Love is all around! Are you ready to craft, bake and explore with your little love? Enjoy a stroll through the Redwoods, a whimsical tea or a cooking making class for two? Read on to find a Valentine’s Day event for kids near you to celebrate the season of love!
San Francisco
Penguin Valentines
Celebrate Valentine's Day Academy-style as resident penguins are gifted heart-shaped tokens of affection during their daily feedings on three special days. African penguins normally make nests by burrowing and collecting any available material to line their nests—today, that includes felt valentines. They are collected mostly by male birds, then offered to the females or placed in nests to encourage breeding. As novel items, the hearts help reinforce the penguins couples' bonds.
When: Feb. 12-14 at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Where: California Academy of Sciences
Cost: Included with admission
Online: redtri.com
The Presidio Sock Hop
Lace up your dancing shoes! The Presidio Officer's Club hosts a free sock hop to celebrate the season of love. Learn the swing and enjoy the live music with your dancing crew.
When: Sat., Feb. 15, 7-10 p.m.
Where: Presidio Officer's Club, 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free, but registration requested.
Online: redtri.com
East Bay
Hearts Week in the Habitot Art Studio
It’s Hearts Week at Habitot! Come create heart-themed art with your little one. Some of these activities provide an opportunity for small children to create valentines for their loved ones!
When: Feb. 8-14
Where: Habitot Children's Museum, 2065 Kittredge St, Berkeley, CA
Online: redtri.com
Rockridge Ice Cream & Gelato Tour
This one-hour guided walking tour is the perfect way to end your Valentine's Day with your loved ones. It takes kids of all ages through Oakland’s Rockridge area to explore a variety of ice cream desserts—along with a little history as to how we came to enjoy them.
When: Feb. 14, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Starts at Safeway Plaza, 6310 College Ave, Oakland, CA
Cost: $20/adults, $15/kids 12 and under
Ages: All ages
Online: redtri.com
A Botanical Valentine's Day Tea
Alices and Mad Hatters alike will delight in this botanical tea party in honor of Valentine’s Day. Explore fragrant edibles, see how they grow and what they are used for, and make fresh tea and herbed finger sandwiches. Kids can also make valentines from pressed botanicals to take home. Advance registration required.
When: Feb. 9, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Where: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr., Berkeley, CA
Cost: Includes garden admission. $24/adult, $20/child
Ages: All ages
Online: redtri.com
Valentine's Day Maker Fest
Grab your kids and head to the local Michael's craft store for their kid's club Valentine's craft activity. Little makers will have fun making Valentine's Day cards, a festive t-shirt, cookies and friendship bracelets. See website for classes available near you. Each class lasts 1.5-2 hours.
When: Feb. 8
Where: Michael's Craft Store
Cost: $2-5/child
Online: redtri.com
Decorate Valentines Treats
Join friends and neighbors for decorating Valentine's day themed treats. Or some un-Valentine's Day treats. Your choice!
When: Feb. 7, 4-5 p.m.
Where: Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch | Berkeley Public Library, 1901 Russell St, Berkeley, CA
Online: redtri.com
Happily Ever After Valentine's Tea Party
An unforgettable Valentine's Day experience for your little princess! Children will transform into their favorite princess in preparation for a royal tea party along side two REAL princesses.
When: Feb. 29, 11 a.m.
Where: The Rec Room, 3222 Adeline St, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $38/child, $8/adult
Online: redtri.com
Starry Night Parachute Prom at Gymboree Lafayette
Cuteness overload is the order of the night as our little prom babies and toddlers will have the chance to have a whole lot of fun with special Valentine-inspired activities and play at Gymboree Play & Music of Lafayette. On arrival the tots can walk, crawl or run a special ‘red carpet’ to receive their prom crowns.
When: Feb. 9
Where: Gymboree Play & Music, 3450 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA
Cost: $25/members, $30/non-members
Online: redtri.com
Peninsula/South Bay
Make Macarons at Cucina Bambini-Los Gatos
Make and decorate macarons with your little sweetheart at this cookie workshop.
When: Feb. 13, 5:30-7 p.m.
Where: Cucina Bambini, 22 South Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, CA
Cost: $90/adult-child pair
Online: redtri.com
Romance in the Redwoods
On this easy two-hour walk, you will learn about the courtship behaviors of some of the park's most fascinating plants and animals. Discover how banana slugs, redwood trees and more celebrate love in the wild.
When: Feb. 15., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Where: Big Basin State Park, 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA
Cost: free, $10 parking
Online: redtri.com
Animal Valentines at Hidden Villa
With Valentine's Day around the corner, we invite you to express your love for your favorite animal on the farm. Create a beautiful card to read to a chicken, pig, goat, sheep or cow. They can't wait to hear how much you love them! This program is covered by your entrance fee.
When: Feb. 15, 9:15 a.m.- 1:45 p.m.
Where: Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA
Online: redtri.com
Family Orchid Tour and Valentine Craft
Tour the colorful orchid display in the House, then create a three-dimensional orchid-themed valentine card. This activity is designed for elementary-aged children and children must be accompanied by an adult.
When: Feb. 8. 10:30 a.m.-noon
Where: Filoli Gardens, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA
Cost: $15 per person, Filoli admission not included
Online: redtri.com
Marin/North Bay
Valentine's Teddy Bear Tea
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a bear hug at the annual Belvedere Tiburon Library Teddy Bear Tea! Children will enjoy savory treats and cocoa while making their own bear!
When: Feb. 8, various seatings from 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Belvedere Tiburon Library, 1501 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon, CA
Cost: $35 each; Table of 10 for $350
Ages: All ages
Online: redtri.com
Get Your Silhouette Portrait
Third Generation Silhouette Artist Karl Johnson will be creating hand-cut silhouettes by appointment at Cupcake in Healdsburg.
When: Feb. 7-8
Where: Cupcake, 107 Plaza St, Healdsburg, CA
Online: redtri.com
—Kate Loweth, Sabrina Martire & Melanie Ulate
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