Backyard date ideas for couples who are looking to enjoy romantic date nights in the backyard.

Ideas for Backyard Date Nights

Dating in the backyard can be fun and romantic as long as you’re willing to be creative. In fact, it is a great spot for many at-home date nights. Don’t worry if you aren’t sure where to begin. Below are 27 date night ideas that will get you started with backyard dating.

1. BACKYARD BBQ

Enjoy delicious grilled food with your date in a backyard BBQ cookout. Perform as a team. Work hand in hand to gather fresh ingredients, for example, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and s’mores. When you’re at the store, don’t forget to stock up on some aluminum foil. They’ll come in handy when grilling food that sticks to the grill, such as fish and s’mores. “Plain water would go really with grilled food,” said no one ever. So prepare some soft drinks, juices, or beer–in addition to water.

2. TANNING

In spring or summer when there’s ample sunlight, head out to the backyard for a couple’s tanning sesh.

Enjoy some quiet and relaxing time lying down next to your partner. Give your face and body that healthy golden glow by basking in the warm, revitalizing sunlight.

The Sun is also the best source of Vitamin D; a crucial nutrient about 40% of Americans don’t get enough of. Vitamin D plays an important role in keeping the muscle, teeth, and bones healthy.

When tanning, remember to keep yourself hydrated and apply tanning lotion with sun protection. Help each other with the application to improve couple intimacy.

3. OUTDOOR SPA

Capitalize on the perfect weather outside. Take turns in giving one another a massage. Help each other relax by applying force strategically on pressure points. Get yourself a healthy tan in the process.

4. BACKYARD MOVIE DATE IDEAS

The movie date is the default date night activity for many couples. Sure, it’s clichéd, but it also works well.

It’s a date idea that is tried and proven. Movies are enjoyable even when you’re feeling exhausted. At home, movie dates usually happen in the living room or bedroom. To break the monotony, grab your laptop or tablet and head outside to the backyard for an outdoor movie viewing experience.

For a more unique dating experience, get a projector and set up a projector screen to create your very own open-air backyard cinema. If you can move your car to the front of the screen, you have just created your area’s one-and-only drive-in movie theater.

Note that you might need to buy a radio frequency transmitter to broadcast the audio over the AM/FM frequency bands so that you can hear the audio in your car. I’ll write a more detailed guide on creating a drive-in theater at home one of these days.

5. POOL PARTY

Not everyone has a swimming pool at home. But if you do, it’s time for a summer pool party. Don’t worry if you don’t have a pool–most people don’t–just get yourself a portable pool. It doesn’t have to be big but it’d be nice if the two of you can at least sit down comfortably in the pool. Splash water at each other, play water gun fight, listen to music, sip on cocktails.

6. SETUP A HAMMOCK

The hammock PR team (if there were ever one) has done a terrific job, because the image of a hammock and the word itself make most people think of relaxation and leisure. For this date idea, you’re to hang out in a hammock on a lazy afternoon.

Sounds great? Well, there’s a catch, first, you’ll have to build it. Start by doing all the research you can on how to make a hammock. Unfortunately, using this article alone as a guide to building hammocks isn’t going to get you far!

Here’s a better hammock setup guide. That said you’ll need two sturdy support poles, e.g. trees or some pillars that are your house’s structure. You will also need a canvas or netting and two straps to suspend the canvas from the poles. Here’s a better hammock setup guide.

7. BUILD A SWING

Similar to the hammock idea, build a swing in the backyard. Spending time on the swings as a couple is always a cute thing to do. If you don’t have a swing in your backyard, pool together your efforts into building one.

A tree swing is fun for everyone in the family. And it’ll forever be a photo-perfect spot. However, it does require a big and strong tree to support the swing. Couples who are adept at carpentry can try their hands at building a two-seater wooden swing.

Others may find it more feasible to order a kit online and assemble it together. And finally, if you prefer, you can always order a pre-built swing set.

8. BACKYARD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

For a productive date that encourages teamwork, work together to improve the backyard. If you’re finding your backyard a little bit boring, maybe it’s time to improve it. While it’s fun to get hands-on and build stuff, building and crafting are definitely not everyone’s cup of tea.

So it’s perfectly normal if you decide to shop for stuff that’ll make the backyard more fun. As a matter of fact, shopping for the best deals and hunting for coupon codes are activities many couples enjoy doing.

Below are some backyard ideas or stuff you can buy to make the backyard a better place for the family to hang out and for you couple to date:-

• Add wind spinners to liven things up.
• Build a small patio.
• Install solar-powered lights.
• Add some chairs and a table.
• Mow the lawn.
• Install a privacy fence.
• Get a jacuzzi.

9. PLANT A TREE

A backyard that is 100% lawn is boring. Not to mention that the lawn is not eco-friendly and require high maintenance. Planting a tree will liven up the backyard immediately. This is a great date idea for married couples. For committed couples, think of it as a way to invest in your shared future, for your offspring. And there’s something romantic about that.

A fully grown tree is nature’s best air filter. It provides shade in the summer and a shelter for the birds. When the wind blows, it sings the tune of Mother Nature by rustling its leaves. When the season changes, the tree decorates the backyard by changing its clothing accordingly. Depending on the species of the tree you’re planting, in spring it might don a floral dress. Years from now, the tree will have grown big enough to support a swing with its tree branch and ample shade for the family to picnic under it.

It will take time to grow before you can reap the benefits. But you know what people say about planting a tree, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

10. GARDENING

Planting a tree is a long-term investment. But it would be reaffirming to work on something that bears fruit in the near future. Gardening may not be the most romantic date idea ever but it is a fun way to spend some quiet time with your significant other. What to do on a gardening date? Plan the next crops to grow. Create a layout for the garden. Bring that layout to life. Shop for seeds and other gardening tools. Work in the garden together. Remove weeds. Water crops. Sow seeds. Trim off dead leaves. Tilt the soil. Harvest crops. The quiet and peaceful nature of gardening makes it an excellent date for introverted couples.

Earlier, I said that gardening is not the most romantic date ever. But any activity can be made romantic if you’re willing to be creative. Here are a few romantic ideas for your gardening date:-

• Hug your partner from behind when harvesting crops.
• Put your arm around your partner when you’re done for the day to appreciate the hard work you’ve done.
• Shoot your date a flirty glance when you’re working apart from each other. Smile at him suggestively for some giggles (or is it?).
• Kiss under the floral arch.

11. MAKE A MEADOW

For this date idea, you lovely couple will be collaborating in creating a small meadow in the backyard. Until a few weeks ago, I used to have some misconceptions about meadows–that they all occur naturally and a meadow means a vast grassland. Well, a meadow can be a natural and vast grassland, but apparently you can also create meadows on smaller plots of land. All you need is to create specific soil conditions, that couple with the right climate and you get a meadow. To do this in the backyard, first designate an area for the meadow. Next, measure and buy wildflower seeds online. When the seeds are ready, dig up the lawn from the designated area using a pitchfork, tilt the soil, then sow the wildflower seeds. The arguments for a wildflower meadow, as opposed to the lawn, are many but it boils down to aesthetics, bio-diversity, and eco-friendliness.

12. BACKYARD PICNIC

One reason why the backyard is the ideal picnic spot is its proximity to the food source–the kitchen. A backyard picnic is so convenient, there’s no excuse not to do it. However, just because it’s convenient doesn’t mean that you should grab a can of soda, drink it in the backyard in your pajamas and call it a picnic. As with most things, there’s a ritual involved and certain rules to follow before you can call eating outside “a picnic”.

First, you’ll need to find a picnic blanket. Even though it isn’t very comfortable to sit on, a waterproof blanket is the ideal choice. Because then you can picnic on a wet lawn without getting wet butts–that doesn’t feel very romantic or comfortable. Next is the basket. Nothing feels more picnicky than a woven basket. But if you can’t find that, a plastic basket will do just fine. Bring tons of food and drinks, check out these picnic food ideas. We’ve also touched on the backyard picnic in our at-home date night idea article, so be sure to check that out also. And lastly, don’t wear your pajamas! No, I don’t mean going nekked–though that is an option for naturist couples. Anyway, change into something casual but presentable, it’s a date, so act like one. Remember to bring some games so you have some activities to do during the picnic.

13. CAMPING

Have you had a sleepover in your backyard? Most people haven’t. This backyard date night idea gives you and your partner an excuse to enjoy the backyard in a unique way. In it’s simplest form, pitch a tent and use it as your bed at night. Snuggle and cuddle with each other. Ask how the week went. Whisper sweet nothings in each other’s ears. And perhaps, you know, get naughty.

For a full experience, start early. Pack the stuff you need from the house because you won’t be going back inside (except perhaps for toilet breaks) once you set out for the backyard campsite. Start a campfire. Boil some water and use the boiling water to brew yourselves some bold, aromatic coffee. Prepare food ingredients outside and cook up something using the campfire. For example, soup, stew, baked fish, etc. At night, if the temperature gets chilly, drape a blanket over yourselves and snuggle next to the campfire for warmth. Talk, make jokes, tease each other, and flirt like a new couple–before retreating to the camp for some rest.

14. STARGAZING – METEOR SHOWER

“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” ~ Marcus Aurelius.

For couples who live in areas without heavy light pollution, meet your date in the backyard to marvel at the stars. Find a spot in the backyard where there’s an unobstructed view of the night sky. Lie down, hold your hands, and appreciate the blanket of stars and other shiny heavenly bodies before your eyes.

Stargazing is an excellent late-night date idea. It can be done as a standalone activity or in combination with other date ideas on this list. For example, it’s a perfect addition to the backyard camping date night idea. Couples intrigued by stargazing might be interested in furthering their interest in astronomy. Save up some money and invest in a telescope. With a telescope, you’ll be able to fly to the moon with your date (visually, of course) and to visit other planets in the solar system such as Mars and Saturn.

15. BUG HUNTING

In the months when bugs and beetles are active, grab your nets and go hunt for some bugs. Hunt as a team and keep the bugs temporarily in a jar. Alternatively, fire up the competitive spirit by having a bug-hunting competition. Win by catching the most bugs. When you’re done with the hunt, inspect the bugs and find out what they are online. Take photos of them. Pay attention to their behaviors, patterns, and color before releasing them back to their natural habitat.

16. BACKYARD COFFEE DATE

Wake up early to prepare breakfast and some coffee. Change into an outfit you’d wear to a breakfast restaurant. Enjoy a delicious breakfast consisting of umami-packed omelet, hearty bacon, toasts, and refreshing salad. And let’s not forget a cup of coffee to wake you up for an exciting, fun-filled day ahead. Enjoy the soothing morning breeze and gentle tunes sung by the birds who have just woken from their slumber. And that’s one way to have your coffee date at home, right in your backyard.

Coffee connoisseurs might be interested in a different coffee date. One that involves tasting different coffee beans and different brewing methods. Make small servings of coffee using different beans and methods, then taste the coffees by taking small sips. Don’t forget to smell the coffees to pick up their olfactory notes. Finally, swap opinions. In winter, couples living in the snowy north can try a more rustic approach to their coffee date. First, make a fire pit in the backyard to provide warmth and a way to boil water. Next, make coffee using the boiling water. Lastly, enjoy the reinvigorating feeling brought by the coffee and take in the peaceful snowy vista offered by your backyard.

17. ICE CREAM DATE

“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy ice cream and that is pretty much the same thing.” ~ Paige Lovelace.

Ice cream is one of the best inventions ever. Some inventions make life easier but ice cream has brought more happiness and satisfaction than most of them. Ice cream is flavorful, rich, and creamy. It keeps you cool in the summer, and it energizes you in the colder months. Ice cream is available in virtually any flavors you can imagine. Vanilla, Chocolate, Rum & Raisin, Cookies and Cream, Belgium Chocolate, Mocha, Strawberry. When you’re feeling meh, time for some ice cream. When you need a celebration, time for some ice cream. And for a fun backyard date, well, that calls for some ice cream.

Take out a pint of ice cream from the fridge, add toppings to your heart’s content. Stop your date from doing what he’s doing and skip happily to the backyard where you’ll enjoy some fresh outdoor air and some tasty and rich ice cream. As if sharing a pint of ice cream isn’t cute enough, try spoon feeding each other. That’ll give you some “new relationship energy“.

18. READING

Spend an hour or two in the backyard reading and discussing the books you’re reading. Get your partner a new book you think he’ll love. Read books from any genre you prefer–fiction and non-fiction. I’m partial to physical books, but e-books work too. Alternatively, magazines and online articles could also offer hours of quality entertainment and helpful information. Eat some snacks and sip on freshly brewed coffee while you read. Homemade baked goods go well with coffee and books.

19. WINE TASTING

Allocate a small budget for this exquisite experience. Don’t go in blind to the wine shop. Do some research online and look for wines that fit your budget and have good reviews. Depending on what you want to experience, you might want to buy a few bottles of wine produced by the same vineyard or different vineyards.

While the nearest vineyard may be miles away, your backyard is literally behind your house. For this date night idea, start by inviting your date to join you for a meal. Wine and empty stomachs are not a happy combination. Get out of your t-shirts and shorts. Dress yourselves in something a little bit more wine-tastingy. Nothing overly fancy. Perhaps a long-sleeve shirt for the gentleman, and an off-shoulder top for the lady. Accessorize with watches, earrings, and necklaces accordingly.

Wine tasting during the daytime allows you to see and distinguish the colors of the wine vividly. But an evening of wine tasting is one of the most romantic things you can do in the backyard. Just don’t turn on that 100-W daylight spotlight. Nothing kills the mood faster than a bright and blue-ish light. For a romantic date night in the backyard, a string of orange LED bulbs will do wonders at setting a the mood and provide adequate brightness for your activities. To complement, light some candles to enhance the mood. Let everything bask in that lovely, warm, and sensual orange hue.

To taste the wine, try to experience all aspects of the wine with your senses. Start by visually inspecting the wine. Then smell it and finally take a sip and gargle it a little in your mouth–during which you’ll taste it with your mouth and breath in and out to smell it once again. Try to detect the subtle notes in the wine and put that into words then compare your opinion with your partner.

20. OUTDOOR YOGA

You’ll need to wipe off your yoga mats after this date but it’ll be worth it. Lay out the mats side-by-side on the patio or directly on the backyard lawn. Do the whole yoga routine next to each other. You can do your own poses separately but it’d make you feel more connected as a couple if either one of you takes charge. Another option is to take turns in deciding the next pose. With every pose, pay attention to the tension in your muscles and the sore points in your body. Since you’re outdoor, don’t forget to enjoy the peacefulness offered by the comforting breeze, singing birds, and rustling trees. When the session is done, sit down for a quick, mindful chat with your partner.

21. TREASURE HUNT

Begin by hiding the treasure in a safe spot. Then plan the clues. The clues can be given directly or as a reward for completing a riddle, puzzle, or physical activity. The idea is to let the clues bring the participants from one location to another location with the treasure being the final destination. Clue making is when your creativity and imagination (and evil nature) shine! For the treasure, may I suggest booby-trapping it? A trap involving water seems harmless and fun–especially on a hot summer day.

A treasure hunt is vastly more fun and complex when it covers a larger area. So consider expanding the hunt to other areas of the house besides the backyard.

By design, a treasure hunt requires a planner and player. If this isn’t the kind of dynamics you’re looking for, you might want to try a scavenger hunt instead; a scavenger hunt is more collaborative in nature. First, compile a list of items that come to your mind. Then set out to search and take photos of the items.

22. BACKYARD PHOTO SHOOT

Dust off your DSLR or mirrorless camera for an exciting photography session in the backyard. The phone camera would work fine too! While there’s a noticeable quality gap between the photos taken by a standalone camera and a phone camera, the phone is much more convenient to use. There are many ways for couples to enjoy a private photoshoot in their backyard and here are some examples:-

• Capture little moments in the backyard. E.g. ladybug resting on a leaf, birds perching on a tree branch.
• Take portraits of each other. Take turns in playing the roles of photographer and model.
• Take wefies! Invest in a Bluetooth-enabled selfie stick that allows you to take photos of yourselves remotely without involving another person.

23. WATCH SUNSET / SUNRISE

Naturally, watching the sun rising and setting is a relaxing thing to do with your partner on the weekends. But doing it on a weekday, especially on a working day, breaks the dull routine of everyday life and that’s gratifying. Depending on your location, that may mean that you need to get off work earlier or wake up earlier to spend time with your significant other. At its core, there’s nothing complicated about this date. All you need is a spot for you to sit down comfortably in the backyard. In a perfect setting, the spot should offer a view of the sun and the horizon but for most backyards that is an indulgence. So don’t worry about that. There are many nuances to appreciate and enjoy during twilight. For instance, the transition of the colors of the sky, clouds, and everything around you; including living things–trees, birds, and your partner– and inanimate objects. The winds might be changing and the temperature definitely does. It’s a lot to take in if you pay close attention. For details that catch your attention, be sure to share with your partner.

24. LATE-NIGHT EXPLORATION

The backyard can be full of surprises at night. Its hidden secrets are waiting to be discovered by you and your date. For this late-night date idea, put on your explorer hat, grab a torchlight, and go for a late-night adventure in your backyard. Go around the yard to hunt for fireflies. Listen to various sounds and speculate what they are–perhaps you’d even chance upon an owl. Switch off the torchlight and enjoy the beautiful, glowing painting that is the starry night sky. This idea isn’t without its flaws. One, if your neighbor can see your backyard, they might call 911 thinking that there’re thieves on your lot. Two, many backyards aren’t romantic and exciting at night–to overcome this dullness, create your own hidden treasures in the backyard and go for a couple’s treasure hunt at night. Three, for some areas, this date night idea may be outright dangerous. I’m talking about areas that have an active wildlife population, nosy bears, active wolves, etc. So use your judgment!

25. PLAY PRETEND!

Do some roleplay. Pretend that you’re someone else. It can feel a little bit childish but there’s a child in everyone. Also, being childish with your partner is so cute! This activity can be done with both physical actions and conversation or just conversation alone. Create certain roles for yourselves, establish some kind of backstory, and put yourselves in a make-believe situation. Below are some play pretend ideas for couples:-

• You’re meeting each other for the first time.
• You’ve swapped your bodies. Now you’re your partner and your partner is you.
• You’re poets who are trying to find their muse in the backyard. Try to look at every little thing in the backyard and develop a sense of gratitude for them.
• You’re really old.
• You’re two 10-year-olds.

