Looking for something special to do with your love bugs for Valentine's Day? Check out this list of fun events for families around the bay area, go out and feel the love in the air!
If you know of a Valentine's Day event that we've missed, email us at relomomsv@gmail.com, and we'll add it to the list.

Happy Valentine's Day!

February 4, 2017
Make a Valentine Treat Bag - Kid's Club at Michael's (Multiple Locations)
Kids 3 and up can make a fun Valentine Treat Bag designed by Sprout. Sign up online or just drop in. $2 per project, supplies included. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.

February 7, 2017
Valentine Hearts at The library (San Jose)
Get ready for Valentine's Day by making a Valentine's paper stained glass window craft. Have fun while creating this mosaic window out of tissue paper! This pretty design can be used to decorate your home or you can give your craft to someone you care about! Designed for ages 3 and up but all ages are invited! 

February 8, 2017
Wild Valentines at Lindsay (Walnut Creek)
Wild Valentines at Lindsay is a celebration of love! Learn some facts about the wild animals and their love lives. Special crafts for kids all week long!

Valentine’s Zip Line Delivery (West Valley Branch Library, San Jose)
Play science cupid this year by creating a Valentine’s zip-line. For children 6 and up.

February 9, 2017
Valentine's Zip Line Delivery
Play science cupid this year by creating a Valentine’s zip-line. For children 6 and up.
Seven Trees Branch Library, Vineland Branch Library, Bascom Branch Library. 

February 10, 2017
Valentine's Zip Line Delivery
Play science cupid this year by creating a Valentine’s zip-line. For children 6 and up.
Pearl Avenue Branch