Making a Valentine for a special someone at last year’s Postal Museum event
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, events and activities that embrace the spirit are popping up on the children’s activities radar. If you and your kids heart the holiday, here are a bunch of V-Day-themed events happening around the area that you’re all sure to love.
DIY Valentines
Where: National Postal Museum
When: February 7, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Love is in the details at the Postal Museum’s annual Valentine’s Day Card Workshop. We’ve attended this event several times, so I can tell you firsthand it’s love-ly. They’ll have pretty papers and neat valentine-themed stamps, all you need to bring is your creativity to decorate your card. Visit the museum’s stamp store and send the cards to your loved ones with a special Postal Museum postmark. And for more about the museum, see this KFDC post.
Chocolate Lovers Festival
Where: City of Fairfax
When: February 7 & 8
Admission: Depends on activities
Valentine’s Day and chocolate go hand-in-hand, so certainly the timing of this sweet event is not a coincidence. The City of Fairfax presents its annual festival centered around one of the most wonderful things in the world: chocolate. There will be all kinds of activities for all ages throughout the weekend, both chocolate and non-chocolate themed — tastings, story time, puppet shows, face painting, chocolate challenges, a chocolate caper mock trial, and much more. The events list on the website has details.
Family Valentine Crafts
Where: Michael’s
When: February 7, 10am – 12pm & 1-4pm
Admission: $2/string art, $10/Valentine box
Head to a Michael’s location for some Valentine’s crafting. In the morning, drop in with little makers for string art valentines with yarn (for ages 3 and up). Later on, bring the whole family to create something special for next weekend’s holiday: Decorate a Valentine’s Day mailbox to hold cards from classmates, friends, and sweethearts. Cost for both activities includes supplies.
Valentine Prints
Where: Local Blick Stores
When: February 12, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Stop by the art supply store to create some art for the holiday. Blick locations around the country are hosting a one-day hand block printing event, where customers can make their own Valentine’s prints or cards in the store — for free! There is a Blick in DC at 1250 I Street NW.
Take Flight
Where: Flight Trampoline Park
When: February 14
Admission: $20 for two people/hour
Whether it’s best friends or significant others, couples can get a discount at the Springfield jump spot on Valentine’s Day — that’s $5 off the regular price per person. For more about Flight, read this KFDC post.
SweetARTS & Valentines
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: February 13, 11:30am – 7pm
Admission: Free
Need something special for your sweetie? Looking for a fun card to send to your BFF? Tired of the same ol’ Valentine’s Day options? Look no further –American Art has what you need. Stop by the Kogod Courtyard to make the perfect, personalized card. They’ll supply all the necessary materials at no cost. If you are feeling fancy, horticulturists from Smithsonian Gardens can help you make an orchid corsage for a $10 materials fee.
Be My Valentine Fest
Where: Village at Leesburg
When: February 13, 5-9pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate VALentines Day with the Village at Leesburg. Evening horse drawn carriage rides, strolling musicians, VALentines characters, and more will be among the festivities and entertainment.
Brunch Box
Where: H Street Country Club
When: February 14, 10am
Admission: $23/ages 9 and up, Free for 8 and under
Bring the whole family for some Valentine’s Day amusement at this pop-up brunch from the host of the DC area’s Baby Loves Disco events. Along with a buffet of brunch fare, admission includes entertainment by DJ Louie Flaco and Premiere Dance DC, photo booth fun, balloon art, face painting, and the venue’s awesome indoor DC-themed mini golf and shuffleboard.
Be My Valentine Tour and Workshop
Where: Tudor House
When: February 14, 10:30-11:30am & 1:30-2:30pm
Admission: $7/members, $10/non-members (parents free)
Celebrate love and creativity at Tudor Place! Children ages 5 and up are invited to tour the historic mansion in search of historic Valentine’s Day cards from the Tudor Place Archive. These cards then serve as inspiration for their own Valentine’s card creations to take home.
Build & Grow
Where: Area Lowe’s Locations
When: February 14, 10am
Admission: Free
The home improvement store hosts free bimonthly workshops for kids, and this session will bring some Valentine’s Day spirit as guests construct a Sweetheart Picture Holder. Bring the kids into any Lowe’s store to make the free wooden project (with parent help). Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Go here to register.
Love in Every Language
Where: Free|Sackler Gallery
When: February 14 & 15
Admission: Free
All ages are welcome to enjoy a digital slideshow of images of love in Asian art from the Freer|Sackler collections. In the classroom, use prints that say “love” in more than a dozen Asian languages to create a Valentine’s Day card to take home, and learn how to fold heart-shaped origami.