26. FONDUE

You don’t have to travel to Switzerland to enjoy their national dish–fondue. With some preparation, you and your date will be able to enjoy the cheesy goodness of fondue in your backyard. Couple’s fondue in the backyard, doesn’t that sound intimate and romantic? You’ll need a portable fondue pot or a double boiler that keeps the cheese warm and melty without burning. The melted dipping cheese is made from various kinds of cheese, wine, garlic, and herbs. The actual recipe is beyond the scope of this article, so I’ll put some links below instead. Some of the more popular fondue dippers are bread, apple, strawberry, cooked potatoes, and bacon. For non-chess lovers (e.g. people with lactose intolerance), there are other variations of fondue you can try, such as broth fondue, chocolate fondue, salted caramel fondue, and oil fondue. Fondue is best enjoyed in fall, winter, and spring. Because it’s satisfying to enjoy a hot meal on a cold day. But don’t let anyone stop you from eating fondue in the middle of summer. Personally, I find that having cheese fondue in fall surrounded by colorful fall foliage paints a beautiful picture.

• Cheese fondue recipe – Well Plated
• Chocolate fondue – Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
• Salted caramel fondue – Dinner, then Dessert

27. CHESS MATCH

Challenge your date to an outdoor chess match in the backyard. Choose a spot on the patio or under a tree’s cooling shade. Snacks are off-limits because they’ll make the chess set sticky. But feel free to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea as the two armies engage in battles. If you want to make the games more exciting, put something on the line. For example, the loser has to buy the winner lunch or the loser has to decide what to do for their next date night.

Wrapping Up…

And that is the last date idea we have for you on this particular list. Looking back, many of these are free date ideas or cheap date ideas that don’t cost much to enjoy. Well I guess that’s just another argument for having your date nights at home!

Our list ends here but the actual list of backyard date ideas goes on and on. That said, I hope you’ve found something useful from these ideas.

The post 27 Backyard Date Night Ideas appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

When it comes to a movie date, there is so much you can do besides just sitting and watching. Below is a list of movie date ideas for you to try at home. The list is long because I was trying to pack as much information as I could. So feel free to scroll past ideas that don’t interest you. Let’s get into it.

1. SURPRISE YOUR DATE WITH AN INVITATION

An invitation is expected for events like weddings and gallery openings. But not for a date night, especially not a date night that happens right at home. That is precisely why you should be doing it, to break the monotony of everyday life and to surprise your partner. The least you can do is to buy an invitation card from the store. But for those of you who are willing to invest a little bit more time and effort, here are some date night invitation ideas.

• Print and fold – Find a unique design online, print it out, then fold it into a card.
• 100% handmade – Start with a blank piece of regular paper or card stock. Decorate with using your whimsy and creativity. Don’t forget to fill in the message.
• Mini treasure hunt – Start acting suspicious. Leave clues that lead to the invitation or the final clue that implies a certain event at a certain date and time.

2. DECORATE THE LIVING ROOM

Imagine this. Regular you wearing regular clothing in your regular living room watching television. Not exactly anybody’s idea of “romantic.” To feel romantic, something needs to be done differently. That means to introduce some irregularities. One way to do that is by decorating the living room specially for the date night. Unless you’re Kim Kardashian, you probably don’t want to spend a fortune on decoration and you won’t be hiring a professional party planner to help decorate the room. Under these assumptions, below are some living room decoration ideas that are simple, romantic, and budget-friendly.

• Get rid of the mess – Clutter, dust, and odor repel romance. So do some basic clean up. Pro-tip: just get the clutter out of sight because “out of sight, out of mind” is actually true.
• Tablecloth – Dress up the coffee table to make it look fancy.
• Couch cover – Breath new air into your living room couches (and cover up the dirty spots) with a brand new couch cover. Couch covers are an affordable way to make the couches look and feel different. If you can, try to match the designs of the couch cover and the coffee tablecloth.
• Shuffle furniture – Make things feel fresh by moving the furniture around.
• Balloons connote festivity, excitement, happiness. Have you seen a balloon at a funeral? Neither have I. Balloons are used as decoration at birthday events, baby showers, weddings–celebratory events that even the most introverted of us associate with positive emotions. Take advantage of that association. Use balloons to liven up the living room. Not all color balloons are equal. For a romantic night, shades of red are the only right options: burgundy, maroon, and even pink.
• Ribbons – Use ribbons sparingly in conjunction with balloons, otherwise it may really start to feel like a gender review party. Tie some ribbons around the living room strategically.
• Scented candles – While you’re preparing the visual cues for romance, don’t forget the olfactory–or the sense of smell. In this area, a scented candle is what you need. The aroma that the candle releases help relax your mind and has a stress-relief effect. A relaxed mind is more susceptible to romance.
• Dim the lights – You don’t have to turn off the lights but dimming it will definitely make the space feel more cozy and romantic.
• Prepare blankets – As the movie plays, hide under the blanket to snuggle.

3. ROMANTIC CANDLE-LIT DINNER

Romance doesn’t happen on an empty stomach. As such, treat yourselves to a romantic dinner before the movie starts. If you don’t want to leave home, that’s perfectly fine. You can totally enjoy a private and cozy dinner at home with just the two of you. All you need is the right setup. Here’s how.

• Choose romantic music – love songs, slow songs, ballads, etc. Some may find it pretentious and personally I’ve really enjoyed listening to old French songs.
• Candles – scented or regular candles. For scented candles make sure that it isn’t overpowering your food.
• Dim the lights as much as you can without affecting the ability to see and eat the food.
• Wine glasses or champagne flutes – drink wine, champagne, whiskey, soft drinks, juices, or even just plain water. Alcoholic beverages contain alcohol (duh), a depressant which is a chemical that helps calm the nerves and relaxes you. Don’t worry if you choose not to drink liquor, but make sure you use a wine glasses or champagne flute for drinking. Why? Because it feels more romantic than holding a Dumbo mug.
• Food – cook dinner together or, as I like to recommend, just order food delivery. Why? While there are many benefits of cooking your own dinner in terms of health, relationship, and personal finance, it is also quite tiring and it will take away a lot of fun from the activities that follow. Just order some food from the local diner and re-plate it in a fancy, Michelin-starred-restaurant kind of way and enjoy.

A variant of this idea is the dinner-and-movie. As opposed to the dinner-then-movie described above, a dinner-and-movie is when you’re having dinner and watching movie at the same time. While it sounds fun and exciting, it does take away some quality conversation time you have during dinner with your date. To add on, it also splits your attention among food, movie, and bae. Not to mention that it takes away some cozy snuggling time on the couch.

Enough with dinner and food. Let’s move on to the movies. Watching a single movie is what most couples do and there’s nothing wrong with that. A more unique idea that cranks up the fun factor of your date night is to do a movie marathon. The following ideas are related to choosing the movies for your date night.

4. COMPLETE MOVIE FRANCHISE

Come up with a list of 5-10 movie series. Some popular examples are Harry Potter, Fast & Furious, The Princess Diaries, Scary Movies, Lord of the Rings, etc. If you’re getting the recommendations online, I suggest that you cross-check the your streaming service’s catalog before the date to avoid disappointment. Once you have the list of movie titles ready, it’s time to vote on it. Everyone gets 2 votes and can only vote for the same franchise once. Also, you aren’t allowed to influence one another’s vote.

5. FILMS ÉTRANGERS

If you’re reading this article right now, most of the movies that you watch are probably in English. It’s just an assumption, so don’t get mad at me if that doesn’t apply to you. In the cases where it’s true, for this upcoming date night, try something new by watching only foreign films. Mexican, French, Italian, Japanese, German, Chinese–there are so many different foreign films waiting to be experienced. Personally, I’ve really enjoyed European movies. Admittedly some of the famous European movies feel different and strange even, but I’ve never had a boring time watching these films. It’s always a new and unique experience; you can feel the “soul” in them, unlike (ahem) certain Hollywood blockbusters.

6. HORROR MOVIES

Coming from a biological point of view, the feeling of romance is the result of a cocktail of different chemicals. One such chemical is adrenaline–a hormone that makes your heart beats fast and your breathing become intense. Two movie genres, in particular, are proven to get your adrenaline pumping–horror and action movies. For a scary movie night, turn out the lights completely and watch the movies in the dark. This theme is especially apt for October AKA the Halloween month.

7. ZOMBIE NIGHT

Zombie movies are a movie genre loved by many. Within the genre, there are countless films that explore various phases of zombie-human interaction such as the virus outbreak, zombie apocalypse, and post-apocalyptic world. Zombie movies are usually closer to action/disaster films than horror films. The movies from this genre are romantic in the sense that it makes you like the world is ending and the two of you have to stick together to survive. And there’s romance and love to be found in having each other’s backs.

8. ACTION MOVIE NIGHT

Action movies are fast-paced, no-nonsense films that aim to impress and entertain. You probably won’t be having a eureka moment after watching an action film but it sure is fun letting your mind go free during the film.

9. ROMANCE MOVIE NIGHT

My opinion is that you don’t necessarily have to watch a romance movie in order to feel romantic. But it is definitely one good option.

10. NICHOLAS CAGE NIGHT

For a Cage night, pick and watch 2-3 movies that feature Nicholas Cage. Not a Nic Cage fan? Neither am I. Simply replace him with an actor or actress of your choice. For example, it could be a Johnny Depp night or an Anne Hathaway night.

11. RANDOM MOVIES

Embark on a movie adventure with your date. Explore new, unchartered territory by picking a random movie to watch. Like most people, you probably unknowingly watch the same genres. Well, this is your chance to break that mold and explore new interests. Experience a unique and risky movie night that may land you anywhere from risqué movies to cartoons for children. In any case, you’ll share a fun and quirky evening with your date.

Use one of the movie randomizers online or use the built-in Netflix shuffle feature. No cheating! You have to watch the first movie that comes up. Alternatively, if you would like some flexibility, give yourselves two passes. That means you can pass on two movies if they seem boring to you. However, it’s a one-way pass and you can’t return to the previous movie once you’ve given it up. Once the two passes are used, you’ll have to watch the third movie.

12. EARTH HOUR

Turn off the lights for the entirety of the movie. Help the environment (though admittedly not by much) and reduce your utility bill at the same time. Feel like you’re in an actual cinema. Hold hands and snuggle in the dark for a cozy, romantic time with your date.

13. PIZZA PARTY

Saying that pizza is a popular food is an understatement. Research shows that at least one in ten Americans consume pizza once a week. To be honest, that number sounds kind of low. There are the good reasons why pizza is loved by so many people. First, it’s so convenient. Hot, fresh-from-the-oven pizzas are just one call or a few taps on the phone away. As long as you eat it with your hands, there are no dishes to do afterward. Just throw away the pizza boxes. Second, pizza is so delicious. Crunchy crust, hearty cheese, and just about any toppings you can think of–it’s so awesome! Anyway, getting some pizza and snacks will kick your movie night experience to the next level. Spice up your boring movie night by turning it into a pizza & movie party night.

14. BATH & MOVIE

Before we proceed, let me warn you. This is a dangerous date idea! Using electronics inside the bathroom can be hazardous to both you and your device. That said, movie and bath is a unique experience not many people have tried. It’s not very practical, but if you manage to pull it off it will very romantic. For this idea, you will need to designate a dry spot for the laptop or tablet. The smartphone may work when you’re bathing alone, but it’s just too small in a mixed bath kind of situation. Anyway, the spot should keep your device dry and should be visible from the bathtub. For the bath itself, just do a regular hot water bath. No bubble or bath bombs with coloring because that will get messy. Add a few drops of essential oils into the bath for some aroma. Alternatively, light up some scented candles.

Another way to do bath-and-movie, is to enjoy a long, relaxing bath before the movie. It is less unique but definitely safer and more friendly in terms of the logistics.

15. RENT A PROJECTOR

With a projector, you can watch movies on your very own big screen. Not many households own a projector and buying a good projector may not fit into your budget. So try and see if there’s a way to rent one for a day. There is so much fun you can have with a projector. You can play games, view photos, read, and–no we haven’t forgotten–watch movies! Make it feel like you’re in a real movie theater, pop some corns, microwave some hot dogs, and pour yourself some soft drinks. Turn off your phones before the movie starts, turn out the lights, and project the movie onto the wall. After a while, you might even forget that you are at home.

16. AT-HOME DRIVE-IN THEATER

This idea is more involved but it will be the experience of a lifetime. That is if you manage to pull it off, as you will see, it takes quite a bit of effort. To create a drive-in movie theater at home, you’ll need a big parking space and a vertical flat surface, for example, a wall or a projector screen. With these requirements, you’ll most probably need a garage, driveway/front yard, or backyard. If you have a sizeable backyard and it’s accessible by car, that would be the best spot to set it up. The outdoor environment will make you feel like you’re at an actual drive-in theater. The front yard and driveway is open-air but it doesn’t feel as cozy as the backyard, and their lack of privacy means your neighbors might join your movie from across the street. As an indoor spot, the garage offers privacy, convenience, and shelter from the elements. If your area is having bad weather, the garage is your only option. Also, it’s likely to have electrical outlets so you don’t have to use an extension cord. To add on top of that, you can blast the audio without having to worry about getting complaints from the neighbors. Lastly, for this idea to work, you’ll also need a decent projector, a laptop or media player, and a power supply for the devices.

17. BACKYARD CAMPING MOVIE NIGHT

Pitch a tent in the backyard. Pack for a night in the tent. Prepare cooked food ahead of time or raw ingredients for the grill. Start a campfire and do all the things that you do during camping. Singing, dancing, swapping stories, and even starting a water gun fight. At night, retreat to the tent to watch a movie. Make sure that the device is fully charged. When the movie is over, head outside the tent for some fresh air. Feel the serenity falls upon you as the night breeze touches your face. Nearby, fireflies are out and about, dancing and flaunting their blinking taillights. One firefly briefly lost its way and flew toward you. Not expecting your presence, the firefly is startled and immediately surged toward the sky. Intrigued by its movement, your head tilts up to follow. That brings you face to face with the night sky. The firefly can longer be seen, lost among the hundreds of stars in the dark sky.

Read also:

• 5 Rainy-Day Date Ideas
• 8 Late-Night Date Ideas
• 23 Fun Group Date Ideas
• 37 Double Date Ideas

18. ICE CREAM

For those of you who don’t have any health problem, grab a pint of your favorite ice cream and finish it in one sitting. Needless to say but you’ll be sharing with your partner. Remember, sharing is caring. It’s so cute if you share the same favorite flavor ice cream, but if you don’t, just get two flavors! As simple as that. Ice cream tastes awesome by itself, but if you want to elevate this ice cream movie night experience, invest in some ice cream toppings such as chocolate chips, chocolate rice, syrup, peanuts, etc. Using these toppings, design your unique ice cream dessert before gobbling it down in front of the TV screen.

Read next

• Can’t get enough of ice cream and dating? Here are some useful ice cream date ideas.
• Coffee Date Ideas

19. GET TIPSY

Pour yourselves a glass of your favorite liquor. Try out that cocktail recipe you saw in a random Facebook video. Just chill and enjoy the movie with your date.

20. DRINKING GAME

Since you’re drinking and you’re at home–that means no need to worry about who’s driving–how about a little game with your date? In particular, a movie drinking game that calls for a sip (or a shot) whenever certain phrases or certain movie clichés come up. There are plenty of pre-made rules online and I’ll put some links at the bottom of this section, but you can totally make up your own rules with your date. And I imagine it’ll be a funny thing to do that will be filled with giggles and laughter. A crude example would be something like this. Say you’re re-watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy… (spoilers ahead)

Take a sip when:-

• Frodo’s sword glows blue.
• Frodo turns invisible.
• Gollum says my precious.

Down a shot when:-

• Aragon says, “One does not simply walk into Mordor.”
• Gandalf the gray falls into the abyss.
• Gandalf returns after getting his dirty laundry washed and bleached.
• “I’m no man.”

Movie Drinking Games

• Vanity Fair – The 8 Best Movie Drinking Games
• Games Radar – 25 best movie drinking games to play responsibly
• The Manual – 10 Best Movie Drinking Games to Play on Netflix

21. DRESS UP

Going out feel exciting because we set ourselves up to feel that way. To make staying home feel excited and romantic, try to dress yourselves up in different clothing–perhaps in clothes that you’d wear when you go out to see a theatrical play.

22. WEAR A COSTUME

Here’s another way to enjoy the movie night to the fullest. Try dressing up in costumes that are related to the movies that you’re watching. For example, if you’re watching Pirates of the Caribbean, dress up as pirates, try to speak like one, and get a bottle of rum for the drinking game.

23. GET YOUR PET TO PARTICIPATE

Your beloved cat or dog (and other kinds of pets) don’t usually get to participate in your dates. How about inviting and letting it join you this one time for a fun pet and movie evening? Admittedly it will take away some attention from the movies, but that’s OK because time spent with your pet is never wasted. As a cat owner, I sometimes play with my cat when watching a movie. He also enjoys that I pat his butts, what a little weirdo.

24. YOGA AND MOVIE

Like many other forms of entertainment, movie is a passive activity. For most of the movie, except when it’s paused for bathroom breaks, you just sit. Well, here’s an idea that will turn your passive date night into an active evening. Push the coffee table to the side, lay out some yoga mats, and do some stretching while you watch the movie. Some yoga poses require you to turn your face away from the direction of the screen. You can still practice these poses but you might want to shorten the time or just wait for the fillers in the movie. Another idea is to adjust your mats from pose to pose so you can always get a good viewing angle.

More ideas:-

• 30 Free Date Ideas
• 80 Cheap Date Ideas
• 15 Quiet Hobbies
• 36 Date Ideas for Introverts

25. WATCH MOVIE USING VHS

The rise of Netflix and other streaming services changed the way we watch movies at home. Before Netflix, physical rentals used to be the standard way to watch movie on demand. I’m talking about Blu-ray, DVDs, VCDs–and before the discs became mainstream–a little something called VHS. VHS refers to Video Home System and it is the video tape standard. For this date idea, you and your date are to hunt for a functional VHS tape player and a movie tape. Figure out a way to hook up that antiquated tape player to your smart TV. The video quality will carry a retro vibe and it’ll feel like you’re traveling back in time. This date idea requires days if not weeks of preparation. And the preparation itself is part of the fun.

Who Are These Date Ideas for?

