At-Home Date Night Ideas for Parents

You’re not ready to go out, but you’re also tired of calling binge-watching another series on Netflix “date night.” From trivia nights to at-home mixology classes, schedule one of these options this holiday season and escape the monotony of quarantine.

Scheduled Dates

Scott Silven’s The Journey

Scott Silven returns to the Ann Arbor Summer Festival to perform this virtual, live immersive theater production of “The Journey” from his home in rural Scotland. Hear a story and interact with Silven to help shape the illusions and mesmerizing events. Maximum 30 guests per show.

Great British Baking: It’s No Mere Trifle

In this class, Zingerman’s Cornman Farms’ Chef Kieron teaches participants how to make one of England’s most famous desserts: the trifle. Chef Kieron will walk you through a hands-on virtual cooking class to make each element of the trifle, from lady fingers to syllabub. Ticket includes all of the ingredients to be picked up at the farm, 8540 Island Lake Road, Dexter, Feb. 27 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Plus, housemade jam from Corman Farms and printed recipe cards.

George Winston in Concert

• When: Feb. 28, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free, but donations encouraged

Dim the lights, pull out your favorite beverage and snuggle in to listen to Michigan-born pianist George Winston who has sold 15 million albums over the past 40 years. The concert is free via The Ark’s Facebook page, but donations to the “virtual tip jar” support The Ark with 10% being donated to Food Gatherers.

Virtual Game Night: Great Lakes History

• When: March 11, 2021, 7-9 p.m.
• Cost: $25

Take a goofy virtual wander through Michigan maritime history full of facts and tales with Detroit History Tours. Lead by award-winning tour guides, this will include stories of famous shipwrecks. Expect puzzles, trivia and scavenger hunt around your home – and prizes of Great Lakes memorabilia among other stuff. For the over 18 crowd since some topics include prohibition smuggling and prostitution – and a runaway love story. Game cards will be mailed if you signup by Feb. 25.

Ireland With Michael – A Virtual Concert

• When: March 13, 2021, 7 p.m.
• Cost: $25, $35 (includes souvenir DVD) and $50 (includes DVD and private meet & greet via Zoom)

Get in the St. Paddy’s Day spirit with this concert. Filmed at the National Opera House of Ireland, the concert features Irish tenor Michael Londra, backed by the Irish Concert Orchestra, two nationally acclaimed choirs (Valda Choir and The Presentation Children’s Choir), and guest singers and musicians from the island of Ireland. Londra celebrates Irish culture with Irish dancers and music, including fiddlers, pipers and a 10-piece harpist group, Cláirsí Neamhaí.

Detroit Virtual Game Night

• When: Available nightly
• Cost: Free

Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunt Adventures has created the software for you to host your own, free game night, with questions at the ready. Gather your friends (who also need a date night) for trivia, charades, Pictionary and more.

Virtual Wine Tasting

• When: New tastings added weekly; check website. Check out the past tastings while there.
• Cost: Free

Join wine makers and wine critics to uncork and taste new wines. The events are free, but you can also purchase the wine and have it sent to your house to test during the tastings.

Take an Online Film Class

• When: Anytime
• Cost: $20

If you’ve already exhausted your saved movies on Netflix, learn how they’re made through lectures and classes for ages 18 and older. Subjects include narrative structure, sound, editing and mise-en-scene. Viewing of classes directly benefits the Michigan Theater Foundation.

More Virtual Date Ideas

Order a special dinner

Skip dinner with the kids and plan a meal just for you two. You can order takeout from one of your favorite local restaurants. While you’re at it, why not set up the table and light some candles, too?

Do a puzzle together

After a long day, break out a puzzle that you can work on together and still be able to have a good conversation. Consider buying a puzzle roll mat so you can save puzzling for a future date night — and not worry about the kids ruining it!

Host a virtual game night

You can still connect with your friends without leaving the house. If you’re missing game night together, try out some virtual gaming apps like Houseparty and Jackbox Games. We suggest video chatting at the same time to make the experience even more fun.

Have a movie marathon

Instead of binge-watching your current show obsession, pop some popcorn and watch a few flicks. Make it a themed movie night so you can watch two or three similar movies together. Some ideas include horror films, ’90s night or movie musicals.

Sip and paint

If you don’t feel like spending so much money, recreate the Sip and Paint experience at home. Buy your art materials and a bottle of wine as you follow along with this tutorial on YouTube. Search eventbrite.com, too, to find Sip and Paint classes.

This post was originally published in 2020 and is updated regularly.