55 Social Distancing Date Night Ideas | How to Date During COVID

The couple that plays together, stays together. Connecting with your special someone is so important, and it is still possible, even if a weekly dinner date on the town is less likely to happen. Typically we’re experts on the best date night ideas but with Coronavirus pandemic, we’ve had to re-invent the whole dating scene. For those times when you want to stay safe from Covid-19 but share the love, we have rounded up some socially distant date ideas that just might be perfect for you.

Written by Ashley Toler and Stephanie Greenwald, Indy with Kids {This article may contain affiliate links}

Date Ideas for Social Distancing

Drive-In Movie Dates

Snuggle up in the bed of your truck or in the backseat of your car. Get cozy with soda and popcorn while you canoodle with your sweetie in front of the big screen. Most drive-in theaters offer a double feature so you can plan on a late night out. Can’t head out to the movies? Set up a tv screen in your driveway, lay down the seats in your minivan or put the “bed” in truck bed and make it a Netflix night. You can even go all out and bring the drive-in experience to your front yard by setting up your own outdoor movie theater.

Take a Helicopter Ride

Take to the skies! This is a date night activity sure to satisfy an adventurous spirit, and definitely a trip to remember. Flying high above the city, you won’t have to worry about social distancing with your sweetie.

Stargazing with your Sweetie

Watch the weather and book a night with clear skies to head out to the country away from city lights to catch the best view of passing comets, shooting stars, planets and space stations. Find your favorite constellation, discover more using an app like StarTracker, or even name a star!

Act like kids again

Hit up your local park and swing, slide and climb the playground equipment like you are seven years old again (obviously be mindful of little ones and keep the environment safe for everyone). Go out for Ice cream or hit up the Kona Ice truck for snow cones… Battle your stresses and frustrations in a nerf gun war or water balloons. Winner takes ALL.

U-pick Together

Visit an apple orchard, berry farm, pumpkin patch, flower fields, or Christmas tree farm. There are even opportunities to trim fresh herbs. All are great easy to practice social distancing while getting outside into the fresh air.

Rent a Fancy Car or Take a Test Drive

Have you ever wanted to cruise the freeway in a Porsche 911 or suped up roadster? It’s fairly easy to rent a car for a day or take a test drive at your local dealership. Check with the local racetrack and see if there are any import car experiences heading to town. This can be a great way to “play” with the ultimate horsepower. Some racetracks will even let you drag race your own vehicle during special nights.

Paintball Competition

Do you both have a competitive streak? This fun and messy activity is a great choice for the active couple. Winner buys dessert, to lessen the sting of defeat.

Farmers’ Market Strolling

A two-for-one kind of date. Enjoy browsing the selections at your local farmers’ market during the day, and create your own” farm-to-table for two” meal that evening. Candlelight featuring locally made beeswax candles encouraged.

Go Boating

Most major metropolitan areas have some sort of water; lakes, reservoirs, rivers… Renting a boat can be a great way to catch some fresh air and set sail towards the sunset.

Book a Hotel Room or Find a Sexy Cabin

A night or two away from the house can do wonders for the soul. Walking away from a messy abode and arriving at a tidy hotel room can lead to some major relaxing. Grab take out, bring a bottle of wine and find a flick to watch. Leave your list of to-dos at home and recharge in someone else’s bed. Check out local listings for cabin rentals and sleep in and then go for a hike. So much fun can be had, all while supporting the hard hit travel industry.

Zip Through the Sky

Zip lining is a sure fire way to get your heart rate up. Bask in the adrenaline rush flying through the air together. Use each other for support and don’t let your anxiety and fear overcome you.

Adrenaline junkie? We’ve got you!

Besides zip-lining you could parachute from an airplane, go bungee jumping or white water rafting.

Rediscover Your Town

Play tourist. Tour your own city, take a walk downtown, or check out a different neighborhood. Appreciate outdoor art installations or stop to read historical markers. Taking the time to look at the world around you with fresh eyes can inspire conversations and lead to a deeper connection.

Geocaching Hide & Seek

Looking for some booty? Geocaching is a real-life treasure hunt, and you can find the coordinates for treasures hidden all around you in plain sight. For this date, you’ll need snacks, bug spray, a sense of adventure, and your phone.

Kayaking/ Canoeing

Get out on the water and test your sense of adventure. Need a great way to work on your communication skills? Canoeing is your answer. Pack a picnic and pull off to the shore mid-float to fuel up for the row home.

Distillery or Brewery Tour

Find out if your favorite brewery is offering tours. Most local venues are offering curbside service so if you can’t get a tour you can still support them and buy a growler. May we suggest indulging in them (but not too heavily) on a picnic, at the drive-in, or sitting around a cozy campfire?

