20 Long-Distance Date Ideas to Keep Things Fun
All relationships take work, but coming up with long-distance date ideas for you and your partner is a whole other ball game.
Not being together for a long amount of time can really take a toll on your relationship. If you’re in a long-distance relationship you’re probably constantly trying to come up with creative ways to spend time with your partner from miles apart.
Sure, catching up with each other with a long phone call is great, but sometimes you need a little bit more novelty. Luckily, you can keep the spark alive even when you’re not in the same city (or time zone). Whether your long-distance relationship has fallen into a rut and you’re looking to reintroduce some fun, or you’re just looking for new long-distance date night ideas, we’ve got you covered.
If you need some ideas for how to spend time together, apart, we've compiled some of the best (and easiest) long-distance date night ideas to try with your LDR partner.
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Cute long-distance date ideas
Paint each other’s portraits. Don’t worry, you won’t need any artistic talent for this long-distance date night idea. All you need is some supplies and a photo of your partner. Jump on a video call and set a timer, then when the time runs out show each other your masterpiece and see who’s the better painter. You can even mail each other’s portraits as a keepsake.
Have a game night. Just because you’re not in the same room doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy an old-fashioned games night. Do a puzzle together while chatting about your day, or go for a classic like Pictionary or Charades.
Start a two-person book club. Pick a book you've been dying to read and set a time to discuss it. Even if you each pick a different book, it gives you the chance to do something you both enjoy while being in each other’s company, and then pick your partner’s brains about what they’re reading.
Do a virtual escape room. Did you know you can do escape rooms online? Whether this is your first escape room or you’re both already avid fans, you can keep the good times going virtually.
Join an online wine tasting class. Online wine pairing classes let you enjoy the refined elegance of a wine tasting experience from the comfort of your own home. Either choose a private session with a sommelier or join a group, and at the end of the date, you can pick your favorite wine to enjoy together the next time you’re reunited.
Do an online workout together. Couples who sweat together, stay together — but you don’t need to be in the same gym. Pick one of the many workouts on YouTube or sign up for an online fitness class membership to do together.
Try long-distance sex toys. Fostering physical intimacy is one of the hardest parts of a long-distance relationship. Luckily, technology has figured out a way to make it easier. You can buy a Bluetooth-connected sex toy that is controlled via a smartphone app, and control each other’s toys from miles away. Put some time in your calendars to try out your new toys and have some video sex.
Have a movie night. Sometimes, nothing beats a good movie binge. Make a list of all the movies you want to watch together, call each other up, and press play at the same time. It’s the remote version of “Netlix and chill.”
Buy each other takeout. Thanks to food delivery apps it’s really easy to buy your partner their favorite meal even when you’re not there. Find an evening when you’re both free and surprise each other by ordering your partner’s favorite dish.
Plan your reunion. Since you’re probably counting down the days until you see each other again, make the most of the anticipation and plan everything you want to do when you’re together again.
Send each other care packages. Ok, so this isn’t technically a date idea but it’s a great idea to show each other you care, especially if you’re living on opposite sides of the world and it’s difficult to find a time when you’re both free (or awake). Create and send each other a care package with all of your partner’s favorite things, plus some goodies from your city.
Ask each other deep questions. Host your own version of the Newlywed Game and see how well you know each other, or ask each other deep relationship questions that will inspire conversations you might not otherwise have had.
Try a new recipe “together”. Find a recipe you’d both like to try, go buy all of the ingredients, then prop up your phone or computer in your kitchen, and cook it while you’re on a video call together. You can even make it a monthly date idea, where you pick a different cuisine each time and then create a virtual recipe book with all your favorite dishes.
Share your lunch break together. If your time zones allow it, take your work lunch break together to feel like you’re both working from home. No need to do anything fancy, just pop your headphones on and eat your lunch while chatting on the phone.
Play online trivia. The internet is packed with online trivia quizzes and challenges. Test your general knowledge and see how well you work together under pressure. What better way to test if you'd make a good team?
Go on a hike. Not every long-distance date has to be spent indoors. Strap on a pair of hiking boots and enjoy each other’s company via FaceTime while you’re both admiring the local scenery, stopping occasionally to show each other the view.
Have your future read. Want to see what your relationship has in store? Whether you believe in it or not, hire a psychic or Tarot card reader who does online readings and see what the future hold for you. And who knows, it might be the perfect conversation starter to talk about your future together, your aspirations, and where you see your relationship going.
Create a couple's playlist. Long gone are the days when lovers would gift each other a mixed tape of their favorite songs, but we say it’s time to bring it back. Make a romantic playlist together to listen to when you’re missing each other, or pick your favorite songs that remind you of a specific memory together. And hey, if you’re feeling nostalgic you can even burn a CD and mail it to each other.
Plan your week together. Got the Sunday Scaries? Not anymore. One of the best things about being in a relationship is having someone who can cheer you on and support your goals. On your next virtual date, share five things you really want to accomplish in the coming week. Whether that means finishing your to-do list, making that tedious phone call you’ve been avoiding, or simply getting your daily 10k steps in. It’ll feel like you’re together in real life.
Play a Game on the Paired app. The Paired app has an endless library of relationship games and quizzes to help you and your partner feel closer than ever. From games about your sexual fantasies to relationship pet peeves, they’re the perfect way to spark conversation and feel more connected to each other.
