Date Ideas for Couples (Including Frugal Options)

Life is busy, and even the most devoted couples find themselves stalled out and needing date ideas. Date nights are all the rage, but the concept is not merely a trend. Spending time with your spouse allows the two of you to reconnect.

Think back. When was the last time you and your partner had a deep, meaningful conversation that wasn’t about the kids, the house, or other responsibilities? Your busy schedules might make it feel like you’re constantly tag-teaming to manage everything.

Here are some date ideas for couples that can help you hit the pause button on life and reconnect with each other. Whether you’re looking for entertainment, active dates, or frugal options, there’s something here for every couple, regardless of your schedule or budget.

Remember, the best date ideas for couples are the ones you will do and enjoy. So, put the kids to bed an hour earlier, settle in for a good movie and snack, and enjoy each other’s company again.

Entertainment date ideas for couples

Laughter and fun can make dates memorable. Sharing interests and hobbies is another way to reconnect and converse about something other than children and work. The following are date ideas for couples involving entertainment.

• Movie theaters or outdoor movies.
• Concerts or the theater.
• Theme parks.
• Zoos and aquariums.
• Museums and art galleries.
• Karaoke.
• Road trips.

You might be tempted to bring the family along for a few of these dates, such as the zoo or a theme park. However, remember that this date time is important to the relationship. If you were dating, you would not bring your family. You would want to share the moment with your significant other. Let your spouse be your sole focus during these trips, and vice versa.

Active date ideas for couples

Staying active and maintaining health is challenging as we age and experience higher stress levels between family responsibilities, work, financial issues, and relationships. Choosing date ideas for couples incorporating activity or fitness encourages a healthier lifestyle for you and your spouse.

• Dance classes.
• Bike rides.
• Hikes.
• Camping.
• Landscaping and gardening.

Try to think of other date ideas for couples that include activities you both love. Perhaps you can tour a city by walking to your destinations, easily putting in 10,000 to 30,000 steps or more while sightseeing, dining, and shopping.

Frugal date ideas

If finances are tight or you are sticking to a budget, frugal date ideas may be more to your liking. You can do many of these for free or on a shoestring budget.

• Picnics.
• Smores around a firepit.
• Cook a “gourmet” dinner at home.
• Game or movie night at home.
• Scenic road trip to a lake, river, beach, or mountains.
• Send the kids overnight to a family member’s home.

You can always pick your date ideas for the month from various categories. For example, a good mix for the month might include a picnic at the lake, an evening at an art gallery with dinner, and a kid-free night at home while they stay at grandma’s house.

Are you and your spouse struggling to reconnect?

Don’t allow busyness and hectic family responsibilities from connecting with your spouse. God created families, but children and work were never meant to replace the bond between a husband and a wife.

If you are struggling to reconnect, consider Christian couples counseling. Your counselor will suggest more than date ideas to rekindle the romance, but true counseling and coaching to help. Contact our office today to schedule a session with a counselor. You can schedule virtual sessions that fit your schedules and consider this time an investment in your relationship and future.