Valentine’s Day is all about taking the time to remember and spend time with those we love.  What better way to celebrate the holiday than to spend quality time with your little Valentine doing some fun activities.  We’ve picked the best ideas from sweet treats to crafting.    

Maple Sugaring Demonstrations at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center

247 Southern Blvd, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
Maple syrup is winter’s sugary treasure, and it’s not just found in Vermont. The sap is flowing, and the sugaring season is underway at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham Township. Come experience all the sweet sights and smells at one of the Maple Sugaring Demonstrations held on numerous Saturdays and Sundays in February, and March, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Experience the process from start to finish by identifying and tapping maple trees, collecting sap, and seeing syrup made over a wood-fired evaporator. Admission is $3 per person. For more information, please call the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center at 973.635.6629.  Demonstrations take place on the following dates: February: 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 & 28 & March: 1, 7 & 8

Made with Love by Dad & Me Valentine Workshop at Just Bead Yourself

113 Central Ave, 2nd Floor Westfield, NJ 07090
Feb 1, 2, 6, 9
Kids Come in with Parent, Adult or Friend & Design your own Valentine's Day Gifts for Each Other. Special Valentine Projects will be available to choose from including Bracelets, Earrings, Bookmarks and Keychains.  Make Two Gifts for $25. (All ages welcome)  Please call ahead to let them know when you are coming. 908 232-3411

Chocolate Festival at Morris Museum

6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
Sat, Feb 7 11 AM – 4 PM
Enjoy a day of chocolaty fun! Some of the activities include a performance of Alice in Wonderland in the Bickford Theatre, design a mustache for a lollipop, play “Name that Chocolate”, collect chocolate candies throughout the Museum, chocolate tasting and more. 

Free “From the Heart Coupons” Craft at Lakeshore Learning

Cherry Hill, East Brunswick, and Hackensack
Sat, Feb 7 11 AM - 3 PM
Make a card complete with customizable coupons good to give a loved one. 

Valentine Weekend Craft at Imagine That!!!

4 Vreeland Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932
Sat, Feb 7 & Sun, Feb 8 10 AM - 5:30 PM
Make a pretty card for your special Valentine! Show them how much you care!

Michael’s Kids Club - String Art Heart

Sat Feb 7, 10 AM - 12 PM
Drop in. Take home a completed project. Just $2 per child for 30 minutes of creative craft fun. Good for ages 3 and up.  Check their website for the location closest to you.  

Frozen Ball at Liberty Hall

1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Sat, Feb 7, 2 to 4 PM
Liberty Hall has been Frozen over by Queen Elsa and her icy powers!  Join us at this Frozen-themed event and make a craft, play games, and warm up at our delicious hot chocolate bar with some sweet treats. A special guest will also make an appearance, so come dressed as your favorite character!
Recommended for ages 3 – 10.  Program Fee: $20 per child & one adult; additional adults $5.
Reservations required; please call 908-527-0400 or email libertyhall@kean.edu.

Workshop: Parent and Child Valentines Chocolates (Ages 7+) at the Montclair Art Museum

3 South Mountain Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042
Sat, Feb 7 12 - 2 PM
Spend special time with your child creating chocolates to present to your loved ones this Valentine's Day! Students will use candy molds to make a variety of lollipops and chocolates. Personalize your creations with colored white chocolate and candies! Register online at montclairartmuseum.org or call 973-259-5139. Advance registration required

Create Antique Valentine’s Day Cards at Crane House and Historic YWCA

110 Orange Road, Montclair
Sun, Feb 8, 1PM - 4 PM
During regular tours at the Crane House and Historic YWCA bring your family and create antique Valentine Day cards. All activities this day are free!

Children's Art Workshop: Cards by Cupid (Ages 5+) at the Montclair Art Museum

3 South Mountain Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042
Sun, Feb 8 10 AM – 12 PM
Show those you are closest to how much they are loved! In this fun and creative workshop, artists will design a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day card. Decorative papers, glitter, special effects markers, 3D objects, buttons, ribbons, and more will adorn these keepsakes. Students can also write a love note to place inside, making their card ready to deliver! Register online at montclairartmuseum.org or call 973-259-5139. Advance registration required

Kids Valentine’s Day Cookie Class at Shore Cake Supply

3209 Sunset Avenue | Ocean, NJ 07712
Feb 11th, 5:30 PM
Let the kids create something special for grandma, grandpa, mom, dad or their favorite teacher!  Each kid will get to make custom decorated cookies to give to their Valentine!
Other classes include: Tween/Teen Valentines Cake Decorating Night-Fri, Feb 13th, 6-7:30 PM

