Valentine’s Day 2023 in DC

Do you ❤️ celebrating Valentine’s Day with your little (and big) sweeties? If you’re looking for ways to enjoy the occasion, here are some ideas — with something for everyone to love. Happy V-Day! XOXO

XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness
Where: National Children’s Museum | Downtown DC
When: Through May 14 | Weds -Mon, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Admission: $15.95
How about a whole exhibit that pairs perfectly with Valentine’s Day? Recommended for ages 2-12m, XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness provides children and caregivers the opportunity to think about and explore feelings to help them understand, appreciate, and express their emotions through facial expressions, words, movement, art-making, and other hands-on activities. Read more about the museum here.

Kids Workshop: Valentine’s Vase
Where: Home Depot locations around the DC area
When: February 4, 9am – 12pm
Admission: Free – be sure to register in advance!
Home Depot’s free monthly workshop for kids will help them prep for the day (or make a gift) as they build a Valentine’s Vase. All supplies are provided, including a little apron, and kids get to keep their craft along with a certificate of achievement and collectible pin. All attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. Register in advance!

Love from the Library
Where: Select DC Public Libraries
When: Through February 14
Admission: Free
DC Public Libraries are hosting a bunch of love-ly programs that celebrate the holiday. Attend a Valentine movie night, do some card making and other crafts, join a Valentine’s Day story time. Visit the website for details on these events and more — just set the date through February 14 and use keyword “Valentine.”

Valentine Makers Market
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: February 11, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Find thoughtful and handmade gifts for all the sweeties in your life at this Valentine Maker’s Market. Shop a variety of options, including small batch chocolates, jewelry, leather goods, pottery, clothing, and much more! You will find vendors offering a wide selection of homemade, handmade or homegrown products, and every vendor is from the DEL-MAR-VA region. Be sure to tour the grounds, check out the Arts Center inside, and take kids to play in the Fairy Lolly while you’re there — it’s all fantastic (admission is a suggested $5 donation). Read more about Annmarie Sculpture garden here and here.

Maker Morning: Art from Your Heart
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: February 11, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Color your February with love at the Hirshhorn’s self-guided drop-in program geared toward kids. Look for stations throughout the museum, all love-themed and hands-on. Try out Valentine’s Day activities including writing a love letter, magnet poetry, and a love library — all inspired by art in the museum. Stroller parking is available in the Lobby and Lower Level.

Kids Workshop: Swan Sweetheart Note Holder
Where: Lowe’s locations around the DC area
When: February 11, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Bring your mini-DIYer to Lowe’s for a workshop hosted by a Red Vest expert. This month is Valentine’s-themed, and kids will build their own Swan Love Note Holder — a perfect gift for someone they love. All participants will receive a kit with materials. Be sure to reserve a time slot! Walk-ins are welcome, but space is not guaranteed.

Cupcake Decorating Class
Where: La Fantome Food Hall | Riverdale, MD
When: Saturday, 11am-12:30pm & 1-2:30pm
Admission: $40
Join celebrity chef Kareem “Mr. Bake” Queeman for a special Valentine’s Day cupcake decorating class. Aspiring bakers can join the highly decorated baker, currently featuring on Cooking Channel’s “Bake It Til You Make It.” Participants will leave with four decorated cupcakes, a certificate of completion, and specialized baking tips and knowledge from Mr. Bake himself. Parents are invited to join the fun and accompany their baker, as well as enjoy food and drinks (including a special kid’s menu) for breakfast or lunch following their session. Two sessions are available: Kids ages 5-11 can join the first hour-long session at from 11am-12:30pm, while bakers 12-16can join 1-2:30pm. Parents must accompany children ages 5-11 to the first session.

Won’t You Be My Owlentine?
Where: Potomac Overlook Regional Park | Arlington, VA
When: February 11, 1-2pm
Admission: $7/age 6+
Love is in the air, and literally, for the beautiful birds of prey! Join Potomac Overlook staff as they discuss the mating habits of owls during their breeding season and get a picture with a live bird of prey! Register in advance, as space is limited. And be sure to explore the rest of the park while you’re there — it’s great for kids of all ages. Read more about Potomac Overlook in this KFDC post.

Unshrink My Heart – Shrinky Dinks Workshop
Where: Gateway Arts Center | Brentwood, MD
When: February 11, 2-4pm
Admission: Free
The DIY arts and crafts icon from the 80’s is back! And nothing says “love” like a hand-made pre-shrunk Valentine. Families are invited to create beautiful jewelry, key chains, and other Valentine’s Day gifts for their loved ones. Receive the first 2 sheets of blank Shrinky Dinks for free; additional sheets will be available to purchase for 50 cents each.

Nature DIY Valentines
Where: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park | Chantilly, VA
When: February 11, 3-4pm
Admission: $9
Nothing says I love you more than a homemade card. Use natural materials to create your own card just in time for the holiday. Materials will be provided for cards that kids can make. Stay for a little while, or the whole time. Recommended for ages 6-12.

Family Festival with Black Panther + Beauty & the Beast
Where: Shipgarden | McLean, VA
When: February 11, 1-6pm
Admission: Free, but reserve a spot!
This Valentine’s Day keep it cozy with hot drink specials from Shipgarten’s winter menu. On February 11, bring the fam to their Valentine’s Family Festival hosted by Black Panter and Beauty & the Beast. Take pics in the photo booth and compete for prizes — they have games, activities, and competitions for all ages.

