30 Cute Long-Distance Date Ideas Your Partner Will Love
Variety is the spice of life. That’s especially true when it comes to dating: Keeping things exciting with your partner is important to a strong relationship. When you can learn and grow together by trying new things, you know you can confidently face challenges and come out of them stronger. Keeping date night exciting can be easier said than done, though, especially if you and your partner are in a long-distance relationship. But whether they are across state lines or across the ocean, the miles between you don’t have to stop you from having fun and intimate dates!
From date night subscription boxes to games for couples, these long-distance date ideas are more exciting than a regular FaceTime call or watching another movie. They’re a great way to learn about each other and spend quality time as if you were face to face. And when you and your partner can connect again in person, your relationship might just be stronger than ever.
Paint and sip
Get a canvas, a pack of brushes, and some acrylic paint, and try making portraits of each other over a video call. You can reveal your (not so) masterpiece right away, or mail them to each other for the hilarious reveal. If portraiture is not your thing, you can follow a Bob Ross painting tutorial.
Learn a new language
Learning is hot! Pick a language you both want to learn and study it together. You have the benefit of a built-in partner to practice your pronunciation, and you can even plan a trip together to put your new language skills to the test.
Board game night
Many board games have online versions you can play at long distance. You can play classics like chess, checkers, and card games, or you can play board game hits like Settlers of Catan, Dominion, Wingspan, Code Names, Monopoly, and more online.
Make a vlog
Put together a fun video of your day to send to your partner. It can be a virtual tour of your city, a walk through a museum you love, a “take your partner to work” day, or just a record of how you spent your weekend downtime. It’s a great way to invite your partner into your daily activities, even from far away.
Host a book club
Pick out a new release to read together (perhaps from the Good Housekeeping book club?). Jot down your thoughts throughout the book and set up an evening to discuss your favorite parts! Bring a glass of wine and three questions about the book to discuss for a lovely literary evening.
Cook together on video
Future Chopped contestants and kitchen nightmares alike can have fun whipping up something tasty, and you won't have to worry about getting in each other's way. Find a recipe you can each make at the same time, then talk each other through it as you go or turn it into a friendly competition. Of course, you'll also enjoy the fruits of your labor after you're done.
Plan a vacation
When you're long-distance, couples often trade off visiting each other in lieu of taking trips together. But there's something about exploring an all-new locale that just can't be beat. Spend a video date or two brainstorming a new adventure that you can look forward to. Time to polish up those passports!
Play video games
Whether you and your partner are gamers or just love to play The Sims, load up a video game you can screenshare on your computer or play together online (The Nintendo Switch is great for this). One person can do the controls while the other person can give the directions, or you can play together cooperatively or competitively. Nothing gets the heart racing like some friendly competition!
Record video messages
If you and your partner are used to logging on from bed, first thing in the morning or late at night, you might not be giving (or getting) your loved one's best side. So put on an outfit that has you feeling yourself, sit in front of a window or a ring light and record sweet video messages for each other like you're doing a spot for your favorite reality TV show. It's a date idea and a no-budget gift, all in one.
Watch a movie
So you can't cuddle up and Netflix and chill. You can still press play at the same time and enjoy a film from afar, no sharing popcorn required. For a more unique twist, show each other favorites from your childhood, turn it into a theme night with outfits and snacks or really lean into the romance with a steamy romantic movie.
Take a virtual museum tour
Get some culture in with a virtual tour of your favorite museum, whether you're into history, art, science or a niche subject area. This is a great one for days or nights when the weather is nasty where you are, so you can get all cozy indoors and learn something together without even leaving your respective houses.
Work out at home
Turn up the heat in a new way by doing a workout video as a couple. There are tons of fitness classes on YouTube and other fitness platforms to suit every style and exercise type. And if you're newbies to a particular workout, you don't have to worry about looking silly in front of the class when you're both alone in your living rooms. Just don't attempt any exercise that's outside what you can do comfortably, so you don't hurt more than your pride.
