It’s February and it will be Valentine’s Day before you know it. Even though the holiday originated as a special day for the person you love, once you have children, it somehow becomes about them too. That’s okay though, those little ons steal your heart.
Don’t forget about our sweet Valentine’s Day crafts and Little Daisy Bake Shop’s Valentine Design Contest — the deadline is February 8!
Here are ways for you to enjoy Valentine’s Day as a family:
Valentine’s Day Cupcake Creation
Who: Kids 7 – 12.
What: Design delicious Valentine’s Day cupcakes and eat them!
Where: Geyer Family YMCA, 159 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042.
When: Friday, February 3 from 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm.
Cost: $15 members / $20 non-members. Register by calling 973.783.7640
Who: All ages.
What: Children will enjoy Valentine-themed snacks, participate in games, arts & crafts and receive a goodie bag. Tweety will be here to take pictures with the kids and lead them in some dances.
When: Saturday, February 4 at 12 pm.
Cost: $12 per child / $10 per adult. Reservation required by calling 973.429.0960.
Funday Sunday: Very Valentine
Who: Ages 3 (potty-trained) – kindergarten.
What: Full day of fun! Swimming, gym, arts & crafts, and more!
Where: Geyer Family YMCA, 159 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042.
When: Sunday, February 5 from 11 am – 3 pm
Cost: $35 members / $45 non-members / $20 for each additional sibling.
Very Valentines Kid ClassWho: Kids ages 4 – 10.
Where: Whole Foods Montclair, 701 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042.
Cost: $5 per child. Register by calling 973.746.5110
Good Cooks: Be My Valentine
Who: Mini-chefs ages 3-5 with a grown-up.
What: The Good Cooks classes offers lots of fun for children as they begin to learn about food, kitchen skills and kitchen safety. You’ll make: Heartwarming Pizza; Heart Tarts; Cupid Cupcakes; Lemony Love Potion.
Where: King’s Cooking Studio, 778 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills, NJ.
When: Saturday, February 11 from 10 am – 11:30 am.
Cost: $45. Register here.
Parents Night Out – Kids Valentine PJ Party!
Who: Kids ages 4 and older.
What: Get your social life back on track! Parents get to go out (or have a relaxing night in) “guilt-free” and have fun knowing that your children are not just waiting for you by the TV – but are having fun too at the coolest dance party in town!
Where: Dancers Pointe, 1874, Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ. 973.762.6575.
When: Saturday, February 11 from 6 pm – 9 pm.
Cost: $20. Reservations are required, as space fills up quickly! Call 908-241-9595 or email here.
Kids Love Chocolate
Who: Mini-chefs ages 7-9 with a grown-up.
What: Who doesn’t love chocolate? Cookies, brownies, cake, souffle—need we say more.
Where: King’s Cooking Studio, 778 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills, NJ.
When: Saturday, February 11 from 1 pm – 3pm.
Cost: $45. Register here.
Valentine’s Day Arts & Crafts
Who: Age 2 -10.
What: Create a mixed media Valentine’s Day inspired painting utilizing acrylic paints, pastels and paper.
Where: Express Yourself Studios, 1877 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ.
When: Saturday, February 11. Drop-in any time between 11 am and 3 pm.
Cost: The workshop fee is $15, one hour of studio time and all materials and Valentine’s Day treats included. Call 973.763.5256 for more information.
Valentine Chocolate Workshop
Who: Ages 3 – 12 with a parent.
What: Make delicious chocolate for Valentine’s Day!
Where: Geyer Family YMCA, 159 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042.
When: Saturday, February 11 from 1 pm – 2 pm
Cost: $25 members / $30 non-members
Family Valentine Night
Who: Families with kids ages 3 – 9.
What: Dress in your favorite pink or red outfit and enjoy a Sweetheart Dance, Art For Your Heart, Sea of Love Swimming and much more!
Where: Geyer Family YMCA, 159 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042.
When: Saturday, February 11 from 6 pm – 8 pm
Cost: Free for members / $10 per child for non-members
Valentine Cookie DecoratingWho: All ages.
Chocolate Festival
Who: All ages.
What: Enjoy a day of chocolaty fun!
Activities include: Transform a lollipop into a superhero, Create the Morris Museum chocolate festival mascot, Play “Name that Chocolate”, Chocolate-making demonstrations, Chocolate tasting, Create a cupcake creature stick puppet, Make a love bug and Celebrate your favorite dessert by drawing it on our community dessert tray
Where: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ
When: Saturday, February 11 from 11 am – 4 pm
Cost: Free for members/ non-members: $7/child, $10/adult
Montclair Community Pre-K Sweethearts Dance
Who: Adults.
What: The Montclair Community Pre-K (MCPK) Parent Association will host it annual Sweethearts Dance, an event held yearly in honor of the late Town Councilor Nicole Schnarr who was instrumental in creating the MCPK in 1997. Proceeds will benefit the financial aid for tuition that the MCPK offers to Montclair families in order for them to afford a high quality early childhood program. This afternoon of dance, fun and festivities will include beautiful raffle baskets, refreshments and entertainment. Mr. James and Mr. Marlin from the Geyer Family YMCA will lead fun games and provide music for this family gathering.
Where: Hillside School Gymnasium, 54 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ, 07042.
When: Sunday, February 12 from 2 pm – 4 pm.
Cost: Advance tickets are $5 per person, with a family maximum of $25 and $7 at the door. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the school at 973.509.4500.
Family Valentine’s Day Brunch with Los Mas Valientes
Who: All ages.
What: Bring the whole family for a special holiday brunch accompanied by salsa, jazz, and Afro-Cuban jazz at New Jersey’s premier live jazz club. Los Mas Valientes plays cutting-edge Latin jazz and classic Nuyorican salsa dura, but we are so much more!
Where: Trumpets Jazz Club, 6 Depot Square, Montclair, NJ, 07042
When: Sunday, February 12 at 12 pm and 1:30 – pm
Cost: Music cover: $10 / children age 12 and under: $2. Reservations are recommended: 973-744-2600
(Photo: Flickr)
(Photo: Flickr)
(Photo: Flickr)
