Here Are Some Fun Activities For Single Moms Who Have The Kids On Valentine’s Day

There can’t be a Galentine’s day without a little spa session, and what better way to include your friends and kids in that, than to get matching manicures? After a day of pampering, sit down for some magical nail art at a salon, or in your own home. There are tons of beautiful designs to choose from that make the perfect matching mani, including “friendship charm” nails that only create a full heart or butterfly when you join hands with your bestie. A nice touch is also having the same intricate design, but with every set being everyone’s favorite color scheme. Or the same color scheme, with individual designs that match everyone’s personality.

Going to a nail tech is fun, relaxing, and will guarantee you’ll get a quality set, but doing your friend's nails at home comes with so many upsides. It’s cheaper, you get to spend quality time together, and sometimes if you make a mistake, you can create a happy little accident that will have you all howling with laughter. Or you’ll end up creating a design much cuter than you intended, you never know.

Crafting and Valentine’s Day go together like chocolate and Christmas, and Galentine’s is no different. Typically, the thumbprint coaster is a craft one does with their significant other, but who says it has to be romantic? Simply take a heart-shaped, unvarnished coaster, and paint it whatever color you wish — but let’s face it, it ain't Galentines if it ain't pink. Take your thumb and paint a layer of paint over your thumbprint. Gently press the excess paint on a spare sheet of paper, then — before it dries — press your thumb on the left-hand side of the coaster, so the print is angled in half a heart shape.

Your bestie, or daughter, will repeat the process on the right-hand side, so both your thumbprints create a heart shape. Write your names above each print, and add any little polka dots, flowers, or details you wish. Once it’s fully dried, varnish with Mod Podge or Triple Thick to seal it all in. You can buy pre-made, unglazed coasters in most craft stores, but if you want to be a little extra, you can start from scratch with silicone molds and plaster.

Bring the Great British Baking Show to your own kitchen this Galentine’s with a bit of friendly competition, or should we say; crumpetition … OK, no more bad jokes. Anyway, one friend can be the judge, pick the theme, and the recipes, as well as pick up any and all ingredients for the contest — or just Postmates them. This is the perfect role for a friend who’s a little less inclined to cook. Since you’re baking at home, or in a hotel, tweak the rules to fit your venue, and maybe portion sizes, too, as you want to utilize oven and freezer space as best you can. This isn’t so much about who will win, as it is about just having fun and baking tasty treats, so making sure you help each other get stuff into the oven at the same time will simplify things greatly.

But back to the contest — have your judge base their ratings on two main factors, one being taste (including texture) and how it looks. Baking a hideous cake is just part of the fun, so it doesn’t have to be the most well-designed dessert, just the one you like the best. Pick a winner for a box of chocolates or a novelty Galentine’s gift, and settle in for a night of delicious baked goods!

There has been a wash of trending cocktail night videos on TikTok that use romance as a theme for recipes. From describing their sex life to their exes, it’s almost like a bake-off for alcohol. For a way more child-friendly evening, however, the general theme of Galentine’s and love is still just as fun. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, so long as it tastes good, but if you need some ideas: The Lovey Dovey Daiquiri is your average daiquiri, but with the inclusion of some heart-shaped ice-cubes, red food coloring, or any red fruit juice, and if you’re feeling really fancy then add some rose petals.

Something more specific is the Best Buds Bellini, which takes the standard Bellini to the next level. Get some letter-shaped silicone molds, you and your best bud’s initials, and freeze some raspberry bits in with clear juice or water. Pair with a slice of their favorite fruit, and a straw that’s their favorite color, and there you have it.

You don’t have to settle for existing cocktails/mocktails, as you can mix pretty much whatever you want to form the perfect drink. Vodka, pink gin, and pink lemonade? Perfect! Cherry cola, tonic water, and watermelon wedges? Spectacular! Just give them a name, add some edible glitter, and a fun straw, and you’re a mixologist for the evening.

If you’re not up for a bunch of activities at home, then a little staycation may be in order. Book a hotel or cabin somewhat near to where you and the girls stay so it’s not too much of a chore to travel to and get ready to relax. Better yet, book a spa resort. Not having to cook, clean, be a chauffeur, or even pour your own drinks, will have you feeling like a celebrity for a day. Within reason, every activity on this list can be done in the hotel/cabin space — just be extra careful with paint — with the extra luxury of staying somewhere classy, cozy, and new.

There are tons of amazing hotels to visit that are perfect for a Galentine’s getaway. Many of which have spa packages, Michelin-star restaurants, swimming pools, and activities for children. If you're in the mood for something wonderfully lazy and easy, there's always the option of a movie marathon and some room service — sometimes that is really all you need.