Yahoo Lifestyle Spread the Love with One of these Sweet Valentine's Day Date Ideas
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Don’t let the hustle and bustle of the new year stop you from planning the Valentine’s Day date of your dreams. Get a head start on the holiday of love by booking experiences and ordering any materials you may need for February 14th now. If you’re not sure what to do for Valentine’s Day or how to make Valentine’s night special for your partner, friends, or self, we have a few Valentine’s Day ideas that we’re happy to share.
There are classic ideas that never go out of style, including a fancy dinner out on the town, a movie marathon night in, or an evening out twirling on the dance floor. But if you'd rather try something new, consider couples portrait painting, playlist swapping, and thrift store challenges that’ll spur new, fond memories.
However you decide to spend the day of love, we’re happy to aid in your Valentine’s Day date ideas.
Challenge Yourselves to an Escape Room
Flex your communication and collaboration skills as you and your partner work to solve puzzles and mini-games to beat the clock and escape the room. Undertake the endeavor as a duo, or enlist other couples and tackle the mission together.
Dine at a Five-Star Restaurant
If there's a restaurant on your list of places to try that you've been putting off or saving for a special occasion, now's your chance to go (and go big)! Get multiple courses, try a new style of food, drive into the city, if need be — make the dinner an experience to remember. Just remember to reserve in advance.
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Take point, and plan a romantic scavenger hunt for your other half that leads them through your love story. Start with where you had your first date, where you kissed for the first time, where you spent your first anniversary, etc. For added fun, get creative and make a riddle for them to uncover each location.
Take a Pottery Class
Reenact the famous Ghost (1990) scene between Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze at your own couple's pottery class, molding your sculpture from clay to kiln. However, if creativity isn't your forte, swing by a pottery studio and paint a pre-made mug or plate.
Make a Cozy Fort
Let's get one thing straight: forts aren't just for kids. When built with or for your partner, they can take on a new meaning. Love nest, perhaps? Use pillows, blankets, and various tall furniture pieces to create the perfect cozy hideaway for snacks, cuddling, and movies.
Fly Away on a Hot Air Balloon
Satiate your inner thrill seeker by taking a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon ride. Fly over the countryside, mountains or flowing rivers to get a new perspective on love and life. Just make sure to check your partner isn't afraid of heights.
Split a Chocolate Sampler Box
If you and your significant other have a sweet tooth, consider splitting a large chocolate sampler box, such as one from Whitman's or the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company. Cut each piece in half, and keep track of your favorites on a sheet of paper. This info might just come in handy for the next gifting holiday.
Test Your Compatibility
For the adventurous couple that enjoys learning more about each other, consider booking an appointment with a tarot card reader, astrology chart reader, palm reader, or the like. This could be a fun way to learn about your inherent compatibility, connection, strengths, and struggles in your relationship.
Create Your Own Tasting Tour
While a formal wine or beer tasting is a fun experience to have, it can also be fun to craft your own tasting tour. If you and your partner have a favorite food or drink, such as pizza, hot chocolate or chocolate chip cookies for example, take a tour around town to find the best one in the city.
Exchange Handmade Gifts
There's nothing more heartwarming than a gift someone makes themselves. For the hobbyist couple, this could be a great way to put your skills to use, and make something one-of-a-kind for your partner. Some fun ideas could include a handmade scarf, watercolor artwork, matching bracelets and more.
RELATED: Homemade Valentine's Day Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Make a Playlist for One Another
From mixtapes to CDs to modern streaming, spend your Valentine's Day making and swapping curated playlists with the person you love, full of music that makes you think of them.
NEED A PLACE TO START? Best Love Song Lyrics You Can Quote to Your Valentine This Year
Try Couples Portrait Painting
For a date night idea that's sure to make you laugh, set up a divide or opposite-facing easels and paint each other's portrait. Be as photo-realistic or creative as you'd like. Then, after a glass or two of wine, do a grand reveal. Creative abilities are not a requirement. In fact, the worse the paintings are the more fun you'll have.
Tackle a Thrift Store Challenge
For a creative, inexpensive daytime date idea, head to the thrift store to take on a zany clothing challenge. Give yourself 15 minutes to find your partner the wackiest outfit possible. Then, wear the new ensemble out for dinner. You'll definitely make memories and may even find treasures along the way.
Book the Trip of a Lifetime
Set aside Valentine's Day to plan the couples trip you've always dreamed about. You know, the one you "didn't have enough time" to book. Even if it's only for a weekend, a sweet escape to somewhere picturesque is the perfect next step to take with your loved one.
NEED IDEAS? Check out our Family Travel Award Winners.
