Why is there always so much pressure to come up with good Valentine’s Day date ideas? Should you make reservations at that new place? Plan an elaborate surprise with candles and a scavenger hunt? Wear that dress he loves?
But Mom, the reality is that with kids, just getting out the door alone together feels like a win. Between finding a sitter you trust, actually having the energy to stay awake past 8 p.m., and remembering what you used to talk about besides the kids, romance can feel like just one more thing on your to-do list.
Well, guess what? You don’t need the perfect Valentine’s Day to be in a happy marriage. Research from the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia found that couples who have date nights just 1-2 times per month are 14 percentage points more likely to report being very happy in their marriages and were significantly more likely to report that divorce was “not at all likely.” Regular time together makes all the difference (not rose petals in the bedroom).
So whether you’re celebrating this Valentine’s Day or just looking for ways to connect with your husband, here are 19 Valentine’s Day date ideas to consider!
1. Go back to where it all began.
Reminisce about your first Valentine’s Day as a couple. If you remember what you had for dinner, try to recreate it. Or maybe you plan a trip down memory lane by visiting a few spots you frequented during your early years: that bench where he first said, “I love you,” the park where you had that picnic and talked until sunset, or even the bookstore where you’d spend hours leisurely drinking coffee. Nostalgia reminds you why you fell in love in the first place.
2. It’s a bake-off!
Surely you’ve seen one of the dozens of baking shows on TV. Pick a recipe, and do your best to nail it.
3. Get cultural.
Get lost in a museum or art gallery. It can spark interesting conversation and reveal more to you about how your husband sees the world.
4. Play hooky.
Pick a day around Valentine’s Day and take the day off from work while the kids are at school. Hire a sitter for the afternoon and enjoy an entire day of uninterrupted time together. Go to lunch, take a walk, or snuggle on the couch at 11 a.m. and watch a movie!
5. Eat dessert first.
If you don’t have time to make a special dinner, make or pick up a “wow” dessert and a bottle of bubbly. Start with dessert, and you might not even care about eating dinner.
6. Channel your inner Picasso.
There are tons of painting and drawing tutorials on YouTube. Grab the kids’ paint and buy a couple of canvases at the dollar store. Set up your “studio,” so you can’t see each other’s paintings until the big reveal at the end.
7. Clip coupons.
No, we’re not suggesting that making a grocery list is a good Valentine’s Day date idea. Give your husband this collection of Valentine coupons for a back rub, his favorite home-cooked meal (plus dessert!), an afternoon of uninterrupted time for him to watch sports, or maybe instant forgiveness for one of his little irksome habits.
8. Mock a movie.
Pick the worst movie you can find and watch it purely with the goal of laughing, even if it’s not a comedy.
9. Be tourists in love.
Stay at a hotel in town that has a nice restaurant or a view. Pretend you’re out-of-towners and do something your city is known for that you’ve never tried.
10. Think back.
Pull out your wedding video or photos and watch how the conversation and memories come naturally. Play your first dance song and enjoy a slow dance.
11. Make it a family Valentine’s Day.
Make the day memorable for the whole family with a special dinner and an indulgent dessert.
End the night with iMOM’s Valentine Family Game Show, or curl up on the couch for a kid-friendly rom-com.
12. Stargaze.
Download the stargazing app, bundle up, and lie on a blanket in the backyard. You’ll feel like teenagers again!
13. Create a time capsule.
This is two Valentine’s Day date ideas in one. Put items from the year into a shoebox (If you have something more capsule-like, good for you!), write letters to each other, seal it up, and store it away. Mark your calendar to “open time capsule” on February 14th of the following year. Then order pizza and enjoy a time-travel movie.
14. Turn the tables and romance him.
Yes, women want romance on Valentine’s Day, but what if you take the pressure off of him and try one of these 15 ways to romance your husband? We bet he’ll return the favor.
15. Have a “his and hers” movie night.
Start this date early because it’s a double feature. You both get to pick a movie you’ve been wanting to see, but the other has given a thumbs-down to. If you want to pick a classic, check out these 52 great movie love stories. Have an intermission between movies to pick up takeout for dinner.
16. Dress for success.
Wear something new to bed. (No flannel, even if it’s a cold night.)
17. Do a dine-in double date.
Research from the University of Maryland found that friendships with other couples actually make marriages happier and more fulfilling. Watching how other couples interact can deepen your own connection. Put all the kids in one house with a sitter, and enjoy an evening of laughter and conversation. The husbands can even make dinner while the wives prep dessert.
18. Be irresponsible!
You tell the kids to put away the video games, get out of their pajamas, and eat their vegetables. Break all your own rules by sending the kids to Grandma’s house for the day and spending the day in bed. Order pizza, play video games, binge a show… Be lazy in love.
19. Bond over breakfast.
Evenings can be hectic, and sitters are pricey. Start your day with romance instead and have a Valentine’s breakfast. Make as many menu items as possible heart-shaped. Who doesn’t love a heart-shaped pancake?
What is your favorite Valentine’s date idea?