These ideas at home are mainly designed for married couples and couples who are living together. Newer couples who have survived the first few dates and are now comfortable with the idea of hanging out at each other’s places might find inspiration from this list too. These are definitely not ideal for a first date unless you’re dating your best friend. For first dates, check out these awesome first date ideas instead.

Wrapping Up…

And that wraps up our at-home movie date night guide. Some of these ideas are pretty wild (at least I hope they are). But sometimes you need to do things differently in order to break the dull routine of everyday life. With that said, I hope you’ve managed to get something out of this list. Talk to you again soon.

The post 25 Movie Date Night Ideas to Try at Home appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

1. MOVIE MARATHON

Pick some movies and watch it like there’s no tomorrow. Most people go for popular franchises like Harry Potter, Shrek, Fast & Furious, etc. Others select their movies based on actor/actress, director, or genre. Complete your movie night experience by preparing some snacks and drinks. Some ideas include popcorn, hot dog, pizza, beer, and soda.

2. CHECK OUT YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Jump down the rabbit hole that is YouTube. Start by searching for a particular topic that interests both of you. For example, cat videos, funny clips, or 4K 60fps walk in Kyoto. Let the site’s recommendation engine takes you from one video to another.

3. CREATE A TO-WATCH LIST

There are so many shows to watch on Netflix. But as you have experienced before, sometimes it’s difficult to decide which movie to watch. Well, how about doing some research and creating a “to-watch” list of the movies, TV shows, and anime that you’re interested in watching?

4. AT-HOME TREASURE HUNT

Provide clues that bring your date from one location to another in search of the final “treasure.” Prepare and hide the treasure before the game. The treasure could be anything from a chocolate bar, a wrapped-up gift, to a piece of paper that says “the journey is the treasure after all.” Organize a hunt for one another so everyone gets to play treasure hunter. Alternatively, just organize it for your partner. Follow along and take photos of his (mis)adventures and giggle like a maniac when he’s stuck at a certain seemingly nonsensical clue.

5. EARTH HOUR

After dark, turn out the lights for an hour. Only aromatic candles are allowed. A dimly-lit room that smells like vanilla spell romance. Use this opportunity to enjoy a romantic dinner or get on the couch for some intense snuggling. Switch off your phones. Nothing ruins a romantic moment like a ringing phone.

6. PRETEND YOU’VE JUST MET

It happens to the best of us. All couples get used to each other eventually and everything becomes routine. This dating activity will help break the monotony. For this idea, pretend that the two of you are meeting for the first time ever. Establish some kind of backstory. Have you been chatting on Tinder? Perhaps you’re at a coffee house and your partner caught your attention. Or just relive the actual moment you were meeting for the first time. Wear the same clothes, makeup, perfume, and see how it turns out this time.

7. ROLE REVERSAL

It goes without saying, you’re usually you. But for this unique date idea, how about becoming your partner? At the same time, your partner will become you–behaving and talking like you. Hilarity ensues but it also helps you to see the way you’re treating each other from an objective angle. In addition to being entertaining, perhaps you and your partner will also learn some relationship lessons from this activity.

8. DESIGN YOUR DREAM HOUSE

What does your mutual dream house look like? Will it have a minimalist theme or feature rustic design? Do you prefer a mansion or long to live in a self-sufficient tiny house? Discuss and negotiate with your partner. As an option, add in more realistic constraints such as a budget. Create a Pinterest board to curate and save your ideas. Use an interior design software to create the layout. The Sims is a fun game and an easy-to-use tool to build your ideal house.

9. PLAN A FUTURE TRIP

At home, there are various virtual tours you can participate online. But even if virtual-reality (VR) tech becomes prevalent someday, you’re not going to be able to experience the food, weather, and the local culture. So start planning for a real trip now. Making plans together and having something exciting to look forward to keep a couple close.

10. CREATE YOUR OWN MUSIC PLAYLIST

Create a song list that is unique to the two of you. It’ll be a private playlist accessible only by you and your partner. Add in songs that are significant to the relationship. Some ideas are as followed.

• Hit songs when you started dating.
• The song that the jukebox was belting out on your first date.
• A song that you’ve slow-danced to.
• For married couples, Songs that were on your wedding playlist

11. LISTEN TO MUSIC

Music is one of the best ways to set the mood. YouTube and Spotify are convenient and have virtually all sorts of music available. But there’s certain elegance to be found in a turntable and the vinyl records that it plays.

12. SING

Sing along to your favorite songs. Do a Karaoke session at home with your partner. You will need lyrics and ideally music with the original singer’s voice removed. Take turns to become each other’s audience. But don’t forget to sing some duets! Get childish and sing the theme song of a cartoon you grew up watching. Can’t carry a tune? Neither can I! It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re having fun.

13. DANCE

Put on some music based on your mood. Immerse yourself in the said music and let the rhythm moves your body. Similar to the singing idea, enjoy doing what you do, and be proud of it. Don’t worry about the little things like being off the beat. Since you’re on a date, dancing with each other is a requirement.

14. LEARN NEW DANCE

Another idea related to dancing is to learn new choreography or new dance moves on YouTube. Both of you should participate. It’d be a unique experience, a fun workout session, and a great opportunity to giggle at each other’s clunky movements.

15. GIVE EACH OTHER “PRIVATE DANCE”

The third and last dance idea will get you on Santa’s naughty list. When the sun is down, dim the lights and put on some spicy music. Love songs, ballads, pop, hip hop, R&B, etc. Invite your partner to sit down and give him/her a private show of your best dance moves, done intimately.

16. PAINT AT HOME

Chances are you have some painting supplies sitting around that are yearning for attention. Put them to work. Play some music and crack open a bottle of wine for some sip & paint action with your partner.

17. PAINT OUTSIDE

On a beautiful day, leave your house for some fresh air and an en plein air painting sesh. Think balcony, backyard, front lawn, or your garden. As for the painting subject, it’d be more interesting if it’s from the surroundings. For example, scenery, flower, plant, insect, pets, your partner, etc.

18. DRAW

For this creative date night, set up the mood and draw something. Follow a tutorial or let your instinct guide you. Draw an impression of your partner–but no peeking ’til it’s done.

19. PRACTICE CALLIGRAPHY

Not everybody is into calligraphy but it can be a fun activity for couples to explore new interests together. Maybe you’ll both find it intriguing and decide to turn it in a shared hobby.

20. TAKE PHOTOS OF EACH OTHER

Take turns to play the roles of a photographer and model. Use a DSLR or mirrorless camera for better quality images. But your phone camera will work just fine. The photographer gets to decide the theme. Depending on the theme, change into different outfits, wear thematic accessories, and put on a different style of makeup. Feel free to move the furniture around to achieve the vibe you’re looking for, turn your living room or bedroom, or kitchen into a home photo studio. Like many date ideas on this list, it’s fun only if you put in the effort!

21. CRAFT JEWELRY

Gather your materials online or go green by upcycling what you can find around the house. Make matching couple jewelry for yourselves. For example, rings, necklaces, and bracelets.

The following date ideas are dedicated to pet owners: dog owners, cat owners, and the others.

22. TAKE PHOTOS OF YOUR PET

Be a pet paparazzi. Stalk your pet. Follow it around and record its daily life with photography (and videos). Your real purpose, of course, is to capture its various shenanigans and funny moments on film.

23. START AN INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT FOR YOUR PET

If you’re pet parents, your phones are probably brimming with photos and videos of your pet. Put them to good use, start an Instagram account to capture some fans for your pet and to interact with other pet owners. Ignoring the social aspect, Instagram is also a great way to preserve your pet’s photos.

24. A DAY WITH YOUR PET

Spend some time with your pet. Think of it as an at-home group date. Play with your pet, spoil it with treats and massages. And of course, teach it some new tricks. Contrary to popular beliefs, pets other than dogs, like cats and rabbits can also be trained to do tricks. Personally, I’ve taught my cat to give me his paw and come to me when I call out his name. Other activities include playing frisbee with your dog, letting your indoor cat out (on a leash) to explore the surroundings.

25. MEDITATION

In our ever-connected world, our mind is flooded with information. Meditation is a mindfulness practice that can help train our mind to process information better or block irrelevant information altogether. When you’re meditating with your partner, you’re sharing a moment of tranquility that makes you feel more connected as a couple on a higher plane.

26. WORKOUT

Some people say “people who sweat together stay together,” find out if that’s true by sweating it out on a home workout routine.

27. YOGA

Meditative stretching is what yoga is. Improve your physical flexibility together as a couple by doing some yoga at home. Follow these yoga videos on YouTube.

28. PLAY WRESTLING

No one is fighting for the WWE champion title, so go easy on each other. You’re “playing” wrestling, not participating in a wrestling deathmatch. Choose a spot for the fight; on the bed or lay out some exercise mats in the living room. The carpeted floor may work too.

29. MASSAGE

Most people, yours truly included, are spending way too much time on their phones. The thing about using the phone for a prolonged period of time is everyone gives in to bad posture after a while. And bad postures cause muscle strain and pain. For this intimate idea, exchange massages with your partner. Take turns to provide an at-home spa experience to each other. Light up some scented candles or better yet–use some aromatherapy massage oil as part of the massage.

30. GIVE EACH OTHER MAKEOVERS

Chances are you’ve been wearing the same outfits again and again. For this fashion-related date night, get into each other’s wardrobes and plan new outfits for various occasions. This is also a great opportunity to rediscover your favorite clothing from the depths of the closet.

31. PEDICURE / MANICURE

Provide care for your partner’s fingernails and toenails. Do each other’s nails. Use your creativity to create unique nail arts. For a more sensual experience, pamper your date by providing full services: cleaning, clipping off dead skin, exfoliating, trimming the nails, moisturizing, followed by applying nail polish.

32. GIVE EACH OTHER HAIRCUTS

One way to grow closer as a couple is by taking care of one another. One intimate idea is to give your partner a haircut. Another idea if is to dye each other’s hair–bonus point if you’re sharing the same color dye.

33. TRY OUT EACH OTHER’S PERFUME

Do things you won’t normally do–just for fun and some laughs. Swap perfume collection for a day. Try them out, wear them on. Smelling different is a sure way to stimulate the olfactory sense.

34. IT’S HALLOWEEN!

Dress up as a ghoul, vampire, or cute nurse even if it isn’t Oct 31. Don’t just dress up, get candies, and bring out some Halloween décor. Watch horror films on Netflix and listen to autumnal songs. To feel childish, eat too many candies than your stomach can handle.

35. ORIGAMI

Bring cranes, lions, frogs, etc. to life by folding paper. The art of paper folding, origami, is a hobby enjoyed by many around the world. For this dating idea, find some tutorials online and some paper and start folding away with your partner. Many couples will find it interesting, but origami intrigues introverted couples the most. Spending some quiet time in origami turns out to be a serene experience that introverts appreciate.

36. TAKE A SHOWER TOGETHER

This could be a steamy sesh or a cute little thing to do in which you help wash each other’s backs.

37. MIXED BATH

Wind down and relax in a couple’s bubble bath. Light up some scented candles. Play some soft music. Crack open a bottle of wine. Just enjoy the intimate moment you’re sharing and whisper sweet nothings into each other’s ears.

38. BAKE

Participate in the alchemy of baked goods. Turn flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and other raw ingredients into delicious cakes, cookies, scones, and more. Baking together promotes teamwork in a relationship.

39. IRON CHEF – COMPETITIVE COOKING

Stir things up with a cooking competition. You’re your own judges and the chef with the most delicious dish win. Set a theme for the competition. For instance, pasta, curry, salad, or burger.

40. OVERCOOKED – COLLABORATIVE COOKING

Have you played Overcooked before? If you haven’t you should! It’s a collaborative-cooking video game and it’s fun to play with your partner. For this idea, you’ll be doing it in real life. In contrast to the previous date idea, this activity is about collaboration. Find a recipe online or try to come up with a new one yourselves. Work as a team in the kitchen to cook up an exquisite dinner.

41. PLAY BARISTA

Enjoy the art of making coffee. Try your best to brew the best cup of joe. Research and study coffee online. Decide the brewing method: French press, AeroPress, drip, Espresso, etc. Grind the coffee beans to the right coarseness based on the brewing method. Then let it brew and taste the coffee together. For coffee lovers, brew different types of coffee beans using different methods and do a blind taste test. Try to detect the subtle notes of aroma and taste in each coffee then compare findings with your date.

Another way to play barista is to handcraft your unique drinks that may or may not has coffee in them. For example, you could make a pumpkin spice latte, Belgian chocolate milkshake, and Boba Earl Grey milk tea.

42. BARTENDER

Unless you’re planning to pull an all-nighter, for a date night that happens in the evening (or late night), you would probably prefer beverages that don’t cause insomnia. Instead of playing barista, go for her after-dark cousin–the bartender. Create and name a unique cocktail that belongs to you and your partner. Try different combinations of liquors, juice, syrups, and herbs.

43. WINE MAKING

Learn the steps to brewing wine and make your own wine at home.

44. GET TIPSY

Once in a while, it’d be fun to enjoy some beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages with your partner. Wind down, relax, and just hang out.

45. FONDUE

Indulge yourself in the cheesy richness of fondue. Dip veggies, fruits, biscuits, and other foods in thick, melted cheese packed in flavors. Not a big fan of cheese? Go for a chocolate fondue or a salted caramel fondue instead. https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a51660/salted-caramel-fondue-recipe/

46. PIZZA PARTY

Organize a house party where you’re the organizers, attendees, DJs, bartenders, and the cleaning crew! Come up with a theme for the party. Make up some excuse that calls for a celebration. For instance, Friday is worth celebrating. Throw a party because the weather is awesome today. Celebrate the beginning of August. You get the idea. Put up some simple decoration, nothing complicated–you don’t want it to feel like a drag. Prepare some soft drinks and let’s not forget some unhealthy amount of pizza! And you invite another couple over, this could be a fun, stress-free double date idea.

47. HOUSEWORK-FREE DAY

Nothing kills the mood like an overwhelming amount of housework. Plan a special date with your partner where none of you is allowed to do any housework for one whole day. Feel like someone needs to do the dishes after dinner? Stop! No housework today.

Below are some date ideas that you can enjoy in your living room.

48. LIVING ROOM CAMPING

Make space for a tent. Push the coffee table aside for extra space, but keep it around so you have a reliable surface to use. Pitch the tent in the middle of the living room. Prepare food and snacks: sandwiches, candy bar, etc. Since you can’t make a campfire without burning the house down completely, watch TV instead. Some variants of this idea are pillow fort and blanket fort.

49. LIVING ROOM COFFEE HOUSE

Get some coffee brewing. Play some café music–just search these words on YouTube or Spotify if you aren’t sure. Believe it or not, you can also find café noise on YouTube. Set up tables and chairs. If you have a chalkboard, write something interesting on it like “welcome” or “specialty of the day”. If you’re in your pajamas, get changed into a casual outfit that you’d wear to a café. This date idea is great for any time of the year but is particularly ideal for a rainy day or a snow day.

50. LIVING ROOM PICNIC

To actually feel like a real picnic instead of just regular you eating in the living room on the couch, there are a few things you need to prepare. First is a picnic blanket that makes your mind think of picnicking on sight. For example, checkered blankets with red-and-white or blue-and-white squares. Naturally, you and your partner will be sitting on the blanket that is laid on the floor. Second, a picnic basket. Woven baskets are the traditional choice and they look exceptionally picturesque. But feel free to use other baskets or containers if you don’t have one. Prepare food and perhaps some wine. Bring some entertainment, like a card game or maybe a portable vinyl record player.

51. LIVING ROOM FINE DINING

This date is serious business. No giggling around because you’re about to dine at one of the most exclusive restaurants in the world–a pop-up fine-dining spot in the middle of your living room. Push couches away or cover them up with solid-colored fabric. Temporarily store the coffee table elsewhere. Replace it with a dining table for two. Be creative if you don’t have a table of this size. For instance, you can stack up cardboard boxes and drape it over with a gorgeous velvety tablecloth–just make sure that it’s stable! Set the table according to fine-dining standards. Crack a bottle of wine or champagne. Needless to say, coffee mugs have no place here–wine glasses and champagne flutes only. For the food, cook it yourselves or order delivery. What matters is the food presentation and romantic settings. For that matter, don’t forget to dim the lights, light some candles, and play some romantic love songs.

Now that we’re done with the living room, let’s head outside. Don’t worry, we’re still within the confines of your residence.

52. BACKYARD BBQ

Stock up on your favorite cuts of meats, veggies, fruits, and drinks for a fun backyard cookout. Get that grill fired up and prepare some ridiculously delicious barbecue food for each other.

53. BACKYARD CAMPING

When the weather is right, bring your camping equipment and set off for your backyard. Pitch a tent and stay for a night. Start a campfire if you’re comfortable with the idea. The crackling sound of a campfire is soothing and makes camping feels like camping. Cook your dinner at the campsite. If that feels like a lot of work, at least treat yourselves to some s’mores.

54. BACKYARD PICNIC

On a beautiful day, prepare some picnic food and go picnicking in your backyard. For those of you who have a balcony, you may enjoy your own cozy picnic date on the balcony instead. Similar to the living room picnic idea, it feels a lot more picnicky when there’s a picnic blanket for to sit on when enjoying the food. Don’t forget to take some beautiful photos of this unique date.

55. BACKYARD POOL PARTY

Don’t have a swimming pool at home? No worries. Most of us don’t either. Buy a large inflatable pool and organize a private pool date for yourselves. Since you’re getting wet anyway, you may as well get childish and have a water gun fight. If the yard gets an ample amount of sunlight, you might be able to get some tanning going.

56. GARDENING

Tend to the garden as a team. Don’t have a garden? Collaborate with your partner to start one. Grow flowers, vegetables, fruits, spices, and herbs in your own backyard on the balcony.

57. STARGAZING

For those of you who are lucky to live in an area with little light pollution, look up and check out the stars at night. Lay out a blanket or a sleeping mat and lay down side by side under the romantic starry night sky.

58. ONLINE SHOPPING

Shop ’til you drop without stepping out of your house. In the old days, catalog shopping was all the rage but nowadays online shopping is much more convenient and offers endless things for you to buy. Start by making a shopping list then task everyone to look for the best deals. On a tight budget? Just do online window shopping and keep in the bookmark things that interest you–you can always come back another day.

59. LOOK AT OLD PHOTOS

Dig out really old photos from some forgotten external hard drives. Try to ply open the Flickr account or Myspace account that hasn’t been logged in for years for some aged photos. Look at the photos from various stages of your relationship. Another idea is to look at your partner’s childhood photos. That’s always a cute and fun thing to do.

