on your dancing shoes.

Dance parties are awesome! They just are. But, since I’m talking about romantic at home date night ideas, this will have to be a different kind of dance party. A slow dance party. So, create a slow song playlist on whatever music streaming device you use or find a bunch of love songs on YouTube and slow dance the night away. Need some inspiration? Check out The Knot’s Best Love Songs: Top 100 Love Songs of All Time. 

7. Enjoy a do-it yourself couple’s spa night.

This is actually on my list of 50 Fun Free Things To Do On A No-Spend Weekend. With Covid still lurking around, getting to the spa is kind of tough at the moment. So, why not turn your date night into an at home spa night? Turn your night into one of the best steamy date night ideas, literally. Light some scented candles, play some new agey spa music, get in some comfy robes, grab some massage oil, and relax the night away. You and your partner can take turns massaging each other (and don’t forget to tip for your massage!). You can also each do face masks (the fun kind) and foot soak or even take bubble baths. I don’t know about you, but a bubble bath sounds like heaven right about now. 

8. Conduct your own wine tasting. 

Out of all the unique date night ideas, I think this one could be so much fun. This will require a little preparation beforehand, but before your date night, head to your favorite wine shop and grab some wines you’ve been wanting to try. 

If you’re interested in learning more about conducting your own wine tasting, including the different things you’ll want to look for when tasting a wine, check out this article from the good folks at Wine Folly.  You might just discover that your favorite good bottle of wine is no longer in the running!

9. Have a beer tasting.

Not into wine? Why not conduct a beer tasting instead? You can find a beer judging score sheet here.  

10. Watch a romantic movie.

Romantic movies are the best! Whether you both dig a good ole rom-com or you want something a little more…well, sappy, check out this great list of 25 romantic movies Town & Country Magazine compiled.

11. Have a backyard picnic.

Spread out a comfy blanket in the backyard, grab your favorite finger or easy-to-eat foods, and get your picnic on. And, if it’s too cold out or rainy, just move it to the living room. 

Not sure what to eat? Here is a quick list of great picnic-friendly foods:

• Macaroni salad
• Fried or grilled chicken
• Sub sandwiches 
• PB&J
• Potato salad
• Fruit salad
• A veggie plate
• A cheese plate
• Deviled eggs

12. Have an at home coffee date. 

This is another one that’s on my list of 50 Fun Free Things To Do On A No-Spend Weekend. Who doesn’t love coffee? Guilty! Or, if you really don’t love coffee, opt for tea. Either way, having an at home coffee date is the perfect way to chat and reconnect with your partner.  

13. Discover your love languages.

If you or your partner aren’t familiar with the 5 Love Languages, there is no better time like the present to learn! Knowing your partner’s love language (as well as them knowing yours) can help strengthen your relationship. So, spend your date night determining what your love languages are and finding ways to speak your partner’s love language, so you can connect on a deeper level. You can take the love language quiz right here. 

What Can Couples Do For Fun At Home?

Maybe a night of romance is not what you and your partner truly need. Maybe you just want to have a little fun. Here’s a list of things couples can do for fun at home date night ideas, quarantine edition.

1. Break out the board games.

I LOVE a good game night. The competition, trash talk, beer guzzlin’….they are the best, especially when you’re playing with someone you enjoy beating the pants off of, like your partner! There are a gazillion board and card games out there, but there are only so many that are ideal for two players. Here are some good games, both board and card, just the two of you can play for fun date night ideas:

• Jenga
• Monopoly 
• Twister
• Trivial Pursuit
• Chess
• Checkers
• Chinese Checkers 
• Yahtzee
• Uno
• Backgammon
• Scrabble
• Blackjack
• Scattergories
• Sorry! 
• Clue 
• Bananagrams 
• Battleship 
• The Ultimate Game for Couples
• Connect 4 
• Villainous
• Codenames Duet
• Unstable Unicorns
• War
• Crazy Eights 
• Gin Rummy 

Not really into board or card games? You can always try something like Never Have I Ever, Truth or Dare, or Would You Rather. 

2. Work on a puzzle together.

If you’re truly not a board or card game person, fear not! I have another idea. Why not try a good ole fashioned puzzle? One cool thing about doing a puzzle with your partner on your at home date night is that you can also have a great conversation while doing it. Or, you can even binge-watch your favorite show or put on your favorite movie. It’s a win win!

