21 ideas to put some fun and romance back into Valentine's Day

Ann from Relationship Wellbeing Specialist

Isn’t it time you put some fun and romance back into Valentine’s Day?

At some point, for most couples, date night goes from fun and exciting to “Um, what do you want to do?”

If you have busy jobs and families it’s even hard to make time for a date, and just planning it out may feel overwhelming. Valentine’s Day is upon us though, and it’s the only day in the year that actually celebrates coupling—embracing it is much more joyful than denying it.

Here are 20 ideas for a romantic (and fun) Valentine’s Day date.

1.Karaoke night…with wigs and sunglasses.

2.Get your favourite takeaway and have an evening picnic in a park.

3.Backyard dinner, beers optional.

4.See a matinee movie (bonus points if you smuggle in your own chocolate).

5.A walk on the beach is a fine date—find your sweetie a seashell for Valentine’s gift.

6.Look in the entertainment book at restaurants, pick one and go out for dinner (there are usually plenty around Valentine’s Day.)

7.Meet another couple you haven’t seen in a while for coffee.

8.Take a yoga class together, then while you’re extra flexible…

9.Visit a vineyard for a wine tasting. Bring home a bottle for your next date night.

10.Take a long walk–it’s simple but romantic and it’s a low-pressure activity where you both get to decompress.

11. Bowling is not considered romantic: make it so. Bring joy to a bowling alley.

12.Build a sweat lodge in your yard and fire it up (this can be accomplished cheaply and in less than 3 hours).

13.Visit an athletic club just to use the sauna and the hot tub.

14. If you can find someone to watch the children, take advantage of Valentine’s coupons to spend a night in a hotel.

15. Tour a brewery; drink free beer (just decide on a driver ahead of time).

16.Check the Kama Sutra out of your local library and put it to the test.

17. Rent a tandem bicycle and go for a ride—this takes some teamwork but you can go twice as fast or twice as far as riding alone.

18.Spend an afternoon in the video arcade. Ignore teenage hecklers.

19.Go to a second-hand shop: you each have twenty minutes and $20 to buy a gift for the other.

20.If you know a good spot on the beach, midnight skinny-dipping is possibly the best cheap date ever invent