Valentine’s Day Activities and Craft Ideas for College Students

a young couple kissing on swings in the middle of the sea at sunset

Modified on May 5, 2023

“Love is in the air…” Valentine’s day is coming, and you have no idea how to make this day special for you and your significant other? Or even worse: you have a very limited budget for celebration.

Don’t worry, we have your back. We’ve gathered the best ideas for inexpensive activities and also for DIY gifts that say “I Love You.”

Spending Valentine’s Day with the One You Love

If you want to spend Valentine’s day with your beloved one, take a look at some Valentine’s day ideas of activities that will suit this romantic holiday. Besides, these activities won’t cost you much, so they are perfect for college students on a budget who want to arrange a little holiday just for two.

Cooking dinner together

Cooking dinner together is a perfect way to build trust and intimacy. Pasta, lasagna or a sweet dessert will work the best. Make sure you shop for all ingredients beforehand to avoid crazy crowds in a market. And don’t forget about scented candles for this romantic evening.

Picnic

Picnics are so romantic! Do you think that you can’t set up a picnic because of the snowy weather outside? Then make a picnic on the floor in your room. A few blankets, cozy pillows and tasty dinner with wine and good music will make this evening magic and sweet.

romantic picnic inside the house Source: Instagram

Movie evening

A great way to celebrate Valentine’s day is to watch a movie or even a few of them. You can take your girlfriend or boyfriend to a movie theater or watch films on Netflix. Take a look at our list of the best movies for Valentine’s day:

Dirty Dancing (1987)
Pretty Woman (1990)
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Love, Actually (2003)
Easy A (2010)

And don’t forget to buy some popcorn!

young couple lays on the floor watching a movie and eating popcorn Source: Depositphotos

Cozy boardgame evening

Another staying-at-home activity will be an excellent option for those who don’t want to spend too much money or go out. Just make sure you choose a game for two players:

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
Hive
7 Wonders Duel
Crusaders: Thy Will be Done

A little competition won’t hurt.

Special places

Do you and your partner have a “special place?” It’s the perfect time to visit it. Was it a park you met in or even a train station you had your first kiss at? Go and remind yourself of these precious moments.

a young couple strolling along the snowy street Source: Cunningham Farms

Art classes

Pottery and painting classes are excellent therapy and relaxation. Moreover, holding hands together while making pottery on a wheel is the sweetest thing ever!

Party

Okay, a party doesn’t really seem like a romantic activity, but it’s a great way to spend this day with your girlfriend or boyfriend and other couples in a friendly and funny atmosphere. Themed parties can be organized for any holiday. So, if you’re a party person, host a great party for all of your friends.

DIY and Crafting Ideas

We love DIYs! And do you? No matter what the occasion is, crafting activities are always entertaining and relaxing. You can prepare gifts yourself or make it an excellent activity for the two of you. We have a whole bunch of cute valentines day ideas for him and her.

Cards

DIY Valentine's Day Card with Hearts Source: Pinterest

DIY Vlentines Day Card Pop Up Source: LiaGriffith

Valentine’s day cards are pretty pricey when you shop for them in pre-holiday time. But you can make them yourself without spending even an hour of your time. You will need some paper or paperboard, printed designs, markers, and glue.

A punch

A tasty punch will be an excellent choice for a holiday party or a cozy evening for you and your sweetheart. To make your own punch, you will need some juice, soda, fruits, ice cubes, and a big bowl.

punch recipe for Valantine's Day Source: Look What I Made

Two Glasses of Valentines Day Punch Source: Pinterest

A surprise box

Do you have a gift but don’t know how to present it to your beloved one? A surprise box is a perfect way to make even the simplest gift look like a whole festive ceremony. You will need a big box, balloons, helium, confetti, wrapping paper, and glitter. Put glitter into the balloons and fill them with helium. Decorate your box with wrapping paper, put your gift, confetti, and balloons inside the box, and tape it on the top. Ask your girlfriend or boyfriend to open the box, to make balloons float and find a present on the bottom of the box among confetti.

a girl covering her face with red heart-shaped baloon standing next to the box pf baloons Source: Pinterest

Homemade candies

Candies are the first thing that comes to mind when speaking about the romantic holiday. If you want to surprise your boyfriend or girlfriend, you can make candies yourself. Use bananas, marshmallows, strawberries, and nuts to dip them in melted chocolate. Let them cool in a fridge, and here you have a tasty dessert for your beloved one.

strawberries in white and dark chocolate Source: KraftRecipes

marshmellows coverd with chocolate on the sticks Source: Cool Mom Eats

DIY candles

DIY lighted heart-shaped candles Source: Wonderful DIY

Melt some wax or candles you have at home, pour it into ice cube forms of heart shapes covered with a thin layer of oil and place a wick in the center. After the wax is hard, you can take your candles and lit them up. Fun and easy! Or follow easy steps from DIY video tutorials.

Hope you liked our ideas of Valentine’s crafts for adults and students. Don’t worry if you have to spend Valentine’s day alone, we have some ideas for a perfect day of fun for singles.