10 Interesting Valentine's Day Activities For Students On A Budget

Valentine’s Day can be an exciting yet stressful time for students because while celebrating love is beautiful, the commercialisation of the holiday makes it harder to enjoy the holiday without spending a bunch. But this doesn’t have to be this way.

Being on a student budget doesn’t mean you have to miss out on celebrating this day of love. In fact, it’s an opportunity to explore inventive ways to show your affection without overspending. From cosy indoor activities to outdoor adventures, we’ve got a variety of options that cater to different preferences and interests.

There are several Valentine’s Day activities for students under a budget where you can celebrate love without breaking the bank. We have gathered a list of them in this blog so you can have an exciting yet affordable Valentine’s Day with your loved one. 

Hand carving out hearts from red fondant

Pottery Painting 

Pottery painting is a fun activity that you can do with your loved ones without having to spend a lot. You can usually pick between different potteries that you would like to paint from and design them however you like. Once it is done, they usually take about a week to glaze and fire the products before it is ready to pick up.

This can be a great way to unleash your creativity and also can be a gift that you can give each other once it is done! The price of this depends on the product you choose but you can usually find places where it starts at £10 per person.

Hand painting pottery - Valentine's Day activities for students

Movie Marathon 

A great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day if you are living in student accommodation is by having a movie marathon. Whether it is Disney classics or romantic comedies, cuddle up with cosy clothes, grab some popcorn and watch away! You get to spend quality time with your loved ones without having to spend a lot, making it into the list of the  best Valentine’s Day activities for students.

A couple watching a movie together - Valentine's Day activities for students

Art Night 

If you are an art lover, we have a great Valentine’s Day activity for you. You can visit the nearest art galleries and or exhibitions and ponder over them with your loved ones. The best part is that most of them are free with some of them having a small entry fee. This way you not only get to share your love for art but also have an interesting night out. 

A couple looking at art at an art gallery

Board Games

Another cheap yet interesting  Valentine’s Day activity for students is to have a board game night. Grab your favourite board games that you already have, or buy them from your local charity shop and find out who is better at them. A little competitive spirit doesn’t hurt anyone, right? You can grab some of your favourite snacks and drinks and have an evening filled with laughter, competition and good food!

A couple playing jenga

Indoor Picnic

Who doesn’t love picnics, am I right? While outdoor picnics are a great option, given the weather in the UK during Valentine’s, you can opt for a cosy indoor picnic. You can choose your favourite snacks, flowers and warm drinks and create the perfect indoor picnic for your loved one. 

A couple having an indoor picnic

Karaoke Night 

There is nothing more fun than singing your favourite songs out loud despite how good/ bad you sound.  This is why a karaoke night can be a great option if you are looking for interesting Valentine’s Day activities for students. You can either look for a karaoke place nearby or you can do it in your own house. You can buy a karaoke microphone online and have a lot of fun singing all the songs to your heart’s content!
Couple doing karaoke

Cook a Homemade Dinner

Instead of going out to a fancy dinner, why not bring the fancy dinner to your place? You can cook your favourite dishes and decorate your space with candles to really make the room feel festive. Get dressed in your best outfits and enjoy the fancy dinner that you have prepared! You get the experience of a romantic dinner without having to spend a lot! Read our blog on Yummy Air Fryer Recipes if you are looking for inspiration.

Couple having home made romantic dinner - Valentine's Day activities for students

Bake a Cake Together

Baking something from scratch can be a fun activity to spend time with your loved ones. Pick a recipe from the internet, buy the ingredients and bake away! While it will get messy and might not always taste great, you will always have the memory of baking something together and it will be worth it!

Couple baking cake

Visit an Escape Room 

Although this falls more on the pricier side, if you fancy spending a little more, then you can visit an escape room together. There is nothing that brings people together than being locked in a room for 1 hour to get out! There are several themes that you can choose from and some of them even provide student discounts that you can make use of. Make sure to book in advance so you don’t miss out!

2 hands on a board at an escape room

Volunteer together

Finding an opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community can be a wholesome and rewarding activity to do with your loved one. There are plenty of opportunities that are open for students. You can find the one that sparks your interest and spend time together doing it. Read our blog on The 7 Best Volunteering Opportunities in The UK, to find volunteering opportunities near you!

2 women and a man planting trees during volunteering

In conclusion, celebrating Valentine’s Day on a student budget doesn’t mean compromising on love and romance. With a bit of creativity and thoughtfulness, you can make this special day memorable without breaking the bank.

From indoor picnics to crafting homemade gifts and enjoying movie nights at home, there are numerous ways to express your affection without spending extravagantly. These activities not only save money but also provide opportunities for deeper connections and shared experiences.

Follow us on Instagram @essentialstudentliving and let us know your favourite Valentine’s Day activities for students on a budget. 

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