21 Dates for When You Don't Have Childcare
By Jimmy Sliwa
There are a million excuses to skip date night with “no childcare” at the top of the list.
Excuses exist, but there are no excuses good enough to forgo date night. Simply put, date night is that important for your marriage. Couples that share a regular date night have the strongest families!
In fact, going on regular dates and prioritizing your marriage is one of the best things you can do for your kids.
Children are always watching. Don’t you want your kids to see you invest in your marriage? Kids that see their parents invest in quality time with each other are more confident, happier, and have better self-esteem as opposed to children who do not see their parents prioritize marriage.
You see, date night is important for both your marriage and for your parenting.
Even if you can’t find childcare, that’s ok… You can take the kids on a date from time to time.
Here are 21 dates you can do even with the kiddos.
After the Kids Go to Bed
-> Husband’s Pro tip- Get the kids to bed on time. That way you can maximize time with your wife.
1. Play Putt-Putt Golf in the House
You don’t have to be at a PGA golf course to have a blast swinging the irons. Stay at home and create a mini putt-putt course throughout your house. There is no better way to perfect your game: golf and love game.
Dust off your old golf clubs and grab a golf ball or tennis ball. Use a large cup to be the hole in the green. Use objects around your house to make the course more challenging.
Putt Putt From Home – The Husband’s Club (thehusbandsclub.com)
2. Minute to Win It Olympics
Choose 5 “Minute-To-Win-It” games and go head-to-head with your spouse. Keep score to see who takes home the gold!
Check out this Pintrest board for inspiration: Minute to Win It Games
3. Bring the Big Screen Home
Going to the movies is the most classic date idea. If you are unable to secure a babysitter and make a trip to the movie theater, why not bring the movies to you!
While your wife puts the kids to bed, run down to your local theater and pick up some popcorn, snacks, and drinks. Set up a comfortable place to watch a movie and stream a new flick that you and your wife have been wanting to watch.
**bonus points if you let your wife choose a chick flick**
4. Take Out Talent Show
Show off some of your best talents to your spouse over some of your favorite takeout food. First pick up some takeout food or door dash something unique.
Next, create a stage by draping a blanket over some stools and get to performing. Take turns performing your best talents.
Talent Show Examples: dance moves, lip sync, juggling, reciting a poem, playing an instrument, moon walking, pushup challenging etc…
This is guaranteed to be 10/10 fun!
For Young Kids Age 1-5
-> Husband’s Pro tip- Tell the kids in advance that you are taking them on date a date with mom and dad. This will build their anticipation for the evening.
1. Blanket Fort + Movie Night
While mom gets popcorn and some snacks ready, dad and the kids can help set up a blanket fort in the TV room. The kids will love getting to design a blanket fort, and will love watching a moving from the comfort of their fort. Choose a family friendly movie and snuggle up as a whole family.
2. Walk the Block
Summer days are the perfect opportunity to walk around your neighborhood. Grab the kids and a stroller and go for a walk. Ask the kids what they want their summer vacation to look like or talk about what fun adventures you could do as a family.
3. Pet Store Window Shop
Sometimes getting a pet isn’t realistic with young kids. Instead, you can take your kids to the local pet store and window shop for some cute animals. My son loves to look at the reptiles while my daughter prefers the furry, cuddly animals.
The best part about this family date is that you leave the store with no pets to take care of!
For Kids Age 5+
-> Husband’s Pro tip- Give your kids specific tasks in preparation for the date. This will teach them to put forethought into date night.
1. Picnic in the Park
A picnic in the park is a wonderful way to spend some quality time as a family. Mom and dad can pack the picnic basket and blanket and let the kids pick the park. It’s best to choose a place that is fun for the whole family.
2. Video Game Night
Donkey Kong! Super Mario Bros! Crash Bandicoot! Dust off the old video game console and relive your childhood with this date night. A little friendly competition is good for your family. Be careful, sometimes the kids are better at the games than the adults.
3. Nerf Gun and Root Beer Floats
Surprise your family with an at home nerf gun war. Go all out and create forts and bunkers for a more fun experience. After all the action, you can unwind over some pizza or root beer floats!
4. Board Game Marathon
Board games are a terrific way to scrap the technology and connect as a family. If your family enjoys board games, choose to have a board game marathon. Let each member of the family choose their favorite game and get to playing. For best results, make this a technology free date for the whole family.
5. Indoor Lazer Maze
Grab a string line and create an indoor lazer maze. String the line from chair to door to stool etc… See who is the stealthiest person in the house and can complete the maze without touching the string line.
Place sweet treats (brownies) at the end of the maze. When you complete the maze, you are an instant winner.
6. Slip-n-Slide Bowling
On a warm summer day you can create a slip-n-slide and do some human bowling. Buy inflatable bowling pins to place at the end of the slip-n-slide. Take turns going for a slide to see you can knock over the most pins. I hope you get a strike!
7. Tie-Dye Old Clothes
Peace. Love. Family.
Help your family get in touch with your hippie sides. Gather the supplies ahead of time; you will need white T-shirts, rubber bands, and fabric dye. Have the family design their own shirts to be worn proudly.
For a step by step process in how to get this done check out: DIY Tie Dye Shirts
8. Geocache
Join the largest treasure hunt in the world! There are literally thousands of areas to explore and treasures to be found. Geocaching is great fun for the whole family and you can choose geocaches that are family friendly for all ages. The best part is that you can do this date over and over again with the whole family.
9. Bury a Family Time Capsule
All you need to make this date happen is a mason jar and some of your most valuable family possessions. Spend the day collecting memorabilia and write out a letter to your future selves. The kids can add some of their own art to the pot as well.
Let the kids choose a sentimental spot to bury the family time capsule and get to digging. Don’t forget where you buried the time capsule.
10. Family Puzzle
Puzzles are a great challenge that the whole family can be a part of. Let the kids pick out a puzzle that interests them and scatter the pieces out on the dining room table. You can spend time as the whole family putting the puzzle together or take turns working on it all week long. When you complete the puzzle be sure to go out and celebrate afterword (ice cream is always a good option!)
Want More Date Ideas?
Check out our growing list of date ideas in our date library.
