Looking for Valentine’s Day activities families can enjoy in the East Bay? We are excited to share this round-up of love- and heart-themed activities in February. Read on for our favorite Valentine’s Day activities for families, including special outings, crafts, projects, family together-time, and parents-sneaking-away-but-staying-home time (hint: turn on the TV).
We appreciate the San Francisco Symphony for sponsoring our Favorite Valentine’s Day Activities for Families. This Valentine’s Day, treat your loved ones to a live classical music experience the whole family can enjoy at Music for Families: Music of the Heart with the San Francisco Symphony.
Local Drop-in Activities for Family-friendly Valentine’s Day
Reserve your Spot for Family-friendly Valentine’s Day
Love at the Lake, Lake Chabot Marina
Available throughout February, enjoy a two-hour styled pontoon boat experience at Lake Chabot Marina & Café—perfect for a family memory-making day. Each outing includes curated onboard styling, scenic lake views, and a signature treat basket, with optional add-ons and enhancements available. Reservations start at $209. Learn more >
Tiny Tuesday: Be My Valentine!, Walnut Creek
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 10 am – 12 pm. Join Lindsay Wildlife Experience’s Tiny Tuesday, where children ages 2-5 can visit outside of regular hours to play and learn with an adult caregiver. Explore the natural world and learn how wildlife show their affection. Activities include crafts, storytime, puppet show and up-close experiences with animal ambassadors. Learn more >
Music for Families Music of the Heart, San Francisco
Saturday, Feb 14, 2 pm. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the San Francisco Symphony in a family-friendly concert featuring world-class music in a shorter, engaging format. Designed for ages 5-12 (and welcoming for all), the performance includes playful moments and storytelling that keep kids listening, watching, and feeling the music. Arrive early for the instrument petting zoo. Buy Tickets >
Valentine’s Day Sensory Playdate, Oakland
Saturday, Feb 14, 12 pm. Enjoy a creative afternoon at the EastSide Arts Alliance. Join Habitot Children’s Museum for hands on- sensory play, STEM building, and create mixed media Valentine cards. Register in Advance >
Family Botanical Valentine’s Tea, Berkeley
Saturday, Feb 14, 10 to 11:30 am or 1 – 2:30 pm. UC Berkeley Botanical Garden hosts a lovely botanical tea party to celebrate the ones you love. Children and their grown-ups will explore the garden through an educational walk, make their own tea party snacks and drinks, and craft valentines from pressed botanicals. Select the morning or afternoon session. $24 per child/$28 per adult; discounts for members. Pre-registration is required >
Made with Love: an Oakland Garden Party, Oakland
Saturday, Feb 14, 4 to 6 pm. Join the Oakland Garden Party at Line 51 this Valentine’s Day for an evening of love and community. Arts and crafts tables keep kids busy while parents enjoy the night. Learn More >
Peppa Pig: My First Concert, Walnut Creek
Saturday, Feb 14, 2 pm or 4:30 pm. Treat your loved ones to a fun, interactive, live orchestra show featuring Peppa Pig and her family. Purchase Tickets >
Family Farm Day, Muir Beach
Saturday, Feb 14, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. Share the love with a heartwarming day of nature, crafts, and farmyard fun for the whole family at Slide Ranch’s Valentine’s Family Farm Day. All ages are welcome. $45 per person; children under 3 are free. Registration required >
Be Mine Ballet Bash, Berkeley
Saturday, Feb 14. Tutu School is hosting a Valentine’s party perfect for little dancers. This one hour event will feature a mini class, craft, and snacks. Spaces are available at 5:00 and 6:00 Register here >
Love Forever, small talk city, Berkeley
Saturday, Feb 14, 11 am to 5 pm. Families can enjoy a 90-minute session at Small Talk City featuring a family portrait session, card-making, open studio play, vintage Valentine cartoons, plus snacks and warm beverages. $65 for 1 adult and 2 children. Reserve your session >
Valentine’s Tea, Claremont Resort
Sunday, Feb 15. Book a special Valentine’s Day Tea for your girlfriends or daughters to enjoy a splurge at the Claremont. Tea times are available at 10:00, 12:30 and 3:00. Adults $135 and children $85. Reserve your spot >
Pro tip: Reschedule your Valentine’s date night
It can be really hard to schedule childcare and a dinner out that falls exactly on Valentine’s Day. Can I strongly suggest you take advantage of one of these incredible Parents’ Nights Out programs any night you can get in this month? There are a bunch to choose from: Kids do judo, paint rainbows, watch movies, flop on trampolines, and generally have a blast!
Some of these were submitted by readers who are members of these communities. If you can’t find the info on their website, simply contact them and ask!
- Feb 6: Date Night Drop Off at Swings & Wings, Alameda
- Feb 6: Movie Night at Yama Kids Yoga, Berkeley
- Feb 7: Kids Night Out at Aran’s Art Studio, Castro Valley
- Feb 7: Kids Night Out at Color Me Mine, Alameda
- Feb 7: Parents’ Night Out at Hanabi Judo, Albany
- Feb 28: Kids Night Out at Aran’s Art Studio, Castro Valley
- Feb 20: Date Night Drop Off at Swings & Wings, Alameda
- Feb 27: Parents’ Night Out at Axé Oakland
Kid-friendly Valentine’s Activities at Home
Looking for a fun do-together project at home for you and a kid? Check out some of our ideas to get started.
DIY Valentine’s Day Cards For School
If you have a willing participant, you can take a photo of your child against a blank wall, posed as shown below. Print or order prints. Then, hole-punch twice — above and below your child’s hand in the photo — to stick a lollipop through.
Yarn Crafts
Looking for a simple craft? Try wrapping heart-shaped wooden or cardboard pieces with yarn. My kids were also big fans of making “Love Bugs” use pipe cleaners, pom-poms, yarn, and of course googly eyes to create these cute little creatures.
Thank you to the San Francisco Symphony for sponsoring this Valentine’s Day activities post. Experience live music together at Music for Families: Music of the Heart with the San Francisco Symphony, a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the whole family.
