Valentine’s Day is almost here, so why not make it a week filled with sweet treats, crafts, and memorable things to do with the family? Glide around the rink at a Valentine’s Day Skate in Summit, make Valentine’s Day cards inspired by Historical Valentines at Historical Walnford in Upper Freehold, and celebrate the season of love with a Valentine’s Day Family Walk and Campfire in Newark. And if you’re lucky enough to carve out some alone time, check out our guide to romantic things for the two of you to do at home or out. Scroll down to make this Valentine’s Day week and weekend fun for the whole family. (featured photo credit:istock/RyanJLane)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Scavenger Hunt February: Love is in the Air
February 1 – 12 at 8 AM
Find all the reasons to love the winter garden at Frelinghuysen Arboretum. This scavenger hunt is the perfect family activity to kick off the season of love.
Cost: Registration costs $10 per family or group of 6
353 E Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960
My Little Man and Me: Valentine’s Day Party
February 4 at 1 PM
A Valentine’s Day party that celebrates sons, grandsons, and nephews. Enjoy games, crafts, snacks, punch, and a photo booth area while making special memories.
Cost: $5-$30; recommended for ages 4-8.
Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
(908) 527-0400
Just in Time for Valentine’s Day Vendor and Craft Fair
February 5 at 11 AM
Pick up that special gift with over 50 vendors at this fair, filled with crafts and activities, door prizes, food and refreshments, a photo booth, and free admission for all.
Cost: Free
Old Bridge High School, 4209 County Road 516, Matawan, NJ 07747
Valentine’s Day Dance
February 10 at 6 PM
Share the love at a Valentine’s Day dance for those with ASD and other special needs. Enjoy snacks, games, Valentine’s Day-related activities, and music.
Cost: $10
2087 US-9 2087 U.S. 9 Upper Township, NJ 08230
Love is in the air! POP UP Market
February 11 at 10 AM
Visit the Pop-Up Market at Town & Country Diner in Keyport and shop for soaps, candies and chocolates, jewelry, and candles for your sweetie.
Cost: Free
Town & Country Inn, Rt. 35 North, Keyport, NJ 07735
Old-Fashioned Valentine’s Day at Howell Living History Farm
February 11 at 10 AM
Cozy up for Valentine’s Day ride on a two-seater sleigh, carriage, bobsled, or hayride. There will be soup on the stove, and a children’s craft is available for a small fee between 11 AM and 3 PM.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
Creative Families: Handmade with Love
February 11 at 11 AM
Bring the whole family to make a special Valentine’s Day memento using upcycled and natural materials. Choose from projects like fortune cookie valentines, seed paper hearts, and walnut heart necklaces.
1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
Cost: $30 per person for members. Nonmembers pay $38 per person.
Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar 2023
February 11 at 12 PM
It’s a fun-filled day with local and regional vendors selling goods and gifts handmade with love. Shop at both pop-up locations at The Asbury Hotel and Grand Arcade of Convention Hall. There will be local vendors, food and libations, photo stations, a flower bar, and workshops.
Cost: Free
The Asbury Hotel, 210 Fifth Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. N. unit c-4, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Bell Works Fresh Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Market
February 11 at 1 PM
Spend an afternoon shopping with your fam. Explore the 70 vendor shops that feature artisans, makers, and more for Valentine’s Day.
Cost: Free
Bell Works – 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 226-8818
Valentines for Nature
February 11 at 1 PM
The whole family can join Mercer County Park Naturalists to make animal shelters from natural materials. Create a cozy space that can be taken home and placed in your own backyard.
Cost: Free
157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton, NJ 08610
Valentine’s Skating in Summit
February 11 at 1 PM
Skate with your sweeties at this family event, where skating sessions will be every half hour, with free skate rentals. After a glide around the ice, enjoy making Valentine’s crafts, eating chocolate-covered strawberries, and warming up with bonfires, music, and complimentary cocoa.
Cost: Free
Summit Elm Street Parking Lot/Village Green
The Valentine Plunge
February 11
Brace yourself for fun at the 17th annual Valentine’s plunge—meet up at Manasquan Main beach and plunge into the icy Atlantic Ocean for a good cause–donations for ALS patients. If you can’t brave the freezing cold ocean, you can come to cheer participants on.
Cost: Free
E Main St, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Historical Valentines at Historic Walnford
February 12 at 12 PM
Take a step back in time where kids can get inspired by the 19th-century Valentines on display at Historic Walnford and make their own.
Cost: Free
62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ 08501
(609) 259-6275
Asbury Fresh Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Market at Porta
February 12 at 12 PM
Need to shop for V-Day gifts? Go local and shop among artisans and makers while indulging in yummy drinks and food at Porta in Asbury Park.
Cost: Free
Porta, 911 Kingsley Street, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Valentine’s Day with the Animals
February 12 – 14
Show your love with a Valentine’s Day card—kids receive free admission with a handmade valentine for one of their resident animals. They will display all cards in the Nature Center.
Cost: Kids under 12 free with Valentine, adults $10
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, 4 Sawmill Road, Medford, NJ 08055
(856) 983-3329
Valentine’s Day Bird Walk
February 14 at 9:30 AM
Bring your love and binoculars to this free guided bird walk at Lorrimer Sanctuary. Learn about beginner techniques for birdwatching and looking for early nesters. This program is entirely outside; please dress appropriately.
Cost: Free
Lorrimer Sanctuary, 790 Ewing Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
Pier Village Valentine’s Day
February 14 at 4 PM
Enjoy an evening of dinner, shopping, and ice skating, complimented with free Horse and Carriage Rides while listening to the sounds of love with a duo of singers through Pier Village. After, head to the arcades and the carousel, or just cozy up with hot chocolate and take in the sights.
Cost: Free
Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ 07740
After-School Adventure: Won’t You Be My Valentine?
February 14 at 4 PM
Start your child’s after-school adventure with a lesson on the history of St. Valentine at Liberty Hall Museum. Attendees will make their own Valentine’s day cards to bring home while enjoying Valentine’s Day stories. This program is designed for students in grades 1st to 5th and includes a snack. Reservations required.
Cost: $10-$12
Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Valentine’s Day Family Cookie Decorating
February 14 at 5:30 PM
Make the day sweet by decorating Valentine’s Day cookies with the whole fam. Cookies and supplies will be provided.
Cost: Free
55 Pemberton Browns Mills Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Valentine’s Day Family Walk & Campfire
February 14 at 6 PM
Take the family out on Valentine’s Day to experience the wonders of forest life at night. You will join a park naturalist for a short walk on the trails and then enjoy a campfire, fire-popped popcorn, and mint tea. Make sure to dress for the weather.
Cost: The fee is $30 per family (up to two adults and two children) or $10 per child and $12
per adult
115 Clifton Ave, Newark, NJ 07104
Teen Nights: Valentine
February 17 at 6 PM
Get your teens excited for Valentine’s Day at The Newark Museum of Art after dark, when the museum will be closed to the public. Attendees will dance the night away at a silent disco, create art, listen to music, win raffles, enjoy refreshments, and meet new people.
Cost: Free
49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102
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