No matter how you define the current status of the relationships in your life, Valentine’s Day is a prime opportunity to reflect on the many ways love takes shape in our lives. All the relationships we hold help contribute to our sense of meaning and purpose, and that’s worth celebrating.
Whether you are spending Valentine’s Day with a life partner or a group of friends, these Valentine’s Day date ideas will make your day special. They range from sexy to cute to cool and can make good first dates for new couples or special quality time for longer-term relationships. Many of them can also be enjoyed alone if that is what would best serve you in your current phase of life, and you can do some of them at home, too.
It’s important to remember that a meaningful date is less about picking out the “perfect” activity and more about celebrating the emotional connection that’s already present and consciously choosing to help it grow. You can quite literally transform any activity into something magical. The date itself is simply a vessel to help illuminate the love that’s already present and helps transform the world into a kinder, more compassionate, and loving place. So light your favorite Valentine’s Day candle, and read on for 34 ways to spend this special day.
Health & wellness-focused Valentine’s Day date ideas
- Journal. Grab some stationery, find a quiet place to sit together, and write free-form or through the assistance of guided prompts. Afterward, you can talk about what you wrote. This practice allows you to check in with your partner and yourself to see how you’re feeling and what you need. You can also do this solo.
- Try a yoga date. Different studios offer a variety of alternative classes from goat yoga to acro-yoga to couple’s yoga and more. Some studios in your area might offer a free first session if you’ve never been.
- Treat yourself to a spa day. You can do this at home by buying some face masks and bath bombs, or head to a local spa if you want a fancier experience.
- Take your date outside. Explore a new hiking trail, hit the slopes, grab ice skates, take a horseback riding lesson, or ride bikes around town.
- Try out a dance class (pole, anyone?).
- Head to the hot springs — if you live near one. If not, a sensory deprivation tank, sauna, or hot tub can also help you and your partner get steamy and relaxed, and restore your internal energy.
- Go to a rock-climbing gym. Test your fear of heights and strengthen new muscles by climbing with your date.
- Host a cooking night. Expand your horizons by making homemade pasta, baking your favorite sweets, or go with the classic pizza night. You can even take a class at a nearby culinary school for extra guidance and community.
- Create care packages for the homeless. You can spend a date night putting these together and reflecting on areas of privilege in your life.
Valentine’s Day dates for self-expansion & Exploration
- Do a photoshoot. You can express your creativity by doing this with your date, friends, family, or by yourself. You can either dress up or keep it casual.
- Take a date to a local art gallery or museum. Consider ways in which you can give back to local artists.
- Volunteer for a cause. You can support something your and/or your partner(s) values, whether that’s caring for the environment by helping plant trees or protesting to stand up for women’s rights.
- DIY your own candles, bath salts, facials, or body lotions. You can buy wax and other supplies at your local craft store, and pick out scents you and/or your partner enjoy. If you want to support a small business, you can also find DIY kits on Etsy. In the end, keep your creations for yourselves or give them to friends or family.
- Take an art class at a local art studio.
- Create a relationship vision board. If doing this with your partner, try documenting relationship goals, aspirations, and desires. You can even do this activity separately and then later share your creations. If you’re single, you can do this as a solo activity to become aware of what you value in an intimate partnership.
- Take a trip to the local planetarium or botanic gardens. You can expand your scientific knowledge and appreciate your love for the natural world around you.
- Decorate your space. Repaint a room or get creative with a DIY project.
Social & group dates
- Host a sip and paint party. You can split up costs so that some people buy paint supplies while others pay for the wine.
- Host a clothing swap or jewelry-making event. Take photos together with your new outfits and accessories.
- Invite friends over for an old-school movie night or slumber party. You can even rent out an Airbnb to expand the activity for a long weekend.
- Have a dog? Invite your fellow canine-loving friends over for a doggy date and bake pet-friendly treats. Check to see if there are any dog-friendly restaurants or patios open or visit a dog park to bring the party out of the house.
- Host a potluck, bonfire, brunch, or picnic. You can do this at home, or at the beach or park if you live in a warmer area and don’t want to have to deal with cleanup at your own house afterward.
- Attend or host a trivia or game night. If you’re hosting your own, pick a theme that’s specific to your group interests, and play in teams for extra fun.
- Take a date to see a comedy or improv show.
Valentine’s Day dates to foster intimacy
- Peruse a bookstore. Get to know each other by sharing your favorite titles and buy each other a book at the end.
- Make a time capsule. Enclose photographs, writings, or small mementos that you and/or a partner can open up at a later date (perhaps on a future Valentine’s Day).
- Spend the night in a hotel, and order room service, or treat yourself to a nice meal at an upscale restaurant.
- Develop a calendar or brainstorm future date ideas for the rest of the year. Get excited about your future and start planning any potential trips you want to take.
- Give and receive massages at home. It’s both better for COVID safety and more intimate.
- Take an adult sex-ed class, visit a BDSM dungeon or get tickets to a local burlesque show.
- Visit a sex shop and buy new toys and/or lingerie to try on later. If you go on a date, you can even split up and buy things for each other as a surprise.
- Spend your date night at a concert or live music event.
- Write or read poetry, letters, a book, or an audiobook together. If you feel comfortable, you can even listen to erotic audio together.
- Create a list of relationship values and goals. You can also do this as a solo activity first, reflecting on individual values and goals, and then brainstorming values and goals within the context of the shared relationship. This activity helps you understand your partner’s goals and how you can support them in maintaining their sense of self within the relationship. (You can also combine this with the vision board idea mentioned above if you’re feeling artsy, too.)