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<\/div>\n<\/p>\n After our fourth child was born, my husband and I didn\u2019t have a date night for nearly a year. Which sounds like it could be a recipe for marriage problems.<\/p>\n Because couples who never take time away to be alone tend to feel disconnected. They might start snipping at each other over small things. They might forget<\/strong> why they started on this wild, chaotic parenting journey together and begin to feel more like roommates than life partners.<\/p>\n Research shows that says date night is an important ingredient for a healthy marriage\u2014in science speak, they call it shared recreation<\/em>. According to the The Date Night Opportunity<\/em> report, wives who had regular date nights were 22 percent more likely to report being \u201cvery happy\u201d in their marriage, and husbands were 20 percent more likely to. Plus, spouses who experience frequent date nights were 28 percent more likely to report that divorce \u201cwas not at all likely\u201d in the future, compared to spouses with infrequent date nights.<\/p>\n Date night is especially important when you have kids\u2014because how else will you get to have an actual conversation with your partner without someone asking for help with homework, interrupting to tell you about the coolest thing ever in Minecraft, or screaming so loud you\u2019re sure the neighbors will call the cops on you?<\/p>\n And yet, even though my husband and I had been skipping date night for a while, and even with four kids to wrangle, we felt more<\/strong> connected than ever.<\/p>\n Because we did something different than date night.<\/p>\n\n If you don\u2019t have family in town, \u201cdate night\u201d is synonymous with \u201chire a babysitter,\u201d and that can get awfully<\/strong> expensive. Dropping 50 to 100 bucks just to get time alone with each other stings a bit, especially if you\u2019re on a tight budget.<\/p>\n Even if you do<\/em> have family in town, they have their own lives to live and aren\u2019t going to be available just because you happen to be in the mood for a date night.<\/p>\n But that\u2019s not even the biggest<\/strong> problem with date night.<\/p>\n After spending all day feeding four hungry mouths, refereeing sibling squabbles and mediating emotional outbursts, running errands to keep stocked on toilet paper and more food for those hungry little mouths, and and and\u2026<\/p>\n As parents, by the end of the day, we\u2019re done<\/strong>.<\/p>\n But date night means right when you\u2019re at your most spent<\/em>, you have to get all gussied up and be on your A game with your partner. When all you really want is to throw on your comfiest pair of jammies, grab a pint of pistachio ice cream, and zone out to the latest episode of The Voice.<\/p>\n My husband and I found an alternative to date night that doesn\u2019t cost 100 bucks, doesn\u2019t have to happen when we\u2019re at our most exhausted, and still leaves us feeling all lovey-dovey.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n During that first year after our youngest was born, instead of date nights, we did lunch<\/em> dates.<\/p>\n We were able to have an entire<\/strong> conversation without<\/em> being interrupted. We could make googly eyes at each other without the kids walking up and asking, \u201cWhy does your face look so weird?\u201d. We could even indulge in actual swear words instead of \u201cfudgesicle,\u201d \u201cpoop nugget,\u201d and \u201cson of a biscuit eater.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve never considered a lunch date before, you might be intrigued by the idea, or you might be wondering how that could possibly<\/em> work for your situation.<\/p>\n If a lunch date isn\u2019t feasible for you, that\u2019s okay! In this article, I\u2019ve compiled the best date night ideas for parents.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t matter which date night idea you try, but it does matter that you try\u2014and make it something new. Research shows that connecting one-on-one is essential to a healthy relationship, but for the biggest boost to your bond, novel experiences are key. Repeating the same date night once a month can become a mundane routine and won\u2019t deliver the same increase in relationship satisfaction.<\/p>\n And I can tell you from personal experience that making time to try out something new on date night\u2014even when you\u2019re busy and exhausted\u2014will pay off.<\/p>\n After being together for well over a decade, my husband and I are just as into each other as ever. But when we go through a stressful period and don\u2019t<\/em> make time for a date night (in lunch form or otherwise), the disconnection creeps in, sucking our patience dry and souring our tone of voice with each other.<\/p>\n So when that happens, I pull up this list of parent date ideas that I\u2019ve been keeping on my phone, and we pick something to try.<\/p>\n Even if all we have is a few minutes to spare for our date, we walk away feeling reconnected. Like we\u2019re a team<\/strong>. A team that just so happens to possess a special<\/em> talent for using impromptu hugs and kisses to gross out their teenager.