Winery Tour and Tasting

If beer isn’t your thing, many local wineries offer picnic packages to enjoy on their grounds, wine tasting and other outdoor entertainment at the winery.

Get Hiking

Hit the trails hand-in-hand, or go for something a little more rugged. Take in the scenic views and the beauty of the wilderness, while communicating with your cutie.

Hot Air Balloon

Prepare to be blown away! Escape from it all, with 360 degree views of the world below and the trip of a lifetime. This thrilling adventure will be unforgettable.

Go Fish

There’s something about the beautiful setting of a lake and the calm of the waters that can almost make you overlook the smell of fish… In some areas you can rent fishing gear so you don’t have the investment of it all, or you can purchase complete fishing kits inexpensively and sharing is half the fun. Don’t forget your fishing license!

Go for a Float

Looking for something more laid back? Pack a cooler, slap on some sunscreen, and relax on an inner tube on the river with your love.

Be a Western Dream

The incredible combination of reveling in nature and the peaceful tranquility horseback riding, earn this romantic gesture a spot on our list. Trail rides are a great activity, even for beginners. Plus, who doesn’t want a cowboy or cowgirl in their arms?

All Eyes on the Archery Range

Who needs Cupid, when you already have love and arrows? At the range, you’ll be close enough for conversation, and a little trash talk for competition. Bullseye!

Bike Trails

Exercise releases endorphins and endorphins make you happy. Share in your happiness with your beloved, fill up the bike tires and buy a helmet (safety first). Find local trails from easy and paved to rugged and challenging. You’ll both complete your ride invigorated and proud of yourselves. Relax post bike ride with a couples at-home massage or grab a healthy take out dinner.

Go Camping

Blow up the air mattress and pitch a tent in the backyard, or make it a weekend getaway and reserve campsite. Either way, enjoying the night sky wrapped in the arms of your love sounds about as good as it gets.

Fore!-play

Whether your idea of golf is the driving range, a full 18 holes, or putt-putt, there are options for everyone.

Quarantine Date Night Ideas at Home

Sunset Sip

Grab a bottle of your favorite beverage, a blanket, and your someone special. Find a spot to set up shop and “drink in” the sunset and the company of your loved one.

Try a “STOP” date challenge

Take the stress out of planning with this fun challenge. You can use it to pick a movie, dinner, snacks, or a game to play. One person tells the other when to “Stop” and the spot they stopped decides the activity. You can see tons of fun examples of #datenightchallenges on Tik-Tok right now. Speaking of, why don’t you give it a go yourself and…

Make Tik-tok videos together

From your own date night video to fun pop culture monologues, a duet, or even trying out those dances all the kids are doing, if you feel brave! The possibilities for fun are endless.

Master a New Kitchen Gadget

French press, air fryer, cast iron skillet, sheet pan dinners… Have you seen all the things you can make in a waffle iron?! Invest in a new kitchen gadget, invest in time with each other, all while broadening your menu options at home.

Bonfire, S’mores

Isn’t there just something about s’mores around an open campfire that makes ooey-gooey marshmallows, but also ooey-gooey feelings inside you too? Take a trip down memory lane and reminisce of childhood camp days while snuggled up roasting a marshmallow. Feel free to experiment with your s’mores recipe too; try Nutella, peanut butter, cookies or different candy bars instead of the traditional graham cracker, chocolate and marshmallow.

Catch up on a Favorite Show of Find a New Love

Enjoy some downtime and binge your favorite show. Quiet time together might be just what you need. Add popcorn and your favorite boxed candy to your next grocery pick-up/delivery order, grab a cozy blanket, and snuggle up next to your honey on the couch for a catch-up session.

Watch Your Wedding Video or Look at Your Wedding Album

Step back in time with this romantic time capsule.. Play your wedding song and recreate your first dance. See if you can cook the same dinner you served your guests. No need to wait for your anniversary to take a romantic walk down memory lane, every day is a celebration of love. Celebrate!

YouTube Clip Night

Laugh your brains out watching YouTube videos together. All you have to do is pick a theme and start your search. Hearing your partner’s laugh will bring so much joy, and something ridiculous like a playlist of “Goats Screaming Like Humans” is bound to bring a chuckle.

At Home Spa Night

Share that self-care with your someone special: Bubble baths, bath bombs, a foot soak, and a face mask! Don’t forget cucumber slices for your eyes and maybe light a candle or two to set the mood. Heat up some oil and give each other massages. Learn some of the many acupuncture points and focus on what aches most.

Recreate Your First Date

Did you go out for dinner and a movie? Picnic in the park? Museum tour? These can all be recreated at home. Get take-out from the first restaurant you went to, rent or download the movie you saw together for the first time. Pack a picnic in the backyard or take a virtual museum tour.

