When it come to making time for dates with my husband, it’s something I try my best to prioritize. After 10+ years of marriage to my high school sweetheart, I’ve learned that you have to put in some work to keep our relationship strong – and keep the romance alive. Planning regular dates outside the house is one of the best ways for us to connect. I’ve written in the past about my Ultimate List of Fun Date Night Ideas and put a holiday spin on the date thing with my 12 Dates of Christmas (which I plan to do again this year too!).
All that date night stuff is great, but let’s be real for a second. Going out at night when you have babies and/or toddlers, like we do, can be a bit of a logistical nightmare. You have to consider things like dinner for the kids, explaining bed time routines, and don’t even get me started when you have to throw nursing into the mix. But the main reason – staying up late is hard with little ones. Usually I get to the end of the day and I am flat out exhausted, so getting out of the house for a night out feels daunting. I’ve found that taking out the “night” element makes the whole date thing much easier and less stressful. My kids are at their best first thing in the morning or early afternoon, so why use that to our advantage and make it a day date.
Here are some fun ways to get out and connect with your spouse during the day:
- Take a workout class together (something like yoga or cycling) and stop for brunch after
- Head outdoors for a hike and bring a picnic for on the trail
- See a matinee movie and split some popcorn
- Grab lunch at a new to you fancy restaurant (bonus if its usually booked up for reservations during dinner)
- Relax with a couples massage
- Take a cooking class together and enjoy the fruits of your labor
- Rent some paddle boats at Tempe Town Lake and take in the views of Tempe
- Get out of the city for some kayaking (or stand up paddle boarding) at Canyon Lake or Lake Pleasant
- Beat the heat (or embrace the season) and go ice skating
- Indulge in some fried food and a few rides at the state fair
- Grab a coffee and browse the farmers market together
- Challenge each other to a round of mini golf
- Go horseback riding
- Head to your favorite local brewery for a behind the scenes tour
- Have a little friendly competition with a game of bowling
- Spend an afternoon at the ballpark for a baseball game (or Spring training!)
- Walk among the butterflies at Butterfly Wonderland
- Take a stroll around the Desert Botanical Garden
- Spend a morning rock climbing at an indoor climbing gym
- Explore a local bookstore (changing hands is a favorite of ours!) and grab a drink to discuss your finds
- Volunteer together for a local charity
