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Cheap date night ideas at home: for when staying in sounds better than going out
Sometimes, you just don’t have the ability, time, or money to go out. And that’s more than okay.
Because who says date night has to be expensive?
There are plenty of ways to create a fun and romantic night in.
In this post, I’m going to share with you 50 cheap stay at home date ideas. These ideas are easy on the wallet, but they don’t skimp on fun.
Keep in mind:
Fun comes in all shapes and sizes. The attitude you bring into these activities can make it or break it. So don’t be afraid to let out your silly side out!
You can even combine some of the date ideas to create an ULTIMATE night in.
Whatever you do, the most important part is simply focusing on quality time with your other half.
P.S. Grab my FREE “Pick A Date” Idea Chart at the end of this post!
50 Stay At Home Date Ideas
1 – Have an at home ice cream bar with a movie.
Go all out on the topping selection!
2 – Eat breakfast in bed.
Or make breakfast for dinner – which ever you two prefer.
3 – Turn your living room into an indoor picnic.
Spread a blanket and bring a basket packed with snacks!
4 – Learn how to to massage each other.
Ahhhhh, there’s nothing like a nice back rub after a long day.
Watch a few videos on YouTube or read a beginners book to learn some massage techniques to use on your significant other.
5 – Try a new recipe together.
Maybe pick one that is normally out of your pallet ranges?
6 – Take turns reading a book to each other.
When was the last time someone read a book to you?
Depending on the book choice, it can be awfully romantic at home date idea.
7 –Get to know each other better with a questionnaire.
How much do you really know about your partner?
Find out by creating questionnaires for each other to fill out. Here are 200 ideas for questions to ask.
8 – Come up with a new co*cktail using on the mixers you have on hand.
9 – Go Glamping indoors– s’mores dip included!
10 – Eat dinner and have a relaxing bath together all by candlelight.
This at home date night idea is simple.
But, sometimes simplicity is all you need to have a good time.
11 – Each take a personality test and then compare your results.
I always find these to be surprisinglyaccurate!
12 –Create your own mini golf course.
Use objects from around the house to make a mini golf course. Have fun trying to beat the other at it!
Check out howthis couples made theirs for inspiration!
13 – Finger paint a portrait of your partner.
Keep your painting a secret until you both finish and then laugh at the results!
14 – Bake your favorite treats together.
Making cookies, cinnamon rolls or other yummy baked goods are a great way to bond with your loved one.
Plus:
Baking leaves open an opportunity for a food fight!
15 – Have a Nerf or marshmallow shooter fight.
You can make your own marshmallow shooterwith this tutorial.
16 – Play strip Jenga.
Interpret the rules however you like!
17 –Play truth or dare: couples edition.
Have access to a printer?
Print this pre-made game for an entertaining and romantic night with your partner.
18 – Make it a group date and host karaoke night at your place.
Karaoke versions of songs can be found on YouTube!
A perfectly inexpensive way to have fun with an at-home date night.
19 – Cook homemade, heart-shaped pizzas while having a beer tasting.
Grab 5 – 10 of the cheapest single beer cans you can buy for your “tasting”.
Or if you’re more of a wine person, find the perfect pairing to go with your pizza!
20 – Buy a giant puzzle from a second-hand store and see how far you can get on it.
Sip tea and enjoy snacks while you do.
21 – Complete a yoga session together.
Getting your sweat on together is another frugal at home date idea.
You can find lots of guided yoga on Youtube!
22 – Exchange pedicures with each other.
Break out some foot scrub, moisturizing lotion and some nail polish. Give your best at home pedicure experience!
You can use clear polish on your man if color bothers him!
23 – Blind taste testing.
Have one of you wear a blindfold, while the other feeds you food you have on hand.
See if you can guess what it is!
24 – Learn a new skill together.
Knitting, wood working, a new language, handstands…
…again, YouTube is great resource for this!
25 – Recall embarrassing moments from your past.
26 – Have a spa night.
This at home date idea is a more involved version of the pedicure idea. Use face masks, foot & hand scrubs and take an indulgent, couples bubble bath.
Sugar scrubs are super easy to DIY and they use common household items.
27 – Play would you rather.
You can come up with your own questions or get ideas from a deck of pre-made questions.
Either way: a great conversation starter!
28 – Have a movie marathon with popcorn.
You could choose a series of movies (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, etc.) or you could alternate watching each of your favorite movies.
29 – Play video games.
Have your significant other show you their favorite game, a childhood favorite or what they’re into now.
