Valentine's Day Party Ideas 2026
Plan the perfect Valentine's Day party with our complete guide — games for couples, kids' activities, Galentine's ideas, themed food and drinks, DIY decorations on any budget, and a step-by-step planning timeline.
February 14 · 12 Activities · 10 Food Ideas · Budget Guide
A Valentine's Day party brings together loved ones for an evening of games, themed food, and heartfelt fun. Whether you're hosting a romantic couples' night, a Galentine's brunch, or a kids' classroom celebration, the best Valentine's parties combine simple decorations (think pink, red, and hearts everywhere), interactive activities like love song trivia and cookie decorating, and themed treats that look as sweet as they taste.
$60-$205
Budget Range
12+
Activities
10
Food Ideas
5 Steps
Planning Timeline
💕 Activities & Games
12 ideas for every audience — from calm crafts to active games.
Couples
Romantic games and activities for date night parties
Love Song Lyric Game
CalmPlay clips of famous love songs — teams race to name the song and artist. Award bonus points for singing along.
Heart Relay Race
ActiveTeams race to carry a heart-shaped balloon on a spoon. If it falls, start over! First team to finish wins.
Valentine Card Making Station
CalmSet up a craft table with card stock, stamps, stickers, glitter, and envelopes. Everyone makes valentines for loved ones.
Two Truths and a Love Lie
CalmEach person shares two true love stories and one fake. Everyone guesses which is the lie.
Heart Cookie Decorating
CalmPre-bake heart cookies, then set up an icing and sprinkles station for guests to decorate their own.
Valentine Photo Booth
CalmSet up a backdrop with props — oversized lips, heart glasses, cupid wings, "Be Mine" signs.
Couples Trivia
CalmTest how well couples know each other with questions about their relationship. Newlywed Game style.
Heartbeat Freeze Dance
ActiveDance to love songs and freeze when the music stops. Last one moving is out!
Love Potion Mixing
CalmSet out juices, sparkling water, and fun garnishes. Each guest creates and names their own "love potion."
Kids & Classroom
Fun, age-appropriate Valentine activities
Love Song Lyric Game
CalmPlay clips of famous love songs — teams race to name the song and artist. Award bonus points for singing along.
Heart Relay Race
ActiveTeams race to carry a heart-shaped balloon on a spoon. If it falls, start over! First team to finish wins.
Valentine Card Making Station
CalmSet up a craft table with card stock, stamps, stickers, glitter, and envelopes. Everyone makes valentines for loved ones.
Cupid's Musical Hearts
ActiveLike musical chairs but with paper hearts on the floor. When the music stops, find a heart! Remove one each round.
Heart Cookie Decorating
CalmPre-bake heart cookies, then set up an icing and sprinkles station for guests to decorate their own.
Valentine Photo Booth
CalmSet up a backdrop with props — oversized lips, heart glasses, cupid wings, "Be Mine" signs.
Heart Scavenger Hunt
ActiveHide paper hearts with point values around the venue. Find the golden heart for 50 bonus points!
Heartbeat Freeze Dance
ActiveDance to love songs and freeze when the music stops. Last one moving is out!
Love Potion Mixing
CalmSet out juices, sparkling water, and fun garnishes. Each guest creates and names their own "love potion."
Pin the Arrow on Cupid
ModerateClassic blindfolded game with a cupid poster. Closest arrow to the target wins!
Galentine's / Friends
Celebrate friendship with your crew
Love Song Lyric Game
CalmPlay clips of famous love songs — teams race to name the song and artist. Award bonus points for singing along.
Heart Relay Race
ActiveTeams race to carry a heart-shaped balloon on a spoon. If it falls, start over! First team to finish wins.
Valentine Card Making Station
CalmSet up a craft table with card stock, stamps, stickers, glitter, and envelopes. Everyone makes valentines for loved ones.
Two Truths and a Love Lie
CalmEach person shares two true love stories and one fake. Everyone guesses which is the lie.
Heart Cookie Decorating
CalmPre-bake heart cookies, then set up an icing and sprinkles station for guests to decorate their own.
Valentine Photo Booth
CalmSet up a backdrop with props — oversized lips, heart glasses, cupid wings, "Be Mine" signs.
Couples Trivia
CalmTest how well couples know each other with questions about their relationship. Newlywed Game style.
Heartbeat Freeze Dance
ActiveDance to love songs and freeze when the music stops. Last one moving is out!
Love Potion Mixing
CalmSet out juices, sparkling water, and fun garnishes. Each guest creates and names their own "love potion."
🍽 Food & Drink Ideas
10 themed recipes and serving ideas for your Valentine's Day party.
| Item | Themed Name | Category | Prep Time | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Heart-Shaped Pizza Individual heart-shaped pizzas with red sauce and mozzarella. | Cupid's Pizza Hearts | Main | 30 min | 1 each |
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries Fresh strawberries dipped in milk and white chocolate with heart sprinkles. | Love Berry Dippers | Dessert | 20 min | 3-4 per person |
Pink Lemonade Fresh pink lemonade with strawberry slices and heart-shaped ice cubes. | Cupid's Pink Potion | Drink | 10 min | 8-10 |
Heart Sugar Cookies Buttery sugar cookies in heart shapes with pink and red royal icing. | Sweet Heart Cookies | Dessert | 1 hour | 24 cookies |
Fruit Kabobs Strawberries, watermelon hearts, and grapes on arrow-shaped skewers. | Cupid's Arrow Skewers | Snack | 15 min | 1 each |
Heart-Shaped Sandwiches Tea sandwiches cut into hearts with cream cheese and strawberry filling. | Sweetheart Finger Sandwiches | Main | 20 min | 2-3 each |
Red Velvet Cake Pops Red velvet cake pops coated in white chocolate with heart sprinkles. | Love Bites | Dessert | 45 min | 24 pops |
Strawberry Smoothies Creamy strawberry banana smoothies with a vibrant pink color. | Love Potion Smoothies | Drink | 5 min | 4 |
Conversation Heart Trail Mix Mix of conversation hearts, pretzels, yogurt chips, and dried strawberries. | Sweet Talk Mix | Snack | 5 min | 12 |
Heart-Shaped Mac & Cheese Bites Crispy heart-shaped mac and cheese bites with marinara for dipping. | Cheesy Love Bites | Appetizer | 40 min | 20 bites |
🎨 Decorations
8 decoration ideas grouped by area, with DIY options and cost ranges.