60. CHOOSE PHOTOS FOR PRINT

While you’re going through the digital photos, play the role of a curator, and select important photos for printing. Since you’re likely to have way too many photos, set a realistic limit so that you’re more selective.

61. START A COUPLE’S JOURNAL

Start by locating a good notebook, one that will last a long time. It should also look attractive, otherwise you might not want to come back to it. Personalize it by decorating the cover based on your taste. When starting a new journal, take turns to add some structure to it, divide the journal into various sections. For example, important dates, our favorites, bucket list/couple’s goals, relationship quotes, and message board. On the other hand, you may prefer a digital journal because you’ll be able to add different media to it and you can work on it from any locations. The latter is important for couples in long-distance relationships.

62. SPRING CLEANING

Get rid of things that you no longer use from the house. Gather them around, donate to charity, sell them off, or have them recycled. Since this is part of a date, make sure that it’s fun and everyone is involved. Overworking will stress anybody out so focus on just one manageable area. For instance, the storeroom or your closets. Be sure to share with your partner when you find an item that brings back memories. Put on the dress you’ve kept from your edgy phase.

Honestly, writing about housework stresses me out. Let’s move on to some fun ways for couples to pass time.

63. BOARD GAMES

Many board games are fun to play with two players. For instance, Monopoly, Catan, Exploding Kittens, and Splendor.

64. CARD GAMES

Play card-based games such as poker, Uno, and Monopoly Deals.

65. 2-PLAYER TABLETOP ROLEPLAYING GAMES (RPGs)

Tabletop RPGs are typically thought of as a group game. But there are many RPGs you can play with just two players. Even the famous Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) can be played with just 2 people (called a duet). Look up games like The Fox in the Forest, Patchwork, Codenames, etc.

66. CHESS

Play a game of chess against your partner. The winner does the dishes.

67. STRIP POKER

Spice up the night with some exciting poker and stripping.

68. JIGSAW PUZZLE

This is an activity that you can do over many evenings. Treat yourselves to a 1000-piece jigsaw challenge. Work together as a couple to get it solved. No pressure though. It’s all about keeping your mind occupied and spending time with your partner.

69. VIDEO GAMES

There are so many fun multiplayer games to play on a gaming console or on the PC. Many couples love Stardew Valley–a cute and colorful farming game with pixel graphics. I’ve personally tried it and loved it. In this game, you can cultivate crops, take care of livestock, go fishing, mining, and even get married.

70. MOBILE GAMES

Sometimes the best way to relax is to just play with your phones. While you’re at it, how about a couple’s game night on mobile? There are so many fun multiplayer games you can play on Android or iPhone. Stardew Valley, which was mentioned above, can also be played on mobile devices. Other games to check out include Among Us, Draw Something, chess, Risk, etc.

71. PLAY 21 QUESTIONS

21 Questions is a conversation game. In it, the participants ask questions in order to learn more about each other. There isn’t a strict format for this game. But here’s one way to do it. Gather a list of questions–21 questions in total if you want to stick to the namesake. Then take turns to pick and ask a question from the list.

72. PLAY WOULD YOU RATHER

Another popular conversation game is Would You Rather. It’s like 21 Questions except that the questions have to begin with “Would you rather…” Here are some sample questions:

• Would you rather be at the beginning of time or the end of time?
• Would you rather time-travel to the past or the future?
• Would you rather get a tattoo on your forehead or your butt?
• Would you rather be cooking or doing the dishes?

73. SHOW AND TELL

Kids do Show and Tell all the time. There are no reasons why you shouldn’t do it. In fact, Show and Tell is a great way to get to know someone better.

74. MINI GOLF

Turn your house into a mini golf course. If that sounds like too much work, just the living room will do! Instead of hazards like sandpits and water in a real golf game, you’re faced with different challenges instead. Challenges such as the golf ball might roll under the couch (couch hazard!) or get stolen by a cat (feline hazard!).

75. LASER TAG

Paintball and water gun fights are fun but they are messy when doing them at home. Laser tag is just as fun but without the mess.

76. DEBATE

Stimulate your brain cells and practice critical thinking by engaging in a healthy debate with your partner. Set some ground rules, no personal topics, no personal attack–neither of you wants an otherwise intellectual date night to turn into a gloves-off fight. Choose a topic then choose a side. Your choice doesn’t necessarily have to reflect your actual opinion.

77. READ

When is the last time the two of you have read a book? An actual, physical book? Spend a quiet evening at home with your partner by reading some books. Stay away from your phones for an hour or two. No TV, no music either. Think of it as digital detoxing.

78. COUPLE’S GOALS

Come up with a list of goals you’re hoping to achieve as a couple. Break them down into short-term and long-term goals.

79. PILLOW FIGHT

Play fighting on the bed or in the living room with the pillows.

80. CREATE YOUR OWN DATE IDEA LIST

Because everyone is unique, date ideas that are interesting to one couple may be boring to another. For that reason, sit down with your partner and brainstorm for activities that you’d want to do together. Remember to write it down.

And that wraps up the list of date night activities you can do at home. It’s a big list, so I’m positive that you would find at least some helpful ideas from it. Have fun dating!

The post 80 At-Home Date Night Ideas appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

What is a Group Date?

A group date is a social activity involving a group of couples and friends. Usually, the group size is around 4-8 people. For a larger group, the term group outing is more common. Sometimes, group date also refers to activities involving a group of friends who aren’t romantically involved or a date where the parents bring their kids along. Although a more accurate term for the latter should be family date.

23 Fun Group Date Ideas to Try

Going on a date as a group could be fun. It is a different experience from your regular one-on-one date. But date night ideas that are ideal for two people may not work for a group of couples. To help plan a group date that everyone enjoys, here are some fun and interesting date ideas for inspiration.

1. HOUSE PARTY

Organize a cozy party at home (or at the dorm) for the group. Get everyone to help out with the preparation and split the cost. Make sure there are enough food, snacks, and drinks for everybody. If your group can cook, it would be fun to do a potluck-style gathering. Otherwise, pizza is a tasty and popular party food loved by many. In terms of drinks, beer and wine are de facto party staples but don’t forget some soda, juices, and water for people who don’t drink alcoholic beverages. Music is the soul of a successful house party. Create a song list on Spotify or YouTube Music before the party. Borrow someone’s premium Spotify account if you don’t have a subscription because the ads are very disruptive. Remember to mix in some love songs so that the couples can have some romantic time with their respective partners. Another pro-tip for creating a party playlist, many music streaming services support collaborative playlists, this means everyone with an account can add the songs they want to the list.

2. BBQ COOKOUT

Fire up that grill and do a cookout at a location of your choice. The backyard is a tried and proven location for a BBQ party. Otherwise, let the group scout for a location with free barbecue grills or pits to use. Try parks, picnic areas, campsite, etc. Another idea is to bring your grill to any scenic location and do the BBQ party there. Needless to say, remember to stock up on your favorite cuts of meat, veggies, fruits (fun fact: corn is technically a fruit), and spices. Nothing ruins a BBQ party like running out of food!

Summer is the busiest barbecue season. The weather is lovely and suitable for all sorts of outdoor activities including BBQ. In colder months the grill takes longer to cook and the food can get cold before you finish them. That said, BBQ-ing in winter is a unique experience you should at least try once in your life. Enjoying a fresh-off-the-grill steak and a cup of hot chocolate on snow paints a serene picture.

On the other hand, doing it in fall and spring allows you to take advantage of the freshest specialty produce of the season. Another way to enjoy barbecue differently is to do a thematic party. For example, a Halloween BBQ party or St. Patrick’s Day BBQ party.

3. PLAY BOARD GAMES WITH THE GROUP

Parties are fun but there’s a lot of work involved, i.e. planning, logistics, clean up, etc. Some days you just want to sit down and take it easy. When that’s the group consensus, board games are a fun option for the group to pass time. Monopoly is the goto board game for many people. Virtually everyone has played it at least once growing up. Nonetheless, its rules are simple and straightforward enough for a total beginner to pick up and stand a chance at winning.

Looking past Monopoly, we have Catan which is a hex-based resource management board game. While it still has a heavy luck element, Catan is generally viewed as a more skill-based board game. It does have a learning curve, so new players will need to play a few times to really learn the ins and outs of the game. Other popular board games to try are Pandemic, Life, Cluedo, and Sorry!

4. COUPLES’ POKER NIGHT

Show the group who’s in charge by playing and winning at poker. There are a variety of poker games you can play as a group. But Texas Hold’em is the most popular and for good reasons. The game is fast-paced and has simple rules. But it becomes increasingly complex as you factor in human emotions and the act of bluffing. To make the game more exciting, betting is a must. Put real money on the line if you’re up for it (nothing life-changing, just pennies and quarters) or as I’ve personally tried and enjoyed–betting Monopoly money.

5. BOWLING

Switching it up from board games and poker. What does the group feel about a friendly bowling game at the local bowling alley? If you’re lucky to live nearby a “bowling-in-the-dark” place, make this the excuse to check out the place. Play as individuals or couples vs couples. It’s fun to get some competitive vibe going but remember it’s just a game! Call ahead to make a reservation if you have a big group. Some bowling alleys can get crowded during weekends or holidays.

After the game has concluded, hit up the local hot dog spot with the group for some spicy dog topped with tons of caramelized onion to regain some of that lost calories from bowling.

6. TAKE PAINTING CLASS

Check with the group if any one of them is an expert painter because a painting class is the most fun and beneficial when the whole group is new to painting. Depending on the class syllabus, you may learn about acrylic, oil, or watercolor paints. Other knowledge you’ll acquire may include understanding different types of brush and the proper way to use a brush. But most importantly you’ll be guided by an instructor to produce a good-looking art piece for you to bring home at the end of the class. Some studios even offer you wine during the painting session. These painting classes are aptly called “sip and paint” or “paint and wine”.

With the wine flowing and French accordion music playing in the background, it’s almost feels like you’re painting en plein air at the French Riviera, surrounded by your partner and favorite friends.

7. WINE TASTING

You’re naturally a creative person. But some creative minds prefer to make art in private. Or perhaps you value efficiency above all and the painting part of “paint and wine” feels like superficial fluff. Get straight to the point already–the wine itself!

It’s fine to enjoy a bottle (or a few bottles) of wine with the group at home. But nothing beats the experience of a wine tasting session at a vineyard. Your experience may differ but many vineyards’ wine tasting sessions are the finale for their vineyard tours. Depending on the season and vineyard management, you might get to see different stages of the winemaking process.

Start by researching for a good vineyard nearby that offers a tour and wine tasting session. If there isn’t one nearby, it might be worth your time to make it a day trip or weekend getaway.

8. SINGING

Sing your lungs out with your date and friends. All you need is your voice, so if your group is stuck and bored without any equipment, this is definitely a fun activity you should consider. That said, it’s a lot more fun if you sing with a mic in your hand. Yes, I’m talking about Karaoke! Karaoke is totally awesome. Not many of us have a karaoke system at home, so head out to a nearby karaoke bar and go on the stage to sing a duet with your partner–not before downing a few drinks, for some courage! Again, do some research beforehand. Task the group with finding a karaoke bar with private rooms (sometimes called Asian-style karaoke) because it’s the one true way to do Karaoke. The truth is not many people enjoy singing in front of other strangers. For introverts and shy people, it’s a nightmare and basically a cringey moment that keeps you awake at night in the future. With a private room, you can sing to your heart’s content and you get more airtime–sounds like a win for everybody.

9. VISIT NEARBY NATIONAL PARK AS A GROUP

There is so much to see and experience in a state park or a national park. Follow a recommended scenic trail to see the best of the park has to offer. Get off the beaten path for couples who are adventurous and know what they’re doing. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors, let Mother Nature relieve your stress and worries. Listen to bird sings and enjoy the beautiful weather–be mindful of serene moment and take it all in. See the national park and its multifaceted nature by visiting in different seasons. The park in summertime is vastly different from fall (autumn) or spring. Pack food! It’s romantic to picnic at a scenic and secluded spot. Just remember to bring your trash home with you.

10. TENNIS

Form teams and play against each other. For a competitive date, do a little tournament with some kind of prize for the winning team. Usually, you’d form a team with your own partner, but don’t be afraid to switch things around for variety. Dress functionally but cute to spice things up.

11. GOLF

Get some swinging action going by playing golf. For experienced couples who have time to spare, an 18-hole game is the way to go. For newbies and couples who have other matters to attend to afterward, the driving range provides a non-competitive and quick way to enjoy golf. On the other hand, if going to a golf club sounds overwhelming or boring to you, I’m sure you’d still enjoy a fun session of mini golf (also known as minigolf and putt-putt). In mini golf, you focus on the putting aspect of golf. What’s great about mini golf is everybody can play and have fun doing it–even first-timers. Minigolf is often part of a bigger attraction. And its decoration may include miniature windmills and other interesting elements that make it a great spot to take some cute photos.

Read also:

• A Guide to Ice Cream Dates
• Coffee Date Ideas

12. CAMPING

There are endless ways to enjoy camping. But they all share one thing in common–escape from the clutch of urban living into the arms of Mother Nature. Start by researching for a camping ground that fits the criteria of your group e.g. distance, amenities, and activities. Some camping sites offer amenities like a shower, toilet, locker, fire pit, and barbecue grill. Pitch your own tent or rent an established tent (or recreational vehicle or cabin–though I’m not sure if the latter fits the description of camping). Of course, no camping would be complete without some exploration around the area. Following a scenic trail is a safe and fun way to explore. Some trails may involve some hiking. Other fun activities to do on a camping trip with your friends include fishing, canoeing, snorkeling, crabbing, hunting, cooking, etc. At night, gather the group around the campfire for some quintessential camping activities such as eating, drinking, singing, and story-telling. As the fire crackles in the pit and a shooting star glides through the serene night sky, precious memories are made.

13. BARHOPPING

Pub crawling, club tour–whatever you choose to call it–means a fun and liquor-filled night out with your friends. Plan ahead or as most barhopping goes, simply start somewhere and frantically search for the next spot using your phone. Teetotalers are welcomed as long as they’re willing to join. Clubs and bars are surprisingly fun when you’re clear-headed, not to mention that it’s safer to have someone who’s not drunk to look after the group. And it would be perfect if he agrees to be the designated driver–just remember to buy him lunch to compensate.

14. HIT THE BEACH

Beaches and pools are the quintessential summer experience. Nothing cools you down like the sea breeze and cool ocean water. But virtually nobody is looking to stay cool at a beach in the middle of summer. It’s about the sandy beach, bikini, and getting sunkissed skin. There so much to do at the beach especially when you have the whole entourage with you. Build a sandcastle, play beach volleyball, surf, drink, explore the nearby cove away from the crowd.

Don’t let the colder weather stop you from having a fun day at the beach! The beach is less crowded and feels more peaceful in spring and fall. The girls won’t be able to wear their bikinis but in return, you get the whole beach to yourselves. Some of the activities the group can have fun doing include barbecuing, flying kite, picnic, playing ball, or just chill out.

15. VIDEO GAMES

For some folks, the phrase video games conjure images of first-person shooter, racing, and sports games. To be fair, these genres are really popular but there are other categories of games that are just as popular and perhaps more fun depending on your preference. When you have a group of people, party games and other multiplayer games are the best options. You do need to get as many controllers as the gaming console can support so that everybody can play without waiting forever for their turns. If you’re stuck in quarantine or prefer to avoid gatherings, I have some great news for you. Gaming is a date that can be done entirely virtually over the internet. Otherwise, a BYOL (bring your own laptop) setup could be the ideal way to get everyone playing at the same time. Some of the group-friendly games are Dota, Fall Guys, Overcooked, and Among Us.

16. BOTANICAL GARDEN

This location that allows you to appreciate nature is not in nature at all. As a matter of fact, it is often found close to the city. We’re talking about botanical gardens–curated collections of plant living inside man-made structures. While there are lots of flora you can see in nature, none of them is labeled, organized, tended to by professional botany staff. Spend a few hours at the botanical garden with your date group to check out their collections of unique plants. Every botanical garden is unique and some of the collections of plants you may be able to see include various types of flowers, cacti, herbs and spices, tropical plants, trees, and even fungi (mushrooms).

17. PAINTBALL

Play a friendly match of paintball. Form a team with your friends and your date, or against your date in a date vs. date deathmatch. Wear a comfortable outfit that doesn’t restrict your movements. Ideally long-sleeves and pants because getting hit by a paintball can be painful. Alternatively, go for its futuristic and painless variant–laser tag. Despite its name, no laser is involved. The laser guns are infrared-emitter and when a player is hit by the infrared ray, the sensor the player is wearing detects it and notify the players of the successful shot.

18. MOVIE MARATHON

Camping and barhopping are fun but sometimes you want to just kick back and relax with the group on a lazy Friday night. For this group movie date, all you need is a television, a streaming service subscription, plenty of seats, and some food and drinks. Provide a shortlist of movie series or TV series in the group chat and ask to vote on it. Some marathon-friendly movie series are Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Alien, and Resident Evil. For TV shows, there are just way too many great TV shows for me to recommend, but you can try Gilmore Girls, Z Nation, The Office, and for cyberpunk fans–Altered Carbon.

19. CHARTER A YACHT

Charter a boat and head to the ocean. Explore unfamiliar shores. Snorkel in the sea for some breathtaking view of fish and corals. Get yourself a healthy tan on the deck. At dusk, wind down after a long fun day by enjoying a scrumptious dinner prepared by the crew. Clink your wine glasses to commemorate a day well spent on the sea. Understandably, many of us don’t live close to the sea. But if you live close to a lake, you might also find a yacht chartering service there. The American Midwest is blessed with a natural wonder that is the Great Lakes which is serviced by many yacht chartering businesses.

20. SKYDIVE

For adventurous couples, skydiving will get your adrenaline pumping. First-time solo skydivers are required to take hours of classes on skydiving and parachuting. Alternatively, you can also piggyback on an experienced skydiver. If your group consists of experienced skydivers, jump as a group, make a circle in the air, and get someone to take photos. This will be a fun photo to show the kids when you’re older.

21. GROUP COSPLAY

For an uncommon experience, how about dressing up as your favorite group of fictional characters? In true group spirit, dress up according to a particular theme. For example, it could about a particular anime, comic, movie, or TV show. I have seen people dressed up as the Mystery Incorporated members from Scooby-Doo and they were slaying it. Another great time to play dress-up would be on Halloween.

