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February Bucket List (40 Fun Things to Do in February)

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Searching for fun things to do in February? Then you're going to love this February Bucket List! The printable list has 40 unique ideas for indoor and outdoor winter activities that will keep you entertained all month long!

The February Bucket List on a clipboard with a pencil on top.

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Happy February, friend! January can sometimes feel like it's a million days long, so I'm always a little bit excited when February finally rolls around.

There's so much to love about February! This month is full of holidays, from Valentine's Day to Mardi Gras, Black History Month, Presidents' Day, and more. And the world's favorite groundhog even makes a special appearance!

If you're looking for fun stuff to do in February, you'll love these creative ideas! I've rounded up over 40 activities that will keep you busy all month long.

There's something for everyone on this February Bucket List, whether you're looking for Valentine's Day ideas or tips for getting together with your girlfriends, outdoor activities or the best ways to stay warm, travel inspiration or tips for improving your home, and so much more! Keep reading to check them all out!

A list of February activities, flowers, and cinnamon roll on a table.

Things to Do in February

February is all about winter! Whether your idea of a good time is staying as warm and cozy as possible, or it's heading outside to enjoy the snow, you're going to love this list. You'll find 40 unique February ideas below, including the best winter activities and things to do alone, as a couple, with friends, or as a family.

This list truly has something for everyone! Before you get started though, one word of advice: don't feel like you need to do everything. These activities are meant to inspire you, not overwhelm you ... so pick your faves and have fun!

And don't forget to read all the way to the end, where you'll find two FREE February Bucket List printables! One of the PDFs includes every idea below, and the other PDF is blank. Use it to create a customized list of things to do in February.

The blank list for things to do in February on a clipboard.

1. Celebrate Groundhog Day

Wondering how much longer winter will last? Then on February 2, you'll want to keep a close eye on Punxsutawney Phil, who will be emerging from hibernation. Legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow when he leaves his den, he will return to hibernation and winter weather is here to stay for a few weeks. If he doesn't see his shadow, warmer weather is just around the corner.

You can find out Punxsutawney Phil's official prognostication here, and the Library of Congress also has an interesting history of Groundhog Day if you're curious to learn more!

2. Bake a Loaf of Banana Bread

Did you know that February 23 is national banana bread day? This is one item on my February Bucket List that I can't wait to check off! If you'd like to honor this important day too, try one of my favorite banana bread recipes:

3. Get Caught Up on Oscar Nominated Movies

It's official ... the Oscar Noms are in! Spend some time this month catching up on all the nominated movies before the Academy Awards broadcast in March. Check out my printable Oscar ballot for every nomination in each category, then start watching! 

4. Clean Out Your Closet

With a season switch right around the corner, February is ideal time to clean out your closet. Get started now, and when March rolls around, you’ll be ready to swap in your spring clothes! I recommend making three piles when going through your closet:

  • Keep - For clothes you love and plan to wear in the future.
  • Donate - For clothes you no longer like or wear, but that are in good condition.
  • Not Sure - For clothes that you can't decide about. After you've sorted everything, revisit this pile, and try everything on again. If it's something sentimental, keep it (if you have space). If you haven't worn the item in a year (and realistically won't wear in the future), or if it doesn't fit, be strong and add it to the Donate pile. If you do decide to keep something in the Not Sure pile, challenge yourself to wear it soon.

5. Make Snow Ice Cream

Winter is here to stay, for a while at least. So why not make the most of the season, and treat yourself to something sweet that can only make when you have fresh snow? This Snow Ice Cream and this Maple Syrup Candy are two recipes that have caught my eye. I'm crossing my finger that we'll get a February storm here in Texas with enough snow to try them!

