Love is the air! We can all use some more love in our lives and there are plenty of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home. This year, Chicagoland businesses are offering virtual events and activities to make the most of the holiday.
Color a Vintage Valentine
When: Feb. 1-15
Hosted by: Wilmette Historical Museum
Cost: Free
Download a vintage valentine from the museum’s website, then color it to share with family, neighbors and friends to spread some love during a socially distanced winter. There are several 1930s Valentines from the Wilmette Historical Museum’s collection to choose from.
Lovable Animals Story Time
When: Feb. 2, 9
Hosted by: Lozano Branch, Chicago Public Library
Get ready for Valentine’s Day with stories, songs, and rhymes about our cuddly furry friends! Miss Megan from the Lozano Branch will feature a different animal each week to help us all feel the love.
Chicago’s Sweet Candy History
When: Feb. 4
Hosted by: Blue Island Public Library
Cost: Free, registration required
For most of its history, Chicago produced 1/3 of the nation’s candy. Families might know some of them like Mars Snickers bars or Frango mints. Learn some of the history behind these tasty treats and explore what made Chicago such a powerful location for candy makers.
Love Bug Box
When: Feb. 5, 11 and 12 for curbside pickup
Cost: $25, $20 members
The DuPage Children’s Museum created a “Love Bug Box” filled with fun crafts and activities inspired by Valentine’s Day. Kids ages 3 and up can design their own pop-up cards or make someone’s day with kindness challenges. Box are on sale through Feb. 10 while supplies last.
3D Valentine Card Workshop
When: Feb. 6
Hosted by: Chicago Children’s Museum
Cost: Free, registration required
Kids can learn about empathy and thinking of others by making Valentine’s Day cards. The family workshop will teach participants how to add a “pop-up” feature to a valentine for the extra element of surprise and delight for the recipients.
Children’s Animal Valentine Card Craft Pick Up
When: Feb. 11-14
Hosted by: Trailside Museum of Natural History
Cost: Free
Kids ages 3-8 can create a cute animal Valentine’s Day card to give to an animal at Trailside Museum or to their valentine. Pick up a bag at the Museum with all the materials needed except crayons, glue and scissors. Bags are available Feb. 11-14, or while supplies last.
Reading for Young People: Jillian Tamaki
When: Feb. 13
Hosted by: Poetry Foundation
Cost: Free
Join the Poetry Foundation for a special Valentine’s Day-themed reading for young people ages 8 and under with Jillian Tamaki. Tamaki is the author and illustrator of the picture books They Say Blue and Our Little Kitchen.
Virtual Valentine’s Victorian Tea
When: Feb. 13
Hosted by: Lombard Historical Society
Cost: $0-$10, preregistration required
Families can learn the origins of tea, high tea vs. afternoon tea, and the rules of the Victorian Tea. Registered participants will be emailed a link to join. Paid participants will receive a vintage teacup and saucer as well as individually wrapped sweets that will be available for contactless pickup.
ValenSLIME Party
When: Feb. 13
Hosted by: Sherman Park Branch, Chicago Public Library
Go on a virtual valentine scavenger hunt, play a valentine game, make a valentine card and make valentine slime! Grab and Go ValenSLIME Party Kits will be available for pick up at the Sherman Park Branch starting Feb. 6 while supplies last.
Laurie Berkner’s Valentine’s Day Party Virtual Concert
When: Feb. 14
Hosted By: Laurie Berkner
Cost: $20 Regular/$80 Meet & Greet Add-On Package
Children’s musician Laurie Berkner will treat fans of all ages to a live virtual concert. Berkner’s Valentine’s Day concerts will feature songs of love, family, and friendship, like “A Hug From My Mama,” and “I Love You Daddy,” along with an array of Laurie’s greatest hits.
Send a Valentine to a Farmyard Friend
When: Feb. 14
Hosted by: Lambs Farm
Cost: $2-$25
The animals at Lambs Farm can sure use some extra love this Valentine’s Day. Choose between heart-shaped treats or roses and then select the animal from this list you’d like to send your the surprise to. Tune in on Facebook Day on Feb. 14 to watch the staff deliver the treats.
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This article originally published on ChicagoParent.com on Feb. 1, 2019. It has been updated with the most recent information.
