Today’s guide to the best family Valentine’s ever is sponsored by The Claremont Club and Spa; a Fairmont Hotel. Scroll on for fun outings, at-home activities, and a deal for a delicious dinner.
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. Including romantic dinners, special outings, crafts, projects, family together-time, and parents-sneaking-away-but-staying-home time (hint: turn on the TV).
Spotlight on Valentine’s Offerings from The Claremont Club & Spa, Berkeley
The Claremont is offering a delicious dinner to go for couples. They pack it up so you can assemble and heat it at home with minimal effort. I splurged on the Christmas Dinner and have my eye on this special feast, too.
In the shade of the five palms, they’re offering Valentine cookie decorating on 2/12 and a Sweetheart Skate on Monday 2/14. Read on for more details and more ideas!
We have lots of ideas: ❤ Fun Valentine-y Activities with Kids | Family-friendly Valentine Outings | Romantic Dinner to go ❤
Family-friendly Valentine’s Outings in the East Bay
Community Valentine Mail Art Party, BAMPFA, Berkeley
Saturday, Feb. 5, 12-4 pm for Free with $14 general admission, children 0-18 are free: Families can drop into the museum’s ArtLab to create Valentine’s Day mail art with experimental arts education program No School. Find more details.
Sweetheart Party, Gymboree, El Cerrito
Friday, Feb. 11, 3 pm and Sunday, Feb. 13, 11 am for $30 per child ($5 off for members), $20 for siblings: Enjoy music, dancing, crafts, snacks and more at this family-friendly Valentine’s Day Party. Best for children ages 0-5 with caregiver. Reserve your spot.
Cookie Decorating, The Claremont Club & Spa, Berkeley
Saturday, Feb. 12, at 11 am for $40 per family: My son LOVED this activity. Decorate a dozen cookies in Valentine’s themes, fun for all ages. Nibble as you go or bring them home. Space is limited, the event is outdoors. Reserve your spot.
Mexican Milagros Valentine’s Workshop, Art with Amy, Alameda
Sunday, Feb. 13, at 1-3 pm for $35 per child or adult (adults optional): Make Mexican folk art and learn about Mexican culture and traditions for this heart-shaped charm. Snacks included. Reserve your spot.
Sweetheart Skate, The Claremont Club & Spa, Berkeley
Monday, Feb. 14, 4-8 pm for $20 per adult, $8 per child over 3: Families and couples can skate together while enjoying a gorgeous sunset and special wood-fired pizzas. Treated yourselves to a glass of sparkling wine following your hour of skating. No reservations are required, but capacity will be limited. Find more details.
Pro tip: Reschedule your date night
It can be really hard to schedule childcare and a dinner out that falls exactly on Valentine’s Day in a normal year. 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 loving hedgehogs, flop on trampolines, and generally have a blast! This February, you can find:
- Feb. 5: Movie, fun, and optional judo at Hanabi Judo, Albany
- Feb. 5: Hedgehog Love (painting) at Aran’s Art Studio, Castro Valley
- Feb. 11: Dinner, treats, playtime, and a movie at Swings and Wings, Alameda
- Feb. 19: Pottery painting and Clifford, The Big Red Dog at Color Me Mine, Alameda
- Feb. 19: Kitty Love (painting) at Aran’s Art Studio, Castro Valley
- Feb. 25: Capoeira, pizza, games, outdoor movie at Axé Oakland
Lake Chabot “Love at the Lake”, Castro Valley
February 1 to 28 for a two-hour reservation: As long as we’re in the head-space of “Valentine’s is any day in February,” Splurge on the romantically-styled pontoon boat with a special treat basket for $199 to $249 for floating meal on the water. Bring your kids or don’t. Reserve your spot.
Dinner date at home
Romantic Valentine Dinner to-go from The Claremont Club & Spa, Berkeley
Pick up the nicely-packaged dinner at the carriage house entrance (down in view of the tennis courts). Clear off a whole table and use the nice napkins for a romantic dinner. In previous years, I’ve tried to enlist my children as servers, but it is much easier to order them a pizza and turn on Encanto. Then sink your teeth into this:
❤ First Course: Iceberg Salad with Bacon
❤ Second Course: Beef Wellington, honey-glazed carrots, Yukon potato puree
❤ Dessert: Dark molten chocolate cake with vanilla bean gelato
Place orders here and save 10% with code 510families.
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 (pro tip: Amazon does it for $0.15 per photo!). Then, hole-punch twice — above and below your child’s hand in the photo — to stick a lollipop through.
Valentine’s Day Dessert Class from Kitchen on Fire
Saturday, Feb. 12, noon-2 pm for $65 per household: Learn how to prepare delicious Italian Valentine’s Day Desserts (Flourless Chocolate Cake and Poached Pears in Porto) in a virtual baking class with Chef Maria, recommended for adults and teens. A week before class, you’ll receive your shopping list. Register at Kitchen on Fire >
Child’s Botanical Valentine Tea from UC Botanical Garden
Sunday, Feb. 13 at 10-11 am for $25 per kit ($5 discount for members): Join the garden’s annual Botanical Valentine’s Day Tea Family Program over Zoom. Explore fragrant edible herbs and flowers (kit included) and talk about their many uses. Finish the fun by making valentines from pressed botanicals. Pick up kit from the Garden required either the Friday or Saturday ahead of the Sunday program. Register at UC Botanical Garden >
Penguin Valentine Live Cam
February 12 – 14, 10:30 am for Free: Join California Academy of Science’s colony of African penguins—and the biologists who care for them—in this scientifically adorable annual Valentine’s Day tradition over the museum’s live penguin cam (also in person). You’ll see curious penguins nab felt hearts to line their nests (great for pair-bonding) and learn about the important husbandry work done by our Steinhart Aquarium biologists. Learn more >
Valentine-themed crafty kits from Dolly Project
With 5 adorable themes like “I love you a bot” and “I’m over the rainbow for you”, these preschooler activity kits are sure to sell quickly. Find your fave for $25. Order from Dolly Project >
Heart of Gold painting project from SplashKits
Order in advance. Do it on your own time. SplashKits are do-it-yourself acrylic painting kits great for all ages and skill levels complete with materials. This one is a literal gold heart on a striped background. Order from SplashKits >
Heart-shaped bubbles from Hands-on! Berkeley
Order in advance. Do it on your own time. Is your scientist into bubbles? The take-home science kit for ages 6 to 11 is a delight for about $30. The kit includes ingredients for bubble solution, bubble wands, and a tray — including a heart-shaped bubble wand. Order from Hands-On!
Painting Love Mugs from Color Me Mine, Alameda
Order in advance. Do it on your own time. Order two Love Mugs along with 8 Paint Colors of your choice to paint together (and fire later, included) for $45.99. Order this project before they’re gone. Other sweetheart projects at Color Me Mine include Candy Heart Plate, Valentine’s Tic Tac Toe, heart-shaped bowls. If you have childcare, adults can do their special Paint By Candlelight V-Day Date Night. xo
Thank you again to our sponsor The Claremont Club and Spa; a Fairmont Hotel. Place your romantic dinner orders here and save 10% with code 510families.
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