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In the midst of this global pandemic, dating has become challenging. Social distancing has created more physical distance in relationships that wasn’t present before. Navigating physical distance in a relationship is not without its challenges. Know that you are not alone, that it can be done, and there are ways to keep it fresh and exciting.
Whatever the reason for the distance in your relationship, here are 34 virtual date ideas to keep the flame burning bright.
1. Watch a movie together
You can do this several ways, but Netflix has an especially neat feature for this. They have a Netflix party option that is similar to a Facebook Watch Party. You can get together with your partner, or even with a group of people and watch Netflix on your computers. The option streams the content to everyone at the same time, including playback controls. It’s also equipped with a chat room so you can talk about the movie like you were all in the same room.
2. Take in a concert
Now more than ever concerts are being live-streamed on many different platforms. Music is a medium that brings people together. Use it to bring you and your partner closer through the distance. Sit back, grab a drink and take in a concert together.
3. Visit a museum
There are museums around the world that offer online virtual tours. Schedule a time with your significant other and dive into some culture. One of the most famous virtual museum tours is of the Louvre, but you can do this for many other famous museums too.
4. Go for a walk
Although we are in the midst of social distancing right now, walking outside is still allowed in many areas. Taking a walk is a great way to spend some time together while taking a few minutes to get out of the house. This is an activity help you avoid going stir crazy too. You can show each other the neat things you find or describe the scenery. It’s a fun way to be present in the moment along the way, but also have that date you’ve been meaning to take.
5. Play a board game or card game
Many board games can be played virtually. Some may need a slight change in rules but when you get creative you can have a great time bonding over a virtual game. Try something like Scattergories or Uno.
6. Play a video game
A lot of video games are set up to be played virtually with others. Most teenagers I know love to connect with their friends paying these games, and I’ve recently discovered that this is a fun date night activity when you can’t physically be together.
7. Make Lunch Together
Cook lunch (or dinner) together, apart. Plan a meal and then you both cook it. You’ll each be in your own kitchen cooking the same foods. Then sit down and eat together, all while video chatting. Can you get more romantic?
Oh wait, you can.
8. Have a candlelit dinner
Now add candlelight to setting when you sit down to eat this meal together. Or just order in and skip the labor of love in the kitchen. You can both order your favorite meal and eat together over candlelight.
9. Play 20 Questions
Whether your relationship is new or not, there’s always something new you can learn about your significant other. Twenty questions is a fun and creative way to find out new details about each other. You might be surprised at what you find.
10. Play the telephone game
No, this is not the game you played as a child in a large group. In the childhood game several kids form a line. The first person in the line whispers a phrase into the ear of the next person. That person whispers what they heard into the ear of the 3rd person in line. From there, each person keeps whispering the phrase in the ear of the person next to them until they reach the end of the line. The person at the end of the line then says what they heard out loud. This is almost never the same as the starting phrase. When you pass a phrase through 15+ children you come up with some interesting discrepancies. Anyway, I digress because that’s not what I’m referring to.
In the “game” I’m suggesting, you imagine that you’ve just come back from a date out with your partner. You pretend you’re calling your best friend to tell them all about it. You each take turns telling the other about the date you just had together. Cheesy? Maybe. But trust me, it’s fun, and the stories can go on from there to create quite a scene. Pay attention to what your partner says were their favorite parts, or even what they are wishing will happen in the future. Save this as fuel to make your next date even better.
11. Read a book and discuss it
Find a genre that interests you both, pick a book and have a book club discussion. Maybe over a glass of wine? Oftentimes, if you do a quick search on line, you can find a list of book club discussion questions for any book that you choose. Have those handy to help you facilitate the conversation. Stay intentional in the process and see what interesting things you learn about each other in the process.
12. Write a story together
Let’s take it to the other side of things. Instead of reading a book together, try writing a story together. This can be for your eyes only, or maybe it’s something you’d want to publish together some day. Either way, you have an opportunity to have some fun, be creative and have a new experience with your partner.
13. Take an online class together
Always wanted to learn how to speak another language? Learn how to line dance? The fundamentals of painting? The options for online learning are as endless as your imagination. Brainstorm together about things you’ve wanted to learn. Make a list and pick one that you’re both interested in and have fun learning something new together.
14. Have sexy time together
Being apart for weeks and even months at a time can take a toll on the intimate part of your relationship. Sexting and video sex with your partner can help you reclaim that sense intimacy with your partner. If you’re feeling a little uncomfortable, or self-conscious, you can start by watching a risque movie or reading an erotic book together.
15. Sweat it out
Nothing fuels energy and makes you feel good like exercising does. Grab your workout gear, your water bottles and jump on a video chat and get your workout on together.
16. Virtual house shopping
Have you ever gone to an open house when there’s a house for sales in the neighborhood? Have you ever stopped in to an open house because it’s that gorgeous house that you’ve been dying to see the inside of?
Even without an intent to buy, it doesn’t hurt to dream. Go virtual house hunting together. You can design your dream home and see how your visions line up. Even better, by doing this virtually, you’re not limited to houses in your current city.
