Valentine’s Day is a special day to celebrate love and appreciation for the people we care about. Whether it’s your first Valentine’s Day together or your hundredth, there are plenty of romantic and fun things you can do together to make your bond even stronger.
From enjoying a cozy night to exploring a nearby city, these 12 activities are sure to bring you closer together and create lasting memories. Put away your devices, pick an activity, and enjoy a special day of quality time together.
Create a cozy night in with dinner, movies, and games
Dinner is essential for any occasion and especially Valentine’s Day. Whether you go out to a fancy restaurant or cook a homemade meal, it’s important to enjoy each other’s company over a meal.
To make the experience even more special, try creating a table setting inspired by your relationship: Pick a decorative theme, like roses or hearts, and use your dishes to decorate in the theme. You can even decorate the table with your relationship’s love notes and pictures.
Serve dessert and drink mixings in glassware to create an intimate setting for even more romance. You can also use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to try something new in the kitchen. You can make a new recipe in Valentine’s Day colors or take advantage of seasonal ingredients, like strawberries or apples. You can also try out a new recipe together.
## Bake sweets together
Baking is a great way to spend quality time together and create a sweet keepsake. Whether you make cupcakes or fluffy pastries, choose a classic or adventurous recipe, and write a sweet note to your partner.
To add to the specialness, surprise your partner with a special treat after he or she bakes the goodies. You can also make Valentine’s Day treats for everyone in your family and friends to spread love and appreciation even further. You can also choose a heart-shaped or personalized shape to create a unique and personal baking experience together.
Take a romantic stroll
If you’re in an urban setting, take advantage of the city’s nightlife, restaurants, and attractions during the day and then stroll through the city’s parks and gardens at night. You can also walk through nearby neighborhoods to experience a different part of town.
If you’re in a rural area, take a walk to explore a nearby park, river, or historical site. If you have a pet, take your furry or feathered friend for a walk as well. If it’s winter, walk in the snow or cross-country ski to create a romantic setting while staying active. If the weather is warm, take a walk under the stars to create a personal moment.
Go on a nature hike
Nature hikes are a great way to get outside, explore wildlife, and appreciate nature together. Whether you head out in the morning or the evening, take a gentle hike or explore a nearby park, zoo, or nature reserve.
If you have a pet, take your furry or feathered friend for a walk or explore nature together. Take pictures or make memories by crafting a story or poetry inspired by the scenery. You can also make a card or basket to take with you on future nature hikes to make them even more special.
Spend a day in a nearby city
If you’re in the same city, take a day trip, explore a nearby city, or visit a nearby historical site. You can also take a bus, train, or taxi to a nearby attraction or stay closer to home and explore a nearby museum, art gallery, or park.
You can also take a cooking class, a photography class, or a dance or martial arts class to create new memories together. If you have a pet, stay overnight at a nearby hotel, bed and breakfast, or vacation rental to create a new experience, or stay in a nearby city and explore that day. You can also take a day trip together to visit a nearby attraction or create a new memory.
Go on a picnic
If you’re outdoorsy, taking a picnic is a simple and romantic way to spend a day together. Pick a picnic spot in nature, near a lake, river, park, or historical site, or near a beach or lakefront.
You can also choose a romantic restaurant with outdoor seating or even a secluded spot in a forest or meadow. If it’s warm, picnic under the stars to create a special memory. If it’s winter, take a picnic basket or coolers filled with treats and blankets to create a cozy setting.
Have a spa day
Spa days are great for relaxing together and creating new memories. Pick a spa you’ve always wanted to try or visit a nearby spa you’ve heard good reviews about.
If you have a pet, take your furry or feathered friend for a walk or create a card or basket for them to take home. You can also make a memory by taking a selfie together or creating a painting or sculpture inspired by the day. You can also take home items, like a bath bomb or body oil, or decorative items, like a vase or flower pot, to create a new home décor item.
Take a cooking class
Cooking classes are a fun and romantic way to spend quality time together and create a sweet keepsake. Pick a classic recipe or an adventurous one, like baking bread or making pasta, and make it together.
You can also make Valentine’s Day-inspired treats, like heart-shaped cookies or valentine-shaped cupcakes, as a sweet keepsake. Pick a date-night restaurant and make reservations, or pick a more casual restaurant, like a diner or pizza joint. You can also take your new recipe, a decorative item, or a decorative item for the home like a vase or pot.
Take a dance class
Dance classes are a great way to exercise together and create a sweet keepsake. Pick a popular or classic dance style and sign up for a class. You can also make a memory by taking a selfie or creating a painting or sculpture inspired by the dance class. You can also take home items like a dance belt, dance shoes, or a dance shirt, to create a sweet new décor item.
Go on a romantic bike ride
Biking is an outdoor activity that makes for a great date, especially if you take it slow, creating romantic moments along the way. Pick a scenic route that features a nearby landmark, or create a personal route around your town or city.
If you have a pet, take your furry or feathered friend for a bike ride or create a memory by taking a selfie or creating a painting or sculpture inspired by the bike ride. You can also make a card or basket to take home with you or decorative items like a bike helmet or cycling route sign.
Visit an animal shelter
If you have pets, take your furry or feathered friend for a walk or visit a nearby animal shelter together. Pick a local shelter and support a cause you care about, or pick an animal that’s a pet or a relative’s pet, such as a dog or cat. Pick an interactive exhibit, like a petting zoo, or a quiet area to create a new memory. Pick an animal that’s a breed that’s popular in Valentine’s Day colors, such as a Labrador or golden retriever.
Plan a mini-road trip
If you have a car, take a road trip to a nearby historical site, city, or state park. Alternatively, if you have the budget, you can stay at a nearby hotel, vacation rental, or bed and breakfast.
If you have a pet, take your furry or feathered friend for a walk or create a memory by taking a selfie or creating a painting or sculpture inspired by the day. You can also take home items like a road map or souvenir keychain, or decorative items like a travel mug or bottle opener.
