22 Long Distance Date Ideas to Keep the Spark Alive

Looking for long distance date ideas that feel like more than “another video call”? You’re in the right place. Long-distance relationships can be tough, but a little creativity plus modern technology makes it easier than ever to stay connected with your loved one, no matter how many miles (or timezones) sit between you.

Below you’ll find 22 tried-and-tested date ideas for long distance relationships, sorted into four types: creative dates, game dates, shared experiences, and planning dates. Add your favourites to your shared to-do list and keep the fire burning until you’re reunited.

Read more: 11 must-have apps for long-distance couples

Creative Long Distance Date Ideas: Make Something Together

1. Share music playlists

Found a new local band your partner can’t miss? Want a sample of the sounds in their new city? Spend a date night building a playlist of songs that remind you of each other, or discover new music together. For bonus points, dedicate songs to each other or create a playlist for a specific occasion or mood.

Handy tools:

• Spotify. Create collaborative playlists you can both add to, plus shared listening sessions.
• Apple Music. Another well-known streaming service with playlist-sharing features.
• YouTube. Build shared playlists of music videos and live performances.

2. Share photos of your day

Roleplay as your own paparazzi: snap photos of your day, your surroundings, or something funny you saw, then share them with each other. Your “boring day” can be a fabulous lifeline for your distant partner, and it gives you plenty to talk about on your next video date.

Handy tools:

• Google Photos. Shared albums both of you can contribute to.
• Dropbox. Create a shared folder to upload and view photos.
• Flickr. A photo-sharing platform with shared album features.

3. Write a joint blog or diary

Writing your feelings and thoughts has connected distant lovers since letters became a whole “thing”. Nowadays, there’s no need for a stamp or an envelope. Start a free blog, share the account details, and write stories together. When date night comes, open the site together and explore what each of you has written. Bonus points if you narrate as you read.

Handy tools:

• WordPress. Create a blog where both of you can write posts.
• Blogger. Another simple platform you can both contribute to.
• Waffle. An online diary app built for collaborative journaling.

4. Create a virtual scrapbook

Like the blog idea but not much of a wordsmith? That’s okay. Spend some time collecting photos, videos, and other digital mementos of your time together and turn them into a virtual scrapbook. Keep adding to it as you go and you’ve got a touching, chilled-out long distance date night ready whenever you need one.

Handy tools:

• Mixbook. Known for its customization tools for online scrapbooks.
• Canva. A free online scrapbook maker with beautifully designed templates.
• Smilebox. Digital scrapbooking with a variety of layouts.

5. Take a virtual art class together

Time to bare your soul through the power of art (virtually, of course). Plenty of online art classes offer everything a physical class does: explore your creativity, learn a new skill, and compare your masterpieces over video call at the end.

Handy tools:

• Paint and Sip Live. Virtual painting parties you can attend from anywhere.
• Skillshare. An online learning community covering countless art topics.
• CreativeLive. Online art courses for learning new skills together.

6. Cook the same meal together

Food just tastes better when you make it with someone you love, which makes cooking together one of the best date ideas for long distance relationships. Plan the same recipe, cook side by side on video, and sit down to “share” the meal. You could even exchange favourite recipes to learn each other’s tastes better, or attend a virtual cooking class to make it feel like a proper night out.

Handy tools:

• Cozymeal. Online cooking classes for couples, guided by professional chefs.
• Classpop! Interactive online cooking classes across a variety of cuisines.
• MasterClass. Learn from world-renowned chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Thomas Keller.

Fun Long Distance Date Ideas: Play Something

7. Host an online board game night

Get ready to face off in a virtual game of your favourite board games. The classics like Settlers of Catan, Monopoly, Risk, and Scrabble are all playable online, making game night a fun, competitive long distance date idea.

Handy tools:

• Tabletopia. A huge library of board games, playable in the browser or via Steam, iOS, and Android.
• Board Game Arena. Real-time and turn-based online board games.
• Tabletop Simulator. A 3D environment on Steam where you can play virtually any board game.