Host a Dinner Party with Friends
You can always plan a romantic dinner for two, or you can get your friends in on the fun and host a group dinner. Make it a potluck to cut prep work in half and have everyone bring a dish they love.
Put on Your Dancing Shoes
Cue up a song you both love and slow dance in your living room, or sign up for a dance class at your local dance studio. Learn the sensual salsa, classic ballroom, or carefree swing. And let the music move you!
Watch Your Wedding Video Together
Watch your wedding video together, and reminisce about the big day. Nothing feels more romantic than reminiscing on the momentous day you said, "I do!"
Go to An Amusement Park
Funnel cake, popcorn, roller coasters and big stuffed animals to be won? Talk about the best Valentine's Day date ever.
Bottle Your Own Wine
Looking to try something new? Certain vineyards and organizations let you stomp your own grapes and will bottle the wine for you to take home. Talk about a treat specially made for you — by you!
Have a Photoshoot
Have a recent milestone you'd like captured on camera? An engagement or significant anniversary? Or maybe it's been a while since the entire family had their photo taken. Whatever the reason may be, dedicate time on Valentine's Day to memorialize the moment with a professional photographer.
Visit a Bookstore
The perfect date for bookworms. Spend the day exploring new potential reads, grabbing a cup of coffee in a local café and enjoying the new books you bought. Staying on theme with the day of love, check out our favorite romance picks to add to your TBR.
YOUR NEXT READ: The Best Romance Novels of All Time to Get You in the Mood
Sign Up for a Cocktail-Making Class
Why go to a bar for drinks when you can take a cocktail class to learn how to make your favorites at home? Use it as a chance to learn a new skill, and at the end, enjoy your tasty creations — win, win!
Make Fondue
Calling all foodies. Dust off your fondue pot or a heavy-bottomed pan, and make cheese or chocolate fondue. See what combos pair best with your bite-sized sides.
Take a Bike Ride
If the weather is nice enough, take advantage of the fresh air and scenery and bike alongside your significant other. If you live somewhere with bike rentals nearby, consider trying the rom-com favorite tandem bike. Perhaps you can grab brunch together after logging miles on the open road?
Play Hooky
Take the day off work and kickstart an early weekend by sleeping in, cooking breakfast together, and lazing however you choose. Catching up on R&R and quality time with your loved one is never a bad way to spend the day.
Workout Together
If you and your partner (or friends!) enjoy getting your sweat on, go to the gym or run together. You can even sign up for a joint class and grab coffee afterward.
Make a Bucket List
Sure, Valentine's Day is a great day to conquer some items on your bucket list, but what about the other days of the year? Spend February 14 creating a list of things you and your significant other want to do the other 364 days of the year.
Have a Valentine's Bake-Off
In the fashion of The Great British Baking Show, have a friendly competition in the kitchen to see who can make the best (and most festive) Valentine's Day dessert — extra points for anything heart-shaped and with sprinkles. Maybe you'll even get a Paul Hollywood-style handshake at the end.
RELATED: Best Valentine's Day Desserts to Make for Your Sweetheart
Go to a Concert
Have a favorite song you both love? Obsessed with the same band? A concert is the perfect place to enjoy great music and quality time with your Valentine. Check what local bands are playing in your area on the 14th, or grab tickets to your favorite musical artist's upcoming tour.
Volunteer Together
If helping others fills your cup, spend the day with your partner giving back. Help paint a local mural at a school, serve meals in a soup kitchen, pick up trash at the local park, or commit to doing some other activity that helps give back to your community.
Go Sledding
Bundle up and get your endorphins flowing with a trip to the sledding hill. Break out the old toboggan, or head to a tubing place that pulls you back up if you don't want to hike to the top of the hill. Bonus: You can't share a sled without cuddling.
Sing Your Heart Out With Karaoke
Sing a duet with your best girlfriends or S.O. either at home with a personal karaoke machine or at a karaoke bar. After all, science has proven that singing together helps bring people closer.
Play Tourist in Your Own City
Look at your city or town with fresh eyes by getting out and exploring it like tourists. Wander the main drag, check out kitschy shops and local landmarks, or meander through a new area you don't usually explore to gain a fresh perspective while spending quality time with your partner.
Order Off the Dollar Menu
Who says you need to spend a lot of money to have a great time? Indulge your fast food cravings, and order off the dollar menu. For less than $10 each, you can have a night of food, laughs, and full bellies. You'll also feel great knowing you didn't blow your budget.
Enjoy Breakfast in Bed
Start the day off right by serving up a romantic Valentine's Day breakfast and enjoying it together in bed. While pajamas aren't required, they are highly encouraged.