30 – Learn a dance routine together.
Pick a type of dance you both are up for learning, it could be salsa, hip hop, belly dancing, etc.
Then, spend a night learning the moves (think YouTube videos)!
31 – Come up with a bucket list together.
What things do you want to do in your lifetime? Write them down along with your partner’s goals.
Need some ideas to get you started? Here are winter, summer and fall bucket list ideas.
32 – Watch a sports game – complete with wings and beer.
If your boyfriend or husband is into sports he’ll definitely appreciate an at home date night like this!
For those who aren’t so savvy on sports, this can be a time to learn more about his favorite pastime.
33 – Online window shop together.
Combine your love of shopping with a fun game! You could both compete to see who can find the “best” gift for the other in just 15 minutes.
Or, see who can find the strangest items for sale on eBay.
The best part is:
You don’t need to buy any of it, just have fun sharing your weird and wonderful finds with your date.
34 –Have a fondue night.
Can’t go wrong with a food themed at home date idea!
Cheese or chocolate fondue, you can dip anything you want.
35 – Make and bury time capsules together.
How fun are these to dig up later?
You could even set a date in the future to uncover your treasures.
36 – Play the Newlywed or Not-So-Newlywed Game.
37 – Have a conversation while using printable bookmarks to color for adults.
There’s something just soothing about coloring.
Enjoy a relaxing night with your partner while coloring away the stress.
38 – Play a game of MASH for old times sake.
Not sure you remember how to play?
Here are the instructions for MASH – all you need is a piece of paper and a pencil/pen!
39 – Pet sit at home for a friend.
If you don’t have a pet yourself, pet sitting for a friend can be a real treat!
Take fun status update pictures with their pet, to let them know how they’re doing.
40 – Go all out and make an epic pillow fort.
Round up all your chairs and sheets to make the most impressive fort you can.
After you’ve completed your masterpiece, you can both get comfy inside with a movie.
41 – Surprise order in food.
Order your husband or boyfriends favorite take out food.
Then, let me them know with a note that a surprise will be arriving for them.
42 – Have a YouTube scavenger hunt.
This at home date idea is easy and fun!
The Dating Divas came up with this game, check out all the details here.
43 – Enjoy meat, cheesecrackers & wine.
Buy a deli platter from the store or make your own assortment of cheese, crackers and meats.
Add a little wine and make it a fancy night in.
44 – Play a card game.
Uno, Slapjack, Poker….
There’s nothing like an old past time to bring out the competitive side in you both!
45 – Tell ghost stories in the dark.
Break out some candles or a few flashlights, and try to scare each other with your best ghost stories!
Don’t have any good ones? Read each other the best ones you can find with an internet search.
46 – Compete against each other in a game of “Chopped”.
Ever watch that TV show called Chopped?
Create your own cooking competition for an at home date night! Find instructions for how to do it here.
47 – Take a night to share old pictures of yourself and family.
From childhood and generally from before you met your significant other.
48 – Have craft project night.
Pick one of the countless Pinterest crafts you have saved!
49 – Bundle up under blankets together and star gaze.
See how many constellations you can pick out while you enjoy each others company.
50 – Plan a weekend getaway.
Final thoughts on fun ideas for a stay at home date night
So those were my 50 stay at home date night ideas for couples. Hopefully you found at least a few that you’re excited to try.
Lastly:
I have a printable that you can get for free!
I call it a “Pick A Date” Idea Chart. It has all 50 date ideas from this post; it can be used as reminder for which dates you’ve already done and which date ideas you haven’t done yet.
This printable includes three pages. Two sheets are the date ideas, and one is a page of heart “stickers”.
They can be cut out and used to cover dates that have been completed!
I trimmed off the top the second sheet and taped it to the first page to create this long chart (pictured below). A great place to hang it would be on the fridge or a wall.
You could even color in each heart as you go instead of using the “stickers”.
I used a little bit of tape on the back of each heart to stick it to the chart.
To store the extra hearts; I made a cute, little origami bag.
This is the video tutorial I used to make it. It was SUPER easy to follow along even for an origami beginner like myself.
Click here to save the “Pick A Date” Idea Chart to your device.
So:
What are some date night in activities you love?
Share with me your favorites in a comment! I’d also love to know your thoughts on my “Pick A Date” Idea Chart – cute or nah?
Related:
- 60 Date Ideas for College Students That Cheap or Free
- Things to Do While Stuck At Home: 9 FREE Cures for Boredom
