Long-distance relationships can be challenging, but they also give you a chance to get creative with how you spend time together. Thanks to technology and a little imagination, you can still create memorable moments and keep your bond strong. Here are 15 long distance date night ideas, each explained in detail to help you plan evenings that feel special even when you are far apart.
1. Watch a movie together online
Streaming services like Netflix Party, Teleparty, or even simply hitting play at the same time make it easy to enjoy a movie together from different places. To make it feel like a real date, you can decide on a theme, like romantic comedies or thrillers, and even prepare the same snacks. Keep your video call open while you watch so you can share reactions in real time, laugh together, and talk about the storyline. To make it cozy, you can set the mood with flameless candles and a soft throw blanket. You can even grab matching movie night mugs to make it feel like you’re watching together in the same room.
2. Cook the same meal
Food always brings people closer. Choose a recipe ahead of time, shop for the ingredients, and then hop on a video call to cook together step by step. It could be something simple like homemade pizza or a fun challenge like trying sushi rolls. Once the food is ready, sit down and eat together as if you are at the same dinner table. Sharing the same flavors and talking through the cooking process makes it a memorable shared experience.
3. Play games virtually
There are countless online games you can play together, from multiplayer video games like Mario Kart and Fortnite to app-based games like Words With Friends, Pictionary, or virtual trivia. A game night adds energy and laughter to your date, and it gives you a chance to show your competitive side. If you are not into video games, try simpler card games you can play over video, like Go Fish or Truth or Dare with a playful twist. If you want to go beyond simple app games, you can try a few fun ones like Table Topics Couples Edition or We’re Not Really Strangers they’re great conversation starters for virtual date nights.
4. Take an online class together
Learning something new together is a fun way to bond. You can take a virtual cooking class, a painting session, or even a language course. For example, you could join an online pasta-making class and then compare results, or both sign up for a beginner salsa dance lesson over Zoom. Sharing the challenge of learning creates teamwork and gives you inside jokes and stories to carry forward.
5. Write and read letters
In an age where everything is digital, handwritten letters feel incredibly romantic. Write each other thoughtful letters filled with memories, hopes, and personal reflections. Plan your date night around reading them aloud on a video call. The anticipation of receiving a letter in the mail makes it even more exciting, and hearing each other’s words read aloud adds a layer of intimacy that texts and emails cannot match. There’s something incredibly sweet about handwritten letters. Use a vintage stationery set or wax seal kit to make your letters feel even more personal.
6. Create a shared playlist
Music has a way of connecting people instantly. Create a playlist together on Spotify or Apple Music with songs that remind you of each other or tracks you both enjoy. During your date night, play the playlist and talk about why you chose each song. For example, you might add the first song you danced to together, or a song you know makes your partner laugh. Over time, the playlist becomes your unique soundtrack as a couple.
7. Plan your dream trip
Even if traveling together is not possible right now, you can still dream about it. Spend your date night on video call researching destinations, browsing hotel options, and building an itinerary for your ideal getaway. For example, you could plan a week in Paris complete with a visit to the Eiffel Tower, a picnic along the Seine, and a pastry tour. Talking about future adventures keeps your connection hopeful and exciting. You can even start a travel journal together or use a scratch-off world map to mark the places you both want to visit.
8. Take a virtual museum or gallery tour
Many world-class museums like the Louvre or the Metropolitan Museum of Art offer free virtual tours. Pick one and explore it together on your screens while on a video call. As you walk through the galleries virtually, talk about which pieces stand out and what you think of them. It turns into a cultural date that feels unique and sophisticated without leaving your home. You could make it even more immersive by using a tablet stand or flipping through an art coffee table book together while you chat about your favorite pieces.
9. Read a book together
Start a mini two-person book club. Choose a book you both want to read and set goals like finishing two chapters before your date night. When you meet on your call, discuss your thoughts on the characters, plot, or themes. For example, you might pick a romance novel and compare how it relates to your own relationship, or choose a mystery and make predictions together. This sparks conversation beyond daily routines. You could grab a copy of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or It Ends With Us and read it together. I also love using a clip-on reading light when we read late at night.
10. Share a drink or dessert
Sometimes simple pleasures are the most romantic. Decide on a drink or dessert to make and enjoy together over your video call. You could mix the same cocktail, like mojitos or margaritas, or bake brownies and taste them “together.” Even something as small as sipping hot chocolate at the same time can feel like a shared ritual that connects you despite the distance.
11. Stargaze at the same time
If the night sky is clear where you both live, head outside with your phones and look up together. Even though you are in different locations, knowing you are gazing at the same stars creates a magical sense of closeness. You could even use a stargazing app to identify constellations and compare what you see. It is simple, peaceful, and deeply romantic. Bring out a cozy outdoor blanket or a simple pair of binoculars to spot constellations together. It’s peaceful and feels like something out of a movie.
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12. Do a virtual workout
Exercising together helps you stay motivated and adds a playful energy to your date. Pick a YouTube workout video or follow a fitness app at the same time while staying on a call. You can encourage each other through the tough parts and laugh when you are both out of breath. Whether it is yoga, a HIIT session, or even a dance workout, it turns fitness into a bonding activity. Try using matching yoga mats or resistance bands for a fun virtual sweat session. You’ll laugh, push each other, and maybe even turn it into a weekly ritual.
13. Share old photos
Take a trip down memory lane by sharing photos from your childhood, family events, or past travels. Talk about the stories behind each picture and what those moments meant to you. This kind of sharing helps you learn more about each other’s backgrounds and deepens emotional intimacy. For example, you might show a funny school picture and tell the story behind it, while your partner shares their first vacation memories. You can make a shared photo album or use a mini instant camera to start capturing new memories to show each other later.
Compact and cute design. Easily twist the lens to turn on and off
14. Plan your next reunion date
Use your date night to plan exactly what you will do when you finally meet in person again. Talk about the restaurant you want to visit, the activities you want to do, and even the little details like what you might wear. Visualizing it together builds anticipation and makes the distance feel more manageable. The excitement of planning can almost feel like living the date ahead of time. If you already know your reunion spot, surprise your partner with a weekend travel bag or start browsing date night outfit ideas for that special day.
15. Create a cozy atmosphere and just talk
Sometimes the best date night is not about doing something elaborate, but simply being fully present with each other. Light candles, put on soft background music, and pour a favorite drink while you chat. Ask thoughtful questions, share stories, or talk about your dreams. By setting the mood intentionally, even a long conversation feels like quality time spent together. Set the scene with scented candles, a soft blanket, and maybe your favorite loose-leaf tea set. Little touches like these make your long-distance nights feel warm and meaningful.
Long distance relationships may come with challenges, but they also open the door to creative ways of connecting. Whether you are playing games, dreaming up trips, or simply talking under the stars, the effort you put into date nights shows love and commitment. What matters most is not the activity itself, but the fact that you are choosing to make time for each other, no matter the miles in between.