17. Go stargazing
Star gazing can be a lot of fun. The feeling of being able to view the same thing as your other half in person, instead of through a screen, fosters a sense of connection that you may be looking for. Grab a blanket, lay on the ground looking up at the stars and see how many constellations you can find together.
18. Have a picnic
You can each pack a picnic lunch, dial up your video chat and find yourself a quiet space under a tree to eat, talk and soak in the sun.
19. Create a TikTok video
Choreograph some dance moves and spend some time practicing together. Once you’re ready you can record a video of these dope dance moves using a split screen recording option. Share your awesomeness with the world and post it to TikTok. You never know when you’ll create the next viral video sensation to entertain the masses.
20. Have a happy hour cocktail
Schedule a video chat for happy hour and indulge in a cocktail or two together. This is a great time to catch up on what’s been going on in your daily life while you’re apart. Or even use the time to imagine what it will be like the next time you’re together in person.
21. Make a spa day
Typically when you think, “spa day”, you think it’s a day for her, but a virtual spa date can be for anyone. Do a foot soak with salts, exfoliate your skin, sit in the bathtub and sip Champaign, all from the comfort of your own home. While you’re at it, make time for that manicure and pedicure, with or without the polish.
22. Create a music playlist
Many of us listen to music throughout the day. We may listen when we’re in the car driving, hanging out at home or even while we’re working. Creating a playlist of songs together goes further than one date. Every time you pull that playlist up and listen to it, you’ll be reminded of your special someone. It’s a great way to feel connected when you’re missing each other.
23. Have a virtual talent show
Remember the movie The Breakfast Club when they all showcased their secret talents? We’ve all got some secret talents and some not so secret ones too. Getting on a video chat and putting on a talent show for each other is a surefire way to generate some laughs and learn something new about your partner.
24. Order dinner for each other
Order delivery for each other and get a surprise when you see what food comes to the door. Once the food arrives, jump on that video chat, share a meal and appreciate how well your partner knows you.
Another variation of this idea would be to order a meal to be delivered to your partner, and one for yourself. Once the meals have been delivered, call your partner and surprise them with an impromptu date that they weren’t expecting. You may want to make sure that you’re doing this on a night when neither of you have plans, but much like planning a birthday surprise, there’re ways to do this without spoiling the surprise.
25. Visit the zoo
There are many popular zoos that offer virtual tours. You can learn about the animals and ooo and ahhh over the cuteness together on your virtual date. Check out the San Diego Zoo or the Houston Zoo to get started.
26. Watch a comedy special
This is a different take to the Netflix movie watch party. Many comedians have comedy specials that you can view on Netflix, listen to on XM Radio or even find their channel on YouTube. Laughter is a great way to lift your spirits and there’s no one better than your boo to do this with. Kick back, relax and let the laughs flow together.
27. Double-date with friends
Virtual dating doesn’t have to be a one on one experience. Invite your couple friends along for the ride for a group double-date or group dating experience, if that doesn’t take you back to high school. Meals, movies, games and virtual tours are all dates that you can open the doors for larger groups. Games are often more fun with multiple people. Go on, give it a shot.
28. Host a dance party
Virtual dance parties are all the rage, haven’t you heard? Tune in to your favorite jams and dance away. Better yet, tune in to the playlist you created together and make some more memories with it. This is another fabulous time to bring along some friends in your virtual space.
29. Plan your next vacation
We talked about virtual house shopping together but for those of you that are like me, this is even more fun. Plan where you’ll go, what you’ll do, and all the details that go in to your next vacation. Use the time to dream about the perfect vacation if you’re not in a place to make actual plans. Dreaming is the first step in experiencing it. Go ahead, there’s nothing stopping you. Dream Big and have fun.
30. Watch the sunset
Get your chair your phone and find yourself a spot to watch the colors of the sky with your sweetie as the sun sinks down below the horizon. The best part of this date is that if you’re in different time zones, you can hang out and enjoy the experience twice and have a reason to hang out with your honey a little longer.
31. Watch the sunrise
Or maybe your more of a morning person and would prefer to have an early morning date watching the sun rise. That’s OK to. The morning sky is delightful and the calmness that exists before the rest of the world is awake is one of the best parts of the day.
32. Go Fishing
Are you the outdoorsy type? Finding a good fishing hole to kick back and relax is soothing for the soul. If your partner can’t go with you physically, share it virtually.
33. Create a masterpiece together
Create some art together. Put on a smock, grab your paints and canvas, turn on a YouTube video that teaches you to paint a picture. If that’s too advanced for your talents, much like myself, try your hand at pour painting. You’ll have created your own individual masterpieces in no time while sharing the experience together.
34. Take a hike
Get out of the city, find a spot in nature and take a hike together, apart. You can both go on your own hikes. Stop, take breaks together and share some video surrounding the scenery. Not only will you connect with each other but you’ll bring a new travel experience to yourself until you can experience it in person.
As you can see, there are many ways to connect, even when you’re apart. The best part is that you can mix and match so many of these ideas to create a rich dating life, even when you can’t be together physically. I hope you enjoy these ideas and I’d love to hear your experience with these or any other virtual dates that you’ve participated in!
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