Kites of all shapes and sizes soar over the beach at Kites on the Pier in Long Branch. Photo courtesy of the festival
Kites at the Pier Festival and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend
Enjoy the blooming daffodils at Reeves-Reed Arboretum on a day trip this spring. Photo courtesy of the arboretum
30 Spring Day Trips from New Jersey for Families
Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
Meet the Animals at these New Jersey Petting Zoos and Animal Farms
GUIDE
Summer Camps Guide for New Jersey Kids
Treat mom to a special Mother's Day brunch this year.
Best Mother's Day Brunch in Northern New Jersey
Celebrate the springtime arrival of the glorious cherry blossoms in Branch Brook Park. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Top Things To Do in New Jersey April 2024 with Kids
The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is full of springtime family fun. Video by Andre Sala
  VIDEO
Here's Why the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is a Must-See Spring Event
This spring break, take a hike by the soaring hemlock trees in Hacklebarney State Park. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Spring Break 2024: 41 Fun Things To Do in New Jersey
Row after row of tulips fills the fields at the stunning Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the farm Row after row of tulips fills the fields at the stunning Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
  VIDEO
Visiting Holland Ridge Farms with Kids: A Guide to New Jersey's Stunning Tulip Farm
Enjoy fun on the farm during Alstede's Easter and Springtime Festival. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
43 Best Spring Festivals and Fairs in New Jersey this April and May for Families
Step back in time at Field Station: Dinosaurs, New Jersey's dinosaur-themed adventure park. Photo courtesy of the venue
46 Best Things To Do in New Jersey this Spring
The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. A meal out here is part adventure, part restaurant.
Themed Restaurants in New Jersey for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining
Take to the skies on Legoland New York's new Minifigure Skyflyer. Rendering courtesy of the resort
From Six Flags' The Flash to Legoland's Minifigure Skyflyer Here Are the Top Attractions Coming to Theme Parks near You
Allow yourself to get drawn into the mesmerizing art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
40 Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey on Rainy Days
Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Northern New Jersey
At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
Budget-Friendly Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey: Drop-in Play for $25 or Less
The accessible playground at Watsessing Park is a dream come true for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
Best Playgrounds in New Jersey: 12 That Are Worth the Drive
At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
18 Top Birthday Party Places in New Jersey for Kids
GUIDE
Winter Activities Guide for New Jersey Kids
Visit the Wisner House during a winter day trip to Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit. Photo courtesy of the arboretum
25 Winter Day Trips in New Jersey
Admission to the Cape May County Park & Zoo is completely free. Photo courtesy of the zoo
100 Free Fun Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids
Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Northern New Jersey
Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
  VIDEO
Visiting American Dream Mall in New Jersey: 20 Fun Things To Do and Tips For Your Visit
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids
Big-name Broadway shows like &Juliet come at a premium prices, but there are ways to save on Broadway tickets. Photo by Aka NYC.
Discount Broadway Tickets: Six Ways to Save Big on Broadway Shows
Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ
100 Things To Do in New Jersey With Kids Before They Grow Up
Boonton's
Easy Waterfall Hikes in Northern New Jersey for Kids
Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
Great Day Trips to New Jersey State Parks and Forests
New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things To Do with NJ Kids
The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
Free Admission for Kids at 50+ Top New Jersey Family Attractions
Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
Free Indoor Play Spots in New Jersey for Kids
Guests experience the safari at Six Flags Great Adventure from the privacy and safety of their own vehicles. Photo courtesy of Six Flags
The Best New Jersey Zoos and Aquariums to Visit with Kids
Help your kids develop their creative side with art classes
GUIDE
Guide to Classes for New Jersey Kids
Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
Top Attractions in New Jersey: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
GUIDE
New Jersey Amusement Parks and Water Parks Guide

20 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day in NJ with the Family

Bake, sample treats, and find more activities for V-Day in NJ. Photo via Bigstock
Bake, sample treats, and find more activities for V-Day in NJ. Photo via Bigstock
2/6/19 - By Laurie Rein

Move over romantic Valentine's celebrations—Valentine's Day becomes a family affair once you have kids. Treat your crew to love-themed, kid-friendly fun at celebrations leading up to the big day. Have a Family Date Night at Jenkinson's, sample sweets at the Annual Valentine's Day Chocolate Walk, or enjoy a Chocolate Family Day at the museum.

Ready for a cheap date? Check out Valentine's freebies that include a storytime, craft, and cookie-decorating. 

