The all important date night. It’s a longstanding staple for married couples. Most relationship experts agree having a regular date night is essential for married couples to maintain a healthy love life. What’s a date night, you ask? Maybe you’re a newlywed, or you’ve been living under a rock for a while. Either way, here’s a brief overview of date night.
Simply put, date night is a night that you and your hubby designate to spend time together. It can be a whole night, an hour or whatever amount of time you can squeeze in with each other. It doesn’t have to be a long time, as long as it’s meaningful.
Single people sometimes scoff at date night because they presume it to be a sign of a lack of spontaneity and fun. They assume it means you, as a couple, have lost your mojo. Nothing could be further from the truth!
What single people don’t often realize, or haven’t had the opportunity to experience, is marriage can be akin to a business with spouses functioning as co-CEOs. Now, in the business world, co-CEOs sounds like a nightmare. But in the business of life, a life that you choose to share with another person, it’s necessary.
There’s time, errands, finances, home maintenance, meals, so many things that need to be managed and coordinated. This is true for single people also but, believe me, it’s different when you’re responsible to and for someone else versus just yourself. And when you add kids into the mix, phew!
In fact, kids are usually the reason married couples have to schedule date night. As wonderful as it is to be a parent, kids have a tendency to suck all the air out of a situation.
So, it is critically important to have time away from them so you can continue to nurture your relationship. Remember, when those kids grow up and leave, you will be stuck with this person! It’s worth the effort to ensure this is a time you’ll look forward to, not dread. Regular date nights are a great way of doing that.
If you and your spouse don’t already have a date night, then please consider doing so! A great thing couples like to do on their date night is play games. It’s a great way to have fun together, connect on a deeper level, and even get the engine revving if you know what I mean 😉
Here’s a list of date night games for married couples to help if you’re feeling stuck on what to do. Everything on this list is low cost and most are completely free. They just require a little imagination and creativity.
Plus, it’s not just the usual suspects you might find around the internet. I’ve included some completely original games for you and your hubby to try out.
Board Games and Boxed Games
Board games and games that come in a box are a classic place to start. These are the games we’re most familiar with. The list of games below fall into that category but with a little twist for couples.
1. Midnight Taboo
This is the adult-rated edition of this classic game. It’s typically played in a group setting but, my husband and I have played with just the two of us and still had fun. It includes words and phrases that you would not want to see your kids, or your grandfather acting out. It makes for great fun for you and the hubs though. You won’t help but laugh together as you try to find words and gestures to attempt guessing these words.
2. The Ultimate Game for Couples
We received this game as a gift and we were surprised at how much we enjoyed it. It comes with question and challenge cards that range from light topics to deeper conversation starters. It’s made with two formats – two-player, perfect for date night, and group play for your next couples game night.
3. Scattergories
Scattergories is another classic word game. Basically, you set a timer to list as many things as you can in a particular category that all start with the same letter. There are even couple’s versions of this online that you can print out on your own. Just search for couples scattergories.
4. Trivia Games
A trivia game like jeopardy or family feud is always fun. Give one of these a go if you and your husband like brain teasers. You can buy them in a box, and many of them have been made into online games or an app as well.
5. Jenga
You’re probably familiar with Jenga. But, if you’re not, the goal is to remove pieces from a block tower without causing the whole thing to fall. Want a fun ‘coupley’ twist? Make a wager so whoever knocks down the tower has to … take turns filling in the blank. And don’t be afraid to make it spicy!
6. Sexy Scrabble
Sexy Scrabble is like regular Scrabble but only sexy or romantic words are allowed. Want to make it even more fun? Allow regular words but only if you can describe how to make them sexy. It should be fun watching your partner squirm while coming up with a sexy explanation to play B-A-N-A-N-A!
Games You Can Play With a Deck of Cards
A simple deck of cards is a tried and true way of spending quality time together. I know many couples who have a favorite game that they love playing. Some even consider it practice for when they play against other couples. A few card games to consider are:
7. Uno
8. Phase 10
9. Blackjack
10. War
11. Spades
12. Poker
13. Dominoes
If you’re unfamiliar with these games, a quick Google search should take care of that. And don’t forget why card games can be the best games. Add the word strip to the beginning of any card game and you’ve just 10x the sexy factor.
