Date Night with a Baby
It may sound counterintuitive, but it IS possible to have a successful date night with a baby! Maybe you’re a new parent and you aren’t quite ready to leave baby at home with a sitter. Or maybe you want to get out of the house, and you can’t get a sitter! Either way, I’m here to tell you how to have date night with a baby and STILL have fun.
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Date Night with a Baby: Look for a kid-friendly locale
I don’t mean for you to eat at Chick-Fil-A next to the play area (although that’s certainly an option!). Rather, opt for a restaurant that has kid-friendly foods or even an area for kids to play. Maybe a cafe with outdoor seating and a grassy area or climbing structure, if you have a toddler? If your baby is young, pick a spot that isn’t too loud, and snag a table in the back. With luck, your little one will sleep through the meal!
Go for a walk
If you babywear, try strapping the little one to your chest and head out. Not a fan of wearing babies? Throw the stroller in your car! A walk through the park is relaxing, or a stroll through the mall can be fun if the weather is nasty outside. A little window shopping, hand holding, and people watching generally makes for a good time.
Plan a picnic
A picnic lunch or dinner is generally good for babies of all ages, as long as the weather is nice. Toddlers can run around and pick up leaves. Crawlers can…well….crawl. And babies can just lie there like the cute little lumps they are. A little fresh air and sunshine may just give you the reset you need!
Check out these picnic lunch ideas for two for a list of great ideas. Don’t forget to pack an umbrella or other sun protection for the baby.
Get fancy
If you are a stay-at-home-mom, you may feel like you spend most of your days in spandex and spit up.
Don’t worry. You aren’t alone.
Make the night a little more special and dress it up! Pick out a flattering dress, or throw on some clean jeans and cute shoes. A few accessories will make you feel like more than just “mom” again.
Think outside of the box
Get creative and plan a date outside of the norm. Here are a few ideas to try:
- Play mini golf – wear the baby on your back!
- Grab ice cream and eat outdoors
- Go to an arcade or game place
- Go bowling with an older kid – set them up with their own lane and then bowl with your spouse
- Catch an early movie that is kid-friendly, especially if the movie theater lowers volume during the day
- Visit the museum, aquarium, or zoo. Push the baby in the stroller while you walk around and chat.
- Visit a bookstore that has a coffee shop – let your toddler/kid look at books while you enjoy the quiet
- Stay home! Put the kids to bed so you can…do whatever you like 😉
If you’re looking for more date night ideas, you might want to try this fun paint and sip at home activity that my husband and I did. You’ll find that and more fun ideas for a date night at home here.
Spice things up with these romantic bedroom date ideas once the kids are in bed! Have a few laughs with these funny couples trivia questions or these fun bets for couples too!
Or check out this summer bucket list for couples – including some activities that you can do with a baby in tow (and plenty of activities for just the two of you). No matter what activity or date you choose, just have fun!