A therapist once pointed out that long-distance relationships test the real strength and quality of a couple’s love—it reveals how deep their connection truly is.
As someone who’s been in a long-distance relationship and also works as a therapist, I completely agree. These relationships are tough because you don’t get to see your partner as often as you’d like, but they also give you a chance to build a strong emotional bond.
The key to making it work is being intentional about your time together, even when you’re physically apart. Whether you rely on technology, small romantic gestures, or thoughtful surprises, putting in the effort helps keep the relationship strong.
In this post, we’ll look at practical ways to stay emotionally connected and create lasting memories, no matter the distance. Let’s get started!
20 Things To Do In A Long Distance Relationship
Ever heard the saying, “Distance is no barrier”? There may be physical miles between you two, but finding creative ways to spend time together can make all the difference. So, be sure to add these activities to your long-distance relationship:
1. Schedule Regular Video Calls
Communication is the backbone of every successful relationship, but it becomes even more crucial in a long-distance relationship.
Set a consistent schedule for video calls to ensure that both you and your partner have dedicated time to catch up, share your thoughts, and feel connected despite the distance. Instead of treating video calls as routine check-ins, view them as quality time. Make an effort to engage in deep conversations, laugh together, and share details of your daily lives.
You can also incorporate small rituals into your routine, like drinking coffee together in the morning or watching the sunset on a video call. These moments foster a sense of closeness.
Regular video calls and other long-distance relationship activities help maintain emotional connection and keep you both involved in each other’s lives.
2. Send Surprise Care Packages
There’s something magical about receiving a surprise package in the mail, especially when it’s filled with thoughtful items from your lover.
Care packages are a fantastic way to show your partner that you’re thinking of them. Ask the vendor to personalize the package with handwritten notes, small gifts, their favorite snacks, or even items that carry sentimental value, such as a piece of clothing that smells like you or a souvenir from a place you visited together.
The most important thing in a great care package is thoughtfulness rather than expense. It’s not about sending extravagant gifts but about making your partner feel loved and appreciated.
3. Watch Movies Or Shows Together Online
Just because you’re apart doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy movie nights together. Thanks to streaming platforms and screen-sharing apps, couples in long-distance relationships can watch their favorite shows and films simultaneously.
Pick a movie, start it at the same time, and react together as if you were sitting side by side. You can also video call during the movie or text each other your thoughts in real time. This is one of the best things to do in a long-distance relationship because it strengthens your bond with your partner.
Watching movies together is a simple yet effective way to stay connected.
4. Play Online Games Together
Gaming isn’t just for fun—it can also be a powerful way to stay connected in a long-distance relationship, as it’s one of the most relaxing things to do together.
Have you seen gaming buddies build friendships with fellow players, transitioning from games to real life? Whatever game you play online, playing together provides an interactive and entertaining way to bond. Many games even allow voice chat, so you can talk, laugh, and enjoy some friendly competition.
5. Write Handwritten Letters And Mail Them
For us older couples, this was mostly what we did in those days, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it too. In fact, in an age of instant messaging and video calls, the art of handwritten letters has become rare—which makes it a deeply meaningful gesture.
Taking the time to write a letter by hand allows you to express your feelings in a way digital messages cannot, and it will fill your partner with joy.
There’s something incredibly romantic about holding a piece of paper your partner has touched, filled with words straight from their heart. Plus, the anticipation of receiving a letter from your lover in return is always worth it. I always looked forward to my partner’s letters, and they filled my days with hope.
You can also add a personal touch by including small drawings, pressed flowers, or a spritz of your favorite perfume or cologne. This is one of the best ways to keep the spark alive in a long-distance relationship. It doesn’t always have to be high-tech; sometimes, the simplest, most personal gestures leave the biggest impact.
6. Plan Surprise Virtual Dates
One of the biggest challenges of a long-distance relationship is missing out on traditional date nights. However, with a little creativity, you can still enjoy romantic evenings together virtually.
Surprise your partner by planning a special virtual date tailored to their interests. It could be a candlelit dinner where you both cook the same meal, a virtual museum tour, or even a themed game night. The key is to make it feel intentional and special, just like an in-person date.
This is one of the thoughtful things to do in a long distance relationship that your partner will appreciate.
7. Create A Shared Playlist Of Favorite Songs
Ever heard the saying, “Music is the language of the soul”? Music has a unique way of bringing people together, even across great distances.
Creating a shared playlist of songs that hold meaning for your relationship can serve as a beautiful reminder of your love. Include songs that remind you of special moments, lyrics that express your feelings, or tracks that make you think of each other.
My partner would often write letters of the new songs he listened to and on getting his letter, I would write back expressing my thoughts about the song.
Listening to the same playlist while going about your day creates a sense of closeness, even when you’re miles apart and this is how I felt then. Listening to a song from his perspective was everything. Thus, this is a great way to lift your spirits on difficult days.
8. Read The Same Book And Discuss It
Sharing experiences is very important in a long-distance relationship, and one of the best ways to do that is by reading the same book.
Choose a novel, self-improvement book, or even a poetry collection that interests both of you. Set a reading schedule and have regular discussions about the book—just like a personal book club for two.
This activity not only gives you something to talk about but also deepens your intellectual and emotional connection. You can explore each other’s perspectives, analyze characters, and even relate parts of the story to your relationship. It’s also a chance to be impressed by your partner’s intellectual prowess and literary insight.
9. Cook And Eat A Meal Together Over Video Call
Even though you can’t physically share a meal, cooking and eating together over a video call is a wonderful way to create an intimate experience.
