Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is coming up and what could be better than spending time with your loved ones? Instead of staying inside, why not try something different this year? I’ve compiled a few of my favorite ideas to get outside and have some fun. Whether you’re celebrating with your partner or spouse, I know you’ll have a great time.
Need gift ideas? See these gift ideas for your spouse or partner that go beyond a box of chocolate or bouquet of flowers (although there is a fun LEGO bouquet featured). Also, see our family experience gift guide filled with different in-person and virtual experiences you can do with your spouse or partner.
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Ideas to Get Outside
1. Go Bicycle Riding
There’s nothing like bundling up and riding your bike through the beautiful scenery winter has to offer! It’s a great way to bond with that special someone or your family without having to be indoors. If you want to find some trails in your area, download the Alltrails App.
If you want to make a full day of it, pack a picnic to eat along the trail. Pack a blanket and some snacks and you’re set. Bundle up and enjoy!
2. Sledding or Tubing at a Hill Near You
Winter weather provides the perfect backdrop for sledding or tubing down a hill. There’s nothing like the rush of going fast and feeling that weightlessness that you get from gliding!
3. Make Your Own Snowman/Ice Princess
This is definitely one activity that the whole family can enjoy! Whether it’s rolling snow into perfect balls to make a snowman or making ice cubes to create an Ice Princess, this is great fun for all ages.
4. Have a Campfire & S’mores
What’s better than toasting marshmallows and spending time with that special someone? You can bring in some sticks or use the ones by the fire pit. Who knows, you might even end up roasting hot dogs! Soup is also always an option when it’s cold out.
Read next: 4 Best Portable Wood Burning Fire Pits for the Backyard
5. Go on a Dog-friendly Hike
I love this idea because it’s great for those of us who want to go outside with our pup but don’t feel like we can take them everywhere we go. You may also be able to go on a dog-friendly hike near you by searching on Alltrails. Pack some hot chocolate in a double insulated rambler or thermos to enjoy a hot drink along the way.
Check out the Yeti’s new custom-designed ramblers for Valentine’s Day that let you personalize your favorite drinkware
6. Family Pizza Night
Yes, you read that correctly…we said pizza! This is a great activity when you want to spend time with your family or partner but don’t want to go out to eat. The best part? You can have fun cooking together and then eat it by the fire when it’s finished. Note: You can also fire up the grill for grilled pizzas!
We have some great flatbread topping ideas using store-bought crust or flatbreads or you can use our no-knead pizza dough recipe.
7. Have a Charades/Game Night
Does your family enjoy playing games together? Why not do it outside and play charades instead of watching someone else act out words for you? Or how about playing cards by the fire pit? This is a great way to have fun while being outside.
Read next: Ultimate List of 34 Outdoor Games
8. Take a Camping Trip
The winter season is a fantastic time to visit national or state parks. You’ll have a great time getting up to nature and enjoying the crisp air. You may even get lucky and catch some snow! If you don’t want to tent camp, check out cabin rentals or lodges in the area for glamping.
Find the best campgrounds, RV parks, cabins rentals, and more with Campspot.
9. Have a Dinner in Your Backyard
How about spicing up your Valentine’s Day this year? Why not make steaks on the grill or go all out and make fondue by candlelight (provided you have a fire pit or an outdoor heater with a fire)? You can even go traditional and roast some marshmallows!
I have a great New York Strip steak recipe here plus side dish ideas to go with it. Or if you want something not so expensive, try this petite sirloin with a chimichurri marinade.
10. Ice Skating & Dancing Under the Stars
Grab your partner and spend some time on the rink or outdoors if you can find a solid frozen pond or lake. Ice-skating is great fun for all ages! It’s also the perfect way to burn off some energy in between turns.
If you’re in the mood to do something special with your partner for Valentine’s Day, consider celebrating outside. Take advantage of these 10 outdoor date ideas that will get you out into nature together! You’ll have fun cooking, playing games, exploring new trails, making snowmen/ice princesses, or even camping together when it comes time to make love under the stars. Let us know what other ideas are popping up for you as we’d be happy to brainstorm more solutions together.
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These Valentine’s Day outdoor ideas are super fun! I love the bike riding one. I once went on a freezing bike ride with my partner, and though our fingers were numb, the views were amazing. The snowman/ice princess idea is great for families. Do you think it’s better to make a snowman in the front yard or find a more secluded spot in the park? And who has the best recipe for s’mores? I’m always looking to upgrade mine!