30 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 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.

Cute long-distance date ideas

1. 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 your loved one the other’s portraits as a keepsake. 

2. 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 board game like Pictionary, Scrabble, or Charades. 

3. 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. 

4. 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 in real-time. 

5. 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 with your significant other the next time you’re reunited. 

6. 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. 

7. 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 over Zoom. 

8. Have a movie night. Sometimes, nothing beats a good binge-watch. Make a list of all the movies or tv shows you want to watch together, call each other up, and press play at the same time. It’s the remote version of “Netflix and Chill.”

9. 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. It may seem like an unconventional dinner date but it might even give you some inspiration for the next time you cook together!  

10. 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. Planning a future trip or listing your bucket list adventures is a fun way to help pass the time — you can even add a countdown clock to your phone to add to the excitement! 

11. 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. 

12. Head to your favorite spot. Places hold memories. Why not venture to the coffee shop where you had your first date or the bench where you had your first phone call? Send your partner a photo to bring the memories back — it might just brighten up their day! 

13. Send a love letter. Even though snail mail may seem a bit old-fashioned, the romantic notion of a love letter is not. Taking the trouble to send it will show your partner that you are thinking of them — it beats even the most eloquent text message!

14. 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 and test your compatibility!

15. 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. Or, if you want to improve your ability, why not try a virtual cooking class? 

16. 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. Or try a video chat if you want to add a little food envy to the conversation!

17. Play online trivia. The internet is packed with online games, 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?

18. 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. 

19. 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. 

20. Set up a scavenger hunt. For this idea, it’s a bit of a team effort! Rope in your partner’s flatmates or friends to help set up a scavenger hunt. Go big by setting up a route around their town or even keep it more low-key with treats stored around the house! 

21. Get creative. Break out the PVA glue, it’s time for DIY date night. If you’re looking for some inspiration, we’d suggest something simple like friendship bracelets or a cute candy jar filled with love notes! 

22. Learn a language. Planning a trip to Paris together? Challenge yourself and your partner to learn the lingo for your vacation — it’ll have quite the payoff! 

23. Self-care for two. Who said self-care had to be a solitary activity? It’s time to run that bubble bath and pop that face mask on. Light those candles and prop your phone at the edge of the tub to spice up your next Skype date! 

24. Play Truth or Dare! This old classic is the perfect way to spice up your Saturday night Skype call. Feel free to crack open a bottle of wine to add to the fun! 

25. Try out a virtual museum tour. You don’t have to wait for your next trip to go out on that museum date — there are loads of virtual tours of museums and galleries to explore with your long-distance partner. 

26. 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. 

27. Put together a photo album. Why not try your hand at some scrapbooking? Getting creative together while looking through your memories can help long-distance couples remember how strong their relationship is! 

28. Organize a double date. Just because you’re apart doesn’t mean you can’t organize a double date, even if it has to be a Zoom invite for now! This can help your partner feel more involved in your life and friendship group even from a distance. 

29. 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.

30. 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.