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The landscape for dating in the 21st century is changing. In the age of FaceTime and video calls, it’s easier now than ever to connect with people around the globe, and that means that there are a ton of options for dating and romancing even if you aren’t physically in the same location. So whether you’re dating long-distance, quarantining, or just can’t be there in person, here are some completely virtual date ideas for keeping the romance alive and having fun together -- no matter how far away you actually are.10 Virtual Dating Ideas
1. Plan a movie night.
With platforms like Teleparty and Hulu Watch Party that allow you to have watch parties with people around the globe, there’s no reason that distance should stop your favorite quality time activity! Find a movie that you’ve both been dying to watch, pop some popcorn, and snuggle down and enjoy together.2. Join a workout class together.
It’s easier now than ever before to work out and get fit from the comfort of your own living room, and that also means that you and your partner can work on your fitness goals together no matter how far away you are from each other. Find a fun virtual fitness class that you can both participate in together -- yoga, dance classes, and intense circuit training sessions are all great options -- then get your sweat on and help keep each other accountable.3. Play a video game together.
Video games have been connecting players around the world for decades now, and it’s one of the most entertaining ways that you can spend time with your loved one without being there with them in person. From cute and relaxing world-building games like Animal Crossing: New Horizon to high-intensity battle royale games like Fortnite and Call Of Duty, you’ll enjoy endless hours of fun working towards goals together (or against each other, depending on which games you choose to play).4. Host a virtual happy hour.
Virtual happy hours have been all the rage in the past couple of years, but they don’t have to be strictly for the workplace. Ditch your WFH coworkers and enjoy a drink or two with your boo instead! Plan out a fancy cocktail menu and have each person run out and get the ingredients, or deliver them straight to their door with delivery platforms like DoorDash. Then pour them up together and enjoy a long, leisurely afternoon together at the end of a long day of work.5. Cook dinner.
Live out your reality cooking show dreams by fixing a nice dinner together. Set up your cameras so that you both get a full view of the kitchen, pick a recipe that you both enjoy, shop for those ingredients, then get cooking. You can even make it a competition: while they won’t be able to taste what you whipped up, you can make it a battle to see who comes up with the best presentation, race against the clock, or even come up with completely different meals based on the same set of ingredients.6. Bake together.
There’s nothing quite like enjoying some decadent sweets with your sweetheart! Skip the grocery store and make a full date night of it by each ordering an identical Baking Kit from BāKIT Box, then spend a luxurious evening whipping up your favorite treats and desserts on a video call. Your sweet tooth will thank you!7. (Virtually) tour a museum.
You may not be able to actually walk through a museum with your favorite art enthusiast, but now it’s easier than ever to do a virtual tour together. In some ways, the virtual tours are even better since you can visit some of those museums that would otherwise be out of reach without a plane ticket, like The Louvre, the Van Gogh Museum, and The Vatican.8. Take a hike.
If you’re both tired of spending time inside, lace up the walking shoes and go get some fresh air “together.” Put your date on Facetime or other mobile video call apps like WhatsApp, then take each other exploring on some of the best trails and walking paths in your area. Make sure your phone is fully charged before you head out, and grab enough water to keep you hydrated!9. Get fancy.
If you want to celebrate a special occasion or are simply looking for an excuse to get all gussied up, set up a fancy dinner date. You can each order some delicious take-out, set your tables nicely (don’t forget mood lighting!), and put on your nicest clothes for a dinner date to rival the experience at the nicest restaurants in your town.10. Read a book together.
Start up a book club for two with your favorite bookworm. Find a book that you would both enjoy and assign it for the week, then get on a call to discuss its highs and lows together. Bonus points if you actually read out loud to each other: sometimes it’s special just to share that experience together and hear their voice without the constant pressure of holding a video call conversation.11. Play Truth or Dare.
The classic game of honesty and daring takes on a new fun twist when it’s played virtually. You’ll probably learn something new about your partner and get an adrenaline rush or two from the dares you’ll each come up with (hint: you might not be able to carry out some traditional in-person dares, but social media is a great platform). Other good games that you can play via video chat include Two Truths And A Lie and 21 Questions.Other Tips For Dating Virtually
- Keep your dates, just as you would if they were in-person. It’s easier to ditch a date when it’s online versus in real life, but that doesn’t mean that you should unless there’s a really good reason.
- If you’re working with a time difference, keep a clock around that’s adjusted to their time zone. You’ll be able to keep track of where they are in their day and avoid any awkward timing issues (ie calling them at way too early or way too late).
- Put in the effort. First impressions matter, even when it’s a video call and not an in-person meetup, so make sure you’re staging the room semi-nicely (read: clean up!). This is obviously important during a first date, but should also be applied in longer-term relationships as well.