6. Treat Someone Sweet on Valentine's Day

Of course, we can’t talk about February, without mentioning Valentine’s Day! This is the perfect month to treat yourself, a friend or neighbor, your kids, or someone else to a special treat, add some cute holiday decor to your home, or plan a romantic date night. Let one of these fun ideas or delicious recipes inspire you:

7. Host a Galentine's Get Together

Don't forget about your best friends this February! It's often hard to find time to get together, so why not host a Galentine's Party? Meet up at a favorite restaurant if you're short on time, or throw your own fête. Here are a few sweet ideas to try:

A person sitting in the snow while watching the northern lights.
February is a great time to spot the northern lights!

8. Get in the Game Day Spirit

If you're a sports fan, February is an exciting month to get your game day spirit on! There are so many major sporting events ... everything from the Super Bowl to the NBA and NHL All-Star Games, and even the Daytona 500! Not a fan of watching sports on TV? Try a winter sport for yourself, like ice skating, skiing, sledding, or snowshoeing.

Planning to host a viewing party? Try these fun + easy ideas:

9. Write a Love Note

It’s the month of love ... make someone feel extra special by writing them a sweet note! Love letter aren't just for significant others. Write a note to your child, a best friend, or someone who helped you out recently. You could write one to yourself too, listing all the things you love about yourself or are proud of. Taking a few moments to write a quick note is sure to bolster your mood, as well as the spirits of the person who receives!

10. Treat Yourself to an At Home Spa Day

While a day spent at the spa is always fun, it can get expensive. Rather than save it for a rate treat, plan an at home spa day instead. Pamper yourself with a full (or half day) of DIY beauty treatments:

  1. Start by taking a hot, steamy shower, and make sure to use a moisturizing hair mask and polish your skin with a homemade body scrub. After toweling off, use your favorite moisturizer.
  2. Next, give yourself a facial. Clean your skin, then use a facial steamer to open your pores (or fill your bathroom sink with boiling water). Pat your skin dry, then do a sheet mask and maybe some pore strips, followed by a rich moisturizer.
  3. Finally, do this soft hands treatment, followed by a manicure and pedicure.

11. Live It Up During Carnival Season

February is peak Carnival season, a festive time that's known for eating, drinking, and making merry! Carnival starts after Three Kings Day in January and continues until Lent, which takes place in February or March (depending on the year). Lent is a restrictive period when Christians traditionally fasted, didn't eat meat, and made other personal sacrifices, so they indulged beforehand during Carnival season.

Whether you’re heading to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Rio de Janeiro for Carnival, or staying at home, there are tons of fun ways to celebrate Carnival season! Learn more about the best Carnival celebrations around the world, or look for events in your city, too. Dallas, the city where I live, even has a Mardi Gras Parade!

12. Make a Chocolate Treat

February is the best month to treat yourself and your loved ones to a chocolate treat! Here are some of my favorite easy recipes that you're sure to love: 

13. Tackle a Home Project

If you're stuck inside anyway due to the cold weather, why not tackle a home project? Maybe you’ve been meaning to fix something for months, you have a room that you’d like to decorate, your living room needs a new rug, your garage needs organizing, a bedroom needs painting, or you need to plan a bigger remodeling project. February is the great month to get started!

14. Learn more about Black History

February is Black History Month, a time that's all about celebrating the achievements of African Americans, and their role in U.S. history! Canada also celebrate Black History Month in February. While you shouldn't confine these activities just to February, here are some meaningful things you can do:

A portrait of President Obama at the National Portrait Gallery.
A painting of President Obama at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

15. Start a New Tradition

February is the perfect month to start a new tradition! I love traditions, because they make our every day routines a little more special. And no matter how simple these repeated rituals are, they're something that your friends, and family will look forward to participating in. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a fews ideas to get your wheels turning:

  • Make pancakes every Sunday, or tacos on Tuesday, or pizza on Fridays.
  • Snap an annual (or monthly) photo of yourself and / or your family. It can be a snapshot ... nothing fancy is required! Then keep them in a special album (or wall display) so you can track the changes month-to-month and year-to-year.
  • Plan a monthly friends' lunch.
  • Have a monthly do nothing day with no plans so you can stay home, relax, and do whatever you want.
  • Spend a day each month with your child one-on-one.
  • Go on a daily or weekly walk.
  • Take a photo in every photo booth you come across.
  • Hold a monthly game night.
  • Shed the stress of the week with a family dance party on Friday nights.

