When you have a night at home without the kids, you might not know quite what to do with your free time. There are no toys to pick up or runny noses to wipe, and you’re not listening to cartoons playing in the background. The house is quiet, and you’re a bit at a loss as to how to keep busy (other than doing laundry). Try these ideas to start your fun night in and watch the time fly!
1. Brain Games
You’re tired of speaking baby talk and want to challenge your mind with some games. But which ones to do? There are many fun options, like doing a crossword online that you can do alone. You’ll get a chance to test your vocabulary, feel good as you solve the puzzles, and return to a hobby that you haven’t done for a while.
You might also get out a word search book and do that, too. There are trivia games and solo card games to keep you busy, as well. Your memory is better than you were giving yourself credit for lately!
2. Make a Fancy Meal
You don’t usually have time for more than chicken tenders and fries, but tonight is different. You can get out the cookbook and find a great meal you’d normally not have the extra minutes to make. Treat yourself to a nice dinner without having to go to a restaurant.
Some ideas are grilled salmon with coconut rice, baked garlic herb chicken with steamed vegetables, and cauliflower steak. Bring out the nice dishes and silverware too – You deserve it.
3. Pamper Yourself
Moms and dads can definitely use a little “me time.” Open a bottle of bubble bath and have a nice soak in the tub without worrying that any little ones will knock at the door to disturb you. If you want to play music at the time, it doesn’t have to be songs with kid-friendly lyrics either. Add candles to create a calming ambiance.
You may want to paint your nails. Or sit on the couch with your feet in a hot soaking tub. You could turn on Netflix and lay on the couch with a cozy blanket overtop to relax.
Ah, maybe you just want to take a nap. Catching up on a sleep can be a real treat, especially as you won’t wake up unexpectedly to kids fighting or one of them crying. The point here is to think about what pampering means to you and… enjoy it!
4. DIY The Time Away
Get crafty, parents! Who knows, you might discover your passion and make it your next side hustle. Or it could be an activity you can do again with the children another time.
There are loads of ideas here. Perhaps you make coasters or paint a picture frame to put your daughter’s latest drawing in later. Maybe sewing is your thing, and you will finally re-cover chair cushions in the dining room.
Another fun activity is pressing leaves and flowers. It might be something you haven’t thought about since school! An easy way to press them is between the pages of a big book. Once they’ve dried, they’ll be ready for use in a homemade card, photo album, bookmark, or another use.
5. Photo Time
You’ve likely got a shoebox full of family pics. So, why not put together the album you’ve been meaning to do? Tonight is yours to do as you want, and maybe what you want is to tick this project off your to-do list.
You’ll be sure to smile and even chuckle to yourself as you look back at the photographs of your kids over the years. There are a lot of good times to remember. Make yourself a cup of tea as you complete the album pages and look forward to showing the family when you’re done.
If you’re not interested in printing photos for a physical book, another option is a digital album. Some online platforms make it easy to upload images, add text and graphics, and more. Put them in the order you want and with different themes for backgrounds. You can even share the album online once it’s done.
6. Paint a Wall
Well, here’s something that’s incredibly easier when there’s not little hands grabbing for the paintbrush. It’s sure to be messier when they’re around and would take you longer, so now is your chance to pain that wall you’ve been thinking about.
With the house to yourself, you can clear the space, clean the wall, use painter’s tape, and set up the paint tray and brush ready to go. Then, paint the wall the color of your choosing.
As you won’t want the children smelling fumes, it’s a good idea to do it alone. Open the windows and put on a fan to help air out the place before they return home.
7. Reach out to a Friend
Has it been a while since you connected with one of your buddies? Call them to see what’s new and catch them up on your life. A good conversation can be long overdue, and you definitely have the time to chat without distractions. Perhaps they’ve been thinking about you too!
After that, you might send a text to a friend or message another through social media to say hi. Doing so can strengthen your friendships, and you might find that someone really needed that conversation today if they were feeling lonely or sad. Feeling a sense of connection can be just what you both need.
8. Cleaning
Ok, this one isn’t so much fun, but it is definitely a practical way to spend your night alone. Crank up some tunes and dance around as you clean to make it more enjoyable!
A good place to start is the kitchen, where you’ll likely find that the counters and cupboards need wiping down. Finally clear off the countertops and unpack the dishwasher.
Even if you only get through one room, that’s a great effort and you should feel good about being productive tonight. That’s one less task to do later in the week.
9. Put on a Movie
Who says you have to watch movies with other people? Nope. This time you can choose what you want to watch, pause it when you feel like it, and set the volume where you like.
Do you feel like watching a romantic film? A thriller? The genre is up to you, depending on your mood. Maybe a new comedy is what you’re going to end up watching. If so, laugh out loud and enjoy every moment of it.
Make a yummy snack for while you watch, such as caramel popcorn or snack mix. Put on your pajamas or comfy house clothes and grab an extra-soft blanket. Now, relax for the next two hours!
10. Baking
The house will smell amazing when the family reunites later if you bake cookies or a cake now. And the treat might be waiting for them too unless you decide to eat all the goodies before then, wink wink.
Find lots of easy recipes online or open up that cookbook that’s been passed down for generations. From min tarts to pies and cupcakes, there are many yummy choices. Whether you go healthy or decadent (or a bit of both) with what you make in the kitchen on this special solo night is entirely up to you.
11. Exercise
Get a home workout in, parents! It needn’t be a grueling one, either. Put on a high-tempo song and dance around the living room to work up a sweat. Moving around starts now!
Or, put on a YouTube video featuring a beginner’s cardio routine and follow along. Getting out any pent-up energy through exercise can feel great. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy a distraction-free workout.
For a more mellow activity, consider yoga. It’s a time to reconnect your body and mind, moving in ways that feel good and enjoying the quiet. Doing what feels good for yourself is never a waste of time. Get those energy levels back up, starting today.
Have a Night Doing Exactly What You Want
Whatever you choose from the list above, make it a time full of what you want to do. Not what you are supposed to do or what someone else tells you. Think about what brings you joy and make that the point of the evening. You spend so much time caring for others and tonight is about self-care.
A night alone can do you a world of good, especially if you’re feeling burnt out as a parent or because of work outside the home. Days get busy, and it’s nice to just sit down and rest sometimes. It can be a way to recenter yourself.
Try one of these listed activities the next time you have the house to yourself. Watch a movie, bake a cake, have a long bath, or play an online game. When the children return, you’ll be rejuvenated and ready for what the next day brings!
