Are you looking for date night ideas for parents to help you reconnect with your spouse and keep the passion alive in your marriage?
In this post, I’m going to share some fun things to do as a married couple at home so you can continue to build a healthy marriage together even when you have young children.
Marriage is hard work and being a parent is a full-time job that never really ends until the kids leave the nest or go to college.
This can often leave you both stressed, emotionally drained and unhappy as a couple because you rarely have time for each other.
If you’ve ever tried to organize a date night at home as parents, you know how exhausting and nearly impossible it is to reconnect with your spouse when you have young kids at home.
It’s really important as a married couple to prioritize romance and intimacy for a healthy marriage but when you’re new parents, you barely have the time to explore fun date night ideas together.
From working to taking care of kids and being available to your loved ones, it’s easy to turn into busy parents who don’t have time for themselves.
Most couples try to juggle all their responsibilities at the same time because they’re trying to be perfect in all aspects of their lives and this is often counterproductive.
Self-care and couple time are as important as doing other tasks.
If you don’t create time for intimacy, it’s never going to happen and this can easily lead to emotional disconnection or a boring marriage.
So, how can you work on your love life and enjoy regular date nights without neglecting your parenting duties?
The good news is, you can spend quality time with your spouse by engaging in fun activities for couples that are less time-consuming so you can also have the time and energy to look after your young children.
The reason why you never find the time to date each other is because you believe that date nights need to be elaborate or expensive but they don’t.
There are easy at home date night ideas that busy parents can try out without breaking the bank or putting in too much energy.
Even though they seem easy to do, they are still effective in helping couples bond with each other so they can maintain a happy marriage.
Whether you’re new parents with a baby or busy parents with toddlers, you’ll get some fun ideas to help you unwind and reconnect after a long day.
Here is a list of date night ideas for parents at home to explore together during nap time or on weekends:
10 PERFECT DATE NIGHT IDEAS FOR PARENTS AT HOME
Before you begin your date night, make sure your kids are safe or asleep.
You can install a smart baby monitor in the kids room or hire a babysitter for a few hours so you won’t have to worry about them while you’re on your date.
1. Have a mini date in your bedroom
I love organizing mini-dates at home with my husband because they often feel like we’re doing something big even though we are obviously not.
I think what makes them so irresistible is that we get to make use of all our five senses in one date and it’s a bit different from all the other date night ideas for parents.
When you’re ready to have a good time with your spouse, a mini date is exactly what you need as it involves all the five senses being stimulated.
How can you combine sight, smell, sound, taste and touch into one date night? Since you have young kids at home, it’s best to organize this date in your bedroom.
Dress in something appealing, light up a few scented candles, play romantic music in the background, feed each other sensual foods and finish up with a couples massage.
This date idea is great for those rare moments when you have plenty of free time on your hands to really have fun and connect with each other.
If your baby is a light sleeper, don’t try this when you don’t have a babysitter at home to avoid getting interrupted in the middle of your date night.
2. Organize a cozy movie night for two
Watching a movie at home is the easiest thing you can do to unwind at the end of the day although it may not feel like a proper date for you.
A great way to enjoy this date is by watching a new movie you’ve never seen before. Do you love romantic movies?
Add some excitement to your movie night at home by getting a mix of horror films or adventure movies.
This can make your usual date a little different from what you normally experience.
If going to the movie theater is nearly impossible for you, at least you can create your own cinema at home.
Cuddle up in bed or on the couch and watch a favorite movie you both love. Don’t forget to get some popcorn, cookies or a bottle of your favorite wine to keep you entertained.
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3. Play fun couple games at home
I enjoy playing games with my husband at home during the weekends.
It’s a fun way to spend quality time together when we’re trying to utilize the little time we have to bond with each other.
Do you have a collection of fun games for couples to play? It’s a great idea to invest in a couple of classic games like Monopoly, Scrabble, TableTopics etc.
This naughty truth or dare game is one of our favorite date night games because it also helps to reignite the spark while having so much fun.
If you’re not a fan of board games, you can invest in video games or card games that you find interesting.
It’s also a good idea to have a stash of virtual gaming apps to play with your partner at home.
4. Have a double date with friends
Sometimes, going out with a kid can be difficult especially when it’s for a couple’s date night. You’ll find it easier to move around if it’s just the two of you.
If you can’t explore the local restaurants in your area, turn a regular evening into a double date and invite some of your married friends over for a glass of wine and small chops.
Don’t beat yourself up if it’s been a long time since you had a date in a fancy restaurant. Most married couples go through this stage too.
