The Best Indoor and Outdoor Date Ideas for Couples with Kids

February is the month of love, a time for couples to celebrate their bond with one another. However, once you have kids, it can be harder to get out on frequent date nights to celebrate! If you want to enjoy Valentine's Day even with kids in the equation, check out some of these ideas for indoor and outdoor activities you can enjoy as a couple (or family!).

Indoor Date Night Ideas

Whether you have a newborn baby or older kids, whether you are new parents or seasoned parents, you can still have a sweet, love-filled date night in. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of diaper changes, bath times, school events, and sports, and spend time enjoying life with your spouse this month!

After the kids go to bed, plan a special time you and your loved one can create a memorable time together, prioritizing conversation, laughter, and love.

The Key To A Romantic Night In

Create a cozy space with candles, flowers, and soft music for a relaxing evening in. You can plan a surprise dinner, or order your partner’s favorite takeout for a romantic night in.

Take your night to the next level and set up a movie night with a projector or big screen, and snuggle up under the blankets watching your favorite show or movie.

Indoor Activities

If you don't feel like turning up the romance, and want to prioritize bonding and deeper conversation, try some of these activities!

• Have a game night with board games, card games, or video games for a fun and competitive evening. Try to play games that encourage laughter and conversation, not just competition. Try to use this time to learn more about your partner.

• Plan a DIY spa night complete with face masks, manicures, massages, and other pampering activities. Although this might seem like an odd idea for a date, parents deserve all the pampering and relaxation they can get! You'll be surprised how much of a difference it can make to spend some time unwinding from the stresses of daily life with some simple pampering activities.

• Have a dance party! Turn up your favorite music and dance the night away (as long as you don't wake up the kids!). You can also grab a portable karaoke machine and sing along to your favorite songs.

• Have a paint night. Grab some paints, a few canvases, and set up a paint night at the table. You can even make it fun by having a competition of who can paint the best portrait of the other person! Painting is a calm, relaxing activity that gives you plenty of time to talk and create fun memories together.

Outdoor Date Ideas

If you have a babysitter, plan a fun date outing and enjoy the outdoors! There are so many great date ideas you can do outside to help celebrate the bond you have with one another.

For Nature Lovers...

If you love nature, and the weather cooperates, plan a local hike or nature walk at a park or scenic hiking trail. Whether you walk, bike, run, or hike, this can be a great break from the busy lives you have as parents.

Another way to enjoy the outdoors is to go on a picnic in a park or by a lake for a peaceful and romantic setting. Find a beautiful outdoor spot to visit, and spend time enjoying the moment with your spouse. Grab food from your favorite local eatery and share a meal together.

Take a sunset walk or drive to enjoy the beautiful views. If you have a newborn or infant, you can even load them up in the stroller or car for this one. It can be difficult to take a real break if you have a baby, but use their nap times or bedtime to take a break from your busy schedules and spend time with each other while the baby sleeps.

For Seasonal Fun...

This time of year is cold for most people, so finding places to visit can be a challenge.

You can plan a seasonal activity like ice skating, sledding, or visit the farmers' market for a fun and festive outing, even in colder weather. You can buy tickets to a local sporting event or concert for a fun and exciting parents' night out.

Take a scenic drive or go on a bike ride to enjoy the local views.

Kid-Friendly Date Ideas

As parents, it can be difficult to find a babysitter or have family or friends to watch the kids while you go on a date. If you find it impossible to find someone to watch the kids, consider taking them with you! You can still create beautiful memories together, getting out of the house and spending time with one another, even if you have the kids in tow.

Fun for the Whole Family

What are some date ideas that include little ones? If you lead busy lives, the key is to start small, and make a habit of taking time each week for family bonding.

• Plan a movie night with the kids and make it a special event with popcorn and snacks. Even though it's not as romantic as a couples-only movie night, you can still enjoy watching something together, cuddling up on the couch and holding hands.