22. ROLEPLAYING

Enter the world of tabletop roleplaying games (RPGs). In the digital age, Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) are more popular than ever. There are other RPGs available but D&D is hands down the most popular and has the largest player community. A D&D game is prepared and run by a game master. The participants are the players who play various characters that they build and grow. As a group, you’ll be exploring different exotic locations and encounter dangers that require your skills and knowledge to overcome. Here’s a useful guide on how to start your own D&D group.

23. VOLUNTEER

There are countless adventures you can embark on and people you can help in the world of D&D. But the adventures can also be found in the real life. The world we’re living in needs your help. Charities such as animal shelters, soup kitchen, etc. could always use some extra hands. They’ll be happy to get a group of friendly people to help them out with various tasks. At an animal shelter, some of the things you can do to help out are feeding the animals, playing with them, cleaning their housing, and perhaps help out with the logistics of a charity donation drive. Volunteering your time at a charity helps you to grow closer as a couple and as friends. Lastly, you’ll also be making a positive impact on this world so this is a group date that is beneficial to everyone who’s involved.

And these are some of the group date ideas that made it to our list. There are many other ideas that didn’t make it, for example, amusement park, water park, jungle trekking, archery, card games (too similar to the board game idea), group dinner, etc. Anyway, I hope you found this article helpful.

The post 23 Fun Group Date Ideas to Enjoy appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

An introvert is someone who prefers to focus on his or her inner feelings. About 25-40% of the population is introverted. Introverts are usually reserved and quiet. If you’re an introvert or you’ve been dating an introvert, you’d know that they are perfectly capable of normal social engagements but these events wear them out–making them feel exhausted and drained of energy. Some introverts also find that their energy depletes faster when they’re in crowded places. Given these characteristics, here are some activities we think introverts will genuinely enjoy doing on date.

Best Date Ideas for Introverts

1. At Home Date Ideas
2. Creative Date Ideas
3. Explore
4. Fun Date Ideas
5. Intellectual Date Ideas
6. Nature/Outdoors
7. Active Date Ideas

At-Home Date Ideas

Things for introverted couples to do without leaving their homes.

1. WATCH A MOVIE

Movie dates are great. Admittedly, it sounds boring on paper, but it’s so entertaining, practical, and effortless. The truth is movie and dinner (foreshadowing for the next idea) are two of the most tried and proven date ideas that can never go wrong. What’s great about an at-home movie date is that you are avoiding the crowd and the traffic, two things introverts don’t appreciate. Plus, it’s more intimate when there’re only the two of you–instead of being surrounded by dozens of strangers in a stuffy movie theater. At home, you can cuddle under a blanket in a dimly-lit living room and introverts appreciate that kind of intimate connection.

2. AT-HOME DINNER DATE

Buy some ingredients from the grocery store and cook dinner together. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to make Beef Wellington or Baked Lobster with Cheese–simple Spaghetti Bolognese or an egg sandwich is just as satiating when the two of you’ve prepared it together. Another option that you shouldn’t overlook is ordering food delivery. Getting food delivery costs more and isn’t as interesting as preparing your own food but in return, you get more time and energy for other activities.

3. BINGE-WATCH ANIME

This is similar to watching a movie or TV series. If you’re both into the same genre of anime, for example, isekai or romance, you can find a new series and binge-watch it together. In cases where you’re not an anime fan or prefer a different genre, it’s a great opportunity for some intracouple cultural exchange by giving the anime your partner likes a chance to see what the fuss is all about.

4. READING

One of the coziest things introverted couples can do is reading books side-by-side at home. Reading is a flexible activity that can take place anytime from a snowy December evening to a lazy Saturday morning. Some people enjoy reading their favorite genre over a cup of coffee, others find wine to be a better companion for this activity. You may think that reading lacks interaction and to be honest it does, but for introverts, it’s a great activity that allows you to have your private space and still spend time together. This activity isn’t reserved for frequent readers only. If you can’t recall when is the last time you read a book, this could a great opportunity for you pick up reading again and spend some quiet time with your date.

5. CAMPING IN THE BACKYARD

In Summer when the weather is just right, pitch a tent and camp out in your very own backyard. Complete the camping experience by starting a campfire. Watch the flame dances to the crackling sound of the burning wood. Prepare your food ahead of time in the kitchen or do a campfire cookout. When night falls, lay out a sleeping pad and watch the stars twinkle with your partner lying next to you. If you’re lucky, you may even see a shooting star–remember to make a wish.

6. WORK IN YOUR GARDEN

This is coming from my personal experience as an introvert–gardening is a great hobby introverts would enjoy tremendously. The solitude and tranquil nature of gardening invigorates introverts. Working with plants and soil helps to bring clarity to an introvert’s mind. For an atypical date, why not work in the garden together? Here are some gardening ideas for couples: start a new garden, prepare the soil, shop for seeds online, sow seeds, trim existing plants to promote further growth.

7. BAKING

Everybody loves the aroma of freshly baked goods. So spend time together by baking your specialty or try a new recipe you found online. Not sure what to bake? Try chocolate cookies or cheesecakes!

8. BACKYARD BARBECUE

The word BBQ conjures up imagery of a party, smoke, people, noises, and a lot of socialization–in other words, none of the stuff that a typical introvert would truly enjoy without feeling exhauted. But who says BBQ has to involve a large group of people? A two-person BBQ sesh is more unique, intimate, and romantic.

Creative Date Ideas

Release that pent-up creative energy with these activities.

9. PAINTING

Choose your weapon of artistic creation, some popular ones are acrylic, oil, and watercolor. With a glass of Chardonnay in hand, create your masterpieces from the comfort of your living room. For couples who are more experienced at painting, pack up your equipment, and hit the great outdoors for some en plein air action.

10. WRITING

Do a mind dump of the ideas that have been floating around in your mind. Find the best idea and turn that into an article or an essay. Whether to publish it or not is beyond the point, the journey is your goal. Alternatively, if fiction is your jam, discuss the characters and plotlines with your date and start working on it. Another activity related to writing is to practice calligraphy.

11. PHOTOGRAPHY

You can take photos with incredible bokeh with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, but your phone camera will work just fine. Below are some ideas for your photography sesh:-

• Take photos of each other.
• Dress up and let your date capture some photos for you.
• See everyday objects from a different angle through the camera lens (i.e. find beauty in the little things!)
• Take Instagrammable photos of your pet (dog, cat, etc!)

Explore

Go down the road less-traveled.

12. FARMERS’ MARKET

Have you been to a farmers’ market before? It’s awesome! There is so much to see and to buy. Spend your hard-earned money on the freshest produce straight from the farm, carefully-crafted artisanal products, and even handmade soap. The social interaction required is minimal but the marketplace can get crowded. And there’s nothing low-key about crowds. To avoid a crowded market, go early. A side benefit of going in early is you get the first pick of the fresh produce.

13. ROAD TRIP

Get in the car and hit the road. Where you’re going is less important than scenery along the journey–though it would be great if you map out some stops and plan ahead where to stay for the night if the trip is longer than a day. Be spontaneous and be prepared.

14. URBAN EXPLORATION

For adventurous introverts, exploring abandoned buildings in an urban setting can be a thrilling, albeit dangerous, date.

Fun Date Ideas

Although it may seem like the perfect date for introverts can only happen at home, you can definitely carve out a private zone in public. Below are some fun ideas that do just that.

15. DRIVE-IN THEATER

Imagine getting your own private box in an open-air movie theater–with adjustable air conditioning and seats–also you’re allowed to bring any snacks and anything for that matter to the movie. That’s a drive-in theater for you and your private box is your car. While drive-in theaters may not offer the best viewing experience for moviephiles, it’s definitely a unique, cozy, and romantic way to see a movie with your date–something that introverted couples would love and appreciate. So if you’re lucky to live near a drive-in theater, be sure to give that a try.

16. WATCH A MOVIE

Sometimes the nearest drive-in theater is ten hours away or perhaps you’ve been to one and weren’t impressed, you can just go watch a movie at a cinema like regular couples do. You’ll be surrounded by dozens of strangers but at least you won’t have to interact with them and they aren’t talking either (hopefully).

17. SEE A PERFORMANCE

Go see an opera, play, piano performance, orchestra, or ballet. The only thing not to like about seeing a performance is the traffic rushing out of the parking ramp once the show is over. But other than that, an introvert will find it appealing to their artistic side.

18. PEOPLE-WATCHING

Most introverts are exhausted by social interactions. Many feel their energy depleting by just being in a crowd. But if you’re just playing the role of an onlooker and you’re physically away from the crowd, watching and observing people is a fun experience that any introvert will enjoy.

19. COFFEE DATE

An extrovert may thrive on the energy of a bustling café in the busiest section of downtown. But an introvert will prefer the atmosphere of a cozy boutique coffee shop. One that offers great coffee and the promise of a deep & meaningful conversation with her date. But who says you have to drink coffee at a coffee shop? Getting takeaway coffee and enjoying it at a park surrounded by the blooming spring flowers sounds like a great way to date whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert.

20. ICE CREAM

Ice cream is always a great idea. Everyone enjoys a good serving (or multiple servings) of ice cream. Ice cream isn’t really your jam? How about its associates: gelato, froyo, and soy-based ice cream? It’s a little cheeky and some people may not enjoy ice cream as much as other people, but ice cream as a first date idea is really cute.

21. DINNER

If there’s a ranking for the most classic date ideas, dinner would probably sit at the top. It’s not difficult to see why. Evening is supposed to be a relaxing time when most people are done with their busy day and are ready to wind down. Delicious food and perhaps a little wine help to set the mood for a romantic evening full of laughter and meaningful conversations. So do your homework, find a restaurant that offers great food but isn’t overly crowded or noisy. It’s not romantic when you have to talk by shouting over the din. Nobody enjoys that, not even the extroverts.

22. BREAKFAST

Bacon, croissant, and pancake. Eggs done in your favorite way: omelet, sunny-side up, scrambled, poached. What’s not to love about having breakfast at your favorite diner with your favorite person?

Intellectual Date Ideas

Satisfy the introvert’s inquisitive mind with these activities.

23. LEARN

People with introverted personalities like to spend time by themselves. Instead of wasting their time on superficial social interactions, introverts prefer to allocate their limited time to things that matter to them. Some introvert chooses to use their private time to learn new skills or gain new knowledge. You can turn this into a dating activity by finding a common interest you share and encourage both of you to become more knowledgeable in that area. That can be done by reading books, watching YouTube videos, researching online articles, or just plain ol’ trial and error.

24. DISCUSSION

Come up with a topic and deliberate on the said topic. The topic can be about anything but preferably not a personal one, as not to cause conflicts. The goal is to find out what your partner is thinking and their opinion on a given topic. It’s also a great way to for you to sharpen your mind and practice critical thinking skill.

25. LIBRARY

Introverts have an inquisitive mind and a preference for tranquility. Both of which can be satisfied by a date at a library. You won’t be finding a large crowd at the library, especially not in this age when many of the library’s function has been digitalized and made available online. All the better–it’s as if the whole library has been closed off for the two of you–and isn’t that romantic?

26. MUSEUM

Visiting a museum is a great way to relate to our human ancestors and humanity. By doing so, introverts can feel more connected to their inner being and that’s a nuanced feeling that they will appreciate. The only downside of a museum date is that some popular museums can be brimming with people with queues stretching several blocks whenever there’s a famous, limited-time exhibition. And that’s not a good way to appreciate the exhibits and definitely a nightmarish situation for an introvert.

Nature and the Great Outdoors

Get away from the hustle and bustle and into the arm of mother nature. Below are some outdoor activities that introverted couples can do in nature.

27. STARGAZING

If you’re lucky to live in an area without heavy light pollution, you may be able to see some of the brightest stars and planets at night without any equipment. Work with your date to see if you can identify any of the stars, planets, or constellations. And let’s not forget Earth’s one and only natural satellite–the Moon. Of course, there’s a whole lot more you can see if you have access to a telescope.

28. METEOR SHOWER

Every now and then, planet Earth is graced by groups of meteors–a phenomenon known as meteor shower. You’ll usually find information about the next meteor shower (or meteor storm) on Facebook a few weeks or a few days before it happens. Find out if it will be visible in your area and locate a good viewing spot that offers privacy. Hold your partner’s hand and feel amazed at the universe as the meteors glide through the night sky.

29. BOTANICAL GARDEN

Immerse yourself in the world of botany. Spend a morning at a botanical garden to learn more about flowers and plants. Find out the name of that plant that has always fascinated you. Draw inspiration from professional botanists and turn some of that inspiration into a reality at your home garden.

30. NATIONAL PARK

Plan a day trip to a nearby national park. See nature and its grandeur. Feel your worries fade away and your energy reinvigorated as the birds sing and trees dance to the gentle wind. A national park has so much more than just birds and trees, it’s also nature’s Geology masterclass. Witness mountains, hills, peaks, rocks formed by forces of nature over millions of years. You might also bump into some animals. Some animals may be cute and docile while others not so much. In any case, every visit to a national park is an adventure to learn from and an experience to remember.

31. SUNRISE

Find a quiet spot where you and your date can see the sun gently wakes up the sleepy Earth from its slumber. The viewing spot could be your balcony or a nearby beach–any location that offers an unhindered view of the eastern horizon where the Sun rises. Follow up with breakfast at your favorite diner.

32. CAMPING

What better way to feel connected to nature than spending a night in it? If staying in a camp isn’t really your idea of fun, consider other alternatives such as renting a cabin or an RV.

33. BEACH

Popular beaches during summertime are overrated. A large noisy sandbox crawling with homo sapiens is the opposite of an ideal dating spot for introverts. However, that doesn’t mean introverts hate all beaches. A less popular, more secluded beach offers a clean and tranquil environment for a relaxing date by the sea. You’ll also have more privacy if you decide to get some PDA going. Another idea is to go to a beach when it’s off-season, a popular summer beach is not as crowded in spring, fall, and winter and offers different scenery in each of the seasons.

Active Date Ideas

Physical activities for introverts who enjoy sweating it out.

34. WALKING

Saunter along the scenic riverbank. Take a stroll in the nearby park to witness the gorgeous fall foliage in full display. Meander in the meadow where colorful wildflowers bloom–lower your hands and feel them brushing against your fingers as you walk past them. Or you can just take a walk in the neighborhood with your date. After all, it’s the personal connection that introverts value the most.

35. JOGGING

Walking is a relaxing activity that promotes mindfulness but you just don’t work up as much sweat as jogging. The rush of energy after jogging is real and it’s a great way to stay healthy. As a couple activity, find a jogging spot that is less crowded and start jogging there every week. Some people say “couples who sweat together stay together,” let’s find out if that’s true.

36. HIKING

Go on an adventure by challenging that hiking trail that has caught your attention. Since it’s a date, add romantic and beautiful scenery to the list of requirements for trail selection. During the hike, grow closer by helping each other out and having deep conversations. Bring food and enjoy a memorable picnic featuring a breathtaking view of mother nature. Remember to take photos for memory’s sake.

INSPIRATION

Below are some of the articles we’ve read for inspiration when researching for this article.

• Introvert, Dear – Introvert-Friendly Date Ideas
• Catholic Singles – 12 Date Ideas For Introverts
• Bustle – 11 Low-Key Date Ideas
• Roamilicious – 17 Date Ideas for Introverts

This article was first published on Metropolitan Girls.

The post 36 Date Ideas for Every Introvert appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

A Practical Guide to Ice Cream Date: Tips & Ideas

In this dating guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about ice cream date. First we’ll take a look at what’s great and what’s not so great about getting ice cream as a date. Then we’ll get into the nuances such as picking the best time and location, deciding what to wear, things to do, etc.

1. Pros and Cons
2. Time and Location
3. Things to Do
4. Outfit Ideas
5. Pictures

Pros and Cons

Advantages in General

Reasons why you should go on an ice cream date whether it’s a first date or your 1001st.

1. Ice cream is awesome – everybody loves ice cream or a variation of frozen desserts. Even if the date gets boring and the conversation becomes dull, you’ll still have a great time because ice cream.
2. It’s cute – getting ice cream and perhaps sharing with your partner is such a cute thing to do whether you’re 18 or 80 years old. It feels like you’re in a Pixar film when the two of you share the same cone.
3. It’s budget-friendly – ice cream is inexpensive. If you’re looking for a cheap date idea then definitely give this date idea a try. Just avoid one of those overpriced high-end specialty frozen dessert shops.
4. It’s always the right time to have ice cream – ice cream is the perfect treat to get no matter what time of the day or what season of the year. Morning ice cream? The perfect way to start a day with ample energy. Getting a sorbet when it’s a winter wonderland out there? Well that’s just you toasting to the snow and ice of the season.

Advantages as a First Date

Reasons why getting ice cream is the best first date idea.

1. You stay sober – you may get a little sugar rush if you have too much ice cream but other than that your thinking stays clear.
2. Your safety is guaranteed – the date is less likely to go haywire when you’re in public and surrounded by the staff and other patrons. If you feel threatened by your date, you can always get help from the people nearby.
3. It’s flexible – the date is a long as you want it. Stay for a second serving to max out your daily calorie quota or move on to other activities if the date is going well. Alternatively, if you’re not feeling the vibe, simply make up some excuses after finishing your ice cream and bow out.
4. Ice cream says a lot about your date – everything from their favorite flavor ice cream to how they eat it provide a glimpse into their personality. Of course, you shouldn’t be using these to judge them, but getting extra data points sure helps when you don’t know your date so well.

Disadvantages

Below are some reasons and situations where getting ice cream may not be a good idea.

1. Unfriendly to people who are lactose-intolerant and vegan – people who have lactose intolerance can’t digest ice cream and other dairy-based products very well. And vegans avoid eating food that contains animal products. Fortunately, there are many other frozen treats that do not contain dairy such as soy-based or coconut-based ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt (froyo).
2. High calorie – one of the reasons why ice cream is so satisfying to eat is its fat and sugar content that give its creamy texture and sweet taste. Sugar and fat are packed with calories–that means you’re more likely to gain weight if you don’t find ways to burn those calories!
3. It can get messy – unlike coffee that stays liquid, ice cream melts. And when it melts it drips and that goes to the table or your hand or your clothes. The solution? Avoid cones. Go with a cup or a bowl instead. Personally, I love cones and licking and biting my ice cream. But eating out of a cup with a spoon is a good tradeoff if you want to avoid creating a mess.

