40 Valentine’s Day Date Ideas To Show Your Love for Your Sweetheart

Jessica Sager

February 7, 2023 at 1:35 AM·10 min read

Have an unforgettable February 14 with your favorite person.

Valentine's Day is approaching, and the pressure is on! The most lover-centric holiday of the year often brings with it high expectations of wining, dining and generally stepping everyone's romance game up. If you're looking for alternatives to the usual fancy dinner out (not that there's anything wrong with that!), these Valentine's Day date ideas may help you and your sweetheart have a festive, fun time, and likely won't break the bank either.

From surprising each other with take-out options to trying fondue or a night of baking and so much more, we've got plenty of creative (and super romantic) date ideas for Feb. 14.

Here at Parade.com, we're all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.

40 Best Valentine's Day Date Ideas

1. Order each other dinner on a night out.

Surprise each other by each ordering dinner (or breakfast, or lunch) for the other,. It'll be fun to see what they pick out for you—will they get your favorite comfort dish or will they push you to expand your taste buds' horizons?

2. Order one another dinner in.

Whip out your phones and order each other delivery through an app. This opens up your options even further to surprise each other since you won't have to order from the same restaurant!

3. Volunteer together.

Warm each other's hearts as well as those of community members in need. Whether you walk shelter dogs together, deliver meals to homebound residents, or clean up a neighborhood park, you'll feel so good when you're done—and you'll have a lot to talk about afterward over a meal together. Not sure where to start? Check out Volunteer Match to find opportunities near you.

4. Take a short-distance trip together.

If traveling afar isn't in the cards for you right now, a cozy weekend away in a new setting—even if it's just a town or two over—can help you see each other with new eyes and be as refreshing as a full-on vacation.

5. Do the classic dinner and a movie—at the same time.

Instead of going out to eat after a two-hour movie (or vice versa), combine them. Find a dine-in theater near you and indulge in dinner while you catch a fun new flick. (Bonus: Some theaters also serve booze!)

6. Have a customized dance party.

Make each other playlists with songs that remind you of the other—then have a dance party (or mosh pit, depending on your taste) to your tunes.

7. Serenade each other.

If you're musically inclined, have a jam session together. You may even want to write or perform something original (and if you need help, check out Downwrite to get help from great artists!).

8. Get (or give!) a couples' massage.

Who couldn't use some relaxation right about now? Head to a spa together or check out tutorials on how to give each other the best at-home massages. Bonus if you heat up your towels and light some scented candles!

9. Make each other melt with fondue.

Whether you hit up a local restaurant that offers gooey deliciousness or makes it at home, indulges in cheese or chocolate options.

Nostalgia 6-Cup Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Pot Set with Temperature Control, 6 Color-Coded Forks, and Removable Pot - Fondue Pot for Chocolate, Candy Melts, Caramel, Cheese, Sauces, and More

10. Challenge each other to make DIY gifts.

A great option for anyone who's crafty (or can laugh at themselves if they aren't) or on a budget: Challenge one another to make Valentine's Day gifts. Pick out materials that you agree on (it can be stuff around the house or you can set a budget and go shopping), set a timer, and go at it. You'll get one-of-a-kind presents, memories, and probably some hilarity while you're at it.

11. Cook dinner together.

Whether you whip up a tried-and-true favorite recipe or try something new, cooking together can help you bond while providing a tangible reward when you're done.

12. Indulge in rich desserts.

Whether it's death by chocolate, strawberries and champagne, swanky hot chocolate, or your favorite Ben and Jerry's pints, Valentine's Day is a great time to savor the sweeter side of life with your sweetheart.

Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix, 0.85-Ounce Packets (Pack of 10)

13. Bake together.

Always wanted to try baking a German chocolate cake, thumbprint cookies, or an apple pie? Try them out together, then enjoy the fruits of your labors with some wine.

14. Take a dance class together.

Check out a studio near you to learn to samba, or spend the night doing TikTok dance tutorials—whatever gets you moving and makes you happy.

15. Hit up a roller rink.

Couples skate only! Enjoy the nostalgia of an old-school roller rink and make up for all those times you didn't have a hand to hold when you were 13. No rink near you? Snag some skates online and roll around your neighborhood.

16. Make a scrapbook together.

Have a collection of ticket stubs, Polaroids, love notes, and the like that you don't know what to do with? Work together to immortalize your memories in a scrapbook.

17. Level up with an arcade date.

Hit up a local arcade for classics like pinball and Pac-Man, or battle it out at home with some Super Smash Bros. for a guaranteed good time.