<\/p>\n If we\u2019re talking about date nights for parents, we need to address the (expensive) elephant in the room: Babysitters can be pricey, and finding a reliable sitter can turn into a project and a half.<\/p>\n Here are a few creative ways to handle childcare so that you can make space for regular date nights with your partner:<\/p>\n Related: 20 Quick + Powerful Ways to Reconnect With Your Spouse Right Now<\/a> {Printable}<\/strong><\/p>\n Below, you\u2019ll find a list of the best<\/em> date night ideas for parents to bring you and your partner closer together, even when you\u2019re busy and tired. You\u2019ll feel more connected and ready to tackle whatever tantrums, sibling fights, or mealtime battles come your way.<\/p>\n To put together this list, I scoured every article and Reddit post I could get my hands on, talked to friends and family to hear about their favorite dates, and surveyed the more than 100,000 readers in this community\u2014then I compiled all the most-loved<\/strong> ideas into one epic list. And if getting a babysitter isn\u2019t feasible, you should know that this list includes oodles<\/em> of at-home date night ideas for parents.<\/p>\n You can treat this list as a bucket list and make your way through each date idea, checking each one off as you go. Or you can bookmark this page in your browser and circle back to it any time you need a fresh date night idea.<\/p>\n Pro tip:<\/strong> If you want to make sure date night happens, the absolute best way to do that is to add it to your family calendar. For example, you can make it a recurring monthly entry, such as the first Friday or Saturday of every month. Then when you see it pop up on the calendar for that week, use this list to plan what you\u2019ll do together.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t often get time alone together, your date conversation might<\/em> turn into figuring out what to make for dinner, reminding each other about appointments you need to make, or talking about the kids the whole time.<\/p>\n And there\u2019s absolutely<\/strong> nothing wrong with that. If that\u2019s what you want to talk about, then you\u2019re making the most of your time together.<\/p>\n But if you want to foster a meaningful conversation about what\u2019s on your minds and hearts, my go-to favorite is to ask one of these conversation starters for couples<\/a> during your date. These magic questions for couples are inspired by the latest research on how you can make your relationship last.<\/p>\n Here are all the best at-home date night ideas for parents that don\u2019t require a babysitter.<\/p>\n When the chaos of parenting life is dragging you down but adding \u201cschedule a date night\u201d to your to-do list stresses you out, try meeting your partner for a quick lunch date instead. And the best part is when you move your date to the daytime, you can still end the day with your comfy jammies, pistachio ice cream, and Netflix queue.<\/p>\n My husband and I have been meeting up for lunch dates for years, and as our work and home routines have evolved, so have our lunch dates.<\/p>\n For example, we\u2019ve grabbed lunch at a restaurant, met at one person\u2019s office to eat leftovers we brought from home, or had dates in our car while we shared sandwiches. Or when one of us was a stay-at-home parent and the other was working, the working parent would drive home for lunch during the day.<\/p>\n As another option if the weather\u2019s decent, you can find a nearby park with a picnic table. If you have kids in tow, send them off to play while you eat.<\/p>\n Related: 150 Conversation Starters for Couples That Will Make You Feel Closer Than Ever<\/a> {Printable}<\/strong><\/p>\n Wake up a little earlier than the rest of your crew so you can have a few minutes alone when your home is quiet. Here are a few ideas for how to make a breakfast date feel special:<\/p>\n \u2020<\/sup> This site is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices shown are from time of publishing.<\/p>\n If you have any goodies left over after your breakfast date, you can share them with your child and make their day, too.<\/p>\n After the kids are in bed, embrace your inner child and bust out a board game or card game to play together. You can go for a lovingly cutthroat vibe or try a cooperative game where you work together.<\/p>\n These are my favorite games to play with my husband, and they\u2019re also popular with the families in this community:<\/p>\n For more awesome game ideas, check out our recommendations for the best family board games<\/a>.<\/p>\n On a weekday when you both get home from work, school, or whatever daily commitments took you away from home, climb into your bed and cuddle together for a few minutes.<\/p>\n This quick date works as a sort of reset button to help you unwind from the stresses of the day. And after a few minutes of shared quiet, you may find that it feels easier to open up about what\u2019s on your heart.