Valentine’s Day Pop-Up
Where: WAP Gallery in Westfield Wheaton Mall | Wheaton, MD
When: February 11-12, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
The Wheaton Arts Parade is hosting a special Valentine’s pop-up this weekend. In addition to their shop where you can meet the artists, the WAP Gallery will have a free Valentine art making table for kids. The Gallery is located in Westfield Wheaton Mall, Lower Level Entrance 11.

Say ‘Be Mine’ in the Animal World
Where: Burke Lake Park | Burke, VA
When: February 11, 2-3pm
Admission: $10
Animals communicate in many ways. Kids can learn how to express their affection in chimpanzee, toad, wolf, and more on this outside Valentine’s Day walk and talk. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Sunday Makebreak: Watercolor Heart Frame
Where: Michael’s locations around the DC area
When: February 12, 2-4pm
Admission: Free
Drop in a Michael’s location to do some Valentines crafting. Make a watercolor heart frame to put a picture of your special someone in — or picture of yourself to give to someone special. All ages welcome, no reservations needed.

Queen of Hearts Tea Party
Where: Colvin Run Mill | Great Falls, VA
When: February 12
Admission: $15
For ages 3+…Bring your child to the mill and celebrate Valentine’s Day with this heart-themed tea party. We’ll have tea, savory and sweet treats and play 19th century parlor games. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Valentine’s Tea & Poetry
Where: Burke Lake Park | Burke, VA
When: February 12, 10:30-11:3-am
Admission: $15
For ages 12 and up… Sip some mint tea with your best friend or significant other as a naturalist helps you pen your own love poems based off of famous love poems. Practice your penmanship while learning some helpful calligraphy tips to give your poems a more personalized feel.

Say ‘Be Mine’ in the Animal World
Where: Lake Fairfax Park | Reston, VA
When: February 12, 2-3pm
Admission: $10
Join the Fairfax Park Authority for a Valentine-themed event about ways animals communicate. Learn how to express your affection in chimpanzee, toad, wolf, and more on this outdoor Valentine’s Day walk and talk.

Nature Valentines
Where: Maydale Nature Classroom | Colesville, MD
When: February 12, 3-4pm
Admission: $7
Winter is full of celebrations. Join us as we celebrate the Winter Solstice by making lanterns, the holiday season by making nature ornaments, and Valentine’s Day by making nature valentines. Register for one or all of these family fun activities.

Valentine’s Day Science
Where: Hidden Oaks Nature Center | Annandale, VA,
When: February 13, 6-7pm
Admission: $10
Kids love science when they learn with engaging hands-on activities. Join the Fairfax Park Authority for science activities to let kids share that love this Valentine’s Day! Recommended for ages 5-10.

Window Shops
Where: Storefronts around Adams Morgan, DC
When: Through February 14
Admission: Free
Take a walk around Adams Morgan to see all storefront decorated especially for Valentine’s Day! The Adams Morgan Partnership BID is sponsoring a window decorating contest for all businesses facing the street. Enjoy a family outing to the neighborhood to walk around and see them all, then grab at bite at one of the many eateries there. You can also vote on your favorites through an online poll on our website from Friday, February 11, through Sunday, February 13!

The Love Shop
Where: Milk Bar | Logan Circle, DC
When: Through February 14
Cost: Depends on order
Milk Bar, the bakery that makes my favorite Birthday Cake, has special products for the holiday. Mini cakes, soft serve ice cream, and truffles are perfect desserts for an at-home date night or family celebration. Available for pick-up or delivery.

Ice Skate Date
Where: Ice rinks around the DC area
When: Through February 14
Admission: Varies by rink
If you just want to do something fun, active, and sweet with your kids, plan an ice skating date. Go to the Sculpture Garden, then enjoy photo ops by the AMOR sculpture. Glide along the Figure 8 path at Canal Park, then get a bite to eat at one of the many eateries nearby. Skate by the Potomac River at Washington Harbour, or over the Potomac at The Wharf — and both have even more to do beyond skating at their waterfront locations. Get details for all of the DC rinks, plus more in Maryland and Virginia in this post about ice skating around the DC Area.

DIY Valentines
Where: At home
When: Whenever you have time
Admission: Just the cost of supplies
So, this is just my suggestion. One of my favorite annual programs has been the National Postal Museum’s Valentine’s Day Card Workshop, and we tried to go every year. The museum would provide all kinds of supplies — pretty papers, stamps, washi tape, stickers, markers, and more — for guests to create Valentines. Everyone from families with young children to teens hanging out together to groups of adults attend, and there’s always a great sense of community as you share tables with others there to celebrate love. It’s not happening again this year, but we can still keep the make-your-own tradition going. So, grab some artsy supplies and get creative at home — and make your loved ones’ Valentine’s Day! And for more about the wonderful yet often overlooked Postal Museum, see this KFDC post.

Some wweet suggestions if you’re seeking gift ideas…

* A Valentine’s-themed activity book.
* Sweet kids’ reads: Board books, for elementary ages, for middle schoolers, for teens.
* A heart stuffie for little ones.
* Fun bath bombs.
* A lovely light up drawing t-shirt (or this one).
* A day at Spa World (get a discount on Groupon).
* This novel will capture any adult’s heart.
* Make ’em smile with cute socks.
* Who doesn’t love the gift of food?