8. Have a virtual trivia night

There’s no distance great enough to put out the fires of competition! Put your partner to the test with a virtual trivia night. Take it to the next level by creating your own personal quiz about your relationship. Maybe throw in a few spicy questions, we won’t judge. 😉

Handy tools:

• Kahoot! Create your own quizzes or use pre-made ones.
• Sporcle. Thousands of quizzes on every topic; compete for the highest score.
• TriviaMaker. Build custom game-show-style quizzes for your date night.

9. Play an online escape room

Just because you aren’t physically together doesn’t mean you can’t take part in an escape room. Escape rooms have made the leap to the digital world, and they remain one of the most popular long distance virtual date ideas this year. Work together to solve puzzles, uncover mysteries, and escape before it’s too late.

Handy tools:

• Escape Experience. Live-hosted, ultra-realistic online escape rooms.
• Virtual Escaping. Online escape rooms playable from any device, anytime.
• The Escape Game Remote Adventures. Solve puzzles together over video call to “escape the room”.

10. Play virtual card games

How’s your poker face? See who folds under pressure with a game of long-distance blackjack, Go Fish, or another classic card game. For a particularly memorable long distance date night, set up a video call and suggest a game of strip poker. That’s an online game you’ll likely want to play again!

Handy tools:

• PlayingCards.io. Online rooms for a variety of card games.
• VIP Games. Card and board games online, as a website and mobile app.
• CardzMania. Over 50 card games you can play online together.

11. Play a co-op video game

Whether you like swords and sorcery, shoot ’em ups, puzzles, or cozy farming games, there are heaps of video games practically designed for long-distance couples. Our favourite pick? Stardew Valley: build a farm (and a life) together, one in-game day at a time.

Handy tools:

• Cross-platform games. Titles like Genshin Impact and Final Fantasy XIV let you play together regardless of platform.
• Overcooked! 2. Fun, chaotic cooperative cooking across Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
• Stardew Valley. The ultimate cozy co-op farming game, available on practically every platform.

Virtual Date Ideas for Long Distance Relationships: Experience Something Together

Some of the best date ideas for long distance relationships are the simple ones you can experience from home. Never look down on stay-home dates: over video call, they can be intimate, low-pressure, and surprisingly close to the real thing.

12. Have a virtual movie night

Snuggle up with your favourite snacks and watch a movie or TV show together. Syncing playback is super easy with the right apps, and adding a video call alongside means you catch every reaction, gasp, and badly-timed joke. Find more options in our guide to must-have apps for long-distance relationships.

Handy tools:

• Teleparty. A browser extension that synchronizes playback and adds group chat across Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and more.
• Kast. Watch together and share reactions in real time via voice or text chat.

13. Take a virtual tour together

Go travelling without leaving the comfort of your own home. Take a virtual museum tour and explore the exhibits together, or head to a city neither of you has visited and wander it on Google Maps. It’s one of the most popular virtual date ideas for long distance relationships for a reason: shared discovery, zero airfare.

Handy tools:

• Google Arts & Culture. Explore museums, galleries, and landmarks virtually.
• Zillow. Browse homes and dream about your future together.

14. Attend a virtual concert or show

Livestreamed concerts and shows are still going strong, and they’re perfect for long-distance couples craving a shared experience. Grab your drinks, sync your screens, and enjoy front-row seats from two different couches.

Handy tools:

• StageIt. An online venue for live performances.
• Veeps. Livestreams of concerts and events from major artists.

15. Have a virtual picnic

Set up a picnic blanket on the living room floor, prop up your camera, pop some bubbles, and enjoy a long-distance picnic together. For bonus points, use your phone’s hotspot and head out into nature for a true al fresco experience. Just add “phone stand” to your picnic checklist.

Handy tools:

• Zoom or Google Meet. Set a time, prepare some food, and picnic over video call.

16. Host a virtual wine tasting

Want to add a hint of romance to your long distance date night? Book a virtual wine tasting. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a company sends wine samples to each of your homes, then you join an online session and taste together, guided by an expert. Not wine fans? Stick with the theme and take an online mixology class instead.

