Things to Do When the Kids Go to Bed
Disclosure: collaborative post
It’s not always easy to get the kids to bed, but when they do finally go up, it’s late and it can be tempting to want to do nothing. The day has been long, you’re tired and really don’t want to do much.
You don’t want to wake the kids up, but you don’t want another early night. So what can you do instead?
You don’t always have to go out or spend lots of money to have a little evening fun. There are plenty of things you can do, together as a couple or individually, to mix up the weekday night activities.
Here is a list of lots of easy ideas for parents (depending on how you are feeling) to do when the kids go to bed.
Recreate a date night at home
Are you missing romantic evenings out together? Date nights are a great way to spend quality time together while keeping the fire in the relationship alive. When you have young children, you shouldn’t feel as if you are stuck at home, you just need to think outside the box a little. Going to a fancy restaurant to have a romantic meal isn’t a necessity (although it is nice from time to time). You can recreate the perfect date night at home with the right attitude, props, and atmosphere. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Turn down the lights, light some candles or just turn on a lamp to create the perfect ambiance
- Get out of your pjamas and put on some fancy clothes
- Cook a nice meal (together, or surprise the other)
- Order a takeaway
- Recreate the scene of your favourite restaurant, enjoy some time on the sofa or cuddle up by the fire
- Head outside and enjoy a glass of wine under the stars
- Pick a film or activity you can both enjoy
Make sure you change it up and schedule regular evenings together, to keep the romance alive!
Have a fun night in
Romantic evenings are important to keep your relationship alive, especially as your time is taken up playing the parental role. But it is also vital that you have fun, too!
Looking to add a little fun into your evenings, quiet enough you do not disturb the kids? Why not try some of these ideas:
- Play a card game (Uno, Go Fish, Exploding Kittens)
- Play (or learn) a video game
- Solve a puzzle
- Watch a comedy show
- Play a board game (Murder Mystery, Pictionary, Scrabble)
- Compete against each other with online games (Fruit Ninja, Mario Kart, Temple Run)
- Host your own silent disco
A night to relax
Being a parent comes with a whole host of responsibilities, from putting a roof over your head, food on the table, school drop off and pick ups and so much more. It can be exhausting and sometimes all you need is to rest.
There’s nothing better than taking time for yourself in the evening, when the kids have gone to sleep, to do something that completely relaxes you and takes your mind off everything. Here are some top ideas that you can try:
Binge watch some new TV shows
Depending on what kind of shows you enjoy, here are some of the most popular to watch on TV right now:
SciFi: Stranger things
Fantasy Fiction: Game of Thrones
RomCom: Jane the Virgin
Action and Adventure: The Umbrella Academy
Take an online yoga or fitness class
With the height of the pandemic, there are more yoga and fitness classes online now, meaning you can choose from hundreds of options, trainers or apps to get your body moving! These are a great way to look after your health while having fun (and finding the time to squeeze it in!)
Listen to an audiobook
Audiobooks are a great way to enjoy a book while laying down with your eyes closed. Minimal effort is required to listen to an audiobook, which makes it the perfect activity for a relaxing evening. Play it quietly on your speakers, or lay together with your partner and share a headphone each.
Take a long bath
How often do you get a chance to soak in the tub with no distractions? Well, a late night soak can be the answer. Light some candles, add some fragrant bubbles, grab a snack and a glass of wine. Even take your iPad and watch your favourite TV show or listen to your audiobook!
Sit the garden with a fire pit and roast marshmallows
Romantic, delicious and relaxing! The perfect combination for a quiet evening at home under the stars. (provided it’s not raining!)
Turn off all electronic devices and just talk the night away
When was the last time you interacted without distraction from an electronic device? While they are great for games, TV shows or catching up on social media posts, one of the best and most relaxing things you can do is turn off all your screens and go back to good old fashioned talking. You might be surprised what you learn about each other!
Start a new hobby
Find a hobby you can enjoy at home in the evenings. Some of the most popular at the moment are knitting, crocheting, baking or even writing a novel. This will keep you busy for nights on end, as well as introduce you to new, like minded friends!
Be productive
You might be the kind of person who finds it hard to sit down and relax in the evening. It can be especially hard to relax when you know there are 101 things that you need to get done around the house. If this is you, there are plenty of productive things you can do. There are plenty of benefits of being productive on a weekday, including freeing up your time on the weekends to do what you love or get out of the house with the kids. Here are some ideas for a productive weeknight:
Do the housework
Housework, when everyone has gone to bed, is a great way to get things done more efficiently, with no distractions! Plugin your headphones, listen to your favourite music and tick off all those dreaded chores. You’ll thank yourself in the morning when you wake up to a nice, clean home!
Plan and prepare meals (breakfasts, school lunches, dinners)
The perfect time to research food ideas, write a shopping list and even cook all the meals for the week. Meal prepping is a great way to get the cooking done for the week, which means one less thing to worry about! You can freeze them in tupperware for longevity.
Not to mention, sneaking in all the vegetables that your children cannot see!
Learn a new skill and take an online course
Is there something you have always wanted to learn, but never had the time for? Evenings might be the best time! With hundreds of online courses or YouTube tutorials to choose from, the possibilities are endless.
Other productive tasks:
- Plan some fun activities for the weekend and create itineraries
- Sort out your finances
- Sort through the paperwork that has built up in the cupboard
- Complete the tasks you have been putting off (e.g. paying bills, updating your address, etc. )
- Do the laundry
- Start a DIY project
- Upcycle some of your old furniture
- Paint/redecorate
Get an early night
Although you might be looking for something fun or different to do, it might be beneficial to get an early night every so often. It is more than likely, as a busy parent, you are sleep deprived. If an early night is the one thing you are resisting, perhaps it is the one thing that you need.
While these are great ideas for parents for when the kids have gone to bed, they are also great ideas for when the kids are awake too. Trying new things can create new conversations, new challenges and a great way to bond.
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