Married couples who are short on time and energy can keep the fun alive with these 12 easy ideas

Is your marriage feeling a bit stale?

A man in glasses excitedly looks at a smartphone while a smiling woman with curly hair leans on his shoulder. They both appear to be enjoying something on the screen. The setting is a cozy living room with warm lighting.

Do you find yourself struggling to enjoy each other’s company like you used to? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many couples face this challenge, but it’s what you choose to do next that really matters.

With all the stress and strain of everyday life, fun and romance don’t stay alive without some effort. If time, money, or energy are a barrier, the good news is there are plenty of creative ways to keep the fun alive that don’t even require you leaving your home. Here are 12 minimal effort activities that will keep the joy in your relationship and remind you why you fell in love in the first place.

1. Have a theme night.

A couple cooking together in a modern kitchen. The man, in a red shirt, leans over a table with vegetables, while the woman, in a green top, stirs something in a bowl. They both smile and are surrounded by kitchen utensils and ingredients.

When an evening of food and entertainment revolves around a central theme, it makes the whole thing that little bit more unique.

Perhaps that theme is a country or a historical era. Or maybe you choose a movie or natural event (e.g. full moon) around which to base your date night.

Either way, get into the swing of things by dressing appropriately, getting into character, eating the right food, and listening to the right music (Spanish guitar, anyone?) amongst other things.

2. Have a picnic.

A couple relaxes on a picnic blanket in a grassy field, cuddling and smiling. Behind them is a wicker picnic basket with utensils exposed. Two glasses of juice and a bouquet of flowers are in view. The atmosphere is peaceful and sunny.

Enjoying a platter of different picnic favorites whilst sitting on a blanket with your loved one is a great evening at any time of the year.

If the weather is nice, you might wish to do it outside. Failing that, you can always clear some space on your living room floor and enjoy the nibbles and drinks inside.

There’s something quite romantic about picnics, so this is a good way to enjoy each other’s company and do something a bit different.

3. Play ‘Favor Pong’

Two people play beer pong indoors. A ping pong ball is mid-air, aiming for a set of red cups on a white table. Both players are casually dressed and focused on the game. Bright natural light fills the room.

You know beer pong? It’s the drinking game that involves throwing a ping pong ball into cups.

Well, favor pong is the same, only instead of having to consume drinks, your partner has to do you a favor each time you get the ball in one of their cups.

The favors can be anything from a head massage to waking up early with the kids. Of course, they can be as naughty as you like.

Simply write numbers on the bottoms of the cups, randomly assign them to the usual triangle patterns at either end of a table. Then have a piece of paper showing which number means what.

4. Create quizzes for each other.

An elderly couple sits at a desk, smiling. The man types on a keyboard in front of a desktop computer, while the woman looks at a tablet. The setting appears to be a bright and modern home office.

Test each other’s knowledge of various topics by making up your own quiz.

It might have an intros round where you play the first 10 seconds of a song and they have to guess it. Bonus points if the songs mean something to the pair of you.

Or it might have a round that involves zooming in on digital photos of the both of you and guessing whose body part is being shown.

Or quizzes about shared moments from your life, such as holidays or dates. This can lead to reminiscing over stories.

5. Watch the stars.

Silhouetted couple sitting and embracing under a vibrant starry sky with a visible Milky Way band, surrounded by a landscape of distant hills and sparse vegetation. The scene conveys a sense of tranquility and wonder.

Lay a blanket down on your lawn and spend an hour or two gazing up at the night sky.

Looking at the stars and getting lost in the universe whilst lying in each other’s arms is incredibly romantic and reminds you to be grateful for everything you have.

Just be sure to take lots of blankets as it can get cool quickly, even on a summer’s evening.

6. Take a bath together.

An elderly couple relaxes in a large bathtub filled with bubbles, holding glasses of red wine. The room is dimly lit with candles, and the window blinds are closed. A potted plant is visible on the right side of the room.

Okay, so this one does depend on how big your tub is, but if you can both fit in at the same time (with a little room to move), it makes for a relaxing and sensual evening in together.

Do all of the usual things – candles, nice bubble bath, a glass of wine at the ready.

Simply sit and enjoy being intimate together (note we didn’t say anything about sex, but it can lead there if you like) until the water gets cool or you wrinkle up completely.

7. Dance to romantic songs.

A man and woman in casual clothes dance joyfully in a modern kitchen. The woman leans back with her hand in the air, while the man points upward with a smile. The kitchen has white cabinets and a red backsplash.

Put on some classic love songs, clear some space in your living room, and get into a comfortable hold with your partner.

Then just let the music take you on a journey as you slowly move around, step by step, until you’re all danced out.

Dancing brings with it a physical connection, and with the slow sensual rhythm of a romantic piece of music, it can build intense feelings of warmth and love.

8. Make sweet music together.

A man sitting on the floor plays an acoustic guitar while a woman rests her chin on his shoulder, listening contently. They are in a bright living room with a sofa, potted plant, and decorative items in the background.

Do you have some musical talent? Can you hold a tune or play an instrument?

If so, a great date night in can be had by making music together… literally.

You can play your favorite tunes, or, if you’re feeling particularly creative, write and compose your own songs.

9. Play truth or dare.

A man and woman sitting on a couch by a window, smiling at each other. The man is playfully touching the woman's hair, and they appear to be in a cheerful mood, enjoying the sunlight streaming in from the window behind them.

This game can be both revealing in terms of the truths you may learn about your partner, and hilarious as you dare them to do things.

You can let your imagination run wild.

As you play, keep in mind each other’s comfort levels and avoid rubbing up against any boundaries you might have set. Keep it light and fun.

10. Play board games.

An elderly couple is engaged in a chess game at a wooden table inside a cozy, well-lit room. The man with gray hair and a beard looks at the board thoughtfully, while the woman with long blonde hair makes a move. A potted plant decorates the table.

Board games don’t need to leave you feeling bored. In fact, they can be a fun way to spend an evening with your loved one.

Dust off an old classic or try one of the many new kids on the block and test your knowledge and strategy.

Have a few games at the ready to fill up the night, or to switch to if one game isn’t floating your boat.

11. Play video games.

A man and woman sit on a couch intensely playing video games. Both are holding controllers, focused on the screen. There is a glass of white wine on the table in front of them. A bookcase filled with books and decorative items is visible in the background.

If both of you are into video games, that’s great – you’ll no doubt enjoy playing alongside (or against) each other.

If only one of you regularly plays, let that person introduce the other to some of their favorite games.

Try to make it something that can be mastered quickly and enjoyed in isolation (i.e. no games with complicated storylines that take weeks to finish).

12. Watch your favorite childhood movie or TV series.

A couple sitting on a gray couch, watching TV. The man, holding a remote, is wearing a denim shirt and jeans. The woman, wearing a yellow sweater and jeans, holds a mug and leans against him, smiling. The setting appears cozy and relaxed.