Glitter, glue and lace doilies; if you feel like Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to get crafty, there’s a historical reason for that! Penning a sweet note on Valentine’s day dates back to the 1400‘s and by the 1800‘s exchanging gifts and cards was the social norm. From handcrafting notes to dancing the night away, celebrate the little loves in your life with one of these ancient traditions.
Photo: Meg and Jeremy Fincher via Flickr
Love at the Library
Why buy Valentine’s Day cards when you can make them for free at the library? All supplies will be provided and Petworth library will also be collecting hand made cards to donate to the Children’s National Medical Center.
Ages: 4 and up
Cost: Free
When: Feb. 6-7, 4:30 pm
4200 Kansas Ave. NW (Petworth)
Online: dclibrary.org
Valentine’s Day Baking
Want to impress your family in the kitchen this Valentine’s Day? Head over to Williams Sonoma on February 10th and learn how to make yummy V-Day treats to share with your peeps! Whip up some sweet heart-shaped creationsand enjoy them in class as well as home.
Ages: 5-13
Cost: $30
When: Feb. 9, 10 am
4824 Bethesda Ave. (Bethesda, Md)
Online: williams-sonoma.com
My First Sweetheart Dance
This annual event is sure to become a treasured family tradition; held at the Philomont Community Center, this Sweetheart Dance is exclusively for families. Refreshments will be served (so dance up an appetite).
Ages: All
Cost: $20
When: Feb. 8 , 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
36592 Jeb Stuart Rd. (Philomont, VA)
Online: loudoun.gov
Skating and Hot Chocolate
There’s nothing they’ll enjoy more on the day we celebrate love, than ice skating at the National Gallery of Art’s rink. And when everyone is cold (or tired of falling!), head to the Sculpture Garden Pavilion Cafe for a sweet cup of hot cocoa. They even have fun flavors you can add like peppermint, caramel, and gingerbread. And best part for adults is that you can add peppermint schnapps or Bailey’s for an extra little pick me up.
4th & Constitution Ave., NW (National Mall)
Online: nga.gov
Valentine’s Day Hike
Bundle up and bring your valentine for a night-time stroll at the park the Valentine’s Day. During the 1-mile hike, you’ll look and listen for creatures that are most active at night. Crickets!
Ages: 8 and up
Cost: $6
When: Feb. 14, 6 pm-7 pm
20926 Lake Ridge Dr (Boyds, MD)
Online: montgomeryparks.org
Afternoon Tea At Lady Camellia
Give those pinkies a workout with afternoon tea on Valentine’s Day! Smack in the middle of Georgetown, Lady Caellia’s is the perfect option for a relaxed afternoon in the city. Lady Camellia’s is a pastry and tea room where family and friends can gather to relax, reconnect, and take a break from their busy lives. They have a lovely children’s tea with options such as Nutella and PB& J sandwiches. It’s truly a special place to celebrate life with tea and nibbles.
3261 Prospect St., NW (Georgetown)
Online: ladycamellia.com
Valentines Heart Candy Box
At the Springfield Home Depot, build a heart shaped box for Valentine’s Day perfect as a gift for someone you love or to stash all your super sweet Valentine’s Day goodies and keepsakes. Once the heart is built, kiddo can customize it with paint and stickers.
Ages: 5-12
Cost: Free
When: Feb. 2 , 9 am-12 pm
6691 Frontier Rd. (Springfield, VA)
Online: workshops.homedepot.com
—Meghan Meyers and Ayren Jackson
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