We're not going to lie: The last two years have been hard and weird for so many families. Figuring out how to keep kids safe during a pandemic and trying not to go bonkers navigating the realities of working and learning from home were hard on moms. For couples, trying not to get sick of being in a relationship after months of being stuck inside together was a real struggle. We haven't had a normal Valentine's Day since February 2020, but that doesn't mean we don't still want to have some romance this year.
In fact, we might need romance now more than ever. If we've made it through two years of staying in love during a pandemic, that is something to celebrate, right? So this year, we are all about embracing Valentine's Day. Is it sometimes a little cheesy to go all out on Valentine's Day? Sure! Do we care? NO! This year, let's lean into it with some extra effort to up the fun and sexy elements of the Valentine's Day date night (or day!) with some fun new date ideas. We've got a collection of inspiration that includes some safer options for those who are not quite ready for traditional indoor options as well as ideas centered on getting frisky, so there's no reason not to find some way to celebrate this year!
Sexy Scrabble
Why not turn Valentineās Day date night into game night with a nerdy but hot twist? Everyone has heard of strip poker, but why not mix it up and make Scrabble a sexy experience? (Yes, this is possible!)
Consider having rules for each bonus square. Maybe an article of clothing gets removed for every double word score? Or make a triple word score worth a special sexual favor. A big vocabulary could result in some very fun times, we think!
Sentimental Takeout
A lot of folks might not be comfortable venturing out to a crowded restaurant this year, but that doesnāt mean that Valentineās Day dinner canāt be special. Getting takeout from the place where a couple had their first date or celebrated their engagement can add a romantic and sentimental twist to getting takeout or having food delivered.
Day Date
For parents who are lucky enough to have kids in day care or school on Valentineās Day (which falls on a Monday this year), a day date might be the best date night option! Take the day off of work and enjoy a leisurely brunch, catch a movie matinee, or even remember what itās like to have non-exhausted sex with nobody else at home!
Shopping for Something Special
Taking a trip to the mall might sound like a good way for a middle school couple to celebrate Valentine's Day, but hear us out! A date to the mall to shop for some new lingerie can be super fun and sexy, especially seeing what kinds of things he thinks would look amazing on the woman he loves.
Take It Outside
Everyone who lives in a place where it is likely to be 14 degrees on February 14 should feel free to ignore this suggestion, but isn't it always romantic to have a picnic? Even if it is just a day date to the local park or a candlelit picnic in the backyard, eating outside always makes a meal feel special.
Get Wet
Couples with the good fortune to have a big bathtub should consider either starting or ending their Valentine's Day date night in the bubbles! We're not just talking about tub sex (go for it, though!). There is something so soothing about soaking in the warm water and relaxing with the person you love the most.
Get Scared
One of the goals of a good date night is to hopefully have it include some fun frisky time as a couple. Thereās some surprising research that suggests that getting scared together can actually lead to getting aroused together. (Once the adrenaline gets flowing after a jump scare, it keeps flowing!) Watching a scary movie together or taking a ghost tour can be a fun twist on the usual tame date night.
Make an Escape
Another fun Valentine's Day date night idea is to do an escape room. This could also be fun to do as a double date option with another couple. Escape rooms, some of which offer Valentineās Day-themed puzzles, are a great way to work together and to have some laughs along the way!
Crack a Book
A visit to a bookstore can have a romantic or even sexy twist. Just visit a favorite bookseller and split up with an assignment to find a book with a spicy sex scene or romantic moment that inspires or intrigues.
Take turns sharing the scene with each other or maybe buy the one that inspires the most and take it home to act it out. Key words are "at home," though ā nobody needs to see actual romance happening in the romance section!
Sexy Photo Shoot
Getting boudoir photos taken can be really affirming and fun for some women, but it can also be pricey and a little intimidating to get half naked in front of a stranger. Thatās why it could be a great date night idea! Set some ground rules about what happens to the pictures afterward, find something sexy to wear, and start snapping photos.
Food Truck Foodies
For couples who arenāt quite ready to eat in restaurants yet but who want to do something that gets them out of the house for Valentineās Day, finding a food truck can be a fun way to eat out without being inside! Finding a food truck and then taking a long walk afterward is a perfect low-key way to connect with a partner.
The Element of Surprise
Nothing elevates a Valentine's Day date night like an element of sexy surprise. We're talking about anything from the classic of rocking a dress but nothing underneath (how he finds that out is up to your imagination!) to dropping some serious dirty talk at dinner or even going in for a quick under the table grope. All moves are designed to heighten the anticipation for whatever happens under the sheets later.
A Sentimental Playlist
A sweet and sentimental date night idea is to create a special playlist for listening to during dinner or whenever. There are lots of fun ways to do this, such as one song for every year together or songs connected to particular moments in the relationship. This could also be a fun thing to do together. Every couple has a song, so why not have a whole playlist?
All the Flowers
Giving flowers for Valentine's Day is totally traditional, but why not enjoy ALL THE FLOWERS and head to a nearby arboretum for a picnic or long stroll? Bonus for couples in cold places ā sometimes arboretums have indoor exhibits or a greenhouse, so you can pretend you are on a tropical vacation!
A Special Shopping Trip
Parents buy toys for their kids. Valentine's Day date night, on the other hand, isn't about the kids, so those are NOT the kind of toys we think folks should be shopping for, wink wink. A trip to the adult store can be a fun way to find some toys or other sexy items to take home and try out.
