Valentine’s Day is next Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean you need to celebrate on just one day! Check out these great family-friendly activities or date night ideas to share the love with everyone important in your life.
Wednesday, February 8
Valentine’s Day Cocktail Class
618 Restaurant, Freehold
Grab your loved one or a friend and learn how to make three cocktails. You’ll also eat light bites and leave with a goodie bag.
Fresh Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Makers Market Series
Bell Works, Holmdel
You’ll find a wide selection of handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artisans. From jewelry and pottery to candles and artisanal foods, you’ll be shopping ‘til you drop in a cozy atmosphere with live music. The dates this year are Feb. 8 and 11.
Thursday, February 9
Sip & Shop Galentine’s Event
Garden State Distillery, Toms River
Grab your girlfriends and shop ’til you drop at this special vendor night.
Friday, February 10
Daddy/Daughter Date Night
Around the Corner Art Center, Freehold Twp.
Dads and their girls 6 years old and up can paint a beautiful galaxy heart scene together.
Valentine’s Day Dance
Jumping Over Obstacles, Upper Twp.
Kids ages 2-21 who are on the autism spectrum will be treated to a special party just for them.
Galentine’s Day Night Out
MarketFair, Princeton
You and your girlfriends can make personal charcuterie boards, drink complimentary mocktails, try Seasons 52 dessert mini-indulgences, and have an exclusive shopping experience at Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn and West Elm.
February 10 and 11
Kids Baking Projects
Kid Chef Nette, Plainsboro
Kids can make valentine macarons on Feb. 10 or cakesicles on Feb. 11 in baking classes designed specially for them.
Saturday, February 11
Old-Fashioned Valentine’s Day
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Grab your love and take a romantic spin in a two-seater sleigh or carriage pulled by a team of light workhorses. Or, families can ride in a bobsled or hay wagon pulled by a handsome team of drafts. At the farmhouse there will be soup on the stove, plus kids can make a Valentine’s Day card.
Valentine’s Day Paper Crafts
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts Education Annex, Madison
Join Fairy Art Mother Shari Seltzer and create Valentine’s Day handmade valentines from vintage and everyday materials that capture the spirit of friendship. This activity is appropriate for students currently attending kindergarten through fifth grade.
Valentine’s All-Star Comedy Show
New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark
Newark’s own Bill Bellamy kicks off an evening of laughs. Adele Givens and Smokey Suarez, who both appeared on “Def Comedy Jam,” will have you rolling in your seats.
Daddy/Daughter Valentine’s Date Night
K’s Event Decorations and Rentals, Hamilton Twp.
Dads can shower the special young ladies in the lives with love and kindness during a night of dinner, dancing, photo ops, games and more fun.
Valentine’s Bazaar
Grand Arcade of Convention Hall and The Asbury, Asbury Park
Celebrate ahead of Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day by shopping and strolling along the boardwalk. There will be lots of vendors selling the perfect gift for your sweetheart. Bring a date, your friends or your kids for a “lovely” day by the beach.
Love By the Sea
Cliffwood Beach
Pardon My Picnic and Aberdeen Twp. Recreation will set up romantic picnics for Valentine’s Day – or family picnics for your kids – on the seawall along the beach.
Dance Your Hart Out
Forever Hart Fit, Robbinsville
Grab your date, put on your dancing shoes and get ready to spend the night learning the Cha Cha, Meringue, Salsa and Bachata dance moves. Ravello’s will cater light appetizers.
Valentine’s Day Brunch Cruise
Pier 36, New York
Book a boat ride aboard Liberty Cruise Line on either Feb. 11 or Feb. 14. Take in the NYC skyline while listening to music by a live DJ. Sip mimosas and eat chocolate-covered strawberries.
Love Is in the Air Pop-Up Market
Town & Country Inn, Keyport
Shop to your heart’s content! Treat yourself to something special, such as soaps, candies, chocolates, jewelry, candles and more. There will be 38 unique vendors set up in the ballroom.
Valentine’s Skating in Summit
Elm Street Parking Lot/Village Green, Summit
Grab the kids’ skates and take them down to the Village Green for skating, music, a bonfire, a Valentine’s craft table and chocolate-covered strawberry making.
The Valentine Plunge
Main Beach, Manasquan
Watch as “Plungers” dive into the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean in an effort to raise awareness of and money for ALS. If you feel so inclined, get a team together and join the party! If you prefer to stay bundled up you can watch from the sand.
Parents Night Out
The Dance Connection, Hillsborough
While you share a lovely evening with your love, whether out on the town or relaxing at home, your kids will take a dance class, do arts and crafts and play games.
Creative Families: Handmade With Love
Nature Center of Cape May, Cape May
Use upcycled and natural materials to make a variety of unique and personal valentines to give to friends and family in this workshop great for kids that’s presented by NJ Audubon.
