Valentine’s Day is upon us! It’s always fun deciding how to spend this day, but this year, things might be slightly different than in years past. Whether you’re spending this Valentine’s Day with your friends, by yourself, or with your partner, here are some fun outdoor ideas.
- Hiking
-
Go for a hike, hang a couple of hammocks, and enjoy the trip. Many hiking trails have scenic lookout points, where you can relax and appreciate the view before continuing your hike.
- Picnic
-
Pack your favorite food, find a nice spot, and settle down for lunch or dinner. If the unpredictable cloudiness allows it, you might even get to watch the sunset before it gets too cold!
- Firepit
-
If the weather permits, you can bundle up outside with blankets, hand warmers, and your warmest layers of clothing for a firepit. Play some nice music, roast marshmallows, and stay close to the fire so you don’t freeze.
- Take a trip to the zoo
-
It seems that no matter how old I get, taking a trip to the zoo never becomes boring. Walking around and learning about the different animals is a pandemic-friendly Valentine’s Day activity that will put a smile on your face.
- Game Night
-
Gather your game night necessities–Monopoly, Uno, Catan, your favorite snacks, and anything else–and set up outside. Though this could be done inside or outside, it’s a great way to spend the night.
- Outdoor Movie
-
If the weather isn’t too rough, you can build your own makeshift outdoor movie theater in your backyard. All you need is a projector, white sheets, seats, and a good spot to set up.
- Go to the Dog Park
-
If you both have dogs, treat them to a day at the dog park! Even if you don’t have dogs, taking a stroll in the dog park and petting cute puppies is always a good option.
- Rock Climbing
-
Rock climbing is a fun, non-competitive activity you can do. It may be difficult to find an outdoor rock climbing facility, but if you live near one, this is a good way to spend your day.
- Ice Skating
-
Most people live near outdoor ice rinks, so this is a super accessible option! Even if you aren’t a great skater, learning how to stay on your feet with your partner or friends will be half the fun. With this in mind, bundle up and enjoy your night skating and drinking hot cocoa.
- Become a Tourist in your own Town
-
No matter how well we think we know the area we live in, there’s always more to be discovered. You’d be surprised how many hidden treasures we miss out on by overlooking our surroundings in our everyday rush. Take a day to explore your area from an outsider’s perspective. Whether the day includes visiting local tourist destinations, pastry shops, flea markets, or riverside walking paths, it’ll be a fun one.
- Go for a bike ride
-
This one’s pretty basic. You can bike around with a destination in mind or not–it’s up to you! You could bike to your favorite restaurant to grab lunch or just explore.
- Kayaking
-
If the winter weather permits, kayaking and paddle boating are fun ways to relax and enjoy being out on the water.
- Penny Date
-
The basic idea behind a penny date is that before you start, you and your friend or partner decide how many times you will flip the penny. Then, start driving. Flip a penny anytime you come to a stop sign or light–if it lands on heads, turn right, and if it lands on tails, turn left. Once you reach your decided amount of coin flips, take in your surroundings. Google search whether there are any fun places around you, and spend your time there however you want.
- Make the best of winter weather
-
Though it may be freezing cold out, you can still make the best of it. You can embrace the cold with sledding, skiing, and other winter sports. And if sports aren’t your thing, you can get creative with building snowmen, having a snowball fight, or building a snow fort. There’s something for everyone!
You don’t have to stick with just one of these, and you can definitely mix and match some of the ideas. In the end, no matter what we end up doing, the people we spend the day with make it worth remembering. I hope you enjoy this Valentine’s Day with the people you love!