Eat dinner together
Just because you can't go out to a romantic restaurant doesn't mean you can't recreate the moment at home. Order from your favorite spot or make food you've both enjoyed (first date recreation, anyone?), pour your beverage of choice, get a little fancied up and don't forget to light candles and set the ambience with some mood music. Really go for it by using cloth napkins and the good dishes, to make it feel special.
Make each other playlists
You'll always be in each other's heads if you swap playlists with songs that remind you of each other. Go old-school and write up some liner notes explaining why you included each selection for an extra touch.
Write letters back and forth
Before this internet thing, we used to use the postal service to profess our affection. And you still can! Get out the paper and pen and write out a long, flowery missive to your sweetheart. You can even write them together on a call to turn it into an activity. Spritz a little of your signature scent on the paper before shipping it off for a real wartime love vibe.
Wake up (or go to bed) together
There's just nothing like starting or ending the day in each other's arms; nobody's disputing that. But when you can't snuggle, your phone can connect you to the next best thing. Wake up with each other to set the day off to a sweet start, or call each other just as you're winding down to recap everything that happened. This idea feels especially fresh if you mix up the time of day you usually connect: night owls, try a morning call, and vice versa.
Order their favorite dish
Nothing says "I care" like "I know your Starbies order." Use your food delivery service of choice to have their craving delivered to their door so you can see their smile when it arrives. Or if they're far away from a taste of home they can't get where they are, send it to them to show how much you care.
Throw a virtual cocktail party for two
Get in touch with your inner mixologist and have a virtual cocktail party for two. Mix up some fun new concoctions, and don't skimp on the garnishes. Cheese plate not required, but highly encouraged.
Read a romance novel
If you loved being read to as a kid as much as I did, you know it's one of the most soothing feelings. Well, add a little romance to the mix, and it's a surefire long-distance date. Take turns reading chapters aloud and see how quickly you get all hot and bothered.
Make a craft
Even if you aren't the DIY type, making something with your hands will get you laughing. It also gives you an activity to do while you chat, which can be a nice change from just talking. Plus, you'll have a cute (or so ugly it's cute) creation when you're done.
Get in the tub
You know what they say: location, location, location. Set up your device somewhere safe from the water, run a steamy bubble bath, and call from there. It may not be quite the same as taking a soak together, but it's close. And if you bring a glass of champagne in there with you and light a few candles, it doubles as self-care.
Create a countdown until your next IRL date
If you have a visit planned or a date when you'll be back in each other's physical space, craft a countdown calendar to get excited about the big day. We're talking paper chains, sticker charts, repurposed Advent calendars, whatever suits your style.
Send them a care package
Gifts aren't just for holidays anymore. Put together a personalized box of goodies you know they'll love: reminders of home, favorite snacks, a comfy outfit to wear, and other items that will make them smile. Include a lovey-dovey card and watch their face light up as they open it — and not just from the glow of the computer screen.
Play grown-up mad libs
Do you remember those fill-in-the-blank books that let you (verb) a (noun) with a (adjective) (noun) that middle schoolers make as dirty as possible? Well, two can play at that game. And we're willing to bet your grasp of the genre has gotten a little more, ahem, creative since you were a kid.
Try out a date subscription box
There are plenty of ways to spice up date night when you add a subscription box into the mix. Whether you two try a paint and sip from separate locations or send each other on a scavenger hunt, a subscription box will save you the time of coming up with something and will give you both the gift of spontaneity with the unexpected activities that ensue.
Enjoy virtual karaoke
If you're in the mood for some laughter, plan a karaoke night. Set up your phone to give your significant other a great view of you dancing and singing along to your favorite hits. Bonus points if every song is from a playlist you both created together.
Start a digital scrapbook
The moments you do get to spend together in person are precious, so why not start a digital scrapbook to savor those memories? You can fill it up with photos of you both from special occasions, little momentos from past outings, or just words of affirmation and just because love notes.
Plan a spa night
Send your honey everything they need for the most relaxing (and romantic) spa night ever. A bottle of champagne, rose petals, face masks, a plush robe, and their favorite snacks will make their day.
Take a photo tour down memory lane
Depending on how long you both have been together, you've experienced quite a few significant moments together. Pull up photos from the past and reminisce on the times you've shared.
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