Fun Couple Games
Romance is important but, who says fun can’t be romantic. After all, most of us connected with our spouse before marriage by having fun together. It’s also a great way to continue learning about each other as you grow and change over time. Here’s my list of completely original, new games for you and your partner to try. Feel free to bookmark this page and return to it whenever you need a fun date night game.
14. Freeze Frame
Take turns striking a pose. Give your spouse a time limit to look, then blindfold them. They get a point for each detail they can recall in a set amount of time. Whoever has the highest score at the end wins. Pro tip: adding costumes, clothing or other wearable pieces makes it more challenging.
15. Taste Test
Each of you makes or buys a set of desserts without the other seeing them. Blindfold and feed them to each other one at a time. Whoever guesses the most correctly wins. Up the romance by playing your favorite songs in the background.
16. Alphabet Story
Randomly draw letters from a bag or box. Then use them to tell a story about yourself (in which the main person, plot or object starts with that letter). Your bae has to guess if it’s true or not. You can keep this light or go deep to tell your partner things you may have been hesitant to share before. Date night is about fun and deeper connection. This game can do both.
17. Celebrity Interview
Interview each other as if you were famous. What would you be famous for, what kind of celebrity would you be, and why? Pretending to be an existing celebrity is another fun way to play. You know you’ve been dying to try out your best Kanye or Tiffany Haddish impression.
18. Dance With Me
Learn a dance together from YouTube. This one can span multiple date nights by challenging yourselves to learn a whole routine. Try something a little out of your norm. Learning things together is a great way for couples to bond. Bonus points: perform it for your kids or family members at your next get together.
19. Read My Mind
This game can be spoken or drawn. You each get 3 clues to guess what the other person is thinking about. Spice it up by being, ahem, “selective” about what you’re thinking. If you haven’t already, this can be an insightful way to learn each other’s love language.
20. Masterpiece
Have a conversation while taking turns adding to a drawing or painting. Focusing on the art allows you to say things without reservation. Focusing on the conversation allows you to create without thinking. You might be surprised at what you discuss or create by the end.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Use pictures of yourself or find random pictures online. Then create stories about what’s going on in the pictures or what you might do if it were you.
21. Fashion Show
This game is a fun way to get in the mood. Put on an outfit that makes you feel and look sexy. This can be a sexy dress, suit or lingerie. Model it like a supermodel on a runway. Pro tip: adding a little strip tease at the end will really set things off.
22. Romantic Couple Games
These romantic games can set the right tone for spending time with your spouse. They make for great foreplay as well! Most are classic games you probably know but with a twist.
23. Naughty Dice
Roll a set of dice to get your partner to perform an act on a specific part of your body. One die dictates the act, and the other dictates where. You can purchase dice already made for this, create your own, or use regular dice. Just write down what each number means on each die. Using regular dice is not only cheaper but you can customize it to whatever you and your hubby like.
24. Teach Me
Pick something you know that your partner doesn’t. Then teach it to them. Simple (in theory) but effective. Teach Me is a great game for creating closeness and strengthening communication skills.
25. Dirty Pictionary
The same classic pictionary but with naughty pictures. This could be equal parts sexy and hilarious depending on your drawing skills.
26. Flirty Hangman
Another simple and classic game but with a twist. Use a flirty message that you want to share with your partner. There’s tons of opportunity here. Get creative!
27. The No-So-Quiet Game
The object here is to see who makes a sound first. The twist is what you’ll be doing to get the other person to make a sound. Use what God gave ya’, or some other fun toys. I know I’ve already said it but, this game deserves repeating it – get creative!
28. Truth or Dare
Truth or dare is another classic game that’s pretty self explanatory. You pick truth or dare. Then the other person asks you a question (truth) to which you must answer truthfully. Or, they give you a challenge to perform (dare) which you must do or there will be consequences. The likes of which are up to you!