Next, let’s take a look at some planning tips. Getting ice cream doesn’t really require any sort of extensive planning, but here are some things you can do to make sure that the date goes smoothly.

Time & Location: When and Where to Have Ice Cream

What’s great about ice cream is you can have it anytime, anywhere. An ice cream date is even more flexible than a coffee date–because eating ice cream in the evening doesn’t give anyone insomnia. So you can choose to do it in the morning, evening, or noon. In terms of season, ice cream helps to cool you down in summer. But it’s just as fun to have ice cream on a cold winter day–in fact, some believe that wintertime is the best time to get ice cream. In other words, it’s never not the right time to get ice cream.

As for location, I recommend three types of venues:-

1. Ice cream parlor – perfect meeting place for a first date. As mentioned earlier, meeting at a public place like an ice cream shop keeps you safe. Also, isn’t it cute that your first date happens at an ice cream shop? Besides, you get dozens of ice cream flavors to choose from (31 flavors in the case of Baskin Robbins). There are also a variety of toppings and sauces available so you can customize your cup of ice cream based on your preference.
2. Park – meeting at the park for ice cream or a cup of coffee can be a fun second or third date. Just don’t do that if you already had ice cream for the first date, that could cause some confusion. The best times to meet are when the flowers are blooming in spring, on a breezy summer day, or when fall foliage is in full swing.
3. Home – An at-home ice cream date night is one of the coziest and cutest things to do as a couple. Share a pint of your partner–food tastes better when you have to fight for it–or be courteous and corny by feeding each other. Avoid eating ice cream at the dining table, that’s just a regular snack, not a date. Some locations to consider include the couch, balcony, backyard, or the nook area if you have one. There is so much you can do at home over ice cream and we’ll talk more about that in the next section.

What to do on an Ice Cream Date?

So your date is here and the ice cream is served, what can you do besides eating ice cream? What do other couples do when they’re on an ice cream date?

Things to Do at an Ice Cream Shop

1. Find out more about your date by asking open-ended questions. Here are some conversation topic ideas to get you started.
2. Talk about yourself and your interests. Remember, a conversation, and relationship in that matter, is a two-way street. On a first date, you want to find out if your date is interesting to you and let them find out if you’re interesting to them.
3. Observe your date’s interest level – any eye contact? Do they check their watch or smartphone at lot? Do they just straight out ignore you? Do they show any signs of impatience? If they seem visibly uninterested, a second date may be off the table.
4. Play games – I don’t recommend this activity for a first date because it takes away too much attention from your date. On a first date, you should spend more time talking and get to know each other better. But other than that, some conversation games or two-player card games can be fun to play over ice cream.
5. Take photos – take a few snapshots of your meeting for memory’s sake. Don’t forget the ice cream! They deserve to be a part of your photos. #icecreamdate
6. Flirt – when a date is going well, flirting is usually a natural progression. If you are on a first date and you aren’t really well-versed in the art of flirting, I’d say stick to verbal flirting and avoid touching your date–especially if you’re a guy. But if you’re comfortable and you’re sure you have read the vibe correctly, you can add in some gentle, non-creepy light touches.
7. Eat ice cream! An ice cream date that doesn’t involve eating ice cream is hardly an ice cream date at all. A successful date is one that both parties find enjoyable. So remember to really savor your ice cream.

Things to Do At Home

In addition to the activities that you can do outside, there are many more fun things to do at home. Below are some ideas.

1. Cuddle – cozy up under a blanket on the couch with a blizzard going on outside.
2. Watch a movie – television and food are made for each other. So bring up that movie you have always wanted to watch or that TV show on Netflix and devour a pint with your partner.
3. Dinner x ice cream – ice cream is always a great idea. Except when it’s the only meal you eat. An at-home ice cream date feels complete when it’s preceded by having a meal together. Cook together or order delivery for less hassle.
4. Play games – there are so many different types of games you can play at home: board games, card games, conversation games, and even PC/console games.

Outfit Ideas: What to Wear to an Ice Cream Date

Getting ice cream is a casual date, so you will want to wear something casual. Don’t worry though if the date happens during lunch hour and you’re in business attire, there aren’t any fashion police to arrest you. Having said that, if you get to choose what to wear, casual attire is definitely more appropriate. That doesn’t mean you should be wearing pajamas!  Below are some ice cream date outfit ideas for guys and girls.

Ladies

1. Cami top (crop or regular) and denim shorts or jeans. Complete the outfit with a comfortable pair of sneakers or wedges.
2. Sundress – a must-have in every woman’s wardrobe. The perfect dress to wear on a summer day. For colder seasons, throw on a denim jacket and a pair of ankle boots.
3. T-shirt and shorts. Seriously. It’s an ice cream date, t-shirts and shorts are perfectly acceptable. Just make sure you look tidy. Put on some light makeup and wear some jewelry if you want to look like you’ve put some effort into your look.

Gentlemen

1. T-shirt and shorts. Wear a clean t-shirt, one that hasn’t worn out around the neckline. Apply some deodorant and spray a little bit cologne to freshen yourself up and boost your self-confidence.
2. White t-shirt and jeans. Go for a clean look that makes you feel comfortable with yourself and your date will feel that same way about your presence too. Throw on a hoodie or a bomber jacket when the days get cold.
3. Collar shirt and shorts.
4. Button-down shirt and jeans or shorts. This is as formal as you should get for ice cream. Go with a more casual-looking shirt.

For Inspiration: Ice Cream Date Pictures

Below are some interesting pictures we found on Instagram related to ice cream date and ice cream in general.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEhyeiEJ0_o/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEfFlLUH_My/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEPZlUugXqd/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CC3blhEnv3B/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B11tlm4n-TZ/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAIcsNgBsBb/

The post The Only Guide to Ice Cream Date You’ll Ever Need appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

Cute Long-Distance Relationship Things to Do: 18 Ideas for Couples Who Live in Different Time Zones

1. Countdown
2. Couple goals
3. Stay up late
4. Care package
5. Snail mail
6. Share music
7. Human alarm
8. Matching outfits
9. Couple jewelry
10. Photo album
11. Eat together
12. Couple journal
13. Weekly date
14. Pinterest board
15. Couple blog
16. Play games
17. eCard
18. Open-when letters

1. Countdown to your next meeting

Keep track of the days before you are in each other’s arms again by starting a countdown. I have heard some good words about Between — an app designed for couples that allow you to do a number of things which include doing countdowns for special days. But Google Docs or any similar tools will work just fine. To turn it into an activity, take turns to update the countdown. Don’t forget to put the meeting date below the countdown. Another cute thing to do is to add your name below every time you update the countdown. If you don’t know when you’ll be meeting, start planning! Having something in common for you and your partner to look forward to is a great way to keep the relationship alive.

2. Create couple goals: things you want to do together as a couple

Ask your partner to create a list of relationship goals you want to achieve together — a shared bucket list if you will. Know your limit. If your relationship is new and you’re not ready to discuss about marriage and kids, leave those out. Other than that, it’s pretty much up to you what goals you want to achieve as a couple. Some examples include:-

• Meet up this summer
• Visit Paris
• Get a matching tattoo
• Start a blog

Make uses of tools like Google Docs/Sheets and Pinterest. Pinterest is excellent for gathering and keeping ideas but you can only save images and it can get messy in term of organization. More about Pinterest later in this article. Google Sheets is excellent for creating and keeping track of couple goals but it can feel business-like.

3. Stay up late or wake up early to say hi to your partner

When you’re many time zones apart, say you’re 8 to 12 hours ahead of your partner, any spontaneous activities are close to impossible. When you’re awake, your partner is asleep, vice versa. So you’re better off with a putting a routine in place to talk and for video calls. However, just for spontaneity, stay up past your bedtime or wake up early to give your partner a little surprise. Get a video call going or do one of these activities for long-distance couples.

4. Be thoughtful. Send a care package

Surprise your partner with a thoughtful gift. Everybody loves a good care package because it makes you feel loved and cared for. Not to mention the delicious snacks that come with it. But don’t limit yourself to just food, a care package should be customized to your partner’s needs. Find out what they need or will need then fill your care box with items that will fulfill their needs. Here are some examples:-

• Books or magazines
• Cookies
• Chocolate bar
• Cookies
• Tea or coffee
• Shaver blade
• Disposable shavers
• Shaving cream
• Moisturizer
• Lotion
• Deodorant
• Body spray
• Scented candle
• Bath bomb

For more ideas, check out these articles:-

• LDR Care Packages – Lasting the Distance
• 12 Best Care Packages – Good Housekeeping
• 9 Thoughtful Care Packages – Real Simple

5. Write, sign, and send a love letter via snail mail

Mail correspondence was how distance lovers stayed in touch before electricity and later on, internet, became common. It’s slow and inefficient. But in this age when everything is about speed, efficiency, and instant-ness, there’s beauty in sending and receiving a good ol’ fashion letter. Most importantly, receiving a handwritten letter is an emotional experience. Your partner will be going through a series of emotion the moment they lay eyes on your letter in their mailbox — suspense, surprise, and finally the joy of reading the handwritten letter from you.

6. Share music playlist

Listen to the same music even when you’re separated by distance and time. Create a song list that only belongs to the two of you. Music streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube music support collaborative playlists which means you can add songs for each other to listen to. You can also create a listen-when playlist for your partner. Similar to open-when letters, a listen-when playlist is a collection of songs you curate for your lover to listen to when they experience a certain emotion or encounter a particular situation in their life. Some examples are: Listen when you’re lonely, listen when you need to focus, listen when you’re working out.

7. Become each other’s alarm

When you’re living in different time zones, one of you is likely to be awake at a given time. So why not play the role of a human alarm clock once in a while? Waking up to the soothing voice of your partner (preluded by the ringtone) is a great way to start a day.

8. Wear matching outfits

Nothing screams “we’re a couple” than wearing matching couple outfits. Some couples find it embarrassing to wear matching outfits. But you don’t have this problem when you’re  hundreds or thousands of miles apart from one another. Nobody knows it is a matching outfit but the two of you–it’s like a little secret between you two. Avoid obvious designs Mr. and Mrs., wearing those only make you feel more lonely. Try outfits with matching themes instead. For example, wear olive green or wear your favorite band t-shirt together. Remember to take a photo of your OOTD and share it with your partner.

9. Always be connected by wearing matching jewelry

Out of sight, out of mind is real–and matching jewelry can help overcome this problem. Matching outfits are a fun idea but you can’t do that every day; it is impractical and it will get old really fast. Not to mention that you don’t really see what you’re wearing unless you are looking at a mirror. Matching couple jewelry is a good alternative for LDR couples who want to feel connected. Bracelets, rings, and pendant necklaces are some of the more common jewelry choices. Be sure to check out our selection of couple bracelets and couple keychains.

10. Curate a photo album

Photos are the best way to keep memories alive. Create a photo album that belongs to only the two of you. Start with a theme. For instance, the album could be about the trip you and your partner took last summer or it could be an album about the long-distance relationship itself — photos of your first meeting, special occasion, etc. It can be a team effort but not necessarily. If you want to you can curate an album by yourself, print it out, and mail it to your partner as a surprise.

11. Enjoy a meal together

Determine your overlapping waking hours and schedule a meal together. For time-zone neighbors, that could be a brunch or a dinner-supper. Couples who are many time zones apart may find a breakfast-dinner date or a lunch-supper date more feasible. It can be casual or you can make it fancy by require dress code. A casual meal is stress-free and relaxing, you can chow down your food out of the delivery box in your pajamas on the couch. However, for occasions like birthday, you might want to feel more special by requiring dress code, setting your table, and plating your food in a fancy way. Remember, a date is special if you make it special.

12. Start a couple journal and fill it with the memories of you and your partner

Capture your story and adventures as a couple in your very own couple’s journal. Record important information about your relationship in the journal–when did the relationship become official, when did the first kiss happen, what is your favorite food, etc. For digital journals, add photos, sound clips, and video clips. The journal is your playground and you can do anything with it. Create the journal using a collaborative word processor like Google Docs or just use a blogging tool. Another idea that requires more effort but could pay off is sharing a physical journal. Each of you is responsible for the journal for say a month or two before mailing it back to the other. When the journal is in your care, you are responsible for adding content to the journal.

13. Routine matters! Go on a virtual date every week.

Spontaneity makes your heart race and make you feel like the protagonist of a romance movie. But it is routine that ensure the survivability of a cross-time-zone relationship. Phone calls, video calls, text messages, and emails are common staples for LDR couples. But if you haven’t already, you should really add a weekly date to the mix. Start by finding a convenient time to meet every week then block it off in your calendar. There are a lot of different dates you can try which include coffee date, games, yoga, etc., check out this list of long-distance virtual date ideas for inspiration.

14. Become idea hoarders by becoming Pinterest board collaborators

Pinterest is a great tool for gathering inspiration in the form of images. A board in Pinterest is like a folder where you keep images that are thematically related (or not, that’s up to the board owner to decide). Using Pinterest, you and your partner can save ideas that interest the both of you–ideas ranging from LDR-related stuff like quotes and dating tips to recipes and horoscope. You can search from ideas that other community members are sharing or add your own from any websites. You can also follow other members’ boards and even become a contributor. For example, here are some Pinterest boards about LDR and relationship in general:-

• Long Distance Relationship board by user Destiny Murphy
• Long Distance Relationship board by user Kissengers
• couple goals! board by user Alexa Martinez

15. Start a long-distance couple’s blog and make it a success

Starting a blog can be a fun thing to do with your partner. The blog can be a digital journal for your LDR journey. Or it can be a blog about your common interests. You can start a blog with little to no money at all. In which you can share your experience as someone who’s involved in a long-distance relationship–the challenges, how do you overcome those challenges, etc. A variation of this idea would be an LDR YouTube channel.

16. Play games

While you can’t meet in the physical world, you can meet in the virtual world. Have a microphone set up so you can talk while you’re playing. Find time to play together. But that could be a challenge depending on your time zones. I usually recommend Stardew Valley–a farming game– as seen in our previous LDR ideas article, but that requires all players to be online at the same time. If you can find time to stay online for a longer period of time, definitely give Stardew Valley a try. However, if that is a challenge, try Minecraft instead. Minecraft is a hugely popular sandbox game. In the game, you can build anything you want from a small hut to a villain’s lair to a giant calculator. What makes this game perfect for couples in different time zones is that it doesn’t require both of you to be present at the same time (but only with the right setup–such as a dedicated server). You can work on a project as a couple or leave surprises in the game for your partner. Think of it as a private space belonging only to the two of you where you build, discover, and live together.

17. Surprise your LDR partner with a fun eCard

As opposed to a handwritten card’s heartwarming experience, receiving an eCard from someone you love is exciting and fun. These digital greeting cards are instant, free, and take little effort to send–although you might want to personalize it by writing a paragraph or two. You can design your own card if you’re adept at graphic design. Or you can just use one of the many eCard services available such as Blue Mountain, 123Cards, and Punch Bowl. There are all sorts of designs available for free, many features interesting animation and sound. Some even have a text-to-audio feature. That means your message will be read to your partner when they open it. Now that’s something a traditional greeting card can’t do.

18. Preemptive loneliness solution: open-when letters

One of the biggest challenges long-distance couples face is the absence of their partner when they need them. The challenge is compounded when the couple is also separated by time zones, in addition to the distance. You can overcome this problem with a preemptive measure–Open When letters. Care packages take care of physical needs, while Open When letters handle the emotional needs, providing love, care, and support to your partner when they need it and you’re not around. Here are some Open When letter ideas:-

• When you miss me
• When you are sad
• When you are jealous
• When you need a hug
• When you are stressed
• When you need someone to talk to

… and that wraps up our list of LDR ideas that will work for couples who live in different time zones. Did you find anything useful from this list? What is your best-kept tips and tricks for LDR couples? Do you have anything to add?

The post 18 Fun Long-Distance Relationship Ideas: Cute Things to Do When You’re In Different Time Zones appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

32 Fun Activities for Long-Distance Couples: Best Long-Distance Relationship Activities to Keep the Relationship Alive

Some of these activities can be a full-fledged date, while others are more of cute things to do with your partner. These ideas are dedicated to couples in long-distance relationship who are looking to keep the sparks flying in their relationship.

1. Live performance
2. Blog
3. Book club
4. Pizza party!
5. Exercise
6. Study together
7. Ice cream date
8. Couple goals
9. Movie date
10. Countdown
11. Song list
12. Plan a trip
13. Weekly date
14. Photo album
15. Binge-watch Netflix
16. Gift exchange
17. Karaoke
18. Pinterest
19. Couple’s journal
20. Online class
21. Dance
22. Paint
23. Breakfast
24. Go for a walk
25. Shop
26. Games
27. Fashion show
28. Bubble bath
29. Show and tell
30. Coffee
31. Fancy dinner
32. Visit Your SO

1. Watch live performance

At the time of writing, there is a surge of live performances available online–no thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. There are live concerts, ballet, musicals, and opera to watch on YouTube alone. Most of the time, they are just recordings of live shows. But once in a blue moon, you’ll find shows that are really happening in real-time, like this live opera event from Royal Opera House. In any case, it’d be fun to find and watch your favorite band play live or your partner’s favorite theatrical play together without leaving your house.

2. Keep a long-distance couple’s blog

Start a blog together. Write about any topics that interest you. One example would be your long-distance relationship experiences such as how did it all start, the challenges that you face, and relationship building ideas. But don’t limit your creativity. You can write about economics, politics, board games–as long as it’s a common interest. If you’re worried about the cost, don’t! A blog can be started for free or for as little as a few dollars per month.

3. Start your very own private book club

Launch your very own private book club where the members are the two of you. Start slow. Find a book you both find interesting. Set a deadline but don’t be overly aggressive. Make sure that the deadline that allows you to progress at a leisure place. You don’t want the members to feel like a chore. Once the book club has established itself, you can take turn to challenge the other member (i.e. your partner) to read a book of your choosing. This will be a great way to find out the likes and dislikes of your partner.

4. Throw a long-distance pizza party!

Pizza = awesome. Feel awesome together by enjoying your very own pizza party! Order pizza delivery but don’t forget to buy some beer or soda on your way home. Pizza is the centerpiece and some snacks like buffalo wings and chips will make your taste bud (and belly) go boom. If you’re up for it, ask your partner to wait at home on an empty stomach then order some pizza to be delivered to them as a surprise. Everybody loves a surprise party, especially when it involves an unhealthy amount of cheese-packed pizza.

