Going out can be a blast, but sometimes staying in can create an even better date night experience. Plus, there is plenty of date night ideas sure to spark connection! And to help, here are five of our favorite date night challenges.
Cuddle up with your honey, leave the remote lost under the couch, and make your living room the spotlight for an adventurous date night in!
Play a unique board game
Board games provide an opportunity to connect and engage with each other in a unique way that is both entertaining and stimulating. Playing a board game for your date is an excellent option for couples looking for a fun and interactive way to spend quality time together.
But don't settle for the same old games everyone knows about. Find a special new game to learn together!
Specialty board games like Codenames, Sushi Go!, and Ticket to Ride are especially great for dates as they provide a creative way to bond and learn more about each other. Many of these games also require strategy and teamwork, making it a great way to strengthen team dynamics and communication between a couple.
Want our complete guide to board games for couples? Click here!
Have an immersive movie night
Okay, so you may need the remote for this one, but we are going to spice things up a bit!
Movie nights are a great way to spend quality time with your significant other, and a themed movie night can add some extra fun to the occasion. Here are some tips to help you plan the perfect immersive movie date night with classic movie examples.
1. Choose a Theme: Pick a classic movie you and your partner would enjoy watching together. Consider the genre, the time period, or the style of the film. Bonus points if you can choose a movie you've never seen before.
2. Set Up Your Living Room: Create an immersive atmosphere in your living room with decorations that match the movie's theme. For example, if you're watching a classic romantic comedy like When Harry Met Sally, you can design your living room like an airport, a New Year's party, or even dress it up like Kats Deli!
3. Pick Out Snacks: Movie nights are only complete when they include snacks. Choose some snacks that match the theme of the movie. For a classic horror movie like The Shining, make some ghoulish popcorn or some spooky cupcakes.
4. Get Dressed Up: Dress up in clothes that match the movie's theme. If you're watching a classic Western like The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, dress up in cowboy hats and boots.
5. Prepare for Intermission: If you're watching a longer movie, plan out some activities to do during intermission. If you're watching a classic musical like Grease, you can do a karaoke sing-off or a dance-off.
Creating a themed movie night is a great way to make your movie date night extra special. With the right decorations and snacks, you and your partner can enjoy an immersive movie-watching experience.
Want to spice things up? Try the Mix It Up Date Night Generator that gives you and your partner unique dinner and a movie challenges to complete together!
Snuggle up under the stars
Planning a date night under the stars is a great way to spend a romantic evening with your significant other. To get started, choose a safe, open area in your backyard with clear night sky views. Bring along a couple of chairs and a blanket to get comfortable. If you have a telescope, bring it along to get a closer look at the stars and planets.
Make sure you dress for the weather and bring snacks and a bottle of wine. Spend the evening talking and connecting with your partner and watch the stars come out. The open sky above, beautiful stars to look at, and a glass of your favorite beverage, will create a magical atmosphere for a romantic date night.
Want to add a little more warmth and flavor? Create an extreme version of hot chocolate with unique flavor combinations to share!
Plan an international dinner date night
Planning an international dinner date can be an exciting and memorable way to spend time with your special someone.
Start by selecting a different country as the focus of the dinner. Choose a country with distinctive flavors, possibly with a dish you've never tried. Here are some examples:
For an Indian dish, try making a tandoori chicken. Tandoori chicken is marinated in a mixture of spices, yogurt, and lemon juice, then cooked in a clay oven (which you may need to improvise for). This dish has a rich flavor and is sure to impress.
For a Thai dish, try making a stir-fry with Pad Thai. Pad Thai is a popular dish in Thailand that combines rice noodles, eggs, fish sauce, and a variety of vegetables. This dish has a unique flavor and will tantalize your taste buds.
For a Moroccan dish, try making a vegetable tagine. A tagine is a slow-cooked stew made with various vegetables, olives, and spices.
For an Italian dish, try making a lasagna. Lasagna is a classic Italian dish with layers of pasta, cheese, and meat or vegetables. This dish is comforting and sure to please.
Finally, for a Mexican dish, try making enchiladas. Enchiladas are a popular Mexican dish made with tortillas, cheese, and various fillings. This dish has bold flavors and is sure to be a hit.
Remember to add some decorations and designs to top off your dinner date. Hang flags from the countries you are featuring or dress in traditional clothing from the country. You could also create a photo booth with props from the countries or have a world map as a backdrop. With these special touches, your dinner date will surely be a success!
Create a competitive skills challenge
Planning a competitive date night is a great way to have fun and add excitement to your relationship. There are plenty of ways to compete against your partner and have a blast. Here are three ideas for competitive date nights and how to make them happen:
1. Cupcake Cook-Off: Who doesn't love a good cupcake? For this competitive date night, you and your partner will each create a unique cupcake and compete to see who is the best baker. To make this happen, develop a set of rules and guidelines. These could be things like a specific flavor, number of ingredients, or even a nontraditional cupcake ingredient you each must somehow incorporate.
You'll need to grocery shop for all the necessary ingredients and supplies. Once you're home, decide who will make what type of cupcake and begin baking. Once the cupcakes are done, choose a winner and enjoy your delicious treats.
2. Artwork Recreation: For this date night, you and your partner will choose and recreate a piece of artwork. This can be a painting, drawing, or sculpture. To do this, you'll need to find an image of the artwork you'll be recreating online or in person. Then, you'll need to gather the necessary supplies, such as paint, clay, or other materials. Finally, you will take turns recreating the artwork and vote on a winner.
3. Lego Building: This is a great date night for those who love building and creating. For this competition, you and your partner will each design a Lego building and put it to the test. To get started, you'll need to purchase a Lego set of your choice and decide on a theme. Then, each of you will take turns building, and you can vote on a winner when you're finished.
No matter which competitive date night you choose, the friendly competition will not only serve up some laughs but also give you a memorable experience to look back on. So, grab your supplies and get ready for a night of friendly competition!
An at-home date night doesn't need to be expensive or tedious. With a bit of imagination and creativity, you and your partner can create something you'll remember for years!