It’s Official: These Are the 15 Cutest Things to Do for Valentine’s Day
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When you’re thinking of things to do with your special someone this Valentine’s Day, there’s always your typical dinner date or roses and chocolates. But if you want to plan an outing that’s a little more unique this year, then you might want to think outside the box. We know—it’s not always easy coming up with something heartfelt to do for your favorite person. Luckily, we have a bunch of cute Valentine’s Day ideas that you can borrow to make this day of love extra special.
Of course, we love the tradition of planning a romantic dinner, writing them a love letter, or buying them their favorite treats and flowers—and don’t shy away from doing so! But when you really want to wow your person, it’s worth going the extra mile. If you’re a crafty couple, maybe you’ll have fun taking a pottery class with them; if you’re hoping to pamper them from their busy routine, you might enjoy planning a DIY spa day. We’ve come up with totally unique, adorable things to do together on Valentine’s Day so you and your sweetie, the whole family, or just yourself can enjoy the day of love—whether you want to go big and bold or keep it simple.
Plan a DIY Home Spa Day Together ($ – $$$)
If life’s been super busy for both or either of you lately, then a spa day probably sounds like a perfect idea. But you don’t always have to go to an actual spa in order to feel the same benefits! We’ve got everything you need to plan an at-home spa day right here. Want to really impress? Clean the house and lay out a robe for you both alongside skincare products and a nice-smelling candle before they get home. You two can spend the whole night relaxing, snacking on chocolates, and enjoying some much needed R&R together.
Make a Couple’s Bucket List ($)
Adventurous ones, this is for you! All those things you keep telling each other you want to try? Make Valentine’s Day your date to turn them into a bucket list. You can buy a beautiful new notebook to keep these memories, big dreams, and must-dos inside, and after you’ve crossed something off the list, you can write about the date, tape in any memorabilia like tickets or photos from the day, and use the journal as your special place to let your ideas come to life. It’s like a diary you can share together!
Try Out a Date Night Subscription Box ($ – $$)
If you’re all out of ideas and are craving something new to try together, then a date night subscription box is a great place to start. Whether it’s a subscription box that comes each month or just a date night kit to try out once, these make planning easier than ever. It’s a great way to try something new together without having to think on it too hard. Plus, it’s a nice thing to look forward to doing together every month. Subscriptions cater to plenty of interests, including recipes, crafts, cocktail kits, and more.
Go to a Wine Tasting ($ – $$)
Do you and your sweetie love going out to new wine bars or jazz clubs and sipping on good vino? Then a wine tasting could be a lovely Valentine’s Day idea for you to try. You’ll learn about regional wines and grape varietals, and get to taste a variety of delicious wines that you might have never had before. You can search for wine tastings near you on Eventbrite, or just head straight to the web to browse local options.
Have a Game Night ($ – $$)
Having a game night together just the two of you is a fun way to reconnect and get close without phones getting in the way of things like they can on dinner dates or movie nights. There are plenty of regular two-player games you can play, like dominoes or cribbage, but if you’re looking for a more intimate conversation game, there are also a variety of card games for couples that are perfect for a Valentine’s Day date night, too.
Surprise Them with Tickets to a Ballet or Musical ($$ – $$$)
Classic, timeless, elegant… There is really no going wrong with this one. Tickets to a winter ballet or musical in town is just about as dreamy as it gets. Put on a suit and tie, a darling dress, or your best attire, and enjoy the romantic night together at the theater. Be sure to check out the World Ballet Company site to see if there’s a showing of Swan Lake coming near you, or research your local performance theater’s schedule to see what musicals and ballets are playing in town.
Cook a 4-Course Meal From a Cookbook You Have ($ – $$)
While it doesn’t have to be a four-course meal, it would be exceptionally fun to play chef and try it out together. But however many dishes you decide to make, putting those cookbooks on your shelf to good use is a fantastic way to spend the evening without breaking the bank. Grab a recently-gifted cookbook or one passed down from generations, gather your cooking supplies, and play your favorite playlist while you whip up a beautiful home-cooked meal.
