Quarantine has been tough for everyone around the globe in some way, shape or form. There is no way that not being able to go out hasn’t affected you at all… Couples are especially going through a weird time.
Whether a couple is living together or not, it is a strange situation to navigate. If you are living in separate places, how do you stay connected? And if you’re living together in self-isolation, how do you keep things fresh and exciting without being able to go out?
Luckily, if you find yourself struggling with any of these things, you are not the only one. We did some digging and found 65 fun date ideas to try during this time, no matter what your living situation is.
If you don’t live together, set up a video conference and screen share while you look through old photos. It can be through an old physical photo book or even on your computer! It’s a great way to feel connected.
Download an app like Zoom so you can screen share as you visit iconic museums all over the world — The Louvre, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, etc — all from the comfort of your home!
Just because you are not together doesn’t mean you can’t get to know each other on a deeper level. Now is actually a great time to ask each other questions from NY Times’ 36 Questions That Lead To Love.
Picking a TV show or movie you both have been dying to watch and watch it! This works great if you’re self-isolating together of course, but you can totally do it virtually as well.
Even if you are in separate kitchens, prepare a recipe and get your ingredients in advance. Then when dinner time comes around, you two can “cook together” and walk each other through each step.
Spice things up and find a board game to play online together, whether it’s Chess, Scrabble or some type of card game. It’ll be fun to playfully trash talk each other!
Download the same book and read a little bit every day. You two can reconvene however often you want to talk about it, whether that’s once a week or every day. It’ll be nice to connect on something different than every day life.
Take some time after each seminar to talk about what you learned. There are a couple of great free classes online right now. Yale is offering up one of its most popular classes, Science of Wellbeing, here.
If you live together, don’t underestimate the power of a good dance party. Make a playlist of songs that pump you two up and get that energy out in the living room!
Getting creative during this time is such a good move. It’s nice to spend time on things you normally wouldn’t do, plus, it’s good to take your mind off the situation for an hour or two. Challenge yourselves to use what you already have in the house.
We all have at least one card game we loved when we were little. Try diving back into them for a fun wave of nostalgia. It’s also fun to teach the rules to someone who may not know them!
Now is a great time to learn how to do things you have always wanted to do! Maybe that’s a dance lesson. Places like Banana Skirt and 305 Fitness are offering classes. Plus, plenty of free YouTube tutorials.
This is a great activity to do together, especially when you’re both stuck in the house 24/7. It will feel great to sweat and move around and there are tons of free online classes being offered right now.
Go for a walk “together.” Pick a safe spot around the neighborhood where there aren’t any other people and walk around as you talk to your partner on the phone. It’s like you’re walking together.
If you are going to do crafts together via video conference, maybe try designing a craft for one another. Then, when quarantine is over, you can exchange them in person. It’s like a little reward!
Use this time to try a recipe you’ve always been too afraid or busy to make. Something that really needs to be paid attention to. Then try to follow it and make it together as a fun challenge.
Any video game that you’re both into is great. Or one of you can teach the other how to play a game. Final Fantasy, Resident Evil or Animal Crossing are all great options that will make the time fly by.
If you’re not self-isolating together, a few people have agreed to go to a fast food chain at the same time and get food through the drive-through, then eat dinner together in separate cars with the windows down. It’s actually romantic if you think about it!
Grab a canvas or even a piece of paper and paint your hearts out. You can also draw. Whether you are in the same room or a video conference, it’s a great way to express your creativity and spice things up.
Oh yeah, these exist. All you have to do is download the Netflix Party extension on Chrome and live stream your favorite show or film together. It’s almost like being together.
Okay, sounds kind of sad… But it can actually be really fun! You definitely can’t go traveling right now, so this will have to do anyway. Google photos of your destination spots, send each other feasts you would choose from that place, and look into all of the tourist attractions. Get creative with it.
Take this time to learn a new skill together! Think about something you’ve always wanted to learn about and look at it as an opportunity to grow and learn together.
Thankfully, virtual tours are options at many zoos like the Houston Zoo, Cape May County Zoo, the Virginia Zoo and more. Get ready to see some adorable animals which will surely brighten your moods.
Much like virtual zoos, virtual aquariums are also a thing! Since visiting the beach isn’t an option right now, consider taking a virtual trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the Georgia Aquarium or the Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
This one is pretty vague and that’s because the project you complete is entirely up to you! Plant flowers, do puzzles, create mood boards, decorate a scrapbook… Whatever it is, creativity is crucial right now.
