With multiple chronic illnesses and a tight budget (thank you hospital bills), its been challenging for my husband and I to find ways to have meaningful, connecting date nights.

Now for some couples, watching a movie together while eating some popcorn is the type of date they both want. And if my husband was married to a different, less intense, super chill woman, that would be the perfect date night for him too. But alas he married over-the-top moi *insert feathered scarf throw over the shoulder* who needs a little bit more to “tickle her brain” than a movie. 

For me, date night is the 6th love language (you missed one, Gary Chapman). I mean arguably, it’s Quality Time…but then my point doesn’t sound as strong…so I’m Claiming it To Be: The 6th Love Language.

You see, I need a moment in my week to feel young and in love again. I need a moment to laugh, talk, try something new, and get butterflies in my stomach all over again. I need that time with my husband Weekly…or my temperament is…less than ideal.

ITS A LOVE LANGUAGE I TELL YOU.

No, spending time together going grocery shopping isn’t the same. No, doing laundry side by side isn’t the same. I need to feel Wanted in a way that only a real, good and honest date can give me. And if you’re here, I know you’ve gotta be aching for the same thing. “But Kodi, teaching a kangaroo how to do yoga would be more simple than getting my chronically ill rear-end out the door for a meaningful date.”

I gotchu, boo. 

No need to leave the house.

And just in time for you and your partner to have a meaningful, unforgettable Valentine’s Day.

Below you’ll find 14 unique, at-home, tried and tested date ideas that we both recommend. *confetti*

Let’s jump in!

*Disclaimer: Not each date idea will be compatible with everyone’s abilities. I did do my best to recommend ones that we’ve done, that we both enjoyed, that don’t break the bank, and that are rather gentle on the body. Adjust what you can to make it work and I promise it’ll still be a meaningful and connecting time. 

*Extra Disclaimer: There are links added as affiliate links and I do receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. The World (wide web) Traveler

Do you love exploring new places? So do I! Here’s an idea to allow you and your partner to go on the trip of your dreams…right from your couch.

Intention: To connect and explore ideas about the other person you might not know yet. This activity is not meant to highlight what you can’t do, but an opportunity to get to know your partner better as to what their preferences are for vacation and leisure. It really is just for fun, so go as “extravagant” as you’d like!

1. Each individual selects a location they would like to travel to. Find a picture of this locations flag, their spot on a map, etc. and add it to the Google Doc.
2. What hotel/airbnb/resort etc. would you like to stay at? Add the picture to the Doc!
3. What would be the ideal or ultimate dining experience while you are there?
4. What excursion or activity is a MUST on the itinerary?
5. Is there a season that would be most ideal for your traveling?
6. What mode of transportation would you love to use?
7. Where would you want to sit and sip your drink of choice?
8. Any more sight seeing you wouldn’t want to miss?
9. Feel free to add any other details.

Bonus Idea: Flip this idea and plan a trip for the other person. Explain why you would love to take them on this dream vacation. Show them through the details what you love about them!

2. “Nailed it” – Cupcake Edition

If you haven’t watched Netflix’s series of amateur cake making, you’re missing out on some good laughs! Nailed It is a show where amateur bakers come together to attempt to re-create professional cakes. One night my husband and I took this idea home and did Nailed It – cupcake edition!

Intention: To spend an evening together full of conversation and laughs as you each try to re-create professional cupcakes. Don’t take this activity too seriously; it’s meant to be a hot mess and that’s what makes it fun.

1. Make or purchase plain cupcakes.
2. Purchase fondant, sprinkles, icing, food dye or any other toppings you’d like to use for decorating. If going to the store isn’t an option, I’ve put together an Amazon list of recommendations HERE
3. Find 2-3 professional cupcake pictures online that you would like to attempt to re-create.
4. Sit down and have some fun! (If you want, you can hide your cupcake from your partner until the decorating is done and have fun doing a Big Reveal of your final creation.)

Bonus Idea: Watch Nailed It on Netflix afterwards to keep the laughs going.

3. Massage Night from “YouTube University”

One of our favorite activities for at-home dating is a cozy Massage Night. Depending on my health, my body can only handle so much pressing and squeezing, but we’ve found there are many ways to enjoy this relaxing activity.

Intention: To connect with touch with a partner you trust and knows your health limits. This creates the ultimate experience of relaxation and coziness.