Recreate Your First Date ($$)
Do you remember the butterflies you felt on your first-ever date together? Take it right back to that moment you shared your first glimpse at romance. You can even recreate your outfits you wore from that night. It doesn’t matter if you’ve moved away from the town you met in or if you’ve planted roots there—recreating the scene is all about getting creative. If it was at that little hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant down the road, make a reservation there (bonus points if you request the table you originally sat at.) If it was a sweet and simple coffee date, take them on a romantic walk through town and end at your favorite café. And if you just can’t leave the house that day, recreate the memory at home. They’ll love that you made an effort to remind them of such a special time together.
Book a Class Together ($$ – $$$)
Trying new things together never gets old. In fact, sometimes it ends up creating the very best memories. You may even discover a newfound passion for salsa dancing or baking that you would have never known you loved otherwise. So what better day to nudge one another out of your comfort zones and mix it up a little bit? Surprising your partner with a spontaneous Valentine’s Day date to a pottery class, cooking class, or even a wine tasting class together will allow yourselves to stay adventurous together.
Get Crafty and Make a Scrapbook ($)
All those family photos you keep saying you’ll put in a photo album or scrapbook eventually? Tonight’s the night to actually get it started! The two of you, or even the whole family, can collect all those beautiful pictures and take turns creating scrapbook pages. Use pens, washi tape, and even small sentimental objects to craft pages full of love. It’s a cute Valentine’s Day idea that’s heartwarming and creative. You can look back on all your special moments together, share stories, and maybe even get reminded of some fond times you forgot about.
Play the Stoplight Game ($ – $$$)
The rules are simple: Set a timer (make it as specific as possible, like 23 minutes) and go for a walk or a drive together. The stoplights are your guide. Only follow green lights or arrows until the timer buzzes. Then, wherever you are, stop or park the car and enter whatever nearest business is in front of you! It’s like having fate take the lead, and you’ll never know where you’ll end up. Maybe you’ll enjoy a meal somewhere you’ve never been before. Or perhaps there will be a vintage store you’ve never noticed that you can go antiquing in for an hour. Keep an open mind and embrace whatever place it is that you find yourselves in.
Have a Day With the Kids—And Let Them Lead! ($)
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. There’s plenty of cute Valentine’s Day ideas you can do with your kiddos, too. Normally, the parents are the ones in charge. But how fun would it be to swap places for a day? Set some ground rules (like, maybe Disney World isn’t happening), and then let the little ones take the reins. It’ll be nice to not have to worry about planning, and the kids will have a blast. So if that means ice cream for breakfast? I mean, we’re not complaining…
Get Dressed Up to Go Nowhere ($)
Just because you’re staying in doesn’t mean you can’t get dressed to impress! Plan your at-home date night—whether that means a candlelit dinner for two, a movie marathon, or a cocktail and board game night—but get dressed like you’re going downtown. It’s a fun way to make the date feel that much more romantic. You can even present your Valentine with a new piece of jewelry or a sweater they’ve been eyeing. Get dressed separately and make a “reservation,” showing up in the dining room at that time for an adorable night in together.
Splurge On a Staycation ($$$)
Sometimes, it’s out of the question to go on a last-minute vacay to a woodland sanctuary or beachfront oasis. Life is busy, and a spontaneous trip is not always possible. So how do you get away without really getting away? Book a staycation. Research an Airbnb in the city or a boutique hotel downtown and surprise your Valentine with the hotel confirmation. Then, you two can really get some quality time together in a beautiful place that’ll feel like a vacation, minus the dreaded traveling aspect. It’s one of those cute Valentine’s day ideas that will really make your person feel special.
Improv the Night as Your Favorite TV Couple ($ – $$$)
Just because you grew up doesn’t mean you have to stop feeling young. Do you have a favorite couple from a TV show you love? Dress up and go play pretend in the city, recreating a date they had on the show or somewhere they loved to hang out. Or is there something you’ve always wanted to do together but think it might be a little silly? Be spontaneous! Whatever you do, embrace being together and let yourselves enjoy the ride. And don’t take it too seriously—just have fun.
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