With the introduction of Family Day to British Columbia in 2013, February has bulked up its reasons to celebrate. Next week, Valentine’s Day and Family Day fall one after the other to applaud and give love to the special people in your life.

We put together some ideas on how to spend your holiday Monday and loving Tuesday.

Family Day

The City of Surrey is hosting several free activities for families. Dive into one of the indoor pools between 1pm and 4pm. Or glide across the ice at one of the arenas offering free skating. Get over to a community or recreation centre for a fun day of music, crafts, and activities. See a list of centres celebrating Family Day here.

Find some creative inspiration for your family at the Vancouver Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver or at The Reach gallery in Abbotsford. Learn about the universe at Telus World of Science or discover the creatures of the sea at the Vancouver Aquarium. Wander around the historic Stewart Farm in Surrey and learn how the pioneers of the past lived.

Explore the outdoors with an adventure in a park or a slow meander along the river. Hit the slopes with your skis or snowboard at a nearby mountain. You could even build a snow fort if the snow sticks around. Take a look at these outdoor activities in the Fraser Valley.

Go bowling, race go-karts, play board games, make a scrapbook of family photos and mementos, bake cookies, hit the cinema… the list is endless. Whatever you decide to do, it only matters that you’re together.

Valentine’s Day

Restaurants can be a zoo on Valentine’s Day. And if you haven’t already made a reservation, you may find yourselves waiting for a table long into the night.

Why don’t you enjoy a special night at home instead?

If you’re living together, you’re probably already in love. But going through the 36 Questions That Lead Love is still a fun exercise. And if you’re newly dating, the questions are a fantastic window inside your new partner’s mind. Read about the rationale behind the questions here.

While the restaurants may be packed, you can always order in. Or cook dinner together. There are lots of recipes online to choose from. We recommend the mouth-watering selection at Healthy-ish or Jamie Oliver’s website.

Don’t forget chocolates and flowers to stick with the holiday’s traditions.

(Psst… make your own chocolates)