Stories and More - It's Valentines! At Old Bridge Public Library

One Old Bridge Plaza, Old Bridge NJ 08857
Thu, February 12, 4:15pm – 5:00pm
Make a card and gift for someone special. For Grades K- 3

Valentine’s Day Events at iPlay America

110 Schanck Road, Freehold, NJ 07728

  • Friday, Feb. 13 — Special hours 11 a.m.-midnight. Free concert with Liam Lis, 7 p.m., to kick off the All-New iPlay After Dark from 8 p.m.-midnight — the lights go down and the music gets loud with DJ Kelso playing today’s hottest music with prizes and giveaways all night long. Tickets to see Liam Lis are required and may be downloaded at iPlayAmerica.com/events.
  • Saturday, Feb. 14 — Brunch at iPlay America’s Game Time Bar & Grill. Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe dinner at Game Time Bar & Grill with premium seating to see The Jersey 4. Regular seating also available
  • Sunday, Feb. 15 — Brunch at iPlay America’s Game Time Bar & Grill

Free All Ages Valentine's Day Drop In Craft at Midland Park Library

250 Godwin Ave Midland Park
Fri, Feb 13 3:15 AM - 04:00 PM

Valentine’s Day Skate Parties at International Sports, Skating, & Fun Center

Locations in Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill & Deptford
Fri Feb 13, 5-7:30PM
Friday Family Fun Night: $5.00 Admission Includes All You Can Eat Pizza and All Activities

The Frosty Ball a FROZEN Event! At Garden State Discovery Museum

2040 Springdale Road, Suite 100, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08003
Fri Feb 13, 2015 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Come to the Garden State Discovery Museum’s very first FROZEN Event and Let It Go!  Meet the cast of characters and enjoy a beautiful night of wintery fun!  Enjoy tasty treats and frosty creations.  Dance, sing and craft the night away!  There will be surprises around every corner!

Family Date Night at Jenkinson’s Aquarium

300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Share the love at their first annual Family Date Night on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday February 13th-15th from 5:30-9pm. Celebrate Valentine’s Day family-style with a package of 4 Aquarium admissions, a $10 play card to Jenkinson’s Pavilion Arcade, a pizza and pitcher of soda from Jenkinson’s Pavilion, and treats from Jenkinson’s Sweet Shop for only $39.95.

Valentine’s Day Plunge

Sat Feb 14, Noon Sharp
The plunge is an exciting fundraising event where participants, called Plungers, collect donations for ALS patients in exchange for plunging into the icy Atlantic Ocean.   The Plunge will take place at Main Beach Manasquan located at the end of Main Street.  Spectators are welcome!  Bring your friends and family for support!  http://valentineplunge.com

Valentine's Family Craft at Ridgewood Library

125 N. Maple Ave Ridgewood
Sat Feb 14 11 AM - 11:45 A
Let's decorate Hershey's Miniatures as gifts for someone you love. Registration is required.

Valentine’s Day at the Pop Shop

Two locations: 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, New Jersey
1 South Main St, Medford, NJ (opening in Feb)
For a quick special get-away, take your sweetie to the Pop Shop for pink pancakes, heart-shaped sandwiches, a special Valentine's sundae, Valentine coloring sheets and special treats.

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue at Historic Walnford  

62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ 08501
Sat, Feb 14 from 1-4 PM
Do you have a Valentine for the one you love? View a few elegant framed 19th century Valentines on display at Historic Walnford for inspiration, and then use the supplies we provide to create a beautiful card for the object of your affection. This is the perfect start for a day of romance.

Natural Sweethearts at Tenafly Nature Center

313 Hudson Ave, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Sat, Feb 14, 12 PM - 1:30 PM
Adults and families with children 4 and up join a Tenafly Nature Center Environmental Educator to meet live animals to learn about their sweethearts, make animal valentines and decorate a cookie during the fun Valentine's Day program.

12th Annual Matilda’s Tea Party at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum

353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
Sat, Feb 21 at 1 PM
Invite your favorite child to accompany you for the grand tradition of afternoon tea. Celebrate this grand tradition and honor Miss Matilda Frelinghuysen, who as a child and resident of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum enjoyed this wonderful experience. The 12th Annual Matilda’s Tea Party will be held on Saturday, February 21, at 1 p.m. When Matilda was a child, Hershey Kisses were created, and keeping the tradition, chocolate is this year’s theme. Tea-takers learn the history of chocolate and make their own chocolate treat to take home. This popular program is intended for children ages six and up and is sold-out each year, so reserve your seat at the table early! To register, visit arboretumfriends.org or call 973.326.7603. In the event of snow, Matilda’s Tea will be held on February 28.