I don’t know about you, but the ‘Netflix and Chill’ date night really doesn’t cut it for me anymore. For the last couple of years, my hubby and I have had a hard time getting babysitters. We live in the boondocks and asking family isn’t always an option for us. So, how do we “Date Night” every week? Three words DATE NIGHT IN.
Yes, when you hear these words you think, “oh eat dinner put kids to bed, and watch a movie.” Don’t get me wrong we do a lot of movie nights after the kids are in bed. Let’s be honest here, it’s more like I pick a movie for us to watch and then fall asleep then I wake up the last 10 minutes of the movie lost and confused. To get past this, we make an effort at least once a month {lately once a week} to do something together without the kids.
Here are some ideas to elevate your ‘Netflix and Chill’ date nights:
GAME NIGHT
This can be a little tricky because most games take more than two people to play. We will pop some popcorn or grab some snacks and sit on the living room floor and play a few rounds. Here are a few of our go-to games {you can even pull out a few of the 3+ player games but you’ll have to alter your rules.}
- Phase 10
- Disney Villains
- Settlers of Catan
- Skipbo
- Poker
- Janga
- Yahtzee
- Battleship
- Chess or checkers
- Mancala
- Qwirkle
- Bananagrams
COOKING OR BAKING DATE
We love to cook together but with four kids underfoot it sometimes isn’t as enjoyable. We love to use this time to catch up, chat, and try something the kids probably wouldn’t want to eat anyway. Or maybe they would and we just don’t want to share right away. Can you say fresh baked cookies and brownies?
GETTING CRAFTY DATE
I’m sure you have heard of the ceramic shops, or a class to paint a canvas at a studio. You can do this at home too! Hobby Lobby, Joann’s, Michaels, Walmart, and Target all carry ceramics, wood or cardboard-like projects you can paint. To go the canvas route buy some canvas {we usually do 8×10} and grab some paint {we usually get the 50 cent ones at Walmart}. Once you get home pick the painting project you want to do and have fun. Below are a few YouTube painting channels we like:
DINNER AND A MOVIE DATE
Movie with a twist. Pick your favorite movie app or maybe pull out one of your old DVD’s. While one person puts the kids to bed and is juggling the millions-of-trips-to-the-bathroom-and-drinks marathon, the other person runs out to pick up dinner to go. It can be your favorite local diner, fast food, or something from the store. You pick. If you don’t want to do dinner that late, grab a treat or snack.
I really hope this gives you a little hope to find ways to connect with today’s trying times! How do YOU do date night at home?
