When I moved from California to the University of Alabama for school, I knew I would be leaving a lot of things behind, including my boyfriend. He attends school in California, and with both of us having busy schedules, finding time to spend together isn’t always easy. When we first started long-distance and found a free night to call, we struggled to figure out what to do besides just talk.
One of the best parts of being in a relationship is going on cute dates, trying new things together, and making fun memories. Unfortunately, these little moments can become some of the hardest things to maintain in a long-distance relationship. But even though you can’t physically be together, that doesn’t mean date nights have to disappear!
Over time, we’ve discovered some fun and creative ways to spend quality time together virtually that make the distance feel a little smaller. Whether you’re looking for something romantic, competitive, or just a way to laugh together after a long day, there are plenty of options to make your virtual date nights feel special.
So, grab your favorite snacks, call your significant other, and try some of these virtual date ideas for your next night together!
1. Dinner date!
One of the easiest and most interactive date nights is a dinner date. It can sound silly and simple, but it’s actually so fun. Decide on a meal that sounds appetizing to both of you, get your ingredients, and chef it up! Being on FaceTime while both navigating the kitchen and sometimes struggling to cook and then eating together is so sweet and can bring a sense of home to wherever you are!
2. movie night!
This one is my favorite! There are many platforms where you can broadcast a movie or TV show to multiple screens, which allows you to leave comments, pause, and pick up seamlessly. My boyfriend and I prefer TeleParty because it’s easy to install and so easy to use. I also recommend picking a new TV show to binge together. One of the sweetest texts you can get after a long day is “I don’t have work tonight, do you want to watch our show?” So set up FaceTime, get cozy, and watch something together!
3. Art!
My boyfriend and I love to do something hands-on while talking. You can talk about your day, listen to music, or just sit together while doing an easy project from your local craft store. I recommend diamond art because it doesn’t require more than what comes in the box, is small and portable (important for dorm living), and is something you can pick up and put down whenever the date is over.
4. Game night!
It’s a simple, common idea, but highly under appreciated! Whether it’s Game Pigeon, virtual Pictionary, or even games like virtual battleship, anything where you can playfully compete against each other adds a level of lighthearted fun that sometimes distance tries to deprive you of!
5. tell me…!
This idea is a little different because it doesn’t involve an activity like cooking, movies, art, or games, but it is a good way to refresh conversation that can sometimes go stale. Texting is easy, but we all know that after you text all day, it can be easy to run out of things to talk about. Luckily, games like “Tell Me a Time When…” where you come up with funny prompts to tell stories from specific memories, “Would You Rather” seeing what your partner would choose between two interesting options, and “How Well Do You Know Me” quizzes either you come up with or find online that show how well you know each other, can refresh the conversation and help revive that spark!
You don’t have to jam all of these activities and games into a singular facetime call or virtual date, maybe start with suggesting one that interests you and see where it takes you. I recommend spacing them out so they can continue to provide entertainment and keep the fire from fading, the biggest struggle of most long-distance relationships, no matter how long you’ve been dating. Ultimately, distance may keep you apart physically, but with a little creativity and effort, you can make every moment you share feel more than worth the wait.