5. Become each other’s exercise partner

Binge-eating pizza makes you feel so good when you’re doing it. But those gazillion calories aren’t going to burn themselves. Exercise is a great way to burn calories. If you want to get rid of some fat and tone your body, exercise is a must-have component in your regimen. As a keystone habit, regular exercise also improves other aspects of your lives. For example, you may find that your mood improves and you’re more more motivated at work. Not to mention that many has attested to the saying “couples who sweat together stay together.” So set a weekly schedule with your SO to get some exercise done together. All you need is an exercise mat and a smartphone (or webcam). Yoga is an excellent stretching exercise to do as a couple — watch these yoga YouTube channels to get started.

6. Become each other’s motivation to study

This is a perfect activity for long-distance student couples. Studying is the only way to maintain and improve your grades. Instead of being a distraction to each other, why not help each other to stay focused instead? Ideally, this should be done via Skype. In my experience, Skype does better in terms of noise cancellation. If the student days are long behind you, read some books together instead.

7. Let’s go on an ice cream date!

Rum & raisin, butter pecan, Belgian chocolate, vanilla, strawberry… what is your favorite ice cream flavor? Summer or winter, it’s never not the season to enjoy ice cream. Get your SO to join you for some ice cream from the comfort of your living room or head outside. A virtual ice cream date can happen at the park, on a bench next to the river, or at an ice cream parlor–which could be the ideal place because the choices they offer, as long as the place isn’t too crowded and noisy.

8. Set couple goals – the ultimate todo list as a couple

What are the things that you want to do or goals you want to achieve together as a couple? Nothing is too big or too small a goal. It helps that your goal is actually achievable. For example, going to Mars is too unrealistic for most people. A better goal would be sharing a Mars bar or going to a Bruno Mars concert. Start a shared Google Docs document or add the goals to your couple blog. Below are some goal examples for LDR couples:-

• Meet once every 3 months
• Live together in 2 years
• Go to Vegas for vacation
• Get a matching tattoo
• Start a YouTube channel

9. Romantic movie date night

Watching a movie together then post on social media afterward is not a “cute thing to do” reserved for proximal couples. Thanks to the internet and Netflix, you too can enjoy a romantic movie date night with your bae. Watching a movie can be a spontaneous activity but I strongly recommend that you go with the planned route. Nothing feels less productive than browsing the Netflix catalog looking for a something to watch. So pick a movie at least a few days ahead. Set a date and a time. Make it known that it’s a date so that you have something to look forward to. Prepare food and snacks (popcorn, anybody?). Look up this tool called Netflix Party. It’s a neat tool that enables you to watch the same show on Netflix in sync.

10. Countdown to your next meeting

How many days more until your next meeting? Start a countdown. You can use an app that does that for you. But it’d be more meaningful if you two share the work of doing the countdown manually. How? Google Docs to the rescue! Or you can also use your couple blog. You won’t be updating the number every day. Take turns to update the countdown every few days or every week. As the number of days dwindled, it wouldn’t be long before you’re embracing each other once again.

11. Curate your very own music playlist together

What are you listening to at the moment? Perhaps there are some older songs that you keep listening to. Wouldn’t it be nice to share what you love with your partner? Find out what kind of music they listen to. Some music streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music support collaborative playlists. It means you can curate the same playlist as partners-in-crime. It would be the sweetest thing to listen to the same songs when you’re miles apart.

Articles Related to Couple Activities

• Spring Date Ideas: Cute Spring Dates For Couples
• 55 First Date Ideas That Aren’t Netflix and Chill
• 5 Fun & Cheap Summer Date Ideas
• 8 Late-Night Date Ideas
• 5 Rainy-Day Date Ideas

1Date2. Plan a trip – where to go, how to get there, what to do

One of the ways to make sure that a long-distance relationship last is by having something for you to look forward. If you will, think of it as a carrot dangling in front of a donkey that is your relationship. A fun and romantic trip with your partner can be a really effective carrot. Don’t worry if you haven’t come up with a fixed date. Just start with roughly when you will have free time for a trip. Then figure out a destination. Some of the factors to consider would be distance, time, and cost. The whole process can take weeks if not months and that will give you two a common goal. Don’t worry if the trip doesn’t become reality. Sometimes the real treasure is the time you spend together.

13. Date weekly. Do something special each week to keep the relationship alive and fresh

One of the best ways to keep a relationship alive is going on a date. While the physical distance between you is real, there’s nothing the technology gods can’t fix. There’s a lot of different dates you can try, armed with a stable high-speed internet, laptop with webcam, and a smartphone. Make it a weekly activity or biweekly — anything longer than that can make your relationship go stale real quick. When you’re in a long-distance relationship, it’s easy to forget your SO as a priority. “Out of mind, out of sight” is a real phenomenon for many people. To keep the fire burning, block out part of your schedule for your partner. For example, Wednesday after eight is your weekly date night, Sunday morning you’re having breakfast together then go out for a walk.

14. Curate photo album

If you have way too many photos on your hard disk, it’s time to organize and put together a photo album that is a summary of your relationship up until now. Get your partner to contribute! It’s not a couple activity if you do all the work. Google Photos and Apple iCloud have the collaborative photo album feature. Flickr doesn’t have that but you can add the photos to a private group you own instead. Or you can go through the photos together by sharing your screen with your partner and decide on which photos to go into the album. Once you’re done with creating the album, print it out. Digital photos are awesome but prints that you can hold in your hand and keep on your shelves feel extra precious. Don’t forget to send your SO a copy.

15. Binge-watch Netflix – sitcom, thriller, drama, sci-fi – anything goes

A movie date has a form. Come to think about it, binge watching, too, has a form. And that form is pajamas, snacks, and watching one episode too many. Ideally you should only do this during daytime or when there’s nothing happening the next day. But as couples who live in different time zones and other binge-watchers will tell you, you don’t choose when to start a binge-watch session, it chooses you. So enjoy your Netflix sesh with your bae until one of you fall asleep on the couch.

16. Gift exchange – send each other little gifts

Sometimes long-distance couples don’t get to spend Christmas and holiday season together. Make sure you get your long-distance partner a good Christmas gift. Mail it to them earlier–in late November or early December– a shipment can get delayed during the holiday season. If you feel weird telling your partner that you’re doing a “gift exchange”, just tell them that you’re sending them a little surprise. Love is as much about giving as receiving. Hopefully they’ll reciprocate your thoughtfulness.

17. Karaoke – singing activity everybody loves

Shut your doors and windows because it’s time for a karaoke session. Sing together or take turn to sing. Impress and be impressed–or not–karaoke is all about having fun and singing to your heart’s content. It’s perfectly normal to be off-key or missing some lyrics. As a matter of fact, it’s probably less fun if your date is a pro at singing.

18. Share Pinterest board – collect long-distance relationship quotes and activities to do with your partner

Pinterest is the best way to keep and share ideas. It is perhaps best known for its food and craft community but there are virtually every topics available on Pinterest. In case if you aren’t familiar with Pinterest, you can also just use it as a bookmarking tool to keep the ideas (in image form) that you find online without having to interact with other members of the site. One of Pinterest’s features is the collaborative board, meaning that you and your partner can share and keep ideas together. For example, you can have a relationship quote board to keep you inspired, a zodiac board for zodiac quotes and other Astrology related topics.

19. Keep a couple’s journal

Create a journal to record your adventures as a long-distance couple. Since a physical journal is out of the question, use an app, start a shared Google Docs, or start a blog. Some blogging platforms like WordPress allows you to publish a private or password-protected blog post so you can keep part of your blog private. A couple’s journal is like a book that you co-author and there’s no fixed format — you decide what goes into your journal. Having said that, here are some ideas in case if you’re looking for inspiration:-

• List of special dates–anniversary, birthday, meeting for the first time, etc.
• Details of each visits
• Countdown to the next visit
• Daily happenings
• Couple goals
• Inspiring LDR quotes
• Share stories
• Ask and answer questions
• Love confession
• Meaningful photos

20. Take a lesson online together

Help each other become a better person by enrolling yourselves in an online class. Improve your knowledge and have fun as a couple at the same time. Go with one of the free online learning platforms such as Coursera and Khan Academy or invest in a MasterClass membership for lessons led by experts and celebs. If you don’t feel like committing to an online class, learning more about a particular topic on YouTube can also be a fun thing to do as a couple. Of course, if you’re serious about learning something, structured learning platform like Coursera is a much better way to learn. The way they conduct their classes feel like a real college lesson and the whole system feels very engaging with its time-limited videos, assignments, and discussions. It’s cute to help each other out with the assignments.

21. Dance with your long-distance lover

Put on some music and dance with your partner. Show them some of your dance moves. Don’t worry if you can’t dance, many people can’t. What’s important is that you’re both having fun. Actually, don’t just put on some music, put on some awesome music that you both enjoy and dance to it. When the atmosphere feels right, feel free to get a little naughty and do a little dirty dancing for your partner to spice things up further.

22. Unleash your creativity. Paint to your heart’s content with your LDR partner

Put on your painter’s beret and your favorite music. It’s time to let your creativity get to work. Acrylic is fun to work with but the medium is irrelevant. Oil, watercolor, crayon… anything goes. What matters is doing it together as a bonding activity. Have a quick discussion before doing the actual painting. What is your art piece going to be? Are you going to paint the same subject? When you’re done, it’s time to show each other your masterpiece.

23. Breakfast

Many LDR activities happen after work or classes. So it can be refreshing to take breakfast together first thing in the morning. Squeeze in a quick meal with your bae before the hustle and bustle, ask them if they sleep well and offer praise on what they’re wearing–you know, things that couples who live together do. Alternatively, you can delay the breakfast until the weekend, when you will have plenty more time to brew your Colombian coffee, fry up some eggs and sausages before chilling out at your apartment balcony with your partner.

24. Bring your partner out for a walk for a change

Bring a power bank, put on your favorite walking shoes, and take your date out on a virtual tour around the neighborhood. Show them around where you live. The shops that your frequent. The park and your favorite bench. If you have done this before, is there anything different from the last tour? Perhaps the season has changed and the flowers are now blooming. Don’t worry if there isn’t much to show. Being outdoor with your date uplift your mood and that alone is pretty great.

25. Shop together, virtually

Let your partner help out with your shopping tasks and vice versa. Shopping is a fun way to spend a few hours together especially when both of you have something to buy. Start by creating a shopping list. Not sure what to buy? Consult your partner. Get them to help out with the research and come back with recommendations. Already narrowed down a to particular product? Hunt for the best deal online together. Act like each other’s shopping assistant just like conventional couples do at the mall.

26. Play games

Old-school games like bingo are fun and don’t require anything other than paper and pen. But for some serious fun, and I mean games worthy of sinking in hundreds and even thousands of hours with your bae, console or PC games are your best option. One game that I enjoy recommending to any casual gamers is Stardew Valley. It is a fun and relaxing farming game. Play solo or as a team. Cultivate crops, raise livestock, make cheese, brew wine, go fishing–these are just some of fun things you can do in the game. Its graphics are pleasant and colorful. The background music is soothing and calming. Stardew Valley is also available on a variety of platforms such as PC, Android, PlayStation, etc.

27. Fashion show

Lost in the abyss of your closet are clothes that you had loved but forgotten. Take everything out from your closet. Throw away or donate clothing that you no longer need. While you’re at it, put on a fashion show where the audience is your SO. Stick to normal fashion if you’re serious about wearing them out and want to get your partner’s opinion. Or you can go crazy by mismatching a bunch of different fashion elements.

28. Bubble bath

On a slow and relaxing evening, get in the bath with your distance lover. Put on some light music–you don’t want it to become high-pitched noises on your partner’s end. Light up some aromatic candles and bubble up the bath. Use a towel and the bubble strategically to keep things G-rated (or not). Ask your partner how their day went–you know, things that couples talk about–or just chill and have your stress and worries melt away in the hot bath.

29. Show and tell

School children do it all the time to improve their language skill. As it turns out, show and tell is a cute activity for distance couples too. Pick something special and tell each other what’s the story behind it. Alternatively, pick something for your partner and have them talk about the item’s backstory.

30. Virtual coffee date

Establishing a consistent phone call (or video call) schedule is crucial in keeping a long-distance relationship alive. Talking to each for as little as five to ten minutes a day can do wonders for the relationship in the long run. But sometimes topics run dry and the dialogue become repetitive. Silence during a phone call can send the wrong signal that the relationship is going downhill. The solution? Make it a coffee date. Adding a cup of coffee to your video call shifts the emphasis away from the talking. The result is a relaxing video call sesh where you’re just hanging out and chilling.

31. Fancy dinner

Special occasions call for special celebratory activities. One such activities is a fancy dinner date. If you can’t meet up to celebrate special occasions like the anniversary or birthday, this activity is the next best thing to do with your SO. Treat it like an actual dinner date night at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Dress up in your grandest dress, your best undergarments, put on makeup, wear jewelry, and spray perfume. The environment is crucial to this date’s success. Dim the light, light up some candles, play some light music. Cover your dining table with a maroon tablecloth. Set the table with neatly arranged plate, silverware, and wine glass. The food that you’re eating is less important than the presentation, so delivery from a local restaurant is perfectly fine. Just make sure that you plate it stylistically. Request your partner to do the same, so that it feels like a real date at a fancy restaurant.

32. Visit Your SO

It goes without saying. The best thing for distance couples can do that trumps any other activities is to visit one another. The daily phone calls and weekly dates help to keep the relationship going but nothing can replace the warmth that you feel as you cuddle up to each other. So plan your next visit. Make it your couple goal and put it in your couple’s journal or blog. Plan ahead the details of your trip down to the hours so you get to spend more time together.

What are the activities that you plan to trying out with your LDR partner?

In this article, we’ve shared more than thirty exciting activities for couples who are in a long-distance relationship. These activities are fun and good for lovers who are looking for ideas to keep the spark in their relationship. Phone calls, video calls, and text messages are crucial for an LDR’s survival but to spice things up, don’t forget to try and experiment new activities with your partner.

The post 32 Fun Long-Distance Relationship Activities: Best Things to Do for Long-Distance Couples appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

11 Exciting Long-Distance Date Ideas to Keep the Sparks Flying: Virtual Dates for Long-Distance Couples to Enjoy Together

1. 1. Virtual Tour
   2. Exercise
   3. Online Class
   4. Coffee Date
   5. Bath
   6. Movie
   7. Breakfast
   8. Fancy Dinner
   9. Play Game
   10. Plan Outfits
   11. Plan Trip

1. Bring Your Date Out for A Walk

You’re probably used to having daily phone calls with your bae at home. When the weather is right, put on your favorite pair of sneakers and head outside for a change. Use this opportunity to show your partner around, I’m sure they’d be interested in knowing more about your neighborhood. If your partner used to live with you, share with them something new or something unique they haven’t seen before. All things considered, they will appreciate a change in scenery.

Don’t forget your wireless earphones. They help keep your conversation private.

2. Do Exercise Together

Exercise is a well-known keystone habit. Regular exercise not only keeps you fit, but it also helps to improve other aspects of your life. So pull out your exercise mat and sweat it out with your bae. Feel like you’re working out side-by-side by doing the same exercise together. Help spot mistakes in each other. Challenge each other to a plank–find out who lasts longer.

Yoga is perfect for this kind of date. Feel spiritually connected by doing the same pose at the same time. Take turns to lead. You can also follow a Youtube yoga instruction video — there are many Yoga videos on Youtube you can follow along. End with a short meditation session. As you close your eyes and let your breathing takes you, feel the physical barrier between you and your partner melts away.

3. Take an Online Class Together

A healthy relationship inspires you to become a better person. Improve together as a couple by taking lessons online. Learn something new by watching educational Youtube videos. Or better yet, enroll in an online class offered by digital learning platforms like Masterclass, Coursera, or Khan Academy. Find a topic that interests both of you. After each lesson, discuss what you’ve learned and help each other with the challenges that you face. At the end of it, you will have spent quality time with each other and become more knowledgeable–that sounds like a win-win.

Related: 30 Cheap Date Ideas

4. Let’s Grab Coffee

Coffee is an exceptional first date when you’re meeting someone for the first time. It is just as great for couples who have been together for a while. Having coffee together is a calm and casual affair. The social drug known as coffee is a lubricant that keeps the conversation going. What’s great about the coffee date is that it’s so flexible, you can bend and mold it to fit your needs. That includes doing it virtually instead of meeting physically at a cafe. All you need is a flat surface for your laptop or phone to sit on. That means it can happen in your living room, dorm room, or even at a coffee house–just use wireless earphones. The advantage of a virtual coffee date, as opposed to just a vanilla video call, is that it actually feels like a real date. Also sipping coffee helps relax your mind and provide a natural break when you aren’t talking. It can feel awkward when nobody talks during a video call but when you’re enjoying a cup of joe, that just seems natural.

5. Spend Time in the Bath Together

One of life’s luxuries is enjoying a hot bath after a long day–especially when it’s a winter wonderland out there. Why not share this blissful moment with your partner? A single tub might be too cramped for both of you, but if you’ve got two, there’s no reason not to do it.

A virtual bath sesh with your bae can be a great way to spice things up. Show off the abs that you have been working so hard lately or flaunt your asset for them. If you’re camera-shy, keep things G-rated by wrapping yourself with a towel–only removing it after you get into the bath. Make things interesting by bubbling the bath and lighting up some candles. Did I mention bubble? Absolutely go for a bubble bath. It totally elevates the bathing experience and piques your partner’s curiosity in what’s below those bubbles.

Read also: Long Distance Relationship Advice for College Students

6. Watch a Movie

The good ol’ Netflix and chill–with or without the sexual connotation. Pick a movie before the actual date so that you have something to look forward to. You can also do the movie picking itself on the date itself for a little spontaneity, but as you might have experienced before, sometimes you can spend more time browsing Netflix’s catalog than actually watching the movie. And that can feel like failure.

Set a time and prepare some movie snacks. Dim the lights, make it feel like an actual movie date–minus the commentators and moldy seats.

7. Have Breakfast Together

Long-distance couples don’t get to spend their mornings together, whether it’s weekdays or weekends. So it can be refreshing by finding time to have a virtual breakfast together. Weekend mornings are the natural choice of time but for a different experience, squeeze in a quick breakfast on a weekday morning before classes, work, or other obligations. Get yourself a glass of milk and some toast then talk to each other for 5-15 mins. Feel refreshed and energized throughout the day by having a quick morning conversation with your lover. Enjoy a different kind of breakfast during weekend mornings. You have all the time in the world, start the call, go fry up some eggs and sausages, make coffee — it’s like you’re living physically together. If you have a balcony or a backyard, bring your food out there. Enjoy the weather and the food and your lovely little breakfast date with your special person.

