Indoor + Outdoor Date Ideas for Expat Couples

When you move overseas, almost everything changes– at least it felt like that for us. Things you might have previously done for date nights may no longer be an option. Even something as simple as taking a walk together might cause you stress and anxiety. Maybe a fancy restaurant doesn’t exist in your city so Date Night no longer sounds as appealing. Maybe you need to wear clothing that is different than what you were used to so you just don’t feel very put together or very “you”.

Our go-to date night is a movie at home with lots of popcorn topped with Topsy’s cheese powder topping from the States. Although we both enjoy this, when it’s all we do for date night we can begin to feel like we’re in a rut.

I took it upon myself to ask my expat friends what they do to keep dating their spouse. I realized my husband and I were not alone in our frustration of how to connect and have a fun date while living in a country and culture that we were still getting accustomed to!

You are not alone!

As an expat, you have to keep re-evaluating what it looks like to date your spouse in the context you live in and the stage of life you are in. It’s difficult! A lot of the ideas I found online are simply not possible where we live– mini golfing, bowling, thrift store shopping, going to a baseball game, going to a concert …

I realized I needed a go-to ideas list for inside and outside dates that couples could do together no matter where they live in the world. We love the outdoors (except during monsoon) so I categorized each date idea into one of two categories. The one caveat is if you live in a mega city with no access to green outdoorsy areas or camping sites — you might not be able to do all of them but I encourage you to get creative.

Indoor Date Ideas

• bake your favorite dessert together
• massage 😉
• indoor picnic
• do something nice for someone else
• YouTube karaoke and sing together
• make a “bucket list” or a “fun list” of things to do where you live
• candlelight dinner
• coffee shop and chat, read, or play a card game
• go to a spa –couples massage
• art–get creative together
• bomb defusal app game
• try a new restaurant
• couples scattegories
• look up questions to ask your spouse and take turns asking and answering questions
• look at old photos or listen to old music
• dance to your weddings song(s)
• cuddle on the couch and eat something sweet
• write each other letters
• sing together
• make breakfast together and eat it in bed
• make ice cream Sundays
• make fondue for dinner or dessert
• make a blanket fort, complete with twinkle lights. exchange love letters

Outdoor Date Ideas

• play frisbee
• sip a sparkling drink in a romantic outdoor spot
• enjoy a meal at a rooftop restaurant
• laptop, movie, blanket–watch a movie outside (even if its just on your balcony)
• car picnic. go all out.
• make smore’s (we don’t have graham crackers either… #getcreative)
• draw with chalk
• eat a stacked ice cream cone
• fly a kite
• buy flowers in a market
• pitch a tent and go camping
• photoshoot: get a friend or another couple to do a photoshoot (and you do a photoshoot for them)
• hang up a hammock. read and chat