The Best Out-of-the-Box Valentine’s Day Ideas

Last updated on January 20th, 2025 at 08:22 pm

Ready for a Valentine’s Day date that’s NOT dinner and a box of chocolates—again? Do something different this year! Check out some of our favorite out-of-the-box Valentine’s Day ideas.

Are you tired of the same ol’ dates every Valentine’s Day? Has this heart-filled holiday lost all its luster for you and your Valentine? It just might be time to change things up!

There’s no rule book that says you have to go out to a fancy dinner with a box of chocolates and flowers in hand. Obviously, if that’s your cup of tea, then go for it! But if you’re ready for a change this year, keep reading.

Out-of-the-Box Valentine’s Day Ideas

Stay in.

Staying home can be romantic in itself, especially for those super busy couples. If you both are simply longing for a quiet night of Hulu or Netflix binging and snuggling, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse. We like the idea of watching old favorite TV shows or movies (maybe ones that remind you of when you first met).

Other activities you can enjoy at home together would be:

• -Cooking a meal together (Order from Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, or try one of these other meal kits.)
• -Playing your favorite board games
• -Going through old photos of your time together and reminiscing
• -Playing video games
• -Dancing in the living room
• -Staying in bed all day
• -Reading (or writing) sappy poetry
• -Giving each other massages

The key is to tune out the outside world and ignore the clock.

Also read: 30 Mini Date Night Ideas for Couples + a Free Printable

Get active.

A simple walk hand-in-hand could do the trick. But if you’re looking for something more active, here are more out-of-the-box Valentine’s Day ideas to think about:

• Ice skating
• Roller skating
• A hike in the woods
• The trampoline park
• Dancing
• Biking
• Miniature golf
• Laser Tag
• Karaoke

Sometimes doing something outside of your comfort zone lends to lots of romantic hand holding. Laughing with each other is fun, too.

Stay the night.

You don’t even have to leave town to enjoy the romance in getting away for the night. Book a hotel or B&B with a hot tub in the room or a hotel with a spa in your own city.

Live it up by ordering room service, or hit the town for some drinks and dessert. This is the perfect opportunity to be a tourist in your own town, checking out that museum you’ve never taken the time to see, or trying that quaint restaurant everyone is always talking about. Then gloriously indulge in sleeping as late as possible the following morning.

Get crafty.

Did you ever get in on that coloring craze? [Check out this great selection of adult coloring books.] A couple of glasses of wine, a box of colored pencils, and “The Wedding Singer” on DVD can make for a low-key but highly romantic Valentine’s evening.

If you don’t want to stay in, try a wine and canvas place, or paint some pottery. Ready to go all out? Maybe this is the year you get matching tattoos. Or reel it in, and visit your local art gallery.

The options are truly endless when you think outside the box of chocolates. When it comes down to it, though, the whole point of a Valentine’s Date is to spend time together. Enjoy each other!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

You might also like these posts:
How to Create a Valentine’s Day Breakfast Board
Creative Gifts for Him: 5 Fun Ideas
30 Mini Date Night Ideas for Couples + a Free Printable