16. Read a Romance Novel

Celebrate the month of love by reading a romance novel! Even if you’re not a huge fan of this genre, it's a fun way to step out of your comfort zone. Start with one of my favorite romances that I’ve read in the last few years, like The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams, Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert, Book Lovers by Emily Henry, Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Tompson, or Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory.

17. Throw a Candlelight Dinner Party

Why not embrace February’s cozy vibes, and throw a candlelight dinner party? Invite your friends and family over, then turn down the lights and bring out all your candles. As far as recipe go, I suggest keeping it simple and picking just a few easy dishes. That way you can relax and enjoy the cozy ambiance, too. Here are a few sample menus featuring some of my fave recipes: 

18. Discover Presidential History

Presidents' Day is celebrated on the third Monday of every February. This holiday was originally intended to celebrate the birthday of President George Washington, who was born on February 22, but through the years it also grew to include President Abraham Lincoln, who was born on February 12. These days, it’s often considered a holiday to honor all U.S. Presidents. Spend the day by visiting a Presidential Library or heading to one of the National Park Sites commemorating Presidents, reading a book, such as The Complete Book of US Presidents, or visiting a President's home.

19. Make a February Playlist

Making a monthly playlist is a great way to set the tone for the month, and to gather all your favorite songs in one spot! For February you can lean into the Valentine’s Day aspect and make a list of love songs, or if you’re not feeling that, you could choose some upbeat music to get you through the winter. The nice thing about making a monthly playlist is that you can refer back to it every year, although you might just want to listen to it all year long, too.

20. Catch the Northern Lights

Depending on where you live, February is the perfect month to try to catch the northern lights (aurora borealis)! The northern lights are typically seen between November and February, due to darker skies and longer evenings. I’ve always thought of the northern lights as something you could only see in Polar regions, but my sister recently told me that she's seen them a few times in Wisconsin! In fact, every 11 years or so there's geomagnetic storm strong enough to send them into the southern U.S. and even further. Read more about the northern lights here!

21. Make a Homemade Pizza

February 9 is national pizza day, and I can't think of a holiday I’d like to celebrate more! If you’d like to honor this special day too, try one of my favorite pizza recipes:

A Lunar New Year parade on a city street.
Celebrate Lunar New Year by catching a festive parade!

22. Ring in the Lunar New Year

Celebrate the start of the Lunar New Year, popularly called Chinese New Year in the US! It's typically in February or late January, and marks the beginning of the new year based on the lunar calendar. Lunar New Year is celebrated in Chinese culture, as well as other countries like South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Visit the National Museum of Asian Art's website to learn more about Lunar New Year and different ways to celebrate it through music, food, culture, and history. Many U.S. cities also have large celebrations ... check out this guide to the best celebrations in the U.S.!

23. Try Meal Prepping

If you always feel like you’re running behind, and dinner has become a drag, give meal prepping a try! Meal planning and prepping are two easy easy ways to make dinner (and lunch) faster and less stressful. There are different ways to tackle meal prep, so choose a method that works best for you. For example, you could spend Sunday afternoon making complete meals or simply doing prep work (like chopping veggies, making rice, etc.) for the week. If you don't have a big chunk of time, consider prepping a few things for the next day's meal the evening before.

Here are a few dishes that are perfect for meal prepping:

24. Spend a Day Getting Cozy

Did you know that February 20 is National Comfy Day? With the cold weather outside, February is the perfect month for getting cozy. Stay home and spend the day in your pajamas, treat yourself some comfort food, make a cozy drink, read a book, wrap up in a blanket and watch your fave TV show, light a few candles, relax in front of fire, or do whatever makes you feel coziest!