• Have a game competition with the kids and play board games or video games together.

• Take the kids on a fun outing like a trip to the zoo, a children’s museum, or an amusement park.

Planning the Perfect Date Night

Whether you just want time to sit and talk without the kids around, or want to plan grand excursions to do together outside the house, it's important to take time each week to create loving memories together.

Making Time for Love

This is the season of love, so take time to prioritize your relationship and make time for regular dates, whether you stay home or go out.

Plan ahead and schedule date nights in your calendar. Make it a habit to spend time with your husband or wife so that you remember you are more than just parents, and just friends - you are lifelong partners who truly value one another on a deep, passionate level.

Communicate with your partner and make sure you’re both on the same page. Do you expect to go on a date each week? Every few weeks? Once a month? How will you pay for a babysitter, or find family or friends to watch the kids? It's important to set realistic expectations on what it means to "date" as parents.

Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

A Valentine's Day date is a wonderful way to celebrate the love you have for one another.

Plan a special Valentine’s Day dinner or weekend getaway. If you prefer to celebrate at home, there are still many ways to create fun memories together. Come up with a scavenger hunt with clues and surprises for a fun and romantic evening. Cook your partner's favorite meal, or order food from your favorite local restaurant. Design a scrapbook or photo book of fun times you've had together.

Tips for Exhausted Parents

Does the thought of a date night make you yawn? We get it - modern parents are busy. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't take time to nurture your relationship with your loved one. Plan a low-key time together where you can just enjoy each other, without anything too extravagant.

Low-Key Date Night Ideas

• Plan a low-key date night at home with a movie or board games. Make a few drinks, relax, and enjoy quality time with one another after the kids go to bed.

• Plan an easy meal for just the two of you to share after your child goes to bed. Set the table, light a candle, and make a nice evening for the two of you.

• If you can't find a sitter, take advantage of kid-friendly activities like a trip to the park or a children’s museum.

• Use a babysitter or ask a family member to watch the kids for a few hours. Even if you just use this time to run errands or grab a quick bite to eat, this time is important for the two of you.

Quick Getaways Versus Long Trips

• Parents often can't take a lot of time away from their kids, so a quick getaway or "staycation" might be the key to a successful extended date.

• Plan a quick weekend getaway to a nearby city or town.

• If you can't escape overnight, take a day trip to a local attraction or landmark.

• Use a travel website to find last-minute deals and discounts so your dates don't break the bank!

Finding Time for Love

It can be hard for parents to understand the importance of regular time spent together, especially when you're in the trenches of parented. It can seem exhausting to come up with date night ideas, think about Valentine's Day and other romantic holidays, and still balance work and family life.

However, with enough time and effort, working on your relationship can become a fun, healthy habit to share together, strengthening your bond and giving your children a good example to learn from. From going grocery shopping and running errands, a simple movie night in, to watching a sports game at a local high school, to going out for fancy dinners, to planning date nights out or weekend excursions, couples can benefit from quality time together.

Prioritizing Your Relationship

• Make your relationship a priority and schedule regular date nights.

• Know that although it can be hard to spend time away from your child, it is important for you and your spouse to work on your relationship, too.

• Never forget the power of uninterrupted conversation, without the kids around.

• Communicate with your partner and make sure you’re both on the same page.

• Take advantage of kid-friendly activities and plan dates that include the whole family.

• Prioritize having adult conversation with one another.

• Think about time spent with your spouse as a way to boost overall well being.

• Sit and talk about how you can schedule more dates on your calendar.

Planning date nights shouldn't feel like a chore.

It can be hard to add date nights to your busy routine, especially as you're soaking up all those precious moments raising a family. It can be easy for relationships to get pushed to the back burner - but kids love and need to see their parents spending quality time with one another. Whether you plan a fancy night out, visit a local area you've never been to before, or just plan a simple date in the house, it is important for couples to create wonderful memories with one another.