50 Indoor Date Ideas That Aren't Movie Nights
When it’s cold and rainy, we can’t blame you for wanting to stay indoors in the warmth. Going for the classic dinner and a movie might be the go-to when the weather is dreary, but indoor date ideas don’t have to rely entirely on your Netflix queue.
If you and your partner have been together for long enough, bingeing TV shows and ordering take-out might feel a bit repetitive, so we put together the best indoor date night ideas that you can try — most of which you don’t even have to leave your living room for!
So when it’s freezing cold and you're looking for some winter date ideas, or want to shelter from the pouring rain, here are the best ways to enjoy the great indoors.
The best indoor date ideas
1. Go indoor rock climbing.
Take your relationship to new heights (literally) by scheduling a fun date at your local climbing wall. This adrenaline-filled date will test your upper body strength, but it’s the perfect chance to practice some positive reinforcement by encouraging your partner to push themselves.
2. Make a craft together.
Remember how much fun it was to make macaroni frames as a kid? Well, no one says you can’t do it as an adult, too. Find a couple of crafts you’d both like to try and spend the evening DIY-ing.
3. Tackle a 1000-piece puzzle.
Puzzles combine all the best things: they’re great for your brain, let you have some top-quality time together, and they’re a fun way to challenge yourselves. Pick out a puzzle you both like and see if you can complete it in one sitting.
4. See an art exhibition.
You don’t have to be an art buff to enjoy this date night idea, as long as you’re willing to keep an open mind.
5. Declutter your apartment(s).
Pull a Marie Kondo and get rid of all the things in your home that don’t spark joy. Aside from decluttering your space, you’ll also have a chance to go through old photos and relationship mementos to reminisce about the good times you’ve had together.
6. Have a bake-off.
Host your own two-person Great British Baking Show by assigning each other three baking challenges and see who’d be worthy of a Paul Hollywood handshake.
7. Go to a skating rink.
Romancing on the rink is sexier than you think. Whether you visit an indoor roller skating arena or an ice skating rink, relish the opportunity to try something new together. Not a pro? Not a problem. Half the fun is holding onto each other tightly.
8. Visit a museum.
Play tourist in your city and go museum-hopping with your partner. You’ll end the date having learned something new about the world and seen some beautiful art.
9. Play dirty “Would you rather?”.
As silly as it may sound, playing this classic party game of 'would you rather' as a couple can help bring you closer together — and if you add a sexy twist, it’ll only make it that much more fun.
10. Make your own pizza.
For a fun, flirty, and floury date night at home, roll up your sleeves and make pizza from scratch. Cooking and spending time side-by-side in the kitchen is a great way for couples to foster communication, be present in the moment, and work together as a team — all of which have been proven to boost emotional connection. Buon appetito!
11. Have a one-night staycation.
If all you want to do is snuggle in bed but you’re sick of your bedroom, book a fancy hotel room for a night. The change of scenery will be a welcome distraction from everyday life, plus you can order room service.
12. Pet or babysit.
Help your friends out on their date night and look after their children or pets. It’s a fun bonding activity and a great way to test the waters to see if you and your partner are ready to make the same commitment.
13. Have a quiz night to fall in love.
Research shows that relationships that cultivate curiosity are more intimate and satisfying. Luckily, the Paired app is packed with meaningful conversation starters and relationship questions that'll help you get to know each other better and learn something new about your partner.
14. Go bowling.
An oldie but a goodie, nothing beats bowling. And if you’re craving more company, call up a few friends and make it a double date.
15. Buy each other thrift shop outfits.
Visit your local Goodwill and give each other 20 minutes to find each other a ridiculous outfit you’ll have to wear on your next date night. Fun, sustainable, and silly.
16. Have a video game tournament.
Fire up the console, turn on two-player mode, and go head-to-head to see who’s the best gamer.
17. Art gallery sketching.
Head to an art gallery with a drawing pad and some charcoal pencils, and see who can replicate a painting the best.
18. Play “strip” board games.
Monopoly, Scrabble, even Twister… everything can become sexier if you put your mind to it!
19. Visit a cat cafe.
When it’s cold and rainy outside, what’s better than snuggling up with a purring kitten and a cup of coffee?
20. Try an escape room.
See how well you work together as a team and try to solve an escape room before the timer runs out.
21. Have a paint-and-sip night.
Whether you host it at home or go to a local paint-and-sip night, unleash your inner artist and find out who’s better at creating a tipsy masterpiece.
22. Make a diorama of your favorite memory together.
We guarantee you haven’t made a diorama since middle school, so why not try again? This time, recreate a favorite memory you and your partner shared.
23. Go to a drag show.
Drag shows always guarantee a fun, boisterous time. You can expect lip-syncs, dancing, stunning looks, and guaranteed laughs.
24. Join a bingo night.
Visit your local bingo hall for an evening of wholesome fun. Plus, you can see all the elderly couples who have been together for decades and ask them for their best relationship tips.
25. Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
Do something for the community and spend the day volunteering at your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
26. See a burlesque show.
If you’ve been looking for something chic, fun, and erotic, then look no further than burlesque. You and your date can dress up in something sleek, sip on some quality cocktails, and admire the performers’ tantalizing talent. It might even inspire you to recreate some of the moves when you get home…
27. Shoot some pool.
Head to the local bar for a bit of friendly competition and some fun. Playing pool can be a great backdrop to interesting conversation to boost your emotional bond and even some physical intimacy as you move around the table.
28. Got to a pottery class.
Get your hands dirty and take a class at a pottery studio. Whether you’re a sculpting pro or don’t have an ounce of artistic talent, you’re guaranteed to have a good time (and maybe end up with a cute new vase for your home). Recreating that scene from Ghost is optional, but very much encouraged.
29. Try a wine tasting.
You don’t need to be a sommelier to enjoy a wine tasting! Pick up a few bottles of wine on your next supermarket run — don’t forget the cheeseboard to match. If you’re intent on making things more sophisticated for your significant other, there are wine-tasting online classes you can join for an extra romantic date night.
30. Have a karaoke night.
Time to warm up the vocal cords and break out your best party piece. Throw on your favorite playlist and start singing for a fun at-home date night.
31. Set up an indoor picnic.
You don’t need good weather to have a picnic! Set up a picnic blanket in your living room and lay out all your favorite snacks for a cute twist on a classic romantic dinner.
32. Organize a game night.
Whether you’re into card games or Newlywed trivia, what’s a relationship without a bit of healthy competition? If you’re keen to be on the winning team, invite some friends around to make it into a double date — this fun activity is perfect for your dating bucket list!
33. Run a bubble bath.
We all deserve a spa weekend, but when budgets for date nights are tight, why not have one at home? Light the candles and switch on the romantic music for a relaxing (and potentially spicy) date night.
34. Sign up for a cooking class.
Switch up the menu for your next romantic date night at home by trying out an online cooking class. It’s always exciting to learn a new skill together and you’ll have the spoils to enjoy for dessert!
35. Walk down memory lane.
From your first date to your wedding day, it’s always fun to reminisce and reconnect with your partner. If you’re planning on staying in, whip out the photo albums and enter your love bubble for the best date night.
36. Have a movie marathon.
Even though a Netflix date may seem cliche, it’s easy to step it up a level with this fun date idea. Break out the ice cream, have a cuddle, and get ready to pull an all-nighter — whether it’s the Marvel series or Harry Potter!
37. Set up a photo booth.
We may love a selfie, but you can’t have a scrapbook full of them! This date idea is a great way to get creative with your camera and to make some cute couple keepsakes in the process.
38. Try out some TikTok dances.
No one can escape TikTok these days, so why not get in on the fun? Dig out some fun dance tutorials or couples challenges for a fun date night.
39. Get a virtual tarot reading.
What does the future hold for you and your partner? Try out a virtual tarot reading to see what life has in store for you — maybe the lottery number lay in the cards…
40. Try some coloring.
This may seem like a cheesy at-home date idea, but it’s always fun to be creative. If you’re looking for a new indoor activity, dig out your old coloring books and let the nostalgia sink in.
41. Break a sweat.
Physical touch might be your love language, but how about bringing some physical activity into your next date night? Try out a beginner's workout video or try moonlighting as your partner’s personal trainer for an added bit of encouragement.
42. Recreate your first date.
No matter how long you’ve been together, it’s always fun to look back on your first date. Whether it was a fancy restaurant or a coffee shop, try to set up the scene at home and allow all the memories to come flooding back!
43. Learn ballroom dancing.
Even if you have two left feet, trying to learn some new moves with your partner can be fun. If ballroom dancing isn’t your thing, there are no rules against breakdancing in the privacy of your own home!
44. Start a book club.
Reading is a great way to switch off in the evenings but can seem a bit of a solitary activity. Get the conversation flowing by setting up an at-home book club — don’t forget the tea, biscuits, and opinions!
45. Try indoor stargazing.
If the clouds are dampening your date night, don’t fret! Try out a stargazing lamp for some artificial fun, or get a projector and play a video of the night sky on your ceiling. It may not be cold inside, but it would be rude if you didn’t cuddle all the same!
46. Go ice-skating!
Depending on the season, there are lots of indoor rinks for you to try. Don’t cling to your partner
47. Learn how to play an instrument.
Has it always been your dream to start a band? Well, now’s your chance! For some live music at home, make band practice a regular date night at home. We’re sure your neighbors won’t mind!
48. Stand-up comedy.
Head to the comedy club for a fun date night. Or, if you want to stay in, write a stand-up comedy routine or a roast & perform it for your partner!
49. DIY home improvement.
Building IKEA furniture together is a good test of any relationship. However, there’s no reason you can’t make it fun! There are loads of fun home improvement ideas on TikTok that you and your partner can try together for a fun night in.
50. Play Date Roulette.
If you’re not the best at decisions or feel a bit overwhelmed by all the choices — try date roulette for a fun twist! Close your eyes and scroll through this list until your partner says stop. Whatever you land on, that’s your plans sorted!