TRY IT: Delicious Valentine's Day Breakfast Ideas for the Most Romantic Morning Ever
Take a Scenic Drive
Put together a road trip-worthy playlist and hit the pavement, even if it's just for a spin around town. There's something about miles-long pavement that gets the conversation flowing, especially if you're just tootling around looking out the window.
Go on a Hike
Take a scenic hike together, and enjoy the beautiful sights and fresh air of the world around you. The climb will strengthen your fitness levels and bond while getting some much-needed separation from your devices, too.
Exchange Love Letters
Make Valentine's Day even more special by putting into words why your partner means so much to you. The more specific and personal, the better. Because what may seem like a simple letter can easily become a beloved keepsake.
Hold a Game Night
For those with a competitive streak (or who like good, old-fashioned fun), an exciting night of board games and card games will make Valentine's Day one to remember — and not just because you'll be keeping score.
Make Some Crafts
Get creative and enjoy a special Valentine's Day craft night, complete with your favorite beverages, snacks, and fun. You can make each other a DIY Valentine's Day gift or compete to see who can make the most creative craft!
RELATED: Easy Valentine's Day Crafts for Every Age
Recreate Your Favorite Date
Take a trip down memory lane by recreating your favorite date, whether that's the first time you went out together or when you first said "I love you." If you can't go to the same restaurant or location, get creative by cooking the same meal at home.
Plan a Movie Marathon
For some quality relaxation time with your S.O., get cozy on the couch and marathon-watch all your favorite rom-coms. It's the perfect way to set the mood for some Valentine's night romance.
RELATED: The Best Romantic Comedies of All Time to Stream Right Now
Cook Together
They say the best way to a person's heart is through their stomach, so put that theory to the test by preparing a romantic Valentine's Day dinner together. You can even try a cooking class, in person or virtual, to learn how to prepare a new dish or cuisine.
DINNER IDEAS: Best Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas for a Romantic Night in With Your Sweetheart
Take a Relaxing Bath
Turn on the warm water, add your favorite essential oils or bath bomb and watch as the stress just melts away. Enhance the mood even further by lighting a few candles, dimming the lights and playing relaxing music for the both of you to enjoy.
Rent a Cozy Cabin in the Woods
Lean into sweater weather and escape into the wilderness, where you can relax by the fire and sip hot chocolate. This is the perfect opportunity for a no-screens vacation — just you, your partner, and the books, movies, and games you bring with you.
Have an Indoor Picnic
The winter weather doesn't have to stop you from planning the most romantic date of all — a picnic. Break out a checkered tablecloth and your best Valentine's Day recipes for a charming indoor picnic your sweetheart won't forget.
Romantic Night Under the Stars
You can go camping or set up a stargazing bed for a few hours away from the bright lights of the city. If it's too cold to brave the actual night sky, achieve a similar experience at a nearby planetarium.
Head to a Museum
Get a dose of culture by heading to a nearby art, history, or science museum. If you don't live near any, some offer virtual tours online, making it a unique way to experience something new with your partner.
Spend the Night in a Fancy Hotel Room
Even if you don't leave your hometown, a staycation at a fancy hotel can feel like another world. Check into somewhere nice, change into a plush bathrobe, and don't forget to order room service. Whether you kick back with a partner, your BFF, or fly solo, it's sure to be a night to remember.
Visit a Conservatory or Botanical Garden
Go beyond the traditional bouquet of red roses this year and give your loved one a garden full of beautiful flowers. A visit to a local botanical garden or conservatory will make for a great photo opportunity. Plus, you'll get a romantic nature walk with your sweetheart out of the deal.
Head to the Ice Rink
Whether you’re a pro or a newbie, skating with your sweetheart is as romantic as it sounds. Even if you fall, someone will be there to help pick you up! Warm up with some comforting hot cocoa after the skates come off.
RELATED: Best Winter Date Ideas to Make the Most of the Cold Weather
Have a Wine and Cheese Night
Pop open your favorite bottle of wine and pair it with a delectable homemade charcuterie board. Don't forget the crusty bread, artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and puckery olives to round it out.
Book an At-Home Massage
Transform your home into a top-notch spa with apps such as Soothe and Zeel. The best part is that you can drift off to sleep while basking in that post-massage afterglow because there's no commute home.
Play at an Arcade
Take your inner child out to play with a night full of street-racing games and Skee-ball at your local arcade. Win your significant other's heart the old-fashioned way by earning them a cute and kitschy prize as a Valentine's Day keepsake.
Stretch It Out at Yoga
Enjoy some relaxing time together by stretching and centering your mind at a couples yoga class. They're great for helping you feel more connected with your partner. Try a yoga video at home if you don't have a studio nearby.
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