Create a Signature Cocktail

Using whatever you have on hand or head to the store and pick up something unique to your usual purchase. Experiment with flavors and temperature until you find something you both agree is delicious. Enjoy the process. Delight in the end result.

Dance Together

Turn your living room or patio into your own dance floor. Turn down the lights and just slow dance, or sign up for some digital dance lessons you can learn with your partner, in the comfort of your own home. This is especially helpful if either of you have two left feet!

Video Game Marathon

Dust off that Nintendo from your childhood or steal the Nintendo Switch from your kids. Try your hand at Zelda, Madden and OO7 from days gone by or see if you can beat the high score of your little one’s favorite game. Competition is good for the soul. Game On!

Karaoke Bar at Home

Don’t have a karaoke machine? No problem! Search YouTube for the karaoke version of your favorite song, and you are ready to belt it out. Can’t hold a note to save your life? Challenge your beloved to a lip-syncing contest instead.

Plan Your Dream Vacation

We may not be traveling anywhere exotic anytime soon but that does not mean you can’t plan your fantasy destination. Even just thinking about traveling can help take your mind off stressful situations. This leads to lowered cortisol levels leaving you more content and calm. It can also get the two of you to open up while discussing your goals and travel desires.

Make Coupon Books

While this seems like a Father’s Day gift from the kids; instead of “free hugs” write out coupons for things like “sleep in on Saturday”, “Breakfast of choice in bed” “an hour of quiet time without the kids”. Use your imagination and get creative.

Escape Room

Do you love solving puzzles and cracking codes, challenging yourself against the clock? If your favorite escape room location is out of the question, you can print everything off for an escape room at home.

Catch a Show in Your Bathrobe

Ode to the arts! Streaming platforms are offering everything from comedy specials to concerts, symphonies, ballets, and theatre. (Hamilton, anyone?) You’ll have the cheapest (and best) seats in the house!

Draw Pictures of Each Other

Or on each other? From frisky finger paints to silly stick figures, this date can go any way you want! Don’t think you have to stick to store bought paint; try chocolate sauce, or some other condiment from the fridge for a tastier creation.

Play a Board Game

Again, friendly competition is good for you. Build your relationship with a board game built for two players. You can find games from catchy word games to more “adult” themed options. Go traditional with whatever you have available in the closet, or try a printable one. This Couples Only Cranium has us cracking up. Let the games begin!

Play a Different “Game”

Get tangled up in a game of Twister, blindfold taste test (chocolate, ice cream, cheese, or wine are a few ideas to get you started!), or even a card game- Euchre, Rummy, (strip) poker, if you are feeling risqué!

DIY Tasting (Beer or Wine)

In-person tastings usually consist of four pours, so this is a great opportunity for you both to pick two. Go with something you know you like, and a wild-card you are excited to try. Support a local brewery or vineyard and pick up a sample of their wares while supporting the small businesses in town.

Murder Mystery

A friend of mine considers herself a super sleuth and absolutely loves all things all things involved in a good cold case or murder mystery. From what I can tell, she’s not alone. If you or yours are the same, a murder mystery kit might be right up your alley.

DIY Wine and Canvas

Bring out your inner Picasso by recreating a paint and sip class in the comfort of your own home. Even better- you get to choose the subject matter. Collaborate with your partner and scan Pinterest for a “How to paint ___” that catches your eye. Grab supplies and a bottle of vino- you’re all set!

Take-Out Buffet From Around the World

Expand your palette and indulge in a variety of eats with exotic fare from all over the world. Most metropolitan areas have a great variety of worldly options. Seek out a cultural market and try your hand at creating your own authentic meal or dive into the culture while visiting an establishment known for their delectable menu.

Cook Together

Switch it up. If one of you claims the kitchen domain, give cooking together a try. Find a recipe online that tickles your taste buds, or go even bigger. You can take a virtual cooking class with your partner via AirBnb Experiences, doing anything from learning an Italian grandmother’s tiramisu gelato recipe to a class with a Michelin star ranked chef. If hands-on cooking isn’t really your jam, try whipping up a charcuterie board. Easy and delicious, plus- No rules!

Couples Photo Session

If the last time you had photos taken of just the two of you was your wedding, it might be time to update them. Act like the lovebirds you are and let a professional photographer capture your magic, all from a safe distance of course. We recommend traditional prom poses to get your giggles going and sweetly holding hands while longingly gazing into each other’s eyes. A professional photographer not in the budget? Have a friend or neighbor snap cell phone pics in the backyard or front steps.

Go to Bed

Or not the bed? Bow chicka wow wow. Wherever you end up, enjoy staying in and working on your physical connection.

Subscribe a Date

Craving even more ideas to connect? Try a date subscription service. Every month, you get everything you need to create a fun and fresh experience delivered right to your door. You could try Crated With Love or SpicyBox or Date Box Club for an easy and fun date, with zero prep.

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