Do you ❤️ celebrating Valentine’s Day with your little (and big) sweeties? If you’re looking for ways to enjoy (and prep for) the occasion, here are some ideas with something for everyone to love. Happy V-Day!
Valentines Candy Box Workshop
Where: Home Depot locations
When: February 1, 9am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Home Depot invited kids to make Valentine’s Day sweeter at their monthly workshop. At this session, they can build a Valentine Candy Box. All supplied are provided (while they last) and participants can take home their aprons and creations. Register in advance!
Queen of Hearts Tea Party
Where: Colvin Run Mill Location | Great Falls, VA
When: February 1, 2pm
Admission: $15
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. For ages 3+. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Valentine Maker’s Market
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: February 1, 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, and homegrown products, all made with love. 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. Read more about Annmarie Sculpture garden here and here.
Stamp of Approval
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station Area, DC
When: Ongoing
Admission: Free
While there isn’t a special event happening at the Postal Museum, you can make a special outing of it there, and create a special Valentine. Head to the Stamp Gallery where you can design your own digital stamp — with options for a love theme, perfect for the occasion. Email it to yourself, then print it out at home to give to a special someone. And the whole museum is great to explore with kids… a visit there is a treat for them in itself!
Sunday Makebreak: Heart Reveal Canvas Painting
Where: Michael’s locations around the DC area
When: February 2, 2-4pm
Admission: Cost of your canvas
Drop in a Michael’s location to do some heart-y painting. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, create some art to give to someone you love or keep for yourself. Just bring or buy a cavnas, and Michael’s will provide the rest. All ages welcome, no reservations needed.
Window Shops
Where: Storefronts around Adams Morgan, DC
When: Through Valentine’s Day weekend
Admission: Free
Take a walk around Adams Morgan to see all storefronts 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 their website February 7-13 .
Valentine’s Day Family Day
Where: Library of Congress | Capitol Hill, DC
When: February 8, 10:30am – 3:30pm
Admission: Free with tickets
This session of the Library’s monthly family program series celebrates Valentine’s Day. Make your own vintage, Victorian-style valentine cards and tokens inspired by Library collections. Meet staff experts from the Prints and Photographs Division and learn about their work at the Library. Read more about the Library of Congress in this KFDC post.
Nature DIY Valentines
Where: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park | Chantilly, VA
When: February 8, 2pm
Admission: $10
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.
Valentine’s Skate
Where: Ridge Road Skate Rink | Germantown, MD
When: February 8
Admission: Free (BYO roller skates)
This isn’t just another Valentine’s event — it’s your chance to live out your own Love Story. When taking a break from skating, guests can fuel up with a hot chocolate or tasty lunch from Catalyst Hot Dogs, lounge on the lawn, or play lawn games with friends and family. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating. Outside food is permitted.
In the Heights
Where: Signature Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: Starts February 11 (thru May 4)
Tickets: $40-103 (find discount)
See a show with a love story… Lights up on Washington Heights, NYC where the streets are full of music, and everybody’s got a dream. With the neighborhood on the brink of gentrification, and a life-changing winning lottery ticket somewhere in their midst, the vibrant inhabitants share hope, loss and love as they plan their futures while cherishing their home. Recommended for ages 8+.
Love from the Library
Where: Select DC Public Libraries
When: Through February 14
Admission: Free
A few DC Public Libraries are hosting activities for Valentine’s Day. Do a “Bee Mine” craft at Southwest Neighborhood Library on February 8. Make cards at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library and Takoma Park Library on February 13. And enjoy a Valentine Creation Station at Benning Neighborhood Library on February 13.
Ice Skate Date
Where: Ice rinks around the DC area
When: Through Valentine’s Day weekend
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.
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. Share the love with them this Valentine’s Day at the Nature Center’s special program recommended for ages 5-10.
Love Letters to Rock Creek Park
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: February 14 + Sat & Sun in Feb, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
“Oh Rock Creek Park, how I love thee! Let me count the ways…” Express your love of Rock Creek Park, or any other national park site, in a love letter. Stop by the barn at Peirce Mill to write your own love letter, decorate it, and display it for all to see. If your love is a long-distance connection to another park, they’ll mail your letter for you! Read more about Peirce Mill in this KFDC post.
Valentine’s Day Tractor Wagon Rides for Families
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Herndon, VA
When: February 15, 11am
Admission: $100 for group of 10
Celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend with a private tractor powered wagon ride around the Frying Pan Farm Park for just your family. After your ride, enjoy a campfire with a bottle of sparkling cider and sampling of chocolates. Registration starts at 11am.
Won’t You Be My Owlentine?
Where: Potomac Overlook Park| Arlington, VA
When: February 15, 2-3pm
Admission: $7
Love is in the air…and literally, for these beautiful birds of prey! Join us as we discuss the mating habits of these animals during their breeding season and get a picture with a live bird of prey!
Naked at the National Gallery Scavenger Hunt (for adults)
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When:February 15 & 16, 2pm
Admission: $24
No clothes? No problem! For the subjects of art highlighted in this Watson Adventures scavenger hunt at the National Gallery, that is. Your fully dressed team will follow clues through this esteemed museum and answer tricky, humorous questions about what you find. All of the questions involve nudity, whether you’re looking for naughty nymphs, a surfing sea monster, eye-catching codpieces, bathing beauties, the original Adonis, or shark bait named Watson (no relation, we hope).
Open Studio: Colorful Valentines
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: February 15, 10am
Admission: Free
Fall in love with boundary-breaking artists on view at the Hirshhorn and discover fresh opportunities to express yourself and think like an artist. At this Open Studio session, create colorfully painted and woven valentines as you explore the life and work of artists Anni Albers and Alma Thomas. Paint with colorful patterns and use a weaving loom to create your own textiles from yarn, ribbon, tulle, and other materials.
How to Say ‘Be Mine’ in the Animal World
Where: Burke Lake Park | Burke, VA
When: February 16, 10:30am
Admission: $8
Animals communicate in many ways. Learn how to express your affection in chimpanzee, toad, and wolf on this outdoors Valentine’s Day walk and talk. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. For ages 3+.
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Valentine Gift Ideas:
* A cute sweatshirt especially for the day.
* A fun graphic T… and other one.
* Adorable PJ’s that little ones will love.
* A cool craft set especially for the day.
* LEGO enthusiasts will adore this kit.
* For teens, this trendy heart necklace.
* Or a simple bracelet with a message.
* You can’t go wrong with extra special treats.
* This old-school reel is fantastic (and so nostalgic).