1. Ask your partner what they’re willing to give – 2 minute massage, 5 minute massage, 15 minute massage, 30 minute massage, etc.
2. Request what you would like to have massaged – hands, feet, face, back, etc.
3. Look up video tutorials on YouTube for your chosen massage. For example “How to do a 5 minute facial massage”
4. Watch the video beforehand or follow along step-by-step to give your partner a spa-worthy experience.
5. Pro tip: oil always helps with the friction of hand to skin. That, or lotion.
6. Check in with your partner regularly to make sure they’re comfortable.

Bonus Ideas: Play relaxing or meditative music. Turn down the lights or only have the light from a lamp to create a relaxing atmosphere. Face masks or feet masks afterwards can added for extra coziness. Most of this experience can be found with supplies in your home, but if you would like recommendations, you can find more HERE

4. Coloring Connection

If energy is low (or if coloring is your thang) then an evening of conversation and coloring can be a lot of fun. One night my husband and I shook things up a bit with a little viral trend we found online.

5. Couch Concert Night

I love concerts and live entertainment, but my condition doesn’t allow me to travel far, let alone sit through loud and flashing stage entertainment. But the comfort of my couch does!

Intention: To sing, dance and feel like you’re having a Night Out without causing any flares. This is also a great way to get to know your partners taste in music and to explore why they enjoy that artists’ style.

1. Find an online recording of an artists’ Live Concert both of you have wanted to see (or you can each choose one!)
2. Make or purchase “concession snacks” such as soft pretzels & cheese, hot dogs, popcorn, candy, soda, etc.
3. Sit back, rock out, sing along and enjoy
4. Afterwards, connect through conversation by asking what your partner enjoys about music, what their favorite song is, and why they chose that concert

Bonus Ideas: If music isn’t your flavor, there are comedy options as well (we LOVE Dry Bar Comedy), magic shows, circus acts, and more that you or your partner could choose from. As an added element of fun, you can create some “tickets” for your partner and surprise them with an At Home Concert of their favorite artist.

6. The Bedroom Escape Room

Did you know you can do an Escape Room from you bed? Neither did I! But we had a lot of fun trying to solve the puzzles before time ran out.

Intention: To connect intellectually and to have a project you’re both working on as a team. To have a unique game night experience that is sure to stretch you both.

1. Purchase either an online or physical Escape Room game (our recommendations HERE) or print a free version HERE (I will admit, the audio for the free version was a bit glitchy, but we were still able to solve the riddles most of the time).
2. Grab a favorite drink and snack and get to work!

Bonus Idea: We love board games and have had fun over the years just grabbing some favorite snacks and playing a game while chatting. HERE is a list of games we would both recommend and have played many times.

7. Aura Explora – Collage Edition

This is a beautiful idea to show your person what you think about the essence of who they are. We did this together and both surprised each other on our thoughts of how we viewed the other person. Mine was more literal where his was more abstract (there was SO MUCH symbolism in what he created). Overall it was a sweet and insightful activity.

Intention: To connect emotionally and to let the other person know all the beautiful things you feel and think about who they are.

1. Open Canva, Google Doc or even grab some magazines and paper.
2. Think of the “essence” of the other person. When you see them, what do you see? What do they inspire in you? What makes them “tick”? What pictures can you use to metaphorically represent who they are? What is their intrinsic nature?
3. Set a timer or don’t, its up to you both on how you’d like to spend this time. I’d recommend not showing the other person what you are creating though until you are done.
4. Do a Big Reveal to show the other person your creation. Go into detail about the symbolism and why you chose what you chose to represent Who They Are.

Bonus Idea: You could take it a step further and add a song that you feel is their essence or a scent – using more senses can make this date night very meaningful

8. Sushi Battleship

Sushi and games? Say less. This date combines the best of both worlds!

Intention: To make dinner at home feel a little more special, fun and unforgettable. To have conversation and laugh while trying to see who can win at a one-of-a-kind game

1. Purchase Sushi from the grocery store or your favorite Sushi spot
2. Purchase craft paper or parchment paper (Warning, both papers might bleed through with marker so watch out!)
3. Create a battleship grid using marker on your craft paper. This can be a 10×10 grid or smaller depending on how much sushi you purchased. Mark numbers 1-10 across the top and A-J along the side.
4. Find a divider to place between you and your partner so there’s no visibility to the placement of your sushi!
5. Place sushi “ships” on the craft paper grid. This can include 2, 3 or 4 in a row.
6. Have fun guessing where the other players sushi is. If you guess the correct location, the other partner has to eat their sushi. The first partner to get the other person to eat all their sushi, wins!