8. Virtual Fancy Dinner Date at Home

Spend a romantic evening with your date over a candle-lit dinner. Prepare your own dinner or call for delivery–just make sure that you plate your food like they do in a fancy restaurant. Pour yourself a glass of wine or champagne to feel extra special. Dress up. Put on makeup, wear your favorite jewelry. A date is special if both of you make it so. Keep this special date idea for special occasions such as birthday or do it just because you feel like it’s a special Friday night.

9. Play Game

Games are a great activity for couples–long-distance or not. If you’re both into gaming, there are no reasons not to play together. If you aren’t into gaming, this is a great time to start! Play against each other in a friendly competition that gets the adrenaline pumping or play as a team to foster trust and teamwork. Personally I advocate the latter because it feels like a relationship and a relationship is all about understanding and teamwork, never about competition. If you aren’t sure what co-op (cooperative) games to play, I recommend Stardew Valley–a casual and relaxing farming game where you run a farm as a team (you can also play solo though). You can grow vegetables and fruits, raise livestock, go fishing, mine ores, and even get married to each other (or other characters in the game). The graphics are retro and charming. The music is relaxing. All in all, it’s a great game to spend time with your partner.

Read next: 16 Long-Distance Relationship Gifts for Your Partner

10. Plan Your Outfits Together

Chances are you and your partner have been rotating the same outfits for months if not for years. Time for a little change. Take out everything from your closet. Throw away or donate unwanted old clothes. For the clothes that you’re keeping, add them to your weekly fashion roster. Not sure if a certain combination would work? Put it on and ask your date for their opinion. No peeping while you change though!

11. Plan Your Next Trip

Make it a couple goal to go on a trip together sometime in the future. It doesn’t have to be a grand trip. A short getaway to a nearby town when your partner is coming over to visit is just as great when you’re in love. Brainstorming and discussing which cities to visit can be a fun thing to do with your date too. Once you’ve narrowed down to a few options, it’s time to do some research on the internet. Ask and share opinion on the tourist attractions. Is there anything particular that caught your eyes? Did you visit that city previously and have a vivid memory of what happened? This would be a great time to share.

Read also: 10 Long-Distance Relationship Problems & Fixes

What is your preferred long-distance virtual date with your partner?

Much has changed in the past few decades that make long-distance relationships less torturing. Before the internet was invented, couples are who were separated by distance could only “rely” on the snail mail–which wasn’t at all reliable– and phone calls that cost you a fraction of your soul to use. The advent of the internet age brought forth email and later on, webcam and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services such as Skype that provided free internet calls. Nowadays long-distance couples are only a few finger taps away from reaching their partner thanks to the prevalence of high-speed internet and smartphones.

Technology has made long-distance dating more enjoyable by helping lovers to stay connected. By utilizing your smartphone or webcam, there are many virtual dates that you can go on with your partner both at home and outside. In this article, we have shared more than ten virtual date ideas that make use of tech gadgets to make you feel more connected with your lover. Did you find any idea that you’re planning to try out?

The post 11 Best Long-Distance Date Ideas: Activities for Long-Distance Couples to Do appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.

The Ultimate Guide to Coffee Date: Why It’s Awesome and Tips on How You Can Make It Even Better

1. Definition
2. Advantages
3. Disadvantages
4. Etiquette
5. Location
6. Time
7. Seating
8. Conversation
9. Flirting
10. Outfits
11. Virtual dating

Definition: what is a coffee date?

A coffee date is a social meeting where two individuals who might be interested in a romantic relationship meet over a cup of coffee. Because of its casual and stress-free nature, it makes an excellent first date.

Despite its name, you can replace coffee with any other drinks you prefer. For example, it could be a boba tea date or even a juice date. However, I feel that none of these terms are as catchy and as sticky as the term coffee date. So we’ll be using coffee date as a blanket term for all these other beverages.

So what’s so great about it?

Pro’s: advantages of coffee date — reasons why this is a great date idea

Here are some reasons why you should consider asking your date out for coffee.

1. It’s casual and stress-free. Unlike a picnic date that requires you to prepare food and drinks and a picnic blanket, there isn’t really any preparation for a coffee date. You don’t have to make a reservation and you don’t have to prepare your own food. While you should still wear something nice, there’s no need to dress up, wear jewelry, or wear makeup. It’s like meeting up a friend but with the expectation that it might blossom into a romantic relationship.
2. Your safety is ensured. The cafe staff is nearby and you’re surrounded by other patrons. If the date turns sour, you know where to get help. In fact, because you’re in public, your date is less likely to go seriously wrong. That means you can observe and understand your date in a safe environment. The sense of security also extends to your date, allowing them to feel more at ease which encourages them to enjoy themself better.
3. Coffee is inexpensive. As long as you avoid high-end coffee chains, grabbing coffee is one of the more inexpensive date ideas. Even at an upscale coffee shop, you are unlikely to spend more than $20 on a handcrafted cup of coffee (by the way, that price tag is outrageous). So if everything goes well and you want to stay for a second or third cup of coffee, you can do so without hurting your wallet. Another implication is when your date buys you coffee, you wouldn’t feel like you’re taking advantage of them.
4. You are not getting drunk. Coffee heightens your senses and makes you more aware of your surroundings. Your memory and focus improve when you consume coffee. Unlike alcohol, you won’t get drunk on coffee. There are many reasons why getting tipsy on a first date is a terrible idea. Among the reasons are you’re not being your normal self, you might overshare, and worst of all — things might get sexual prematurely.
5. You can easily cut short or prolong the date. It’s flexible. If the date isn’t going the direction you’re expecting you can always make up some excuse and leave. On the other hand, if your date is exactly how you want it to be and more, you can stay longer or go somewhere else with your date.
6. They work with your schedule. A coffee date can be a long and as short as you want it to be. The ideal times for a coffee date are during weekends in the morning or afternoon – because you can stretch the date afterward by inviting your match for lunch or dinner. However, the best thing about the coffee date is that it can happen whenever both of you are free. That could be during lunchtime or a quick 30 minutes the two of you manage to squeeze out during a weekday morning before heading to work.
7. You get to have meaningful conversations and understand each other better. The great thing (and also the bad thing, more on that in the Cons section below) is that you’re seated across from each other at a small table with nothing to do besides sipping coffee and just talk to each other.
8. You can learn so much from a coffee date. You won’t learn everything there is to them from just one date, whether it’s a coffee date or not. But compared to, say a movie date, you get to observe their behavior. Do they raise any red flags? For example, how do they treat the cafe staff? Do they act like a million dollars? Are they respectful and friendly? What kind of drinks do they prefer? Are they more of a Frappuccino person or do they prefer their coffee to be bold and black? Perhaps they aren’t a coffee person at all, they are just really interested to meet you, and that says a lot about their interest level.

Read also: Ideas for a Double Date

Cons: disadvantages of coffee date — areas where it doesn’t work so well

Meeting for coffee is a terrific first date but it isn’t without its own shortcomings. Below are some reasons why it sucks and solutions to make it better.

1. It’s not the most romantic date idea. A cafe or coffee shop provides an ideal venue for you to talk to your date. But you don’t normally associate these places with romance. I mean, do you find your local Starbucks romantic? I don’t. Solution: find a cozy coffee shop with a romantic atmosphere. Ideally, the music should be relaxing but not too loud. More tips on finding the best venue here.
2. You’re forced to talk to each other, almost continuously. People say silence is golden. But when there are the two of you at the tiny table, seconds of silence feel like decades. Couples who have been together for a long time get away by reading and playing their phones but when you’re on the first date, everything other than paying attention to your date is a taboo. Solution: accept that silence is a natural part of a conversation. Be prepared before the date, ask open-ended questions, talk about your date’s interests, talk about yourself but in moderation.
3. Coffee can have some unpleasant side effects. While it’s true that coffee doesn’t get you drunk, it isn’t without its own side effects. For instance, too much coffee can make you feel jittery. Some people also get nervous from drinking coffee. When you’re jittery and nervous, it might give off the wrong impression to your date. Coffee can also cause frequent urination, although a toilet break can provide some breathing room for each other. Last but not least, it gives you coffee breath. Solution: know your limit. Switch to a different beverage after a cup of coffee or order something other than coffee to drink in the first place. Get water for you and your date to stay hydrated and reduce coffee breath problem.
4. Not everybody is a coffee person. You might be making assumptions that your date drinks coffee. Coffee is a very popular beverage but not everyone enjoys it. Solution: find out if they drink coffee before you ask them out. Go for tea or a cafe that offers beverages other than coffee if they don’t enjoy coffee.
5. It doesn’t feel like a real date. Does your date even know that it’s a date? It’s fine if the two of you are new to each other but if you are friends, meeting over coffee may feel like a one-on-one hangout instead of a date. Solution: make it known that the meeting is a date. If you failed to mention it when you ask them out, try your best to get personal and subtly hint at the nature of the meeting when you’re at the cafe.

How to behave: coffee {date} etiquette

Because coffee is such a casual thing to do, there aren’t really any hard etiquette rules to follow. Below is some common courtesy you should show your date.

• Don’t be late. Time is the most precious commodity. Every one of us gets the same limited amount of the time each day. By agreeing to meet with you, your date is sharing a piece of their life with you. So make sure you respect their time by showing up when you’re supposed to. Speaking of respecting each other…
• Pay attention to your date. Attention to each other is crucial whether you’re on your first date or your 1000th date. Listen and contribute to the conversation. Avoid checking your watch and your phone every minute or worst — keep texting someone else when you’re on a date.

Selecting a venue. Where to grab coffee?

While you can grab coffee virtually anywhere (which includes having coffee literally virtually – as in via a video call), you should avoid locations like your own house or a busy restaurant. Meeting someone new at your house for a first date feels weird and may be dangerous. Restaurants tend to be noisy and make you smell like grease. They aren’t the best place to hold a conversation.

A Starbucks works just fine for this purpose if not a little boring. You’ve been to a Starbucks. You know they aren’t the most romantic place on earth. An ideal meeting place would be an indie boutique coffee shop that is cozy and has great music.

Decide a meeting time. When to meet, how long should it last?

You can do it whenever your schedules open up. But some meeting times are better than the others. For instance, you won’t be able to extend the date if it happens during lunchtime on a workday; you’re prone to insomnia if you meet for coffee in the evening.

The best time for a coffee date is weekend mornings.

Do it after breakfast or have breakfast together. Coffee and morning go hand in hand. Another advantage of doing it in the morning is you can stretch the date if it goes well. “Oh it’s almost noon, do you want to grab lunch?” It’s a natural progression. Perhaps there’s a new movie both of you are interested in watching. Watching a movie after having lunch together sounds like a great way to spend a weekend afternoon with a love interest.

How long should a coffee date be? Well, it is as long as you want it to be. It ranges from minutes to hours. For the first date, I would suggest 30 minutes to an hour.

Picking table, choosing seats

Avoid bar tables. It doesn’t matter if the bar table is facing a window that offers a great view. Why? Because you’re forced to sit side-by-side. This kind of seating arrangement makes it weird to have a proper conversation. It’s like you’re talking to the air or to your own reflection in the window 2 feet in front of you. Pick a table where you don’t have to sit side-by-side. You can either sit across from each other or sit diagonally. Sitting opposite each other gives you a good look at your date, it also encourages eye contact but it can feel too interview-like. Sit diagonally instead. Why? First, it takes off some pressure by not having to look at each other throughout the date. Second, eye contact is as simple as turning your head slightly to the left or to the right. Third, sitting diagonally gives you the option to let your bodies get closer or move away — so if you decide to touch knees or brush against your date’s arm (not in a creepy way), you can.

If the date happens on a crisp spring morning, you and your date might find it pleasant to sit outside. Other times when the days are too cold or too hot, you will be more comfortable staying inside.

What to talk about? Conversation tips and suggested topics

Start by introducing yourselves. Followed by pleasantries. Let the conversation carries you. The more you try to force it the more it feels like a job interview. Nobody likes to feel that way on a date. As you talk, find out if there is anything common between you two and try to explore that particular area where you intersect. That could be anything from school to work or where they live or even their love for a particular app. Anyway, here are a few casual conversation topics to break the ice and to keep the conversation going.

• How was your week? This may sound lame in a dating article but sometimes real-life conversation topics are boring; it’s the people who make them interesting. Ask them how was their week, what did they do, etc. Ask and share. What about you? What did you do? Did you learn a new yoga pose? Share with your date.
• How do you spend your time? You can find out a lot about a person from the answer to this question. Observe their body language as they reply. If they spend a dispropriate amount of time working, do they seem enthusiastic about it?
• How do you spend your free time? Many of us work because we have to. But what happens when there’s free time? What does your date do when they’re free? This is a great opportunity to find out if you share any common interests. A common interest is an excellent conversation topic.
• Talk about yourself. Don’t forget to talk about yourself! Dating and conversation are a two-way street. While you seek to understand your date, your date would also be interested to find out more about you. You can talk about yourself or any topics that interest you.
• Talk about coffee. There are many coffee lovers out there! Maybe your date is one of them. If you’re passionate about coffee and your date is a coffee aficionado, it could mean the start of a caffeine-fueled romance.

How to flirt properly in a cafe: flirting tips

When the date is going in the right direction, how can you spice things up? Granted, you might be sitting in a Starbucks. How can you flirt with your date surrounding by dozens of other customers and cafe staff? Below are some tips to help you out with your coffee flirting needs.

The ground rules for flirting are don’t be creepy and don’t overdo anything.

• Smile strategically. Imagine you’re dating someone. And they’re smiling non-stop. Doesn’t that feel kind of creepy? You know who never stops smiling? Pennywise. So avoid smiling like a maniac. The opposite, though, is just as bad. Don’t be all stoic and cold, show some enthusiasm by smiling from time to time when it feels right. And when you do that, remember to…
• Make eye contact. People say the eyes are the windows to one’s soul. So look your date in eyes from time to time. Not all the time, staring into someone’s eyes for longer than 10 seconds feel creepy no matter what the business article you’ve read says.
• Tease your date. I’m not a believer in negging (offering negative feedback). I think in some cases it does work, but no one should be on the giving or receiving end negging. So tease your date, but do so in a positive way.
• Offer genuine praise. A little flattery goes a long way whether you’re on a date or at a business networking event. The trick is, the praise has to be genuine. It has to come naturally as a response to a certain impressive aspect of your date. There’s no point faking it.
• Nobody is hugging it out or caressing anyone intensively in the cafe. But touching is a crucial part of flirting. If your date is going exceptionally well and you guys are hitting it off, It may be a good idea to sprinkle a little physical contact in your interaction. Start small and remain small. For example, let your knees touch for a second, brush your date’s arm. Come up with an excuse like want to check out their ring or bracelet to hold their hand for a few seconds. Do not overdo it — especially when you’re a guy. It’s like adding salt to your food, the right amount elevates the taste, but adding too much and your food is ruined. The same applies to touching as a flirting strategy on your first date. Touching your date once too many makes you a creep.

What to Wear: Coffee-Date Outfit Ideas

Coffee Date = Casual. So wear something casual and comfortable but make sure that you look like you put some effort into it. Don’t overdress either! No tuxedo, no gown, no ties, no suicide heels. Hoodies and t-shirts and shorts are fair game. But if you want to make it more special, here are some coffee outfit ideas that will work well for a casual date at the cafe.

Outfit Ideas for Women

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDkdU5nlznZ/

1. Sundress + a pair of flats. The perfect outfit for spring, summer, and fall. A fitting sundress instills self-confidence in you and makes you look irresistible. Throw on a pair of flats for extra comfort.
2. Fit & Flare dress + heels. The magical dress type that works for all body types including curvy women. A pair of kitten heels to boost your posture and self-esteem without sacrificing comfort.
3. Button-down shirt, jeans + sneakers or loafers. Casual with a little edge. Go with a top that is soft and comfortable.
4. Bodysuit + high-waist jeggings + ankle boots or a comfortable pair of sneakers. The bodysuit has a slimming effect and visually flattens the extra fat around your waist. High-waist jeggings elongate your legs, making them look longer and slender.

Outfit Ideas For Men

1. White / navy blue button-down shirt and khaki pants – throw on a jacket or hoodie in spring or fall. Complete this outfit with a sports watch and a pair of sneakers.
2. White / pink / blue button-down shirt and jeans – add on a sports jacket if you live in a more dressy neighborhood. Wear something on your hand — ring or bracelet or watch for potential conversation topics. Avoid formal-looking shoes.
3. For a real casual look, wear a plaid button-down shirt with a solid colored t-shirt underneath. Leave the top 1-2 buttons undone. Shorts are OK especially when the weather is great and you guys are sitting outdoor.

Virtual Coffee Date: Alternative During Pandemics

The first draft of this article was written during the Covid-19 pandemic. During a pandemic, it’s not safe to meet in areas where the risk of infection is high. To work around this problem, dating has turned virtual. A virtual coffee date is when two people meet virtually for coffee from two different locations. This usually happens in the form of a video call through a smartphone or a webcam.

Why not just do a video call? For one, a phone call is not a date. It lacks the ritualistic aspect and it also doesn’t have a natural time limit. Meeting virtually for coffee gives you a sense of an actual date. The time you spend drinking a cup of coffee is the subtle time limit for this date. When the time is up, you get a good excuse to say bye if your date isn’t what you expect. Another advantage this has over a coffee-less phone call is that you don’t have to talk non-stop. You can sip some coffee when you think of what to talk about next.

Couples who are in a long-distance relationship will find this kind of date a welcoming change to their routine video call. It’s a cute and fun thing to do with your partner.

A virtual date will never replace a date in real life but it’s a pretty good compromise if you can’t meet in person, for one reason or another.

Coffee as a Date: Yay or Nay?

Meeting over a cup of coffee is a great way to get to know someone new. It’s casual, stress-free, and safe. It excels as a first date because it’s inexpensive and flexible. Not without any shortcomings but you can overcome its weaknesses if you put a little effort into it. Now that you know the ins and outs of the coffee date, do you think it would work for you and your date?

Related Articles

Coffee Quotes

The post Coffee Date: All You Need to Know appeared first on Metropolitan Girls.