Stuck at home and missing your significant other? We’ve got the next best thing: virtual date nights.
Hands up if you’re in a long-distance relationship. The feeling of being so close yet so far away from your partner can be soul-crushing. Don’t let it weigh you down, though. Virtual hangouts may not be as good as date nights in person, but you can still keep things fun and flirty, whether you’re in a years-long relationship or you’ve just met someone new. Read on for romantic online date ideas!
Online ideas for virtual date night
1. Have coffee and chill
Still getting to know one another? Keep things casual on a weekend afternoon by ordering brunch or afternoon tea for each other. Then, get in on the fun with online quizzes covering everything under the sun. You can even throw in a game of truth or dare if you’re up for it!
2. Get nostalgic and reminisce
This one’s for the sweet saps among us. Whip out your old photo albums and look through the pages together. All your childhood memories will soon come tumbling out, and you can share all your stories – good and bad.
3. Put pen to paper
Write a love poem – it doesn’t have to be mushy! – and read it out to one another. Or try your hand at crafting a story together. You can take turns finishing each other’s sentences or alternate sentence by sentence. The end product will likely be a hilarious masterpiece.
4. It’s a surprise!
If your boo loves surprises, don’t wait for a special occasion to send them a gift. For your next virtual meet-up, arrange for a sweet delivery to put a smile on their face. Just make sure you get the timing perfect!
5. Have a tasting sesh
Pick your poison – wine, beer, sake, champagne – and stock up your drinks cabinet. It can be a selection of the same bottles or completely different ones. If you’re going for the former, simply sip your way through the booze together and talk favourites on your virtual date. But if you’re going for the latter, it’ll be a fun test of your alcohol knowledge as you attempt to describe the tasting notes to one another.
6. Make your own lists
Here’s an easy way to discover more quirks about your significant other. Just come up with top 5 to 10 lists for everything under the sun! These can cover everything from your favourite vacation spots to your most beloved childhood memories to your go-to feel-good flicks.
7. Tune in to a podcast
It’s the easiest way to strike up a conversation afterwards. Just plug into the same podcast (or audiobook!) and watch each other’s reactions over an online hangout. When you’re done, discuss away!
8. Go for comedy gold
If you’re in need of some LOLs, skip the serious movies and binge-watch a stand-up comedy show instead. You’ll find plenty of them on streaming platforms. Just choose your fave funnyperson and introduce them to your partner so you can get the giggles together.
9. Fire it up in the kitchen
Keen on cooking? Put your newfound skills to the test by video chatting while you’ve got your chef’s hat on (we have easy five-ingredient recipes to try!). Watch each other in action and offer up a few pointers every now and then – it’ll be almost like you’re doing it together. Which brings us to our next point…
10. Set the mood for a romantic meal
Since you don’t have the opportunity to hold hands across the table at a swanky restaurant, you’ll have to double down on the effort to get the ambience just right. Think sunset, so you can watch the reddish-orange hues light up the sky together. Find a quiet room, pull together a couple of candles (maybe even flowers), dim the lights, pour yourself a glass of wine and throw on your best threads (you gotta look good for your boo!). Psst: Those who can’t cook to save your life can always order in.
11. Throw a dance party for two
One surefire way to laugh till your sides ache? Challenge each other to a dance battle – just look to TikTok for inspiration. Or bring the rave to your home with strobe lights (there’s an app for that), your fave dance playlist and easy cocktails you can concoct over the screen together.
12. Host a game night
Card games, board games, video games. These days, everything’s online. So unleash your competitive spirit and let the games begin! You can press play on everything from vintage fun (like Street Fighter and PacMan) to adrenaline-busting races (like Mario Kart Tour).
13. Sweat it out
Nothing brings two people together like a hardcore gym routine – and we’ve got plenty of free online workout ideas you can try at home! Alternatively, head to your nearby park or garden for a leisurely stroll while on a call with your other half. That way, you’ll get a good dose of fresh air and squeeze in a catch-up.
14. Cuddle up for a movie marathon
Stream in sync with Netflix Party or simply pick any other show you’ve been dying to watch together and hit play at the same time. Keep the video chat on so you can sneak glances at your other half or voice a snarky comment on whatever’s happening on screen.
15. Paint your way into each other’s heart
Immerse yourselves in the world of art with craft activities like painting, drawing or even embroidery (if you’re into that). To keep things interesting, you can attempt to sketch one another and share the idea behind your work to see what your partner truly thinks of you.
16. It’s all about pillow talk
Sometimes, quality time is all you need to feel connected. So push aside all distractions, get comfy in your PJs, curl up on your bed and let your lover in. Stumped on how to start? Try the famous ‘36 questions that lead to love’ and allow yourself to be vulnerable as you get intimate.
17. Double date with friends
One way to spice things up? Open up your relationship… for a double virtual date! Hit up your couple friends and get them on board for an evening of bites, booze and games.
18. Go on a virtual adventure
Thanks to the pandemic, virtual experiences have been popping up all over the Internet. So what if you can’t take a trip together just yet? Settle in for an evening of exploration with online tours of museums, vibrant walks down the streets of popular cities, and livestreams of animals in the wild. If you’re lucky, you can even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
19. Sign up for an online class
Pick a topic and search the web for workshops you’re both keen on. There are plenty of activities available online at no (or low) cost – you just gotta take a look around!
20. Share your playlist
You know what they say – music is the window to the soul. So take a peek by creating a playlist of songs that express how you feel about each other or tracks that remind you of milestones in your relationship. Think of it as a modern version of those old school mixtapes you used to make!
21. Pamper yourselves
Can’t go to the spa? Bring it home instead. Send each other care packages filled with goodies like face masks, essential oils, flowers, chocolates, candles, foot scrubs and whatever else your partner loves. Next step: Indulge together over video chat so it’s like you’re at a couple’s spa.
Bookmark this list for virtual date night suggestions the next time you run out of ideas!