25. Go for a Winter Walk

If you’ve been feeling cooped up lately, why not go for a long winter walk? Bundle up so you're warm enough, then take your time walking around your neighborhood, a favorite park, or maybe a fun neighborhood in your city. It's a great way to clear your head, feel refreshed, and burn off some pent up energy!

26. Visit a New Restaurant

Cure your winter doldrums by visiting a new restaurant this month! If you're anything like me, you tend to go to the same places all the time ... even though you have a list of restaurants that you’d love to try. February is a wonderful month to break out of your rut by trying a new restaurant or two.

27. Watch a Romantic Movie

Want to lean into the month's romantic vibes? Then add few romantic movies to your February activities list! I personally love a classic rom com, like When Harry Met Sally, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Amélie (one of my all-time favorite movies), or Moonstruck. Check out this huge list from Vanity Fair for even more ideas!

28. Try a Citrus Recipe

While it sometimes feels like there's no fresh produce during winter, there are actually a few foods that are in season, like citrus! Eating citrus in winter is the best, because it so bright and cheery, pretty much the polar opposite of everything outside. Here are a few recipes to inspire you:

A woman sitting on the edge of a bathtub in a white robe.
Treat yourself to an at home spa day this month!

29. Start a Book Club

February is an ideal time start (or join) a book club! Get together with your friends and family to discuss your favorite page turners, or check out the book clubs at your local bookstore or library. If there isn’t one already happening, start it yourself with these helpful tips!

30. Visit Your Local Beach

I love visiting the beach in winter! It’s so calm and peaceful, and never overcrowded. Make sure to choose a warmer day when it’s not super windy (so you don't freeze), then go for a peaceful walk along the shoreline, or maybe just bundle up, sit on the beach, and (hopefully) soak up some sun. 

31. Wear Something Bright

With the gray skies outside, February can often feel a little blah. One of my favorite ways to perk up my mood on a wintery day is by wearing something bright! This could be a coat, a sweater, a scarf, hat, or something else. Here are a few affordable + cute items that are sure to lift your mood:

32. Buy a Bouquet of Flowers

Why wait around for a delivery from the florist, when you can gift yourself to a gorgeous floral bouquet! Flowers don't have to be a pricey treat. Stop by the floral department at your local grocery store (Trader Joe’s always has tons of pretty options), or go all out and order a custom bouquet. It's up to you! If you’d like something that will stick around longer, get a box of forever roses.

33. Try a New Food

It's so easy to get stuck in a boring routine of always buying the same groceries! If you've found yourself doing this, pick out a new-to-you food the next time you go shopping, and I guarantee you'll make dinnertime a little more exciting. Give this a try by visiting a local ethnic market, perusing your grocery store's produce section for a fruit or veggie that you’ve never eaten, skipping the ranch dressing to sample a tasty vinaigrette, or choosing a different flavor of granola ... it doesn’t have to be anything major!

34. Read a Favorite Childhood Book

When is the last time you read one of your favorite childhood books? I love returning to my youthful faves from time to time. It's the perfect way to capture a little nostalgia, break out of a reading rut, and enjoy a great story. Anne of Green Gables is a book I never tire of reading. I've reread it multiple times, and it never disappoints!

35. Take a Spring Training Vacation

If you're baseball lover, then you probably know that February is when spring training starts! My husband and I have taken multiple spring training trips through the years, and they're always so fun. The weather is warmer, everyone is super laid-back, and you can easily visit multiple stadiums and see different teams on a short trip. Spring Training takes place in Florida and Arizona, depending on the team. We head to Phoenix to see the Brewers (go #CactusCrew!) ... check out my Cactus League Travel Guide for tips on planning the perfect trip!

A view Spring Training game in Phoenix, Arizona from behind first base.
A sunny day at Spring Training in Phoenix, Arizona!