Create a list of items that are easy to find in your house and yard and go looking for them! Of course you’ll be doing this separately, but send each other photos of what you find. Winner gets a free food delivery.
If you’re looking for a great way to connect on a deeper level, this is a great option. Or you can also write each other silly letters too! Send them via email or text. Talk about your day, what you had for lunch, what you’re feeling excited about, etc. The world is your oyster and it will be a fun thing to open up.
Working? Send a pic. Eating dinner? Send a pic. Watching a great show? Send a pic! You don’t want to over-do it but at the same time, it’s a nice and easy way to make the other person feel like they’re not too far away.
Both of you can create a love jar to keep at home. Fill it with whatever you want: interesting notes about your day, things you’re excited to do when quarantine is over, etc. Give it to each other when this is all over!
It takes a little more effort but then again, don’t we all have the time? Schedule a good time to go to your partner’s home (or have them come to you), pull up a chair and look at each other through a closed window as you chat on the phone.
If your city is not on lockdown and you know a spot where you can safely walk 6-feet away from people, try doing that with your partner! It’s a great way to get some fresh air and sunshine.
Now is a great time to dive deeper and chat about all the things you miss doing pre-quarantine and things you wish you did more of. Take note of it so that you can use this time to properly plan for a bright and fulfilling future.
Create a shared Google doc and write a story together — about whatever you want! Whenever you have a few moments, pop in to write a couple of sentences and add on new ideas.
Have a little American Idol moment with your loved one. Sing with/for each other or play piano or guitar. Maybe do a silly dance. Or a magic trick. Whatever your secret talent is, let it out! You’re a star!
You guys have been talking so much, why not give someone else a turn (and each other a break)? Listen to a podcast or audio book together, something with a story, so that you two can laugh or cry and have something else to talk about. The Moth is a good resource.
A way better kind of roulette — with dinner! Order a surprise dinner for your partner at their place and they do the same for you. It helps support a local business and it’s like a fun little surprise!
We definitely can’t be going out right now, but there is Google maps! Use it as a tool to revisit some of your favorite spots like your first date or the beach!
A conversation about what’s going on right now, that is. It’s good to get our minds off the scary situation, but it’s also important to acknowledge it and express your feelings.
We’re in a time where it’s hard to see the silver lining… But take a moment to have a conversation about all of the things you are grateful for right now.
Distance makes the heart grow fonder, right? While you spend time trying to figure out how to maintain your connection, don’t forget to maintain boundaries and do something good for yourself, like take a bath. It will be beneficial for your relationship in the long run.
Use this time to redecorate your home, and maybe have your partner help you! Show them what you’re looking to change and get their input. It’s easier when you do it together.
Want to learn more about your partner? Play a game like, “Never Have I Ever,” to learn more about them and their history. You’ll unveil strange things and have a fun time!
Instead of reading separately, try having one partner read something out loud to the other. It’s quite relaxing and can make you feel all nice and cozy!
You can take a formal dance class or you can learn a silly dance. You know, TikTok dances are all the rage right now. Maybe head there and see if there are any silly moves you’d be willing to pull off.
This is a little bit different than making a meal. Instead, pack some cute snacks in a little bag and go sit in your yard or living room. Open up snacks together and have some delightful conversation!
Whether you can do it in person or virtually, try stardazing together! When the night comes, go outside and lay down on a blanket and describe the stars and the moon to each other. Very romantic.
If you’re self-isolating together and have a tent, have an outdoor sleepover! Being out in nature will feel so nice, and you can pretend like you’re really getting away for the night.
Pretend that you are both professional bartenders and experiment with your own professional recipes. Never made a mojito before? Now is the time to try!
If you have the opportunity to pick up more than one wine bottle, pick up a couple! Have a wine tasting together! It will be fun to describe the tastes and experiment with different flavors.
Make your mom or dad or aunt or grandpa proud by FaceTiming them together to let them know that you are both okay. They will appreciate it and it will be a really sweet moment!
65 Fun date ideas to try during quarantine no matter your living arrangement
Kirsten Spruch
04.28.20
Quarantine has been tough for everyone around the globe in some way, shape or form. There is no way that not being able to go out hasn’t affected you at all… Couples are especially going through a weird time.
Whether a couple is living together or not, it is a strange situation to navigate. If you are living in separate places, how do you stay connected? And if you’re living together in self-isolation, how do you keep things fresh and exciting without being able to go out?
Luckily, if you find yourself struggling with any of these things, you are not the only one. We did some digging and found 65 fun date ideas to try during this time, no matter what your living situation is.
