By Michelle Reese
Valentine’s Day isn’t a holiday that limited to just couples. It’s a day to celebrate everyone you love! (And let’s face it, if you have little ones at home, it can be hard to get out for a date night anyway!) Here are some kid-friendly ways to celebrate the holiday of love:
Local Events
Kids Valentine’s Day Mug Workshops at Floral & Hardy
When: Friday, February 7 – Friday, February 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 4007 Skippack Pike, Skippack
Have your kids make their own personalized Valentine’s Day gift. The Floral & Hardy Team will help them pot a plant in a mug and add some decorative items. Cost is $10 per mug. Stop in any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. RSVP here.
Valentine’s Party at Jenkingtown Library
When: Saturday, February 8 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 460 York Road, Jenkintown
The library will be sharing the love with a party featuring stories, crafts and cookie decorating. No registration required.
Lil’ Sprouts: Love Bugs at Primex Garden Center
When: Saturday, February 8 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 435 W. Glenside Avenue, Glenside
Kids can play, learn about bugs, and then create their own love bug to take home. This program is for children ages 4 through 8. Workshop fee is $5. Register by calling 215-887-7500.
Special Day with Mommy at Sweet & Sassy
When: Saturday, February 8 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, February 9 from 1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.; Saturday, February 15 from 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Where: 250 Plaza Drive, Collegeville
Calling all Moms, Aunts and Grandmas! Enjoy a special date with your favorite little girl for Valentine’s Day featuring hand treatments, styled updos and matching tiaras. Little girls also receive sparkly makeup application and shimmery polish. There will also be refreshments, a craft, dancing, fashion show and a photo to take home. This event is $45 per couple ($20 per additional child). Space is limited! Book online here.
Valentine’s Date with Daddy at Sweet & Sassy
When: Saturday, February 8 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, February 9 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, February 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, February 15 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, February 16 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 250 Plaza Drive, Collegeville
Calling all Dads, Uncles and Grandpas! Enjoy a special date with your favorite little girl for Valentine’s Day styled updos, dancing, refreshments, a runway show with rose presentation, and photo keepsake. This event is $45 per couple ($25 per additional child). Space is limited! Book online here.
Family Valentine’s Brunch at Color Me Mine
When: Sunday, February 9 from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: 801 Bethlehem Pike, North Wales
Enjoy a light brunch with the family and get creative painting your choice of pottery. $30 covers food, reservation/studio fee for up to 4 people (additional people are $7 each), and goody bags with a free future studio fee voucher. Pottery is extra depending on what you choose to paint.
Parent and Me Date Night at Coventry Mall
When: Monday, February 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Where: 351 W. Schuylkill Road, Pottstown
Come out for a fun night of painting and socializing! You will be making Valentine themed mason jars ($5 per jar, cash only.) You can also add rocks and a candle to the jar for free. Register here as space is limited.
Toddler Valentine’s Day Part at BounceU Collegeville
When: Friday, February 14 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 130 W. Main Street, Collegeville
Celebrate with your little loves! Enjoy 60 minutes of bounce time, followed by a special Valentine’s Day treat and craft. This event is for children ages 7 and under. It costs $12.50 per child and no coupons or vouchers are accepted.
Kids (ONLY) Night Out
If you’re hoping to enjoy a date night, but you want the kids to have fun too …
Valentine’s Parents’ Night Out at BounceU Collegeville
When: Friday, February 14 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: 130 W. Main Street, Collegeville
Drop off the kids for an evening of bouncing, games, pizza and more. This event is for children ages 3 through 11. It costs $25 for first child, $15 for siblings. Reserve spots here.
Valentine’s Kids Night Out at Elmwood Park Zoo
When: Friday, February 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: 1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown
Bring your kids to a Valentine’s evening of their very own! Children ages 4-10 years old are invited to enjoy games and Valentine’s crafts. At 6:00pm, they will be joined by some of of the zoo’s very special education animals! Depending upon weather, there may be some outdoor activities! Please dress your kids accordingly. The evening will include pizza and juice for dinner. Parents are welcome to pack allergy friendly snacks for their children to eat during the event. This event costs $29.95 for Members and $39.95 for Non-Members. (Additional sibling at a discount.) Register here.
For Older Kids/Tweens
So your kids are a little too old for the usual craft and music themed events, but not quite old enough that they’re going out with friends or dates for the holiday? Try a family date to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Let the kids pick the restaurant and go out to dinner. Go out for ice cream. Go out to the movies. Or try one of these 2019 Happening List favorites: Expedition Escape!, Arnold’s Family Fun Center, Color Me Mine, Play It Out Escape Room or Escape Room Mystery.
Celebrating at Home
If taking the kids out is daunting, celebrate at home! You don’t need to go do anything fancy to make it fun for your kids! Here are a few ideas to make the day feel special.
Make a Special Breakfast
This can vary depending on your morning routine. (Or you could always hold off and make a big to-do on Saturday morning if that’s when you have more time!) Some ideas include making heart-shaped pancakes, drinking pink strawberry milk instead of regular, or using a cookie cutter to make heart-shaped toast.
Have a Hot Chocolate Date
Hot chocolate is always a winter favorite. Make a point to sit down with your kids and sip a mug in honor of Valentine’s Day. For a festive touch, get pink marshmallows or add some sprinkles. Looking for something different?
Plan a Movie Night
When you think of Valentine’s Day movies, you probably think of rom-coms that kids might not appreciate. But there are actually lots of cute movies that carry the theme of love but are still family-friendly. Consider Lady in the Tramp, Shrek, Beauty & the Beast, Gnomeo & Juliet, or Enchanted. Mix some Valentine’s-Day colored M&Ms in your bowl of popcorn for a sweet and salty snack that’s perfect for the occasion.
Bake a Special Treat Together
A lot of kids love to help in the kitchen! Instead of just giving your kids candy, make a special treat together. They’ll love knowing that they helped make the dessert the family will enjoy that night.
Valentine’s Day Mani-Pedis
Sure, you can take your little one out for a pro paint job, but it can be just as fun to do them at home! Let her pick out the color (the sparkly the better) and give her a little pampering.
Make Cards or Another Craft
This might be better to do BEFORE the holiday, but is there really any expiration date on when people like to receive cards?! While they might be handing out boxed Valentine cards to classmates, this is the time to really get creative because you’re only making a few! Help your kids make cards for grandparents, teachers, or anyone else special in their life.
Eat a Special Dinner
There are plenty of options for this! Let the kids pick their favorite foods. Make dinner together, and have them think of foods that are red to go with the theme. Or, use heart-shaped cookie cutters whenever possible! Pick up (or make) pizza dough and shape it into a heart. Or, let the pros do it and see if your favorite local spot offers heart pizzas for Valentine’s Day.
Have a Dance Party
Make a special playlist of silly songs about love and let loose!
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