Your kids won’t remain young forever and you’ll soon have enough free time for bonding with your spouse.
The most important thing in your marriage right now is that you’re finding great date night ideas for parents to try out together even if it’s at home.
5. Cook a new recipe together for dinner
When was the last time you had a friendly competition with your spouse in the kitchen? If it’s been a while, now is a good time to cook a new recipe together.
Figure out what you want to prepare beforehand, write a shopping list, pick up all the ingredients you need from the grocery store and have fun creating something new and delicious for dinner.
Since you don’t have much time to spare, make sure you choose an easy recipe that you can make within two hours maximum.
If it’s too stressful to cook, you can simply recreate a favorite beverage and enjoy it with some snacks.
6. Organize a romantic spa day at home
Spa night is one of the best date ideas for parents with young children.
It has multiple benefits for you as you can use this date for unwinding, relaxing, connecting and communicating with your spouse.
When you’re ready for this date, here’s how you can make it happen…
Fill up your bathtub with water, throw in a bath bomb or add some liquid soap to create foam.
Play romantic music in the background, then soak in the bubble bath and enjoy a refreshing glass of wine together.
Don’t bother about sprinkling rose petals on the bathroom floor so you’ll have minimal cleanup to do after your romantic date night.
7. Have an intimate couples massage night
A couples massage night is the best way to increase intimacy as new parents and it can help to reduce stress too.
This is a date that doesn’t involve too much money, time or energy and it can be done within one hour.
The best time to try this massage date idea is when you’re getting ready for bed so that once you’re done, you’ll be in a better position to easily fall asleep.
When you’re ready for your date night, get your favorite essential oils, light some scented candles and take turns massaging each other’s body.
Go with the flow while exploring your partner’s body and if you feel the desire to make love, go for it.
8. Have a barbecue date night in your backyard
Having a barbecue date night can often turn disastrous if you’re not careful with the items you add to your menu.
It would be nice to eat roasted pork ribs and grilled asparagus with a bottle of wine but you don’t have that kind of time on your hands when you’ve got a kid or two.
Instead of starting a date night you won’t finish, decide on meals that are easier to prepare and consume.
You can easily roast marshmallows, sweet potatoes, fresh fish or chicken wings for dinner in your backyard with this portable tabletop grill.
If you’re really conscious about time, you can skip going to the grocery store and just make do with what you have in your fridge.
9. Organize a couples trivia night
If you’re looking for budget-friendly date night ideas for new parents, this is a great option for you.
An easy way to get a good conversation going with your spouse is to organize a couples trivia night where you get to ask each other fun questions.
People change over time and you can only know your spouse when you’re actively involved in their lives or when you engage in deep conversations with each other.
Take advantage of a romantic evening and turn it into a get to know you questions night so you can learn new things about each other.
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10. Order take out from your favorite restaurant
A change of scenery is essential to your mental health and your love life but what if you can’t really go out because you have a little baby to take care of?
You can simply order take out from one of your favorite restaurants and eat it at home with your spouse. Want to make this date extra special?
Turn your dining table into a fancy restaurant with some candles and enjoy a romantic dinner together.
The next time you both crave something that can only be found in a restaurant, don’t hesitate to order it and have a date night in.
Be careful not to do this too often because it can become boring fast.
If you’re looking for more adventurous date night ideas for parents at home, you can try doing a scavenger hunt, attending a free yoga class on YouTube, making ice cream from scratch or enrolling for a cooking class online.
These are some creative ways to add more excitement to your love life, strengthen your relationship and keep the romance alive in your marriage.
Date nights for parents can sometimes feel like a chore at the end of a busy day.
It’s often tempting to skip any kind of romantic activity that will help you connect with each other.
But organizing a fun date night at home doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. You can try out little things that don’t take up your time or energy.
I’ve given you a list of fun date night ideas for parents with young kids so that you and your partner will enjoy quality time together.
Getting some alone time to connect with your spouse when you have little kids can be challenging but it’s not impossible.
These date night ideas for parents will help you reconnect with each other with little effort so you can have time for other important activities.
Recommended Reading:
9 Fun And Romantic Date Ideas At Home For Couples
17 Exciting Games For Couples Date Night At Home
9 Fun Bonding Activities For Couples To Do Together
About The Author
Jennifer Dagi
Jennifer Dagi is happily married to her best friend and the love of her life.
As a relationship coach, she is passionate about helping couples build healthy and happy relationships.
She strongly believes communication and intimacy are the most important ingredients for building a successful relationship.
Join her on a fabulous journey to improve your love life one step at a time and don't forget to subscribe for weekly blog updates.