10 Fun at Home Date Ideas That Are Way Better Than Netflix Again

By Charlie Brighton-Brown

We’ve all been there—another Friday night rolls around, and once again the plan is… Netflix. While a cosy film night has its place, sometimes you just want something a bit more fun, something different to break the routine. That’s where these fun at home date ideas come in—creative ways to connect, laugh, and make memories without even leaving the house. And no, they don’t require hours of planning or a complete lifestyle overhaul. Just a little imagination (and maybe a date in a box or two) to sip and stroke the night away.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic surprise, celebrating an anniversary, or just trying to make a random night in feel special, here are 10 fun at home date ideas that are way better than scrolling through Netflix again.

1. Sip and Stroke Night
Canvas painting kit on a table with candles lit and 2 glasses of wine

Forget dinner and a movie; how about drinks and a canvas instead? Sip and stroke nights are all about sipping your favourite drink while painting something together. You don’t need to be an artist; in fact, the fun comes from just having a go. Play some chilled music, set the mood with candles, and let the creativity (and wine) flow. You can recreate your favourite holiday photo, attempt a portrait of each other, or just go abstract. It’s intimate, playful, and full of laughs—perfect for couples who want to do something memorable or have a fun friends night in.

Find our sip and stroke boxes here

2. Canvas Painting Kit Experience
2 blank canvases, paint palettes, paintbrushes, acrylic paints, heart shaped keyring and cards next to a gift wrapped box

A canvas painting kit takes the stress out of planning. Canvas painting kits come with everything you need—paints, brushes, canvas, and more. They’re ideal if you want the fun of painting without having to gather all the materials yourself. Even better, they’re made for couples to enjoy together, whether you’re painting a shared masterpiece or creating two individual works of art. Not only this, but they create a great activity whether you're having a girls night in or just a fun activity for your family. At Cosy Night Co we offer a standard box with the essentials for a fun at home date idea, or if you want to make it extra special, there's a date night option which comes with a conversation card game to get to know the person you're with on a deeper level, a Lego love heart keyring that splits into 2 parts that can connect together to create a love heart, love heart candles to set the mood, and some chocolate for a little treat.

Find our canvas painting kit here

3. Host Your Own Paint and Pour
Mix of colourful paints on a fluid art bear

Take the sip and stroke idea one step further and turn your lounge into your own paint and pour studio. At Cosy Night Co we provide the experience to create beautiful and cool pieces of art that can be used as home decor. The Fluid Art Bear Paint and Pour Kit is a date in a box that turns a night in into a colourful, hands-on experience. With 18 vibrant paints to choose from, a premium bear-shaped canvas, mixing tools, gloves, an apron, and a table cover, it’s got everything you need to create a bold piece of home decor. No experience needed; this paint and pour night is simple, satisfying, and way more exciting than a meal out.

Find our paint and pour date night boxes here

4. Pottery Painting Night with Our At-Home Kit
a love heart shaped piece of pottery being painted next to a paint palette and acrylic paints

There’s something calming and deeply satisfying about painting pottery. Whether it’s a mug, a mini plant pot, or a trinket dish, you’ll end up with a keepsake you can use or display. If you’re after fun at home date ideas that feel creative and calming, try our at-home pottery kit. It comes with everything you need—air-dry clay, sculpting tools, paints, brushes, and glaze—so you can shape and decorate your own creations without a kiln. Unbox, get sculpting, and enjoy a date night that’s hands-on and totally different.

Find our at home date night pottery painting kit here

5. Cook Something You’ve Never Tried Before
Couple smiling while cooking food with flowers on the table

If you always stick to the same few dishes, now’s your chance to get adventurous. Pick a cuisine you’ve never cooked—Thai, Moroccan, Korean, you name it—and make the whole evening about trying something new. Divide the courses between you, pour a glass of something nice, and play music from that culture while you cook. It turns a normal night into an experience, and even if it goes horribly wrong, that just adds to the story.

6. Indoor Picnic for Two

Set up a blanket in the living room, fill a basket with your favourite picky bits—cheese, fruit, chocolates, mini sandwiches, and pop open a bottle. Set the mood, put on a playlist of your favourite songs, and leave your phones in another room. This is one of the easiest fun at home date ideas, but it never fails to feel sweet, thoughtful, and romantic. It’s also ideal if you’re looking for something low-key but meaningful.

7. Make a Couples Time Capsule

Feeling a bit nostalgic? Create a time capsule together filled with mementoes that represent your relationship—ticket stubs, a love note, photos, or even a small painted object from your last paint and pour session. Write letters to your future selves, seal them in a box, and choose a date to open it again—maybe in one year or five. It’s an emotional, bonding experience that helps you reflect on your journey together.

8. Try a DIY Cocktail Night
2 red cocktails with pieces of strawberries floating with a mint leaf on the top

Skip the bar and bring mixology home. Choose three or four cocktail recipes you’ve never tried before and challenge each other to make the best version. Set up a little drinks station, dress up like you’re heading out, and rate each other’s creations. You can add a fun twist by making up your own signature cocktails based on each other’s personalities. It’s flirty, fun, and perfect for couples who love a bit of friendly competition.

9. Themed Film and Food Night
Family sat on the sofa laughing and watching TV

Okay, we know this technically includes a film—but we’re not talking about just plonking down in front of the TV. Choose a theme (like Italian romance, 80s classics, or even a specific director), and go all out. Dress up to match, cook food that fits the theme, decorate the room, and then watch your chosen film. It’s not about the movie; it’s about making the whole night feel special and different from the usual “What do you want to watch?” routine. We recently did a date night based around the movie Lady and the Tramp, and we loved it.

10. Get a Date in a Box
Box gift wrapped with a red ribbon next to 2 glasses of wine on a table covered in rose petals with a fireplace in the background

Sometimes, the best thing is when someone else has done the planning for you. A date in a box is exactly what it sounds like: a curated experience packed into one box, delivered to your door. Whether it’s a canvas painting kit, pottery painting set, or something totally different, these kits are designed to make your night effortless, fun, and memorable. It’s like gifting each other a little adventure. No stress, no prep, just good vibes.

Find our range of date night activity boxes here

The Takeaway

Fun at home date ideas don’t need to be extravagant or complicated; they just need to be intentional. A little creativity, a bit of effort, and the right mindset can turn even the most ordinary evening into something really special. Whether you’re painting, mixing drinks, or having a themed night in, these dates help you reconnect, laugh, and make memories together.

So next time you find yourself hovering over the Netflix menu again, ask yourself—what would be more fun? A sip and stroke session? A surprise date in a box? A little paint and pour fun with wine and creativity?

You don’t need to go out to have a brilliant night in.

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