Fresh Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Makers Market Series
Bell Works, Holmdel
You’ll find a wide selection of handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artisans. From jewelry and pottery to candles and artisanal foods, you’ll be shopping ‘til you drop in a cozy atmosphere with live music. The dates this year are Feb. 8 and 11.
Valentines For Nature
Tulpehaking Nature Center, Hamilton
Have you ever worried about the animals during the cold, winter months? Have you ever wished you could provide them with a warm space that wasn’t your living room? Join the Mercer County Park Naturalist in creating animal shelters. These shelters will be made from natural materials and will be taken home to be placed in your backyards.
February 11 and 12
Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
For this weekend, there will be a special wine and chocolate pairing of locally made chocolates and Terhune wines. Chocolate pairing includes wine flight with a souvenir glass, plus chocolates from Pierre’s Chocolates of New Hope, PA.
Valentine’s Day Spa Brunch
Avanti Day Resort, Manalapan
Saturday – Sunday
If you book a treatment service, such as a massage or facial, you can relax having lunch in the Spa Tranquility Room.
Sunday, February 12
Valentine’s Brunch
Bella Vista Country Club, Marlboro
Bring all the loved ones in your life, young and old, for this special brunch buffet. Create your own waffles and omelets, choose from charcuterie and salads, and then check out the separate dessert table.
Renew Your Vows
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Celebrate Valentine’s weekend by saying “I Do” all over again and show your family how you are living happily ever after! Brides will receive a carnation and grooms will get to sample some Chocolate Therapy wine. Then, all your family can have food and wine. It’s a beautiful celebration of love!
Historical Valentines
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
February is the season of love! Discover how penmanship has changed as you view letters and valentines from the 18th and 19th centuries. Create a valentine of your own or write a letter to a friend using historically inspired materials. This project is for kids 10 and up.
Fresh Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Makers Market Series
Porta, Asbury Park
You’ll find a wide selection of handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artisans. From jewelry and pottery to candles and artisanal foods, you’ll be shopping ‘til you drop in a cozy atmosphere with live music.
Valentine’s Activity
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
Stop by the Riverview Court for Valentine’s-themed activities and find your perfect match! Take a simple quiz to find the object that speaks to you. Then, make your own valentine to share.
February 12 – 14
Valentine’s Day With the Animals
Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford
Kids 12 and under will receive free admission when they bring in a handmade valentine for one of the resident animals.
Tuesday, February 14
Valentine’s Day Bird Walk
Lorrimer Sanctuary, Franklin Lakes
Grab your lovebird and enjoy a walk through the forest. This free guided walk will include beginner techniques for finding early nesters. Bring your own binoculars.
Afterschool Adventures: Won’t You Be My Valentine?
Liberty Hall Museum, Union
Drop off the kids and they’ll learn the history of St. Valentine. They will make their own valentines cards to bring home while listening to a favorite Valentine’s Day story. The program is designed for students in grades 1-5 and includes a snack.
Valentine’s Day Family Cookie Decorating
Pinelands Family Success Center, Browns Mills
Cookies and supplies are provided for all of you to make sweet treats for each other.
Valentine’s Day Family Walk & Campfire
Essex County Environmental Center, Roseland
Join a Park Naturalist for a short walk on the trails to experience forest life at night. After, you’ll sit by the campfire and share fire-popped popcorn and mint tea.
Valentine’s Craft Night
PlayDay, Hoboken
You can enjoy a quiet Valentine’s Day date night by dropping off your child for an evening of creative activities, pizza, dancing and fun with friends.
Valentine’s Day with Mal Practice Showband
Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill
Come to the Grand Court for live music in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
Friday, February 17
Teen Nights: Valentine
The Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Teens will dance during a silent disco. During Teen Nights, they also create art, listen to music, capture the moment in a photo booth, dance, win raffles, enjoy refreshments and meet new people.
February 18 and 19
Wine & Chocolate Weekend
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Continue to celebrate Valentine’s Day by tasting chocolate baked goods homemade from Terhune’s own bakery, along with their award-winning wines. With 16 varieties of wines, adults can enjoy a wide array of vino. There will also be chocolates from Pierre’s Chocolates of New Hope, PA.
Sunday, February 19
Valentine’s Soul Jam
Hard Rock Casino & Hotel, Atlantic City
The Whispers, The Stylistics, Bloodstone and Heatwave will warm up the Etess Arena during this special concert.
Through Tuesday, February 28
Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail
Multiple Locations
Various wineries and vineyards in South Jersey will offer special wine and chocolate pairings.
Read More:
Celebrate Galentine’s Day With Your Gal
Valentine’s Day In and Around NJ
Take Your Valentine’s Day to the Next Level
Make a Date for Valentine’s Day Dinner