Decide on a recipe, gather the ingredients, and start cooking simultaneously. The process of preparing the meal together fosters teamwork and adds a fun, interactive element to your routine. Once the food is ready, set up your phones or laptops at the table and enjoy a virtual dinner date together.
10. Celebrate Special Occasions Virtually
Missing important dates like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays can be one of the hardest parts of a long-distance relationship. However, with creativity and effort, you can still make these moments special.
Plan a virtual celebration by decorating your space, ordering a surprise delivery, or even hosting a virtual party with friends and family.
In this age, you can remain connected to your partner no matter the distance. So, consider sending a heartfelt video message to your partner or a digital scrapbook filled with sweet notes about your partner. If you want to go the extra mile, ask a local friend or family member to deliver a surprise gift in person.
11. Keep A Shared Digital Journal Or Scrapbook
A shared digital journal or scrapbook is a wonderful way to document your relationship, create lasting memories, and stay connected in a long-distance relationship. Whether using an online platform, a Google Doc, or a scrapbook app, you can fill it with pictures, daily thoughts, love notes, and future plans.
This shared space becomes a treasure trove of your journey together, allowing you to revisit memories and stay emotionally connected.
12. Send Good Morning And Good Night Texts Daily
Starting and ending the day with a message to your partner makes a world of difference in a long-distance relationship. It’s a simple yet powerful way to remind each other that you’re always on each other’s minds.
A sweet morning message can set a positive tone for the day, while a heartfelt goodnight text makes your lover feel good before bed.
Go beyond the usual “Good morning” and “Good night” messages by personalizing them and telling your partner what you love about them. If you both enjoy humor, send a funny meme or joke to start the day with a smile or talk about your day before bedtime.
Check out these specially crafted good morning messages that will make your partner smile.
13. Take An Online Class Or Workshop Together
Learning something new together helps keep your relationship dynamic and engaging. It gives you something new to talk about. Whether it’s a cooking class, a language course, or even a dance lesson, taking an online class together provides both a shared goal and a fun activity to bond over.
Find something you’d love to do with your partner and dive right in.
14. Set Future Travel Goals And Plan Visits
Having something to look forward to makes the distance easier to bear. Discuss your future travel plans and set realistic goals for your next visit. Whether it’s a short weekend trip or a long-awaited vacation, planning together strengthens your commitment and gives you both a shared sense of anticipation.
You can research destinations together and even have a Pinterest board or a shared document where you both add your couple’s bucket list.
15. Create And Send Voice Notes Instead Of Just Texts
Hearing each other’s voices adds warmth and personality to your communication. Sending voice notes throughout the day makes interactions feel more intimate and expressive. Whether it’s a quick “I love you” or a detailed update on your day, voice messages allow you to connect on a deeper level.
To make this even more special, surprise your partner with bedtime stories, recorded songs, or spontaneous heartfelt confessions; it can also be fl#rty or d#rty. If you have different time zones, leave a thoughtful voice message for them to wake up to.
16. Have A Virtual Workout Session Together
Looking for fun things to do in a long distance relationship? This is one of them.
Staying active together, even from a distance, is a fantastic way to build a healthy and fun routine as a couple. Scheduling virtual workout sessions, whether through fitness apps is all you need. This allows both of you to stay fit while also spending quality time together.
To make these workout sessions more enjoyable, consider setting fitness challenges or tracking your progress together using shared apps. Encourage each other with words of motivation and celebrate milestones to maintain enthusiasm.
17. Surprise Each Other With Small Gifts Or Food Deliveries
Thoughtful gestures like sending surprise gifts or arranging food deliveries can bring joy and excitement to a long-distance relationship. These surprises don’t need to be extravagant; a small handwritten letter, a book your partner has been wanting to read, or even their favorite snacks can make a big impact.
The element of surprise keeps the relationship fresh and reminds your partner of your love and care, despite the miles between you. Creating a habit of thoughtful surprises will help sustain a sense of closeness and excitement in your relationship.
18. Share Daily Updates And Photos From Your Life
Keeping each other updated on your daily lives helps maintain a sense of normalcy in a long-distance relationship. Even the most mundane details, like what you had for lunch or an interesting moment at work, can help your partner feel more involved in your everyday life.
This allows your partner to experience your world, making the distance feel smaller. You can also send voice notes to share thoughts and emotions. The more you share about your daily life, the more connected you’ll feel despite the physical separation.
19. Make A Countdown Until Your Next Visit
Anticipation plays a big role in keeping the excitement alive in a long-distance relationship. Creating a countdown until your next visit can give you both something to look forward to. This could be a simple calendar on your phone or a shared app that notifies you both as the date approaches.
Discussing what you’ll do together when you finally meet can enhance the excitement and strengthen the emotional bond by providing tangible moments to look forward to. Additionally, you can create a travel checklist, bookmark activities, or even start saving up for a special date to make your time together extra memorable.
20. Write Love Letters And Read Them Over The Phone
Handwritten love letters may seem old-fashioned, but they hold a timeless charm that can bring warmth and intimacy to a long-distance relationship. Writing love letters allows you to express your emotions in a deeper, more thoughtful way than instant messaging or video calls.
To make the experience even more special, you can read your letters to each other over the phone or during a video call. Hearing your partner’s voice as they read heartfelt words aloud can create a profound emotional connection. Here are some romantic love letters that will help you express your love to your partner.
Final Thoughts: Long Distance Relationship Activities
Maintaining a long-distance relationship requires creativity, dedication, and a commitment to keeping the love alive despite the physical distance. The key is to consistently find sweet things to do in a long distance relationship to make each other feel loved, valued, and included in everyday life.
By incorporating these things to do in a long distance relationship, you and your other half can strengthen your emotional connection and build a relationship that thrives despite the miles.
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