Bonus Idea: If sushi isn’t your thing, this game can be adapted to other food items such as dumplings, fruit, chocolate kisses, etc.

9. Mystery Date – M.A.S.H. Edition

If you’re a 90s girl like me, SURELY you played some M.A.S.H. with your friends to figure out who you were “destined” to marry….even though you were only like 8 years old. Well with this date idea we brought the 90’s back and had fun creating a surprise Date Night.

Intention: To have a date night option where the outcome is a surprise for both partners. This idea also allows each partner to have a little bit of what they want to do with their time with their love.

Bonus Idea: You could have an era theme to your date ideas! Like only options from the 1980s or 1950s. It could add a little extra fun to your planning.

10. Picnic and Read-In Night

If you and your partner want a more relaxed space to spend time together, this is a great option. My husband and I love books and this idea allows us to indulge in our passions and share our interests with each other.

Intention: To provide a low stimuli environment while also getting time to connect.

1. Plan, purchase and prepare a romantic at-home picnic dinner. Think simple finger foods and something bubbly to drink.
2. Lay out a blanket or set the table for a cozy evening together
3. Grab your current read and spend time holding hands, playing footsie, or just being near each other while enjoying a good book and some tasty food for 30-45 minutes.
4. Put the book away and talk about what you just read, what your thoughts are and if you would recommend it. Ask your partner details about their book. Discuss other books you would like to try and take time to get to know about why your partner enjoys reading.

Bonus Idea: Dress up in a favorite Summer outfit to add to the aesthetic. Light some candles to set a romantic mood.

11. Trivia Night

Do you think you know all there is to know about Harry Potter? What about Lord of the Rings? Random strange facts about history? Or the Earth? Then settle yourself in for an evening gameshow of Which Partner Knows More Random Things.

Intention: To have fun with some easy-going competition. To discover what you know and don’t know about what your partner knows….does that make sense? haha

1. Snacks. If you haven’t caught on by now, snacks are always a “yes” for Date Night.
2. Pre-plan or select at random which Trivia you both want to compete in. There are endless options on YouTube
3. Have fun competing and learning about what random things your partner knows

Bonus Idea: Have a fun theme for your snacks! If you plan to do Harry Potter Trivia, go grab some British snacks. Japanese culture? Go get some Japanese goodies! The at-home date experience can really be amplified with a little extra thought put into the snackies.

12. The Proud Picasso

Once upon a time I had to travel across the country for treatments for my health. My husband knows that a weekly date night is very important to me, so we found ways to still spend that time together via video call. One of them was doing the viral trend of painting a picture of each other. It was so fun and…humbling.

Intention: To laugh and explore new hobbies together. To enjoy a relaxing time while trying something new.

13. Clay Magnets

This was such a fun, inexpensive way to get creative and create little “heirloom” (…or until our kids break them) pieces for our home. As a heads up, this project takes a few days to finish as you wait for items to dry.

Intention: To intentionally explore a new talent. To create a keepsake of your time together as a couple.

1. Purchase air clay (or real clay if you have a kiln laying around), acrylic paint, Mod Podge, Gorilla Glue (or E6000 or super glue) and small magnets. Recommendations HERE
2. Find some clay magnet inspo online or create from your heart. Pro tip: don’t make your creations too bulky or they will challenge the strength of your magnet.
3. Let the air clay creations dry – this may take a day or two
4. Once the clay is dry, have fun painting!
5. Once the paint is dry, seal it with Mod Podge
6. Once the Mod Podge is dry, you’re ready to glue your magnet to the back

Bonus Idea: Make a little creation of one of your partners Favorite Things to gift to them at the end

14. Heart Shaped Pizza

If you love pizza, and pizza loves you, then what better way to spend Valentine’s Day then to create a heart shaped pizza. This is extra special if you are like us and have gluten and dairy intolerances – all the yum without any risk of cross contamination at the restaurant!

Intention: To make the creation of food the date night. To be romantic and silly while also filling the belly.

1. Purchase pre-made pizza dough, or make some from scratch. There are many options online to help with any dietary needs. Purchase toppings as well.
2. Light candles and play some music (bonus points for choosing “your song” to play for them)
3. Roll up your sleeves and create! You can even make one for each other as a one-of-a-kind Valentine

Bonus Idea: Make a small pizza for each other secretly and then have your partner try a slice blindfolded – see if they have the pallet to guess what the toppings are! You can explore a lot in this process with different types of cheese, sauces and even flavors to mix into your dough.