By Southern Living Editors Updated on October 10, 2022 Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann
When someone's with a spouse, that person almost twice as happy as when the two are apart, according to a study by the University of Minnesota. So shouldn't couples that now spend a significant amount of time at home be happier than ever before? It may depend a lot on how you've been spending your time. If the two of you are starting the umpteenth Netflix marathon, you may simply find yourselves utterly bored.
There's no better time to mix things up. Put the kids to bed, turn off that show you've been binging, and try some of these at-home activities for couples tonight. It just might turn into the date night you both desperately needed.
Host a wine tasting for two.
Break out a few of your favorite bottles, slice some cheese, and get ready to taste–no spit bucket necessary.
Watch your wedding video.
Footage from your favorite day isn't reserved for anniversaries. Press play and get ready to be transported back to the happiest of times. Not married? Take a trip down memory lane by going through old photos instead.
Learn a few new dance moves.
If you haven't danced in the living room since you were practicing for the first dance at your wedding, it's time to bust a move. Turn on your favorite album, jump onto YouTube, and try out a tutorial. Looking for inspiration? We have a few dances Southerners should know to get you started.
Break out a board game.
It only takes two to play some of the classics. Competitive couples be warned. It could get heated!
Fire up the fondue.
Indulge in warm cheese over homemade bread or melted chocolate over strawberries. Whether you go sweet or savory, there's nothing like a batch of dipped bites to get you out of a dinner rut.
Try stargazing.
Grab a glass of wine and a pair of binoculars. Gaze up from your patio and see what constellations you can find. Bonus points if you keep your cell phone off the whole time.
Challenge each other to a video game marathon.
If you haven't spent a whole evening trying to beat level 9 since college or high school, take a break from reality and step back in time for a night. Whether you plug in your old Super Nintendo or commandeer your kids' Nintendo Switch, there's nothing like the rush of finally beating the boss after the tenth try.
Treat each other to breakfast in bed.
…or dinner in bed if your kids are early risers. Take turns cooking for each other on two different days so the other person can relax completely. Just imagine it's room service and enjoy a little staycation luxury.
Jot down your story.
The story of how you meet is a meaningful one, and we bet you both remember it a little bit differently. Put your history down on paper. Your kids will thank you one day.
Try your hand at classic card games.
Gin rummy, go fish, war, speed–there are a slew of games waiting in that deck of cards collecting dust in your drawer.
Take turns watching each other’s favorite movies.
Your all-time favorite flicks may be completely different genres, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't give each other's a try. You might be surprised by how much you enjoy his action-packed movie or her lovely period drama.
Toss together a homemade pizza.
You can order a delivery pizza any day, but there's a certain romance in the art of making a pie together. Scour the fridge for any fun leftovers you can throw on top to make something unique. Or if you're a planner, we've got you covered with some of our favorite pizza recipes.
Take a love language test and compare notes.
Think you know your partner? Think again. Take a quiz to see which of the five love languages–quality time, giving and receiving gifts, words of affirmation, acts of service, and physical touch–is most important to your partner and which is more important to you.
Host a friendly cooking competition.
Test your skills, "Top Chef" style. Find two new recipes you've been meaning to try, set the stakes, and get cooking.
Make a travel bucket list.
There's no time like now to start thinking of all the places you want to go together. Close your eyes and envision future escapes to Carolina beaches, Smoky Mountain peaks, and vibrant Southern cities.