3. Binge-watch a new show together.

Speaking of binge-watching, you can always find a show you both have been wanting to check out and watch it all night. Binge-watching can also be romantic as it lends itself to cozying up on the couch with a comfy blanket together. You can pop up some buttery popcorn or enjoy some yummy take out. Maybe crack open some adult beverages, too? The possibilities are endless! 

4. Take a stroll down memory lane.

If you and your main squeeze went to high school together, why not break out your old yearbooks for a night of reminiciting? Or, flip through your old photo books, if you have any that is. With the invention of smartphones, so many people are keeping their pics on their phones or in the cloud nowadays. Or, if you have any old home movies, put those on. Or, maybe rewatch your wedding video. How’s that for a blast from the past? 

5. Rent a movie.

Remember running to Blockbuster Video on a Friday night, hoping against hope that the new releases were still in stock? Well, while renting a movie this day and age might look very different, it’s still a great date night idea. There are lots of streaming services that offer movies for rent, like Amazon Video. Some streaming devices, also like Amazon Video, even have options to rent new movies that are currently being shown in the theatres. 

Create a stay at home date night kit, complete with your favorite movie night viewing go-tos: snacks, drinks, comfy PJ pants, and a blanket to cuddle under.

Not interested in renting any new movies? Why not consider a classic? Town & Country Magazine compiled a list of some of the best classic movies ever made. 

6. Watch a concert.

I don’t know about you, but i miss live concerts. But, luckily for music lovers around the world, many musicians and bands have started live streaming their shows and special events, so their fans can watch and…well, pretend they are in the crowd. 

7. Ask each other interesting questions. 

Okay, so this is a super fun thing to do on a date night. Not only is this a great way to create some intimacy with your partner, but it’s also a great way to spend quality time together, and you might learn something new about your partner. 

Not sure what to ask? The New York Times compiled a list of 36 questions that make you fall in love that are based on the research of psychologist Arthur Aron, Ph.D.

Some of the questions you’ll find on this list include:

1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
2. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?
3. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be? 

So, open up a bottle of wine and start grilling each other!

8. Play video games together.

Remember those all night video game sessions you had during slumber parties? Well, it’s a great time to feel like a kid again! Grab those controllers and get playing! For some good 2-player game ideas, check out the article, The games of love: Our favorite couch co-op games to play with a partner. 

Here’s a handful of 2-player games they recommend:

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
• Heave Ho 
• Moving Out 
• What The Golf?
• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze 

9. Unwrap a date night subscription box.

Subscription boxes are very popular right now, and date night subscription boxes, which are essentially date night kits, are a fun way to try something new and exciting for date night. When it comes to date night subscription boxes, there are tons to choose from, including the incredibly popular Hunt a Killer Box. Check out this post from My Subscription Addiction for reviews and discount codes for 11 different date night subscription boxes. This is one of my favorite creative date night ideas that won’t break the bank, and is unique enough to make it a memorable night at home.

10. Sing your hearts out. 

Need something fun to do for your at home date night? I have one word for you. Karaoke! This is also on my list of 50 Fun Free Things To Do On A No-Spend Weekend. You can find lots of karaoke songs on YouTube. Feel free to sing at the top of your lungs from the comfort of your own home, with no judgment from rowdy bar patrons, and no stepping out of your comfort zone.

11. Get your bar trivia on!

Who doesn’t love bar trivia? Before kids, my hubby and I used to play, but haven’t in a long time. And, due to Covid, many trivia companies have been starting virtual bar trivia competitions. Geeks Who Drink, which is probably one of the most popular bar trivia games, has a nightly game on Twitch at 9:00 pm EST. You can also play trivia via Random Trivia Generator.  

12. Build a snowman.

If you’re in an area where snow is aplenty, why not bring out your inner child and build a snowman with your partner. As an added bonus, you can treat yourselves to some hot cocoa when you’re done.   

13. Have a paint night.

If you’ve always wanted to try painting, take a que from those paint and sip places for a good time. Spread out the drop cloth, set up easels, bust out the wine, and paint your perfect still life. Try using the same color schemes, but different subject matter, to create a match set of paintings to hang in your house.

14. Set up a treasure hunt.

If you’re really feeling ambitious, create a treasure hunt with fun rhymes or clues that lead your significant other to a big prize at the end (totally ok if that prize is you!). This can be a bit of work, but it’s a lot of fun and can be the perfect time to give them fun, little gifts along the way.

Date Night Not An Option? 

Not able to get some alone time because you have a couple of kiddos? I’ve also pulled together a list of some fun things to do as a family. 

Dying to get out the house? Try these 50+ cheap date ideas to fit your budget!