Spend some time with your favorite sweethearts taking advantage of the local Family Valentine Fun ideas in the Twin Cities starting the last weekend of January. Here are some ideas to get you started, including a super simple cookie recipe and inspiration for crafty gifts, family adventures, kid-friendly parties and Valentine-making events around the Twin Cities.
Minneapolis & St Paul Valentine’s Day Ideas for kids & Families
Valentine Crafting Events & Parties
MINNEAPOLIS RECREATION CENTERS are overflowing with opportunities for kids to make handmade valentines and celebrate with kids in the community. You can sign up for free or inexpensive programs at the following spots (with a few exceptions):
EAST PHILLIPS PARK: Community Connect Valentine’s Day
2307 17th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Snowshoe in the park, make heart art and scarf pizza. February 14, 2023, 4-7pm. FREE.
ELLIOT PARK: Valentine’s Day Card Making & Movie
1000 E 14th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Decorate cards and watch a Valentine’s movie w/ popcorn. Kids under 10 must have caregiver. February 14, 2023, 5:30-8pm. FREE.
MCRAE PARK: Artrageous Preschool Valentine Party
906 E 47th St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Go all out for Valentine’s Day with a craft keepsake, storytelling, treats and a photo booth. February 11, 2023, 3-4:30pm. $25-$38/child-adult pair.
PAINTER PARK: Love in a Bag
Pickup at 620 W 34th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
A kit stocked with everything you need for a sweet Valentine’s Day at home with the kids: cookie dough, card-making materials and a sewing craft. Pickup between February 10-13, 3-9pm. $10-$17.50/kit.
WAITE PARK: Valentine Crafts
1810 34th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
The arts and crafts room is stocked with materials for homemade valentine cards. Ages 6-12 years. February 9, 2023, 6-7:30pm. $5/pp.
WEBBER PARK: Toddler Valentine’s Day Party
4401 N Bryant Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55412
Games, music and more valentine fun for kids under age 6 with caregiver. February 14, 2023, 10-11:30am. FREE.
ST PAUL RECREATION CENTERS are getting in on the crafting act, too. Note that some of these events are drop-off and some are filling quickly.
Duluth & Case: Valentine Cookies, Candies & Card Making
Duluth & Case Recreation Center, 1020 Duluth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106
Drop off event for kids ages 7-15 to make cookies, candies and cards for Valentines Day. Register for event #42194. Limited openings. February 13, 2023; 5-7pm. FREE.
El Rio Vista: Valentine’s Love Bug with Kidcreate Studio
El Rio Vista Recreation Center, 179 Robie St E., Saint Paul, MN 55107
Kids ages 18 months to 7 years with caregivers will sculpt, paint and decorate a ladybug with heart-shaped wings. Register for event #42278. Limited openings. February 9, 2023; 10am-11am. $10/child.
El Rio Vista: Parent Night Out – Valentine’s Day Drop Off
Kids ages 6-13 will have a fun night of gym time, games, food and a movie while parents get a date night. Register for event #41786. Limited openings. February 14, 2023; 5:30pm-9pm. $8/child.
Highwood Hills: Valentine’s Day Craft
Highwood Hills Recreation Center, 2188 Londin Lane, Saint Paul, MN 55119
Children ages 8-13 can make a Valentine craft with the rec center staff. Register for event #42867. Limited openings. February 14, 2023; 3-4:30pm. FREE.
Martin Luther King: Valentine’s Day Celebration
Martin Luther King Recreation Center, 271 Mackubin St., Saint Paul, MN, 55102
Kids ages 7-12 will cook treats and make crafts. Participants are encouraged to wear red, pink or white to celebrate Valentines Day. Register for event #42283. Limited openings. February 14, 2023; 5pm-6:30pm. FREE.
Merriam Park: Valentine’s Day Crafts
Merriam Park Recreation Center, 2000 St. Anthony, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Children ages 4-10 can make a Valentine craft with the rec center staff. Register for event #42187. Limited openings. February 14, 2023; 4:30-5:30pm. FREE.
Phalen: Valentine’s Create Night with Kidcreate Studio
Phalen Recreation Center, 1000 E. Wheelock, Saint Paul, MN 55106
Learn about and get inspired by Jackson Pollock while making canvas hearts. Ages 5 & up. Register for event #41797. Limited openings. February 10, 2023; 6:40-8pm. $36/pair.
More Valentine’s Day Events & Ideas
Blind Date With A Book
Wild Rumpus Books, 2720 West 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
Fall in love with a new book. Stop by Wild Rumpus and/or the Red Balloon Bookshop to pick out a book based only on the description. Display curated by the booksellers. All of February during Open Store Hours.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts: Love Local Open House
1011 S Washington Ave #100, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Homemade Valentines? We’ve made them here – try some screen printing, letter-press, button-maker and other activities to create custom cards. February 4, 2023, 10am-12pm.