Read on for more ways to celebrate with the ones you love. And for even more mid-winter fun, check out our Event Calendar and February GoList. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Opt to see the show during Chocolate Family Day at Morris Museum. Photo courtesy of Robert Morgan
Opt to see the show during Chocolate Family Day at Morris Museum. Photo courtesy of Robert Morgan

Valentine's Week Events

Annual Valentine’s Day Chocolate Walk

Friday, February 8 – Bordentown
Present your Valentine's Day passport at participating businesses to receive a special chocolate treat. Stores, restaurants and other Bordentown businesses open their doors this evening to welcome visitors. READ MORE

Family Date Night at Jenkinson's

Friday and Saturday, February 8-9 – Point Pleasant
Spend an evening with the ones you love at this special Valentine's Day weekend event. A package includes admission for four to Jenkinson’s Aquarium, a plain pizza and pitcher of soda at the Pavilion, a $10 PlayCard for the Pavilion Arcade and four treats from the Sweet Shop. READ MORE

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Friday and Saturday, February 8-9 – Morristown
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella is the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that puts a contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations, and all the moments you love: the pumpkin, glass slipper, masked ball, and some surprising new twists. READ MORE

Chocolate Family Day

Saturday, February 9 – Morristown
Embark on a sweet adventure by participating in a Touch the Music workshop, make a special card in time for Valentine’s Day, and see a performance of Morgan's Journey in the Bickford Theatre. READ MORE

All You Need is Love Storytime

Saturday, February 9 – Freehold – FREE
Barnes & Noble hosts a reading of the book based the beloved song All You Need Is Love, showing that if we follow the music we will see there is indeed love all around us. Enjoy a cookie coloring activity, while supplies last. READ MORE

Valentine's Craft-Making Event

Saturday, February 9 – Trenton – FREE
Stop in and create a dinosaur-inspired Valentine while you learn about dinosaur history and habits; make a Pop-(h)art – Valentine’s decoration, a pop-up hanging Valentine inspired by pop art of the 20th century. READ MORE

My Little Man & Me Valentine's Party

Saturday, February 9 – Union
Head to the Liberty House Museum for this special pre-Valentine's Day event. Moms, grandmas, and aunts are invited to join sons, grandsons, and nephews for a special day out with games, crafts, snacks, punch, and a photo booth. READ MORE

Victorian Pressed Flower Workshop

Saturday, February 9 – Princeton
Spend a wintry afternoon as Victorian women, such as Harriet Stockton, might have, and create pressed flower art with Morven’s Curator of Education Debra Lampert-Rudman. READ MORE

JCPenney Kids Zone

Saturday, February 9 – Various Locations – FREE
Stop by New Jersey JCPenney stores on the second Saturday of every month for free and fun crafts. Children receive a lanyard and collector's pin. Six pins earn a Project Master Medallion. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring Demonstrations

Sunday, February 10 – Chatham
Families can learn about the process of maple sugaring from start to finish—identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. Afterward, taste-test different syrups, including syrup made at the Outdoor Education Center.  READ MORE

Maple Sugaring at Tenafly Nature Center

Sunday, February 10 – Tenafly
Learn how to identify a maple tree, and discover the history of syrup making and how technology has changed the way we gather sap over the centuries. READ MORE

Kids! Cookie Decorating at Marlboro Library

Tuesday, February 12 – Marlboro – FREE
Get ready for Valentine's Day at Marlboro Public Library with a morning of cookie and card decorating. The program is for ages 3+ with a caregiver. READ MORE

Be Mine Valen-SLIME Making

Tuesday, February 12 – East Hanover
It’s slime time. Special Valen-SLIME time that is…In this workshop, a barista will assist your child in making a custom batch of “lovely” slime. READ MORE

Valentine's Day Toddler Time

Tuesday, February 12 – Cherry Hill
Children can attend this special Valentine's Day session and enjoy obstacles, ziplines, and plenty of active fun. Pre-registration is recommended. READ MORE

Valentine's Make & Mingle

Wednesday, February 13 – East Hanover
Make a fun craft and mingle with other parents. Create a Valentines keepsake that will be enjoyed for years to come. READ MORE

Valentine Basket Craft

Wednesday, February 13 – Lebanon
Senior Gardener Jason “Jaybird” Strauss will teach kids to make a memorable Valentine floral arrangement for a special Valentine. All materials will be provided to create a beautiful arrangement that will brighten up Valentine’s Day. READ MORE

Valentine’s Day Party

Wednesday, February 13 – Monroe – FREE
Children are invited to make a craft, play bingo, and enjoy a snack. READ MORE

Valentine Party Storytime at Morven

Thursday, February 14 – Princeton
Join Morven for a reading of The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Party by Jan Berenstain. There will also be a Valentine’s Day party, with a Valentine craft to take home and share. READ MORE

Kidville Valentine's Day Bash

Thursday, February 14 – Hoboken
Join the Kidville's Valentine's Day Bash. Activities include getting a tattoo, cozying up in a photo booth, a bouncing good time in our state-of-the-art gym, as well as pizza and light refreshments for all.  READ MORE

Valentine's Day at iPlay

Thursday, February 14 – Freehold
Share the love this Valentine’s Day with friends, family or the one you love. Purchase the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Package for two which Includes: (2) Laser Tag, (2) 4D, (2) Go-Karts, (2) unlimited non-redemption video games, and (2) $10 game cards. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: