11 Date Night Ideas for Married Couples With Kids

No one doubts you two love your kids. After all, changing multiple dirty diapers is genuinely an act of love. However, no matter how much energy you put in to take care of your kids, don’t forget to show love to the one you said “I do” to. What you need is to try different date night ideas for married couples.

It may feel like you’re handcuffed to your kids sometimes, but you and your partner need to set aside a getaway. So, cancel the kid’s day out, beg the grandparents for a favor, and make it a married couples night out! 

Here are 11 date night ideas for married couples with kids. Whichever date night idea you try out, the first rule is to not talk about your kids (impossible)!

1. Staycation

You don’t have to drive far for a fun date night together. Try booking a one-night stay at a local hotel or Airbnb. You can enjoy the amenities of a hotel and forget you’re in your local town. 

The first time my husband and I did our staycation was in a downtown hotel. On other occasions, we did multiple staycations at a nearby Bed & Breakfast. Each room had a different theme living room, which gave us reason to keep going back.

2. One-Stop Flight Getaway

If you can afford extra time, there are numerous destinations you and your spouse can visit by plane without having a layover. Also, with the help of ride-sharing services, like Uber or Lyft, you can avoid the need to rent a car and enjoy traveling on a budget. Book a room downtown or an area where walking is sufficient, and you two could explore the new town together and find a local coffee shop.

For us, we took a three-hour flight to Austin, TX, a place we’ve never been before. We explored the capital, ate at iconic restaurants, and attended a local comedy show. The next day, we flew back home.

3. Couples Massage

Everyone can use a good massage, especially couples. This activity is one of the best romantic date ideas. Whether you’ve been sitting all day long or had a stressful week, a couples massage is a great way to get some relief.

We schedule a couple’s massage regularly. And, although we may not be talking to each other during the massage, afterward, we both agree that we feel refreshed. 

4. Art Class

If you and your partner are into art crafts or DIY projectors, attending an art class together is a great date night idea for married couples. The workshop should provide all the art materials you need. Just show up, and an instructor will guide you through the rest. 

For instance, there is an art class where two people each have their canvas. Each person paints one half of the final painting that you two place next to each other. Cute, right? 

Another example of an art workshop is a corkboard workshop. You and your space stain a corkboard and paint a quote from a pre-made template. We have a few cork board projects hanging in our kitchen and hallway.

5. Tasting Menu or Multi-Course Dinner

If you’re willing to go a little fancy, make a reservation at a fine dining restaurant for a romantic date night. Find a restaurant that features a tasting menu or a multi-course dinner. I’m not referring to a dinner with just an appetizer, main entre, and dinner. I’m talking about a five-course or seven-course meal.

You two can create a new memory together, sharing your thoughts and opinions on the featured dish. Your tongues will taste something new. 

On our first date, one of our courses was a grilled parsnip. We’ve never heard of a parsnip before. But, as you can see, we’ve never forgotten about it.

6. Have a Board Game Night

A favorite cheap date is having a board game night, which is a great way to save money. Put away the board games for 3 year olds, and bring out a favorite board game or 2 player card games for this home date night. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of friendly competition. We’re nerds. So, we like playing brain games or strategy games, such as Mastermind and Othello.

7. Attend an Escape Room

Are you looking to go out as a married couple? How about spending time together trying to get out of an escape room? It is a perfect double date for couples to work together to discover keys to unlock the door in this scavenger hunt. 

There are also different themed escape rooms. We did a zombie apocalypse theme where we hid from a zombie while solving puzzles. We made it out on time and kept our brains.

8. Explore Nature Together

For the naturing loving couples out there, hiking off the grid is a perfect date idea. Enjoy the fresh air, appreciate the foliage around you, and score some points on the odometer. And, if waking on foot is not your thing, try a bike ride together. Other nature-loving activities are white water rafting and a hot air balloon ride. 

9. Take a Cooking Class

Not everyone is a master chef in the kitchen, and a bowl of cereal doesn’t count as cooking. However, you two can take a cooking class to learn a new culinary skill, such as making homemade ice cream. You also might start a tradition where you cook this particular dish in honor of your date night.

10. Attend a Musical or Concert

If you and your spouse enjoy live entertainment, then make your next date night a concert, drive-in movie, or a Broadway musical. I’m a big fan of performing arts, especially Broadway musicals. We have season tickets and attend a dozen of shows in a year.

11. Binge Watch in Bed

Regular date nights require you to get out of bed. However, if you prefer living stingy, stay in bed and binge-watch a TV series together. This cheap date idea may not be on the top of romantic ideas, but some married couples know that any kind of quality time is valuable. And, if TV isn’t your thing, play video games instead.

Final Thoughts

Married couples need to spend time together. Thus, unique date nights don’t necessarily have to be expensive or extravagant. However, I’m not talking about going to Target to pick up a new breast pump for a witching hour baby. 

Find activities that allow you two to engage with one another. This moment isn’t an opportunity to get into arguments. Instead, it’s a time to let you and your partner remind yourself why you two fell in love when you first started dating.

Did you find your next favorite date night? Which one is going to the best romantic date night for you two?