15 Things to Do as a Couple Instead of Watching TV

After a long day, cozying up on the couch with your significant other and watching a movie or TV show sounds like just the thing you need to unwind. It’s a great way to turn your brain off for a while! But sometimes, your relationship calls for a little more romance and creativity. Limiting your quality time together to couch time isn’t exactly the path to great communication and emotional connection, after all—you’re hardly speaking and not even looking at each other. However, finding other small activities you enjoy can be a great way to strengthen your relationship. If you’ve fallen victim to too much screen time and you’re looking for new ways to enjoy each other’s company, I’ve gathered some unique and fun things to do as a couple instead of watching TV. And trust me, they can be just as relaxing as queuing up Netflix.

Why spend time together without TV?

Alternative activities help strengthen your relationship

Even the strongest relationships have room to grow, and spending time together without any distractions is the best way to do that. Let’s face it: Being glued to the TV can cause some serious relationship boredom and doesn’t allow you to be fully present with your partner. But non-TV activities can strengthen your communication skills and even deepen your emotional connection. By taking screen time out of the picture, there is an opportunity to open your relationship up to new hobbies, new traditions, or even just getting to know each other better.

Screen time isn’t the best use of your quality time

Although we all have our own love language, quality time is crucial for strengthening your bond with another person. By engaging in activities that promote quality time, instead of passively watching a movie or show, you are actively showing each other dedication, love, and commitment. Lessening your screen time is a great way to make more of an effort with each other. Plus, it creates space to spice up the romance in your relationship.

15 fun things to do as a couple instead of watching TV

1. Experiment in the kitchen

Whether you’re a connoisseur in the kitchen or an absolute pro at boiling water like me, trying out a new recipe or making yourselves a shared dinner from scratch is a great way to laugh and learn together—and what’s better, it includes a delicious reward at the end. Got a sweet tooth? Put on those aprons and get to baking some after-dinner treats! I personally love the Table for Two cookbook since it’s specifically tailored for cooking for two people.

“By taking screen time out of the picture, there is an opportunity to open your relationship up to new hobbies, new traditions, or even just getting to know each other better.”

2. Play competitive games

Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? A game night is a great way to show off your competitive side. Whether it’s a typical card game or a monopoly game that lasts way too long, urge each other to commit to the moment and dive fully in, and you’ll have a great time, win or lose. The Date Night edition of What Do You Meme? is a favorite of mine!

3. Head outside for a hike

Strap on your hiking boots! If the weather permits, a great way to get off the couch and get outside is by gearing up for a hike—or a walk if you’re not into that sort of thing. Encouraging each other to incorporate an outdoor activity lets you get your steps in while you connect. There’s something special about getting out into nature, and this kind of shared experience is great for learning more about each other. For example, the last time I went on a hike with my partner, I learned that he randomly knows a lot about birds??

4. Work on a home project

Calling all DIYers! You know that home project you’ve been meaning to do for like… forever? It’s time to tackle it together. Starting (or finishing) a home project or reorganizing a room in your space not only inspires creativity but is something productive that you can feel accomplished about afterward. If you need some inspiration or have the itch to do a project but don’t know what yet, pick up a copy of Growing Seasons, which offers DIY ideas and fun ways to connect.

5. Create a couples’ bucket list

If you’re looking to deepen your emotional connection with your significant other, a great way to do so is to create a couples’ bucket list. Include things like trips you want to take together, activities you want to try, restaurants you want to check out, or even life goals that you want to achieve as a couple. Not only does sharing wishes and dreams bode well for your future, but you’ll have a list of things you can do together next time you’re about to end up on the couch again.

6. Plan a themed date night at home

If you’re more of a homebody, this is for you. Planning a date night at home is not only less expensive, but it can be a lot more fun since you have full control of the evening. Our suggestion for a good time? Theme the night. Whether it be a classic movie night with popcorn and a movie projector or an Italian-themed night fit with wine and pasta, it will feel more like an experience and less like just another night of the week.

7. Start a mini book club

If you or your partner are total bookworms, why not start your own book club? This is a great way to bond over new topics and share an experience. Make a plan for the pace at which you will read a book of your choosing, and as you complete chapters, set time aside to discuss what’s happened so far. Whether you choose fiction or non-fiction, this one’s sure to spark some seriously in-depth conversations. We share dozens of book reviews and recommendations here if you’re not sure where to start.

8. Try at-home yoga

You don’t have to be a health nut to queue up a yoga class on the TV—there are plenty of free yoga classes on YouTube! All you have to do is roll out a mat (don’t worry if you don’t have one—a towel works, too!) and press play. Doing this at night is a great way to unwind together and get your body moving. What’s more, getting in twister-like positions might turn up the heat, or at the very least make you laugh until you cry.

