Who said Valentine's Day cards had to feature hearts? This year, locations around NYC are offering some creative Valentine's Day workshops and events. Children can make skyscraper Valentines, develop a love for nature, take part in a self-love project, and even make pink gingerbread houses.
Read on for the scoop on the best Valentine's Day outings with kids in NYC. If something piques your interest, click through to the event listing for full details. For more fun happenings this month, check out our February GoList, and remember, our Event Calendar is full of activities and events happening every day in New York City. Search "Valentine" or "love" to find more sweet holiday fun.
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Citywide
Donate as a Family — Valentine's Day is a holiday of love, and there's no better way to spread the cheer than with a donation. Donate a pair of pajamas or stuffed animals through Family-to-Family, or send a cheerful drawing to Color a Smile and it will send it on to someone who needs it. The New York-based Pajama Program, which delivers books and PJs to children in homeless shelters and those living below the poverty line, is also hosting its annual, "Open Your Heart," donation campaign. You can also donate PJs and books year-round, or volunteer in its reading centers, including its Midtown headquarters.
Visit Your Local Library—This year, many NYC libraries are hosting Valentine's Day-themed arts and crafts and read-alongs. Visit your local library for craft time and bring home a handmade card, origami heart, or even a real-life version of a Snapchat filter if that's more up your alley. FREE
Manhattan
Love Shack Gingerbread Workshop – Chelsea
Friday, February 10-Sunday, February 12
Taste Buds Kitchen is throwing a bit of Christmas cheer into Valentine's Day with a festive gingerbread house workshop. Children ages 2-8 accompanied by an adult create their own gingerbread houses, decorated with pink frosting, hearts, and anything else the chefs come up with. Cheerful music and pink hot cocoa are provided.
The magical film The Red Balloon will delight youngsters with its Valentine's Day message of love.
Floating Valentines: The Red Balloon – Battery Park City
Saturday, February 11
Poet's House adds some creativity to Valentine's Day with a screening of the children's classic film The Red Balloon. Following the viewing, children make their own hot-air balloon mobiles in a unique twist on the Valentine's Day card. FREE
Hearts & Towers: Valentine's Day Card Creations – Battery Park City
Saturday, February 11
Forget hearts—show your love with a skyscraper. Visit the Skyscraper Museum for a crafty morning making one-of-a-kind skyscraper cards. All ages are welcome, but an RSVP is required. Included in museum admission.
Operation Valentine's Day — Upper West Side
Saturday, February 11-Sunday, February 12
The Children's Museum of Manhattan hosts a weekend of V-Day-themed makery for kids, including 3-D cards, plush toy designs, and even motorized coloring bots. Included with museum admission.
A Valentine's Celebration of Peanuts – Midtown
Saturday, February 11
Enjoy classic screenings of Peanuts, including "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" at the Museum of Television and Radio's Paley Center. The daylong fete includes an afternoon of V-Day crafts and a visit from Snoopy. FREE
Love Yourself Project — East Harlem
Saturday, February 11
Teach kids about self love with this interactive project at the Museum of the City of New York. Visitors will jot down the reason they love themselves on an origami heart. Contributions will be collected in the rotunda. Included with museum admission.
Kids Valentine's Cookie Workshop — Tribeca
Sunday, February 12
Maman has teamed up with children's party stylist and online boutique Clafloutis for a sweet afternoon of cookie decorating. Each child receives three cookies to decorate with homemade icing and toppings, while children and adults enjoy light bites and drinks. Kids receive two gift boxes and hand-written love notes for a complete Valentine's Day craft package.
NYC Love Stories — East Harlem
Tuesday, February 14
Take a NYC-themed family scavenger hunt through the Museum of the City of New York, which only recently unveiled its new exhibit, New York At Its Core. Kids and parents will discover cool artifacts like the original I heart NY sign. Afterward create a similar V-Day craft. Included with museum admission.
Bronx
Valentine's Weekend at Wave Hill — Riverdale
Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12
Wave Hill has a weekend of Valentine's Day fun lined up for families and children of all ages. Make cards, learn about flowers, decorate cookies, or make a cute stuffed manatee. These drop-in workshops do not require registration.
Brooklyn
Kids Create: Valentine's Crafts — Brooklyn Heights
Thursday, February 9
Head to the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Library for V-day-themed craft making.
Silkscreen Valentine's Day Notes and Totes — Dumbo
Friday, February 10
Children 4 and older make personalized tote bags and silkscreened love notes at the Brooklyn Children's Museum's SPARK annex. Registration is required.
Kids can get Valentine's Day crafty at the Brooklyn Children's Museum.
3-D Pop Mobile Hearts — Crown Heights
Saturday, February 11
Stop by the Brooklyn Children's Museum to create a 3-D valentine. Children ages 2-8 create pop-up hearts, then bring home a handmade heart mobile. Included with museum admission.
Valentine's Day Storytime — Park Slope
Saturday, February 11
Valentine's Day storytime at Barnes & Noble includes an exploration of love in a manner that's fun for kids. Children read along with "The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story" and "Valentine's Day Is Cool," and engage with the text through activities. FREE
Queens
Love is in the Air — Douglaston
Saturday, February 11
Alley Pond Environmental Center presents an afternoon of animal-themed love. Children ages 3-4 read about our animal friends, then create their own snack to enjoy. Parental participation is required. Class and snack time is followed by a nature walk, weather permitting. Registration required.
Valentine's Day Jewelry Craft — Jamaica
Monday, February 13
Kids use beads to create a glam homemade Valentine's Day craft at the Queens Central Library today. Reservations not required but limited spots available. FREE
Staten Island
Valentine's Day Tot's Time Plus — Staten Island
Tuesday, February 14
At the Staten Island Children's Museum preschoolers create Valentine's Day-themed artworks and participate in a sing-along and read-along. The event is two hours long so plan to spend the morning there.
Top photo by the author. Other photos courtesy of the film/venue.
A version of this article first published in February 2016, but it has since been updated.