Celebrate with meal you all love
Do you 
celebrating Valentine’s Day with your little (and big) sweeties? If you’re looking for ways to enjoy the occasion, leading up to it and on the day, here are some ideas with something for everyone to love. Happy V-Day!
Won’t You Be My Owlentine?
Where: Potomac Overlook Park| Arlington, VA
When: February 7, 2-3pm
Admission: $7
Love is in the air… and literally for these beautiful birds of prey! See live raptors, learn about their mating habits during breeding season, and have your picture taken with a live bird of prey.
Custom Valentine Making
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Herndon, VA
When: February 7, 10-11;30am
Admission: $8
Nothing says I LOVE MOO like a handmade Valentine’s Day card. Bring your smocks and creativity to the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center to get creative with your family and friends. Listen to music, use a ton of glue and leave the clean-up to us. Materials will be provided for cards that kids and adults can make. Farm animal puns and historic style cards will be the featured crafts. Stay for a little while, or the whole time. For ages 3+.
Valentine Maker’s Market (POSTPONED to March 14)
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: February 7, 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. If you can, be sure to tour the grounds as well — they’re fantastic. Read more about Annmarie Sculpture garden here and here.
Love Letters to Rock Creek Park
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturdays & Sundays in February
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.
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!
Valentine Craft Classes
Where: Michael’s locations around the DC area
When: February 7 & 14, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Drop in a Michael’s location to do some heart-y crafts. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, create some art to give to someone you love or keep for yourself. On Feb 7, create Valentine’s cards, and on Feb 14, make a Valentine’s keychain. Michael’s will provide the supplies. All ages welcome, no reservations needed.
Nature DIY Valentines
Where: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park | Chantilly, VA
When: February 7, 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.
Storytime Studio: Share the Love
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: February 11, 10-11am
Admission: Free
Bring littles for this program where they can show appreciation for loved ones by making a valentine inspired by Sam Gilliam’s colorful artwork i, on view in the exhibition Big Things for Big Rooms. Learn about Gilliam’s key role in the Washington Color School movement and read Amor de colores by Melanie Romero.
Valentine’s Cards for the Animals
Where: Meadowside Nature Center | Rockville, MD
When: February 11-13
Admission: Free
Show our animal ambassadors a little love this Valentine’s Day by writing them a card! These cards will be incorporated into their daily enrichment, which you can view in their enclosures from our Nature Nook and Raptor Deck. Registration is not required for this free drop-in program.
I Met Park
Where: Met Park | National Landing, VA
When: February 11, 12, 13
Admission: Free
Participate in mood-boosting activations around Met Park leading up to Valentine’s Day. Get inspired with a personalized haiku at the Poem Pop-Up Feb 11; pick out a free rose or purchase a bouquet at the Flower Bar Pop-Up Feb 12; and spread the love with a Cardmaking Pop-Up at MoCA Feb 13.
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. Make Valentine crafts at Southwest Neighborhood Library on Feb 7 and at Deanwood on Feb 12. Enjoy a Crafternoon at Northwest One Library on February 11. Join a teen event on multiple dates. Bring kids to 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.
A Heart-y Meal
Where: Around DC
When: Ongoing
Admission: Cost of your meal
A meal out is always a nice and tasty way to celebrate an occasion. Some spots have specials going on for Valentine’s Day, but sometimes it’s better to go to a place you know you all love, where you can just enjoy the food and company. Find some family-friendly places among these KFDC recs.
The Story of Chocolate
Where: Museum | National Mall, DC
When: February 14, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family or your Valentine to enjoy a day of chocolate history, culture, and food. Watch Executive Chef Alex Strong of the museum’s Mitsitam Cafe shows how she makes some tasty chocolate treats, enjoy performances by dance group Danza Tecuanis, and follow the path from blossom to beverage with an interactive presentation, and make and take a bookmark to remember the day!
Open Studio: Painted With Love
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: February 14, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the Hirshhorn on Valentine Saturday and draw inspiration from Sam Gilliam’s huge artwork Light Depth. Using materials like watercolors, paint, and coffee filters create colorful heart-shaped installations.
Hearts and Arts – A Valentine’s Day Party for Kids
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: February 14, 1:30-4:30pm
Admission: $30/chid ($15 for siblings)
Make it a Valentine’s Day date — without the babysitter scramble. While parents enjoy the heat and sound of Chez Joey’s 2pm matinee, kids ages 6–12 can have a Valentine’s celebration of their own, filled with creativity, play, and imagination. This drop-off party will have theater games, hands-on art-making, music, movement, and sweet treats, so everyone gets an experience made just for them. A Valentine’s Day win-win!
Valentine’s Day Science
Where: Hidden Oaks Nature Center | Annandale, VA
When: February 14, 2pm
Admission: $10
Does Valentine’s Day make you think of electricity, chemistry, magnetism, candy? This year share the love with your family while we explore those topics and more with hands-on Valentine’s Day science. For ages 5+.
Valentine’s Stargazing Stroll
Where: Lake Accotink Park | Springfield, VA
When: February 14, 4pm
Admission: $13
Share the wonder of winter stars with someone special during our romantic Valentine’s stargazing adventure. This enchanting evening stroll combines astronomy education with Valentine’s Day Magic. Create lasting memories as families explore the night sky together, learning about the cosmos while enjoying quality time under the stars. This evening adventure concludes with hot cocoa and Valentine’s treats. For ages 8+
Naked at the National Gallery Scavenger Hunt (for adults)
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When:February 14, 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).
Valentine Gift Ideas:
* PJ’s they’ll .
* A perfect sweater for the day.
* A fun graphic T… they’ll dig this one, too.
* Write Valentine messages on this cool LED drawing board.
* LEGO enthusiasts will adore this kit.
* For teens, a pretty heart bracelet.
* Or a simple initial band .
* The surefire way to some’s heart (through their stomach).
* And many more fun, unique options.