9. Take an in-person or virtual class

Are you in desperate need of a hobby? Interested in just trying something new? Take a look at what kind of classes you can take either in-person or virtually! Try something simple like an in-person cooking or dance class, or niche down and take an online workshop all about meditation or photography. All it takes is a quick search of classes in your area or a look through Masterclass to find something that you are both interested in.

Whether there’s a cause you are passionate about or you just want to give back to a community, a great way to bond with your partner is to volunteer at a local charity. Start by discussing what causes are important to you, and then connect with local programs to get involved. This is a great way to bond, encourage emotional connection, and, of course, feel good about how you’re spending time together as a couple.

11. Watch the sunrise or sunset

What’s more romantic than beginning your day together with a peaceful sunrise or ending your day while watching the colors of the sunset? If you’re looking for a way to spend time together that is low-lift yet special, these experiences together can be seriously memorable and romantic. Want to take it up a notch? Head to grab coffee together after the sun comes up or stay a bit longer after the sun sets to see how many constellations you can point out.

12. Pack a picnic

Call me cliche, but I love a picnic. And a picnic with your partner? So romantic. Pick your favorite spot at a park or set one up indoors during the colder months. Pack your picnic with your favorite snacks, a bottle of wine, and some blankets for extra comfort. This is a perfect space for great conversation and just enjoying each other’s company.

13. Take up a new hobby

If there’s one thing that’s great for any relationship, it’s learning something new together. Why not decide on a hobby to take up together, whether it be painting, gardening, or rock climbing? Having a mutual interest in a specific activity will give you something to look forward to doing together, which can ultimately deepen your bond.

14. Start a large puzzle

For those rainy days, or just a relaxing night in, get started on a big puzzle together. Why a big one? Well, it will keep you coming back to it instead of plopping back on the couch. Pour a glass of wine, pop a pizza in the oven, and get to puzzling. You’ll love having this low-lift yet relaxing activity to do together after a long day. Not sure where to start? We love this colorful 1000-piece Bridgerton puzzle or this 2000-piece National Parks map puzzle.

15. Scrapbook your memories

So many of us have wonderful memories in our camera roll that never see the light of day. Whether you want to create a memory book that recounts all the best times throughout your relationship so far or you want to create scrapbook pages with all your friends and family, this is a great activity to do together. Not only will you laugh and reminisce as you look through photos, but you’ll finally organize your camera roll. How’s that for a productive and fun night together?

Benefits of spending time together without TV

You will improve your communication

When you go from staring at the TV every night to doing other fun activities for couples, you’re quite literally going to communicate more. And the more you communicate, the better you get at it. Since communication is key to any great relationship, incorporating activities where you can connect and have new and exciting conversations can only improve your connection.

“Lessening your screen time is a great way to make more of an effort with each other. Plus, it creates space to spice up the romance in your relationship.”

You’ll have a stronger emotional connection

Of course, a physical connection is important to any relationship, but trying some date ideas without TV fosters a much deeper emotional connection with your partner, which is so needed, too. Having the shared experiences and goals, along with quality conversations that come from these experiences, can only improve your relationships. Plus, a stronger emotional connection often leads to a stronger physical connection. So yes, trying alternatives to watching TV is seriously a win-win situation.

It will enhance your creativity

If you’re in a long-term relationship, experiencing a lull isn’t abnormal. But becoming a little… well, bored with how you spend time together isn’t great for your relationship. By adding these alternatives to TV to your Rolodex, you can prevent your day-to-day from becoming too routine. What’s more, it can enhance the creativity within your relationship and encourage you to try even more things together, making your relationship feel more exciting overall.

Tips for making the most of quality time without TV

Set boundaries for screen time

I would never tell you to cut your screen time altogether (we all need our comfort shows!), but if you find you’re spending a little too much time on the couch together, set some boundaries. Start by establishing “no screen zones” or times, such as in the bedroom or during any meals together. Simply agreeing on these boundaries requires you to find something else to do during those times, even if that just means chit-chatting before bed.

Be spontaneous

I know it’s easy to fall into a routine with your partner, especially if you’ve been together for a long time. The greatest way to break out of that routine? Be spontaneous. Try out something last-minute from this list of things to do as a couple without watching TV, or suggest new plans such as pop-ups or events happening in your community when you see them. Oftentimes, the best memories come from spur-of-the-moment activities.

Create a date night ritual

If you and your partner have a hard time lining up your schedule, a great way to ensure that you still have quality time together is to create a date night ritual. Maybe you set a day to cook together once a week or have a game night together once a month. By actively making this time for each other, you will see your relationship strengthen and your romance heat up a little more, too.