5 summertime date night ideas

In my marriage, date nights are a must. After a dozen years of marriage, there’s still nothing quite like a night out with my husband that makes me reconnect, recenter, and remember that what started with just the two of us still remains. However, there are seasons in life that leave little time for dating, and it’s in those times that we’re forced to either get creative or go without our time together. We’ve tried both. These days I opt for the first choice, and recently my husband and I sat down and talked through a list of five summertime date night ideas that we can do in our own backyard regardless of how hectic our days get.

5 Date Night Ideas For Summer

1. Have dessert out on the lawn. There’s something about eating that brings people together. It’s often over a meal that we really get to know new people or grow deeper in a relationship with old friends. Food bonds us, so why not save the best, sweetest meal for the one you love? My husband and I are planning to cook s'mores, eat ice cream, or even sip on something sweet this summer, sitting in the warm evening air, reconnecting at the end of a busy day or week every now and then. It’s a simple act, but it’s one that I’m really excited about.
2. Movie night. You don’t have to go out to enjoy a movie. In fact, it’s sometimes better to stay in, put on your pajamas, relax, and cuddle up while you enjoy something the kids wouldn’t be allowed to watch.
3. Go for a walk. My husband and I started going for a walk as a weekly date a few months ago when it was still cold. We'd fill mugs with warm tea, cocoa, or hot cider, then we’d do a lap around the block and unplug. We’d sip and talk about our week, and within fifteen minutes we were both happier and more relaxed. You don’t have to walk far to feel the effects--simply being outside with the one you love, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of summer will give both of you a reprieve from the stresses of the day or the week.
4. Learn about the constellations together. One of my favorite stories that my grandma always told me took place right after she and my grandpa moved to Bolivia. Seeing that my grandma was overwhelmed, my grandpa began quizzing her on the stars. He’d studied them for years himself before teaching my grandma. And in looking at the vast array laid out before them, holding onto each other, they both found peace in the midst of everything they were going through. If you’re struggling with being overwhelmed, I’d recommend this one to you as well. There’s something amazing about looking up into the universe, seeing how big and grand it is, and knowing that God is in control of it all. He's capable of holding the universe, and he’s just as capable of holding you.
5. Create a backyard water park. Sometimes I watch my kids playing in the sprinklers, on the slip-and-slide, or splashing around in our small, inflatable pool, and I think, "that could be fun!" So often as parents, we don’t get to let our inner child out. We get busy watching the kids and forget that it’s okay to play. It’s not for everyone, but for me, it sounds like a blast!

My husband and I are looking forward to trying these out, and maybe adding more ideas as the summer months unfold. I hope some of them work for you too.

Have you tried any of these before? Or are there other date-night in the backyard ideas that you would add? Share in the comments below.