65 Valentine’s Day Ideas That Are So Much More Than Fancy Dinner Reservations

For those of you with partners who struggle to open up/communicate, a couples card game could be the key to more honest conversations. They’re basically card games with questions that span multiple categories and you (for the most part) take turns answering them back and forth. There are also tons of themes to these—you could play a sexy couples card game, one designed for long-term relationships, one for more-casual flings that skew sexy but also feel fun and light… basically, there’s something for everyone and every relationship.

Find your nearest aquarium or marine wildlife center and learn a thing or two about what lies in the deep blue seas. (Just make sure the place you’re visiting is reputable and prioritizes conservation!)

Any kind of team activity that lets you and your cutie hang together and stay off your phones (aka keeps your hands busy and your attention focused) is great for Valentine’s Day! And the best part? You can do ‘em at home, in your PJs, with your favorite Spotify playlist in the background. Ideal!

Whether it’s a small herb garden you keep in your kitchen window, or a plot of dirt in your backyard that you fill with fresh produce like tomatoes and peppers, planting something low-maintenance will not only give you something to do on Valentine’s day, but also a shared responsibility and something to look forward to harvesting (and enjoying!) in the future.

Whether you’re having a Galentine’s Day-style girls’ night this year or looking to set the mood for an intimate evening with a romantic partner, nothing screams V-Day vibes like a sexy little striptease.

Celebrating love doesn’t have to be all capital-R Romance complete with candlelit dinners and gazing deep into each other’s eyes or whatever. If you and your V-Day date prefer to keep it chill and have a laugh, then get thee to a standup show where I can guarantee a comedian will be only too happy to have a couple to call out in their set.

You know, if you’re into that kind of thing. And if you think you might be but haven’t tried it yet, read this.

Grab your bikes (or rent a pair for the afternoon) and map out a scenic route to ride along. Pick a beautiful spot to end near at dusk and then watch the sunset together. Bonus points: Pack a blanket to lie down on while you munch on a picnic, snacks, or sip on some drinks.

Either buy an at-home sculpting kit or book an appointment at your favorite place to play on the pottery wheel and make special ceramics together. Creating a piece that you can keep forever is a great way to commemorate the holiday—and have fun doing it! (Plus, there's just something kinda ~hot~ about working with your hands.)

For the bookworms out there, here's an idea: Go to your favorite bookstore together (or head to the library to make this #free) and each of you can pick out a book that you think the other will enjoy. Make this extra special by writing a sweet Valentine's Day inscription or tucking a note inside.

If you're committed to doing something a lil' more chill, grab some popcorn and queue up the Valentine's Day-themed episodes of all your favorite TV shows. Pro tip: Keep things interesting by incorporating a mix of humor and drama. (Like the blood drive episode of The Office followed by a tense day at the vineyard with Gilmore Girls.)

For a ~spicier~ approach to this Valentine's Day, why not head to a sex shop together and pick out something new? Whether it's a vibrator that you've never tried before, a new lube, or a costume for role play, going together helps you build up anticipation for an intimate time later in the night.

Bring it back to where it all began! Head to wherever you went on your first date (or simply re-create the ~vibe~ if you’ve since moved away) and reminisce about how far you’ve come since that first night full of sweaty palms and jittery small talk.

I know it might seem basic, but dinner and a movie is a classic for a reason. Besides, when was the last time you actually got off the couch to see something in theaters? Try hitting up one of those bougie places that serve alcohol and fancy snacks to make the experience seem even more elevated.

Learn a few new sex moves or discover a kink on the day dedicated to doing the dirty. There are courses for pretty much every type of sex or interest. Plus, you can find classes in person or online depending on how ~hands-on~ you want the instruction to be.

Humor is one of the sexiest qualities in a person, so what better way to celebrate your love than laughing together all night? Hit up a stand-up or improv show to get those giggle-induced endorphins flowing.

There are just about a zillion love songs out there, so make your celebration musical by going to a bar where you can serenade your partner in the presence of drunk strangers. If you’d rather sing privately, you could always buy some karaoke mics on Amazon to belt it out at home. Either way, cheesy duets are highly encouraged.

Is this a secret ploy to get you to leave with a furry new BFF? Maybe. But even if you don’t adopt, giving some sweet doggos a bit of affection and attention will make you feel all the puppy love.