<\/p>\n Side note: This is one of our go-to strategies for connecting with our kids after school<\/a>, too.<\/p>\n Pick a book you\u2019re both interested in reading, then take turns reading a chapter to each other every night before bed. Most people love being read aloud to, but unfortunately as adults, we don\u2019t get to experience being on the receiving end of that very often. (And if you\u2019re doubting this, just look at how the audiobook industry is booming!)<\/p>\n If you pick a romance or a book with a romantic subplot, you might even get an extra jolt of inspiration in that department.<\/p>\n But if reading aloud isn\u2019t a good fit for you, you can still pick a book you both want to read, then talk about what you\u2019ve read every night before you go to bed. It\u2019ll be like your own two-person book club!<\/p>\n If you need a recommendation, one of our favorite<\/strong> buddy reads has been The Anthropocene Reviewed<\/a> because the chapters are short and easy to read, but they still made us think without taxing our (already exhausted) brains.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat Green is really telling us with these unexpected stories about Sycamore Trees, Canada Geese, and Dr Pepper is how much there is to love in the world and why that love is worth the effort.\u201d \u2014 NPR<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Heading to an actual spa for a couples massage and a foot bath may not be practical, but you can create an at-home spa night on your own for much cheaper. All you need is one or two special supplies, such as a bath soak or bath salts, foot masks, face masks, massage oil, and so on.<\/p>\n Then take turns pampering each other. You can give each other a massage (head, foot, or otherwise), prepare the bath for one person and hang out and chat while they relax then swap places, or giggle at how silly you both look wearing a sheet mask.<\/p>\n If you enjoy this date night and want to make it a regular occurrence, you can pick up heated foot spas for two so that you can relax while you enjoy a movie. (A friend of mine got two of these foot spas<\/a> for her and her husband, and she loves them!)<\/p>\n While your kids are otherwise occupied, head outside with your honey for some fresh air and a walk around the block. All it takes is a few minutes, and you\u2019ll finally<\/em> be able to have a conversation without getting interrupted 27 million times. Plus, the physical activity will boost your feel-good endorphins and help you handle the stresses of parenting life even better.<\/p>\n For a lovely twist on this parent date idea, turn your walk into a nighttime stroll under the moon and stars. To plan your nighttime strolls for when it will be a full moon, you can automatically add the phases of the moon to your Google Calendar<\/a>.<\/p>\n Work together to make a special treat like muffins, cookies, or cupcakes. Not only will you get to spend quality time together in the kitchen, but you\u2019ll also get to enjoy the delicious manifestation of that time well spent. And as a bonus, you\u2019ll delight your child when you share the finished treats with them. (If you need ideas, my trusted source for the yummiest recipes is Smitten Kitchen<\/a>.)<\/p>\n If you go the cupcake route, you can add to the fun by getting creative with the frosting. Channel your inner baking competition contestant and see who can decorate the best cupcake.<\/p>\nBut First, Here\u2019s the Problem With Date Night<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\nAs Parents, We Have to Get Creative<\/h2>\n
But Whatever You Do, Do Something<\/h2>\n
Here\u2019s What Date Night Can Do For You<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\nWhat to Do About Childcare<\/h2>\n
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100 Fun Date Night Ideas for Parents to Make You Feel Closer<\/h2>\n
But First, a Warning<\/h3>\n
No Childcare Required: The Best Date Night Ideas for Parents<\/h3>\n
1. Meet for lunch.<\/h4>\n
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2. Sneak off for breakfast.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n3. Go head-to-head.<\/h4>\n
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7 Wonders Duel<\/a><\/h4>\n
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\u201cMy teenager played this at a friend\u2019s house and came home raving about it, so I surprised him with a copy for his birthday. Now our whole family is HOOKED. The genius of this game is that every time you play it, your strategy has to shift based on the hand you\u2019re dealt. So it never gets boring. It\u2019s a family favorite for us!\u201d \u2013 Gabriela\n<\/div>\n4. Climb back into bed.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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5. Start a buddy read.<\/h4>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe Anthropocene Reviewed<\/a><\/h4>\n
6. Pamper yourselves.<\/h4>\n
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7. Go around the block.<\/h4>\n
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8. Make something yummy.<\/h4>\n