If there’s a silver lining in this pandemic and the quarantine associated with it, that would be the chance to spend some quality time with our loved ones. We’re forced to stay at home until further notice, allowing us to rest, recover, and bond more with the people we often neglect due to our busy schedules – like our partners.
But let’s be honest – staying at home, with nothing to do but to eat, sleep, and watch Netflix, can get boring at some point, even if we’re with our favorite person. So if you’re running out of fun things to do with your partner while under quarantine, here are 17 ideas that might help.
1. Create Masterchef-worthy meals together
Two is better than one, so think about cooking together. Want to put a little spin to your dinner? Have a friendly cooking competition. Try challenging yourselves by preparing something you haven’t cooked before using the available ingredients in the kitchen. It requires cooperation, creativity and an unexpected dose of sensuality.
2. Eat outside
And by eating outside, we mean enjoying your dinner in the backyard, patio, garden, or balcony. Set up a table under the stars and create a romantic ambience with fairy lights, candlelights, fine tableware and cutlery, and romantic music you both love. Who says having a romantic dinner date requires breaking the bank?
3. Host a wine and cheese tasting
Get locked up at home with class. The next time you go to the supermarket for your food supplies, get some wine (or beer), some premium cheeses, fruits, and crackers. Dress up nicely and enjoy a soothing wine-tasting night with your significant other.
4. Or any blind tasting of whatever you’re both fond of
It doesn’t need to wine – if you are coffee aficionados, you may try different coffee beans, brew them in different ways, and compare.
5. Have a board or card game night
Before the internet arrived to save us from boredom, we had board games and card games to keep us entertained indoors. Games like backgammon, snakes and ladders, checkers, chess, scrabble, Uno, jigsaw puzzles, and jenga, for instance, are perfect for two players. If you are parents already, make sure to get the kiddos involved.
6. Have a videogame marathon
Not into old school indoor games and puzzles? Go ahead and beat each other in a video game you both love.
7. Workout together
If you don’t want to look like the people in Wall-E after the quarantine, do yourselves a favor and exercise. Create a workout plan, burn some calories, and build muscle mass together. No gym required!
8. Watch dance lessons on YouTube
Hate working out? Try watching Zumba and other dance lessons you can follow. Dancing is one of the most enjoyable yet effective forms of exercise.
9. Or a YouTube Karaoke Night
Love singing? Unleash your inner diva by singing your favorite songs. Don’t forget to close the doors and windows to avoid disturbing your neighbours.
10. Bond over music and arts
If you both enjoy music and any form of art, then use this opportunity to collaborate. Jam and create song covers or write your songs. If you’re into visual arts like painting or photography, pick up your tools and start creating together. Make it more meaningful by teaching each other skills you’re not fond of.
11. Do a vlog
Turn that quarantine boredom into an informative online content. Do tutorials, food reviews, music covers, trendy dance covers, and other fun and engaging content you can share with the world.
12. Create a memory book or photo album
While it’s nice to look at photos from our screens, nothing beats looking at them page after page from a photo album. Reminisce about your relationship highlights and milestones, and compile all of your pictures, movie tickets, dinner receipts, and other mementos into a memory book.
13. Work on your home improvement while under quarantine
From cleaning to sprucing up your interior design, the quarantine is the perfect time to work together and beautify your space. Declutter, clean the surfaces, rearrange furniture, replace the sheets, rugs, throws, and curtains, and make your home look Pinterest-worthy.
14. Have a themed movie night
Shake up your usual movie night with a themed marathon. Binge-watch according to genres, timelines, directors, and actors. You may even discuss, rank and compare your picks – like a real film critic. Don’t forget the popcorn and the cheesy and beefy nachos!
15. Host a couples quiz night
Do you know those online personality quizzes, checklists, and other questionnaires? They are a fun way to make you aware of each other’s strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes. You can look up online for templates, or make your own set of “would you rather” and “truth or dare” questions.
Who knows? There might be a lot of things you still don’t know about each other. You can even step up your game and sign up for online couples counselling.
16. Enjoy a spa and massage night
During the quarantine, make DIY face masks, body scrubs, foot spa, and other spa essentials to pamper yourselves. Then, finish it off with a lovely massage night.
A home spa and massage experience with your partner is one of the most sensual ways to unwind and reconnect with your partner. Light some candles, put on some music, and take turns. Bring this energy to your bedroom!
17. Go stargazing
The lockdown made the entire world quieter and darker during the night. Use this rare opportunity to enjoy the little yet beautiful things you usually neglect, like how wonderful the stars twinkle in the dark, night sky while the world’s light pollution is significantly reduced. Enjoy the magnificent view with the love of your life, while sipping hot chocolate.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is one of the writers for Relationship Room Couples Counseling, a couples psychology institution specializing in relationship counselling and therapies for couples and families. She may be hopeless romantic, but she’s got some straightforward pieces of advice about love, dating, and relationships.
