Valentine’s Day is a lovely way to show your partner how much you love them. While we don’t always need one day to serve as a reminder to tell that person we love them, it can often be a great way to celebrate. After all, when you are parents, you can find your daily life all-consuming with routine, commitments, school runs, and tantrums. One of the best ways to spend time together on Valentine’s Day is to go out for an evening just as a couple.
A chance to reconnect and relax, even just for a few hours. However, the problem many parents have is finding a babysitter. So what can you do? There are still lots of lovely ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home when the kids have finally gone to bed. With that in mind, here are some of the Valentine’s Day date night ideas specifically for parents.
Cook a nice meal
One of the first things that you could consider doing would be to cook a nice meal together. Perhaps spend time looking through recipe books and decide on a menu that you both will enjoy. Or you could take it upon yourself to take control of the situation and make the meal yourself as a surprise for your other half. Cooking at home might feel mundane, but if you take the time to create a new recipe or even try different ingredients you wouldn’t normally cook with it can make the whole experience a lot more special.
Treat yourself to a restaurant takeaway
If you had your heart set on going out then you can still enjoy that restaurant quality at home. Many restaurants have taken their food to online delivery companies, especially during the lockdowns when people weren’t able to eat out. So there is such a good range of choices now and you may find that some of your favourite restaurants will offer a delivery service. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy that restaurant’s quality without leaving your home.
Watch a film or boxset series together
Sometimes a date night will include a trip to the cinema, but if you can’t get out, you could still enjoy a film or boxset series together. Buy yourself some snacks, get cosy on the sofa in your loungewear and with blankets, and enjoy some time watching something other than cartoons. Netflix and Amazon Prime have a great selection of films and boxsets, and if you have a Sky subscription, you could even rent some of the movies that are currently showcased in the cinema. A great way to feel like you are doing something a little different without leaving the house.
Play games
If you don’t want to watch something then why not do something a little different instead? Playing games can be a great way to pass some time and enjoy some quality bonding time together as a couple. You could play board games, card games, or even buy a specific couples game where you ask each other questions. There are so many great options out there and if you are a little last minute with thinking of things to do Amazon Prime can likely save the day with a last-minute delivery.
Have a “blackout” night
As a couple, you rarely get time to yourself. So why not indulge in a blackout night and reconnect? But what is a blackout night? This is where you switch off all use of technology. So your phones get put in a drawer, you don’t switch on computers or the TV, and instead, you enjoy each other’s company by talking, playing games, or cooking, to name a few things you can do. The idea is that you avoid any distraction because let’s face it, we can all be guilty of scrolling our phones while watching TV or in the middle of a conversation. Putting it all aside will help you to be in that moment.
Sit outside with blankets
Finally, if you want to enjoy some peace and quiet, then why not sit outside with some blankets, a few drinks, and snacks? If you have a fire pit or chiminea then putting that on can really set the mood and also keep you warm. This is a great idea on a clear night where you could sit outside and gaze at the stars while enjoying one another’s company. It might sound a little boring, but having the chance to just enjoy a conversation will help you to reconnect with one another.
Hopefully, this has given you plenty of ideas for Valentine’s Day date night ideas for parents.