How to Plan a Date Night for Your Parents

Co-authored by John Keegan and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: March 16, 2022 References

If it's been a while since your parents have gone out on a date, what can you do to make it a special night for them? It's important for your parents to have some alone time so they can bond. Luckily, you can take some of the weight off of their shoulders and plan something fun for them to do! Keep reading for fun and unique date ideas for your parents whether they want a night out or a relaxing time at home.

1

Make them a restaurant reservation.

Save them a table at their favorite restaurant for a classic night out. If you know a local spot where your parents love to eat, call ahead and set the reservation so they have a table. Make sure you tell your parents that you planned dinner for them ahead of time so they have enough time to get ready and go to the restaurant.^{[1]
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- You could even drive them to the restaurant if you want to be their personal chauffeur for the night.
- Get your parents gift cards for the restaurant or offer to pay if you can so they can save their own money.

2

Plan a night out at the movies.

A movie date gives your parents a bit of privacy on a night out. Think about what kind of movies your parents like to watch or ask them if there are any new releases that they’re interested in. Pick a showtime on a night when your parents don’t have any other plans. You can usually buy tickets with assigned seats online, so choose a pair of seats where your parents can cuddle up and enjoy the movie.^{[2]
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John Keegan
Dating Coach
Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- At some theaters, you can pay extra for reclining seats.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  John Keegan
  Dating Coach
  Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- Encourage your parents to sneak their own snacks to the movie instead of buying them at the concession stand.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  John Keegan
  Dating Coach
  Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- You could plan a movie night at home too. Make them some popcorn, turn out the lights, and leave them alone while they watch.

3

Sign them up for a hobby class.

Your parents will have a fun time learning new skills together. Community centers, libraries, and arts and crafts businesses offer a ton of classes to sign your parents up for. If they like to spend time in the kitchen, you could register them for a cooking or baking course. If they love to do arts and crafts, a wine and painting night or pottery-making class could be a lot of fun.
- You can even find online classes that your parents can follow along with at home if they don’t want to go out.

4

Recreate their first date.

A trip down memory lane helps your parents fall in love all over again. Casually ask your parents what they remember about how they met so you don’t give away your plan. If they have specific memories that stand out, think about ways that you can incorporate them into a date. You could even ask your parents to write their memories down so they can share them with each other during their date night.
- If your parents went out roller skating, you can plan a night out at the roller rink for them.
- If they took a drive up the coast, you could be their chauffeur and take them along the same route.
- If they went out to get ice cream, you could buy supplies and make them sundaes.

5

Stage a photoshoot.

Give your parents new memories to look back on years later. If you’re handy with a camera, you can take the pictures yourself. Otherwise, hire a professional photographer to take pictures of your parents as a couple. Have your parents get dressed up and find a beautiful spot where they can pose for pictures. They’ll have a lot of fun bonding and they’ll be able to save and print out their favorites from the day.
- If there’s a holiday coming up, you can stage a themed photo shoot. For example, you could have ugly Christmas sweaters for a funny Christmas card.
- Bring a Polaroid camera if you want your parents to have instant memories from their photoshoot.

6

Pack them a romantic picnic.

Let your parents enjoy a simple meal out in nature. Make a few sandwiches, pack some fruits and snacks, and put a few drinks in a picnic basket or cooler. You could either set up a small picnic area in your yard or pack a blanket and find a park where your parents can relax and eat.^{[5]
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- Add some flowers and chocolates to the picnic basket to make the date feel extra special.

7

Cook or order in for them.

It’ll be nice to give your parents a break from making meals. If you’re good in the kitchen, prepare some of their favorite foods to serve. Otherwise, you can order takeout or delivery from one of the restaurants they love to visit. Set the table for them and light a few candles to make their dinner even more romantic.^{[6]
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- You could even make a small menu of choices and act like your parents’ waiter to serve them throughout the night.

8

Create a relaxing spa night at home.

This date is perfect for your parents to get some peace and quiet. Get your parents some massage oils, lotion, and face masks to use throughout the night. Light some candles and create a relaxing ambiance so your parents can destress. Give your parents some space and alone time so they can unwind.
- You can always schedule an appointment for your parents at an actual spa if you can’t do it at home.

9

Give them a date night in a box.

Date packages come with everything your parents need for a fun evening. You can buy a prepackaged date night box in big box stores or online. Some date night boxes come with activities for your parents to do, such as cooking, making crafts, solving a mystery together, or taking a relaxing bubble bath. Find a date box that you think your parents will have fun doing and give them a private night in.
- You could even sign your parents up for a date box subscription so they get new dates to do every few weeks.

10

Create a scavenger hunt.

Scavenger hunts give your parents a fun puzzle to solve together. Write down something that you want your parents to find in your home and give the list to them. You could even make it a little tougher by writing riddles or making them solve a puzzle to figure out what they need to find. When your parents bring back the items you asked for, reward them with a prize, like a gift card to their favorite restaurant or a bottle of wine with chocolates.
- You don’t have to hide anything—you could just have them bring you something that has a special meaning, such as an old picture of your parents together or a gift they’ve given each other.

11

Plan a game night.

Make the night exciting with a little friendly competition. Pull out some board games your parents own and get them ready on the table. Put out a few snacks, like pretzels, chips, and drinks, out for your parents to munch on while they’re having fun. If your parents don’t know the rules, take a few minutes to teach them before leaving them to play on their own.
- There are a ton of cooperative board games your parents can play to work together if they don’t want to compete.
- If you have a video game console, see if you can find any classic video games for your parents to play.

12

Set up a campsite outside.

Your parents will love a romantic night under the stars. This is a great option if you have a yard and some camping gear at home. Set up some lawn chairs and get a bonfire going so your parents can roast marshmallows and stay warm. Lay some blankets on the ground with some sleeping bags and pillows so your parents can relax out in the yard and stargaze.^{[7]
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- Set up a telescope if you have one to get a better view of the stars.
- Citronella candles can help keep bugs away and set the mood for the rest of the night.

13

Prepare a wine tasting.

A night in with a few drinks is perfect to squeeze into a busy schedule. This is a good option if you’re old enough to buy alcohol for your parents. Choose a few different mini bottles of wine varieties that you think your parents may enjoy. Set out some cheese, apples, chocolate, and crackers to make a full spread for your parents to pair with the wine.
- Teach your parents to taste wine properly so they know how to enjoy it.
- If you’re too young to get your parents alcohol, you could still set up a charcuterie board with cheese and crackers.

14

Book them a hotel.

Your parents will appreciate a night to reconnect away from home. This is a great option if your parents want privacy and still have people living at home with them. Call a nice hotel in your area and reserve your parents a room. You can pack an overnight bag for them and surprise them with the reservation.
- You may need to schedule a babysitter or offer to stay home if your siblings can’t stay home alone.
- Give your parents a small care package with some chocolates, champagne, and some massage oils to take along with them for some added romance.