Kids at the Castle: Hearts & Hugs
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Our favorite playdate at a castle will have a Valentine theme this February weekend. Friday registration. Saturday registration. (Fridays seem to sell out faster than Saturdays). February 17 or 18, 2023; 9am-10am. $10/family includes museum admission for all.
Northwest Metro – Twin Cities Valentine’s Day Ideas
Family Valentine Adventure Trail
Eastman Nature Center, 13351 Elm Creek Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
The hour-long program includes valentine-themed stations along a trail, valentine-making, a bonfire and treats. February 11, 2023, register for spots between 10am & 2pm. $6/pp.
Valentines & Love Bugs at Arbor Lakes
The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, 12459 Elm Creek Blvd N Maple Grove, MN 55369
Valentine crafts, selfies and treats for kids 12 & under while supplies last. Located across from H&M. February 11, 2023, 1-2:30pm. FREE.
Southwest Metro – Twin Cities Valentine’s Day Ideas
Pre-K Creative Play: Celebrate Love
Eden Prairie Senior Center, 8950 Eden Prairie Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Make Valentine decorations or gifts using clay, paper or other medium. Part of a twice-monthly, parent/child preschool arts program, classes explore outdoors when weather permits and explores different ways to be creative together. Ages 3-6 with parent. February 4, 2023; 10am-11:30am. $15/parent-child pair. Registration required.
Valentine’s Splash
Eden Prairie Community Center, 16700 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Enjoy a family-friendly open swim with a Valentine theme. Bring a non-perishable item to receive a mini Valentine rubber duck. All ages. February 10, 2023; 5pm-7:50pm. Open Swim fees apply. Family of Five $25.50.
Valentines Day Parent’s Night Out
IGM Gymnastics, 12117 Riverwood Dr, Burnsville, MN 55337
Drop the kids off for a pizza party and open gym with bounce house, while the grownups get a night out. February 11, 2023; $40-$45/child.
Mall of America Toddler Tuesday
Rotunda, 60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425
The longtime Toddler Tuesday program is now a monthly event. In February, it takes place on Valentine’s Day with a special party. February 14, 2023; 11am-1pm.
Valentine’s Candle-Lit Stroll
Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN 55423
Families of all ages can stroll through candle-lit trails followed by hot cocoa and s’mores by a bonfire. Give yourselves at least 30 minutes to walk the trail. Register for event #5866. February 14, 2023; 6-8pm. $6/pp.
Skate with Your Date
Staring Lake Park, 14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Bring your dates of all ages to Staring Lake to ice skate, listen to music, gather around a bonfire and eat cookies. Cookies and loaner skates both limited to first come, first served. February 14, 2023; 5pm-7:30pm. Free. All Ages.
DIY Family Valentine Fun, Crafts and Activities
Paper Plate Valentine Crafts
Local craft blog Non-Toy Gifts has published The Ultimate List of 45 Valentine Paper Plate Crafts. Not into paper plate crafts? Search keyword “Valentine” Steph has gathered an impressive collection of Valentine craft ideas.
ArtScraps Creativity Kit
ArtStart ArtScraps, 1459 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Order your DIY Valentine kit from the Re-use shop (or any other themed creativity kits!) to beat boredom and send joy to family and friends. Pick up your kit in Saint Paul to avoid shipping fees. $40 per kit.
Make Cookies Together
Try our recipe for easy sugar cookies, strike out on your own with your favorite go-to cookie recipe, or try these sweet and blessedly simple recipe for Red Velvet Cookies from local food blog Dining with Alice.
Crafty Project: Valentine Love Journal
Joy’s family had fun making love journals for grandparents a few years ago. These would make a heartfelt gift for any family member.
Make Valentines Day An Opportunity to Spread Kindness
Doing Good Together offers a month-long Valentines 28-days of Kindness Challenge. Even if you come across this in mid-February it is never too late to start. These ideas are universal.
Try These ARTrageous Valentines Crafts
A few years ago, we have asked art expert, owner of ARTrageous Adventures, and Twin Cities mom, Amanda Vallone, for some ideas to celebrate with your family. She shared these 5 Ways to Make Valentine’s Day a Family Affair.
DIY Rolled Paper Roses Valentine
Gianna shares directions for these colorful roses in her February section of Arts and Crafts for Kids Throughout the Year.
Leave us a message if you know of some Twin Cities family Valentine fun that we missed. We’ll share your ideas with the community.