Arcade1Up NFL Blitz Legends Arcade Machine - 4 Player, 5-foot tall full-size stand-up game for home with WiFi for online multiplayer, leaderboards, and a light-up marquee

18. Have a night at the museum.

You don't need to sleep over to see if any exhibits come to life, but exploring a local museum can expand your minds and give you a lot to talk about when you get home.

19. Sow some seeds.

Start a garden together! If you have a yard, that's obviously a good option. If not, some window boxes or even small pots can be good ways to start growing your own herbs, vegetables, or flowers.

20. Go for a long drive.

You may find some fun things to do that aren't too far away! Stumped on what to do once you're behind the wheel? Check out these car date ideas.

21. Get a room!

Splurge on a night in a swanky hotel. Eat at the restaurant, get cocktails at the bar, then hit the hay. Heck, sometimes just knowing you don't have to make your own bed in the morning can really make you feel pampered.

22. Recreate your first date.

Where did you guys have your first date? Go back and relive it!

23. Recreate more firsts.

Go to the bar where you first got drinks, the cafe where you first got coffee, the restaurant where you first got dinner, or re-watch the first movie you saw together.

24. Have a movie marathon.

Whether you're rewatching your favorite movies from when you first started dating or indulging in an evening full of romcoms, there's never been a better time to Netflix and chill. Need some movie ideas? Check out these romantic movies on HBO Max that are perfect for Valentine's Day.

25. Crack a case.

Like things a little dark? Team up for Hunt A Killer or a murder mystery game.

Hunt A Killer - Death at The Dive Bar, Immersive Murder Mystery Game - Take on The Unsolved Case as an Independent Challenge, for Date Night or with Family & Friends as Detectives, Age 14+

26. Go to a comedy club.

Lots of comedy clubs have Valentine's Day specials. If you're brave, sit up front!

27. Get a read on each other.

Head to your local library or bookstore and pick out books for one another. You may be surprised at what your partner chooses!

28. Snuggle up on a boat.

Whether you hop on the local ferry, take a dinner cruise, or paddleboat in a park, it all evokes "Kiss the Girl" from The Little Mermaid in the best way. (Unless, of course, you're prone to getting seasick!)

29. Go ice skating.

Depending on where you live, Valentine's Day is often pretty cold! If you have an ice skating rink or pond near you, lace up, hold hands, and then bond over dinner and cocoa.

30. Draw or paint portraits of each other.

You don't need to be the next Picasso for this to be fun. It's a sweet way to show the person you love how you see them, and it's insightful to how they see you, too—and they may notice things about you that you didn't even notice about yourself.

31. Learn something new together.

Take a class together, be it pottery (we've seen Ghost), jiu-jitsu, or couples' yoga. Staying in? Try a MasterClass!

32. Have a board game night.

Make big bucks in Monopoly, communicate with humor in Taboo, make hilarious lists in Scattergories or crack each other up with Pictionary.

Pictionary Board Games for Family Night, Gifts for Kids, Adults and Game Night, Quick-Draw Guessing , Unique Catch-All Category [Amazon Exclusive]

33. Have a deep discussion.

Check out 250 deep conversation topics and see what you both have to say. You may surprise each other!

34. Scope out cute critters at the zoo.

Bond over adorable animals!

Things To Do on a Valentine's Day Date

35. Splash around and swim.

It may be too cold where you live to hit the beach, but that doesn't mean you can't get wet. Check hotels near you to see if they allow non-guests to swim in their indoor pool (you may have to pay a small fee) or hit up an indoor waterpark resort for a guaranteed good time.

36. Take a bubble bath together.

Of course, this depends on the size of your tub and bathroom, but if you have the space, pour some bubbly and pour some bubbles, then get cozy.

Deep Steep Bubble Bath, 17 oz (Lavender Chamomile)

37. Hike somewhere scenic.

In addition to breathtaking views, you'll get the added benefits of fresh air and a bit of a workout. Bonus points if you have a picnic when you're done (even if that picnic is in your living room, because, well, winter).

38. Plan a vacation together.

If you're not going away for Valentine's Day, spend some time together planning a future getaway. Share your dream destinations, discuss fun activities to try, and start saving up!

39. Dress each other up in your love.

Pick out one another's outfits—no cheating!—and hit the town. Sure, he may or may not understand that certain belts and certain shoes aren't good together, but it looks good to him, right?

40. Enjoy a night at the opera or theater.

Any excuse to dress extra fancy is a good one—especially if you're supporting local artists at the same time.

Next, keep your kids busy with these printable Valentine's Day coloring pages!

New on Yahoo