36. Visit a Conservatory

Want to take a warm weather vacation, but don’t have the time or money? Head to a local conservatory instead! I love visiting conservatories in winter. With their hot and humid temps, they're the perfect antidote to the cold weather outside. Plus, it’s fun to see what's in bloom. A few of my favorites are the Mitchel Park Domes in Milwaukee, the New York Botanical Garden's conservatory in the Bronx, Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, and the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco. Other conservatories to check out are The US Botanical Garden in Washington, DC, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, The Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, the Climatron at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.

37. Celebrate a Unique February Holiday

Each month is full of daily, weekly, and monthly observations, from strange to serious, and February is no different! For example, did you know that it's National Grapefruit Month, or that February 7 is Fettuccine Alfredo Day? Try my easy Alfredo recipe or Grapefruit Cold Brew Spritz to celebrate those particular holidays! You can also observe National Library Lover's Month, Susan B. Anthony Day, National Random Acts of Kindness Day, National Margarita Day, and other quirky holidays this month. Find more February holidays at Women's Day and Country Living.

38. Enjoy an Early Spring in the South

Can't take winter one minute longer? If you're able to visit (or live in) a southern city, it may just feel like spring arrived a month early. It's one of the benefits of living in the south, and something I try to remind myself of when it's 104 degrees all summer long! Take advantage of the warmer weather by planning a fun winter break in one of my favorite cities, like Savanna, Charleston, Orange Beach, or San Antonio! If you happen to be visiting by Dallas, don't miss Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum. It's one of my favorite events, and it starts in late February and runs through April.

39. Strut Your Stuff at Cupid's Undie Run

If you’re feeling brave, challenge yourself to take part in Cupid's Undie Run! This fun event which takes place in over 30 U.S. cities throughout the month. Signing up for this pantless party is a unique way to get together with friends while raising funds for a good cause (100% of the net proceeds benefit neurofibromatosis research). And don't worry, if you don't want to strip down, you can get creative with your costume!

40. Start a Travel Journal

If you’re anything like me, you've gathered all sorts of tickets, photos, and miscellaneous paraphernalia when you return home from a vacation. Rather than let these things clutter up your home, why not start a travel journal? It's the perfect way remember all your trips, and easy to do. All you need is a large archival album, acid free double-sided tape, a few gel pens, and a little time.

41. Celebrate Leap Year

Leap Year only comes around once every four years, so feels appropriate to leave this February Bucket List idea for #41! Superstition and traditions have surrounded Leap Year (February 29) since it was first introduced. If you'd like to mark the day, check out my guide, 29 Things to Do on Leap Day! It's full of creative + fun activities for adults and kids that will help you make the most of this unique day.

The author wearing Mardi Gras beads and a headband.
My bead haul from the Bacchus parade at Mardi Gras in New Orleans!

Printable February Bucket List

Looking for a checklist for all your February fun? I've created two FREE Printables for you!

The first one is a February Bucket List with each of my ideas included, and the second one has room for you to create your own customized list. Click anywhere on the images below to download the PDFs.

A mini image of the printable February Bucket List.
Download the bucket list PDF here.
A mini image of the blank February Bucket List printable.
Download the blank PDF here.

I hope you found these February Bucket List ideas inspiring. What is something you're looking forward to trying this month? Let me know in the comments ... I can't wait to hear what you have planned!

More Creative Activities

Looking for more cool things to do this February and beyond? Check out these posts next:

Closeup of the February Bucket List on a clipboard.
February Bucket List (40 Fun Things to Do in February)February Bucket List (40 Fun Things to Do in February)
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About Ginnie

Ginnie is the writer, photographer, and chief content creator behind Hello Little Home. She loves trying new things (whether that’s creating delicious vegetarian recipes, exploring a new city, trying a fun DIY project, or sharing a pretty makeup look), and she hopes to inspire you to do the same! Read more about Ginnie here.

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