29. Roleplay
This is an exercise similar to what improv actors use. One of you provides a character and scenario. The other acts it out in the sexiest way possible. Keep it light or make it sultry, either way supporting each other’s efforts and playing along will get you the best results.
30. Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt, or treasure hunt, is the perfect game for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. Hide a gift or special surprise for your partner. Then leave small clues for them to follow to find it. Bonus points if you can make the clues rhyme.
31. Road Trips
Sometimes a change of environment is all you need to freshen things up. Here are a couple of games you can play on the go if you’re looking to get out of the house but not break the bank.
32. Wine and Walk
Grab some wine and take a walk in a local park or scenic area. Just remember to do so in a safe and well lit area if you’re going at night. Don’t want to look boozy to passersby? Get a cute wine tumbler to drink from and pour before you go. Don’t want to go too far? Take a walk around your neighborhood. Pro tip: use a conversation starter app (there are tons) to stimulate conversation.
33. Strangers
This one takes the roleplaying game mentioned before to a whole new level. Same rules, only incorporate actual places in your city as part of the scenario. Then you meet in those places as strangers but in your characters. Don’t be afraid to have fun with this one. Get fully into character with your outfit or makeup. Even wigs and an accent might not be a bad way to take things to the next level. Whatever you’re comfortable with. It’s also a great way to discover new places in your city.
34. Tourists
You’d be surprised how many things people miss out on in their own city. Visiting some of the more popular tourist attractions is a great option for a fun date idea. Pretend it’s your first time visiting this city, and really get into it with pictures and all. If you’ve seen everything in your city, try visiting a nearby city and exploring some attractions there. Pro tip: a photo scrapbook of all the places you visit together is a great memento for your love story. It will quickly become a cherished keepsake to share with your children, or just whenever you feel like taking a trip down memory lane.
35. The Best List
Making a best list is another great way to get out of the house and explore your city while having a lot of fun. A best list is a list of the best places to get different categories of food and/or drinks. For example, in our city, my husband and I have found the best place to get a margarita, doughnut, cupcake and slice of pizza. It can be whatever you want. We plan to find the best ice cream place next. How do you go about building your best list? Trial and error, of course. Each new place you try is a different date until you find the best one.
Home Date Night Idea
Trying to come up with a home date idea? Here’s a few tips for planning a fun date night idea in the comfort of your own home.
Plan and prepare. Great date nights don’t just happen. You will find yourself frustrated and wondering why your date nights won’t work if you don’t do a little planning in advance.
Food and drink. Whether it’s dinner, a snack or dessert, having a little food sets a date night off right. Get some of your favorite food and pair it with your favorite wine or cocktail (or mocktail). This is the perfect way to really help you both switch off business and parent mode, and turn on couple mode.
Trust and support. Some of the best date nights are when you try something different or in a new way. If you are like me (shout out to all my introverts and quiet types), getting out of your comfort zone doesn’t always come easy. At least not without a fair amount of giggling. Trust and support from your spouse goes a long way in making this enjoyable for you both.
Time and space. Keep an open mind about when and where you spend time together. Don’t be afraid to explore different ways of having a great time. Think of date night as more of a concept. You make your own rules. My hubby and I have had great living room or backyard dates in the middle of the day.
Bonus: Couple’s Game Night Ideas
Having fun with other couples is usually a good time and one of the best ways to spend a date night. All you need is a bottle of wine (or 2 or 3 – no judgement), snacks and games to have a great couple’s game night. Many of the games listed here can be multiple player games. As an added bonus, you can provide moral support as you all work to strengthen your romantic relationships. With a side of friendly competition and lots of fun. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Feel free to add some of your favorite games to the list.
Date Night Games for Married Couples
It’s important to spend time with your spouse to have a healthy and strong relationship. With a little bit of effort, it can feel just like you’re dating for the first time. Use these date night games for married couples to plan your next date night. I guarantee it won’t be the last time!