Entrance
Heart Balloon Arch
DIYArch of red, pink, and white balloons with heart shapes at the entrance.
$15-30
Doorway Heart Curtain
DIYStrings of paper hearts creating a beaded curtain at the entrance.
$5-10
Walls
Heart Garland Banner
DIYFelt or paper heart garland strung across the main party area.
$6-12
Heart Fairy Lights
Heart-shaped LED string lights along walls or windows.
$8-15
Love Wall Decals
Removable "LOVE" and "XOXO" decals and heart shapes on walls.
$5-12
Table
Rose Petal Table Scatter
DIYSilk rose petals and heart confetti scattered across tables.
$5-10
Candy Heart Centerpieces
DIYClear jars filled with conversation hearts and topped with ribbon.
$5-10
Photo Backdrop
Photo Backdrop
DIYStreamer wall in pink, red, and white with a "Be Mine" sign.
$10-20
📅 Planning Timeline
Your step-by-step countdown to Valentine's Day party day.
3-4 Weeks Before
- Set date and send invitations
- Choose a theme direction (romantic, Galentine's, family)
- Create your guest list
- Plan your menu
2 Weeks Before
- Order decorations and supplies
- Plan activities and games
- Create a playlist of love songs
- Buy party favors
1 Week Before
- Confirm RSVPs and finalize headcount
- Buy groceries and drinks
- Prep any make-ahead food
- Assemble photo booth props
1-2 Days Before
- Bake cookies or cake
- Set up decorations
- Prepare activity stations
- Make chocolate-dipped strawberries
Day Of
- Final food prep and display
- Set up drink station
- Test music and speakers
- Welcome guests and start activities!
💰 Budget Guide
Estimated total: $60–$205 for 10–15 guests.
| Category | Low | High | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Drinks | $30 | $80 | Heart-shaped cookie cutters make ANY food Valentine-themed |
| Decorations | $15 | $50 | Dollar Tree has great Valentine supplies every year |
| Activities & Games | $0 | $25 | Most Valentine games need zero supplies |
| Party Favors | $10 | $30 | Small boxes of conversation hearts are $1 each |
| Photo Booth | $5 | $20 | DIY props from cardstock are more fun than store-bought |
| Total | $60 | $205 |
🎂 Throwing a Valentine's Day Birthday Party?
If someone's birthday falls near Valentine's Day, combine the themes for a celebration they'll never forget.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
8 common questions about planning a Valentine's Day party.
What are the best Valentine's Day party games?
The most popular Valentine's Day party games include Love Song Lyric Trivia, Cupid's Musical Hearts, Two Truths and a Love Lie, Couples Trivia (Newlywed Game style), and Heart Cookie Decorating. Choose games based on your audience — active games for kids, trivia for adults, and crafts that work for everyone.
How do you throw a Valentine's Day party on a budget?
You can throw a great Valentine's party for $50-75. Focus spending on one wow activity (like a cookie decorating station) and go minimal on everything else. Use DIY decorations (paper hearts, streamers), serve simple themed food (heart-shaped sandwiches, pink lemonade), and skip expensive favors — a bag of conversation hearts is $1.
What food do you serve at a Valentine's Day party?
Classic Valentine's party food includes heart-shaped pizza, chocolate-dipped strawberries, pink lemonade, heart sugar cookies, fruit kabobs on arrow skewers, and red velvet cake pops. The key is using heart-shaped cookie cutters to make any food Valentine-themed.
What is a Galentine's Day party?
Galentine's Day (February 13) is a celebration of female friendship, popularized by the TV show Parks and Recreation. A Galentine's party typically includes brunch food, craft activities like friendship bracelet making, love-themed games, and quality time with your closest friends.
How do you decorate for a Valentine's Day party?
Start with a color scheme of red, pink, and white. Essential decorations include heart balloons, a heart garland banner, rose petal table scatter, and a photo backdrop. For maximum impact on a budget, focus on the entrance (balloon arch) and the food table (centerpieces and confetti).
What Valentine's Day activities are good for kids?
Great kids' Valentine activities include Cupid's Musical Hearts (musical chairs with hearts), Heart Scavenger Hunt, Valentine Card Making Station, Pin the Arrow on Cupid, Heartbeat Freeze Dance, and Heart Cookie Decorating. Most of these need minimal supplies and work for ages 3-12.
How far in advance should you plan a Valentine's Day party?
Start planning 3-4 weeks before February 14. Send invitations 2-3 weeks out, order decorations 2 weeks ahead, buy groceries 1 week before, and set up decorations the day before. If you're short on time, you can pull together a simple Valentine's party in as little as 3-5 days.
What's the best Valentine's Day party theme?
Popular Valentine's party themes include Classic Romance (reds and roses), Galentine's Brunch (pinks and pastels), Heart of Gold (pink + gold glam), Cupid's Café (coffeehouse vibes), and Sweet Shoppe (candy-themed). Pick a theme that matches your guest list — romantic for couples, playful for kids, fun for friends.
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