Handy tools:

• Airbnb Online Experiences. Virtual tastings and classes hosted by locals around the world.
• MasterClass. Wine appreciation and mixology courses you can follow together.

17. Sweat through a virtual workout

Fancy showing off your yoga moves? Get active together with a virtual workout or yoga class. Make it a regular ritual and you’re both guaranteed to be in fantastic shape when you’re finally back in touching distance.

Handy tools:

• Zoom or FaceTime. Set up a virtual session and exercise together.
• FitXR. A VR fitness app for more immersive shared workouts.

18. Have a virtual happy hour

There’s no barrier to a great bar, long distance included. Pour your favourite drinks and enjoy each other’s company in an at-home cocktail experience. Bonus points for making your partner a personalized cocktail menu so they can grab ingredients beforehand. Gossip, joke around, and catch up on your day while sipping your favourite beverages.

Handy tools:

• Drunk Pirate. Interactive games to play while enjoying a drink together.

19. Listen to podcasts together

There’s a podcast for every interest. Share your favourites with your partner on your next date night, or discover a new shared ‘cast together. Don’t have time for a whole episode? Finish it separately and set up a time to chat about it: two date nights in one.

Handy tools:

• Spotify. Use Jam sessions to listen to the same audio together in real time.

Long Distance Date Ideas for Planners: Dream Something Up

20. Plan your next date night

This one’s a two-for-one: planning your next date can be just as fun as going on it. It’s all about the anticipation! Take an evening to brainstorm ideas for your next virtual date night, and if you’re Cupla users, add them straight to your shared To-Do list. Good thing you’re already reading something with plenty of ideas to steal. 😉

Handy tools:

• Cupla. Found the perfect long distance activity but need to find the right time? Cupla syncs both your calendars and suggests times that work for you both.

21. Plan a virtual vacation

What’s life without a little fantasy? Dream up your perfect vacation and plan either a real or virtual version of it. Research your ideal destination, find the coolest activities, and build an itinerary together. And don’t limit yourself to boring old “real” places: plan a trip to Westeros, Tatooine, or Twin Peaks. Get creative!

Handy tools:

• Google Earth. Explore destinations around the world together.
• Airbnb Online Experiences. Virtual tours and experiences hosted by locals.

22. Share your bucket lists

Even if you think you know everything about your partner, their bucket list might surprise you. Share your wildest dreams and aspirations and figure out how to make them happen together. It’s quality time, deep conversation, and something to look forward to, all in one date.

Handy tools:

• Cupla. Cupla’s shared To-Do List works brilliantly as a couple’s bucket list organiser.
• Trello. A collaboration tool for building and sharing bucket lists.

FAQ: Long Distance Date Ideas

What are good date ideas for long distance relationships?

The best long distance date ideas involve doing something together, not just talking: cook the same meal over video call, watch a synced movie, play an online escape room or co-op game, take a virtual museum tour, or host a wine tasting. Shared activities create shared memories, even across timezones.

How do you keep a long distance relationship exciting?

Schedule regular date nights and vary the activity: alternate between creative dates, game nights, shared experiences, and planning sessions. Novelty matters as much as frequency, because trying new things together is strongly linked to relationship satisfaction. A shared calendar helps you protect date time before busy weeks swallow it.

What can long distance couples do together online for free?

Plenty: build collaborative playlists on Spotify, explore cities on Google Earth, play free card games on PlayingCards.io, share photo albums, write a joint blog, host a trivia night on Kahoot!, or have a video-call picnic. Most memorable long distance dates cost nothing but planning and presence.

How often should long distance couples have date nights?

Aim for at least one dedicated date night per week, plus small daily rituals like a goodnight call or shared photo updates. Consistency beats extravagance: a standing weekly date gives you both something to look forward to and keeps connection from depending on leftover time.

Never Miss a Long Distance Date Night Again

Add all these ideas (and discover more) with Cupla, the shared calendar app designed exclusively for couples. Sync your schedules to find the best time for your next virtual date, set reminders so you always make time for each other, and fill your shared To-Do lists with date ideas, gift ideas, and everything in between.

Download Cupla for free on iOS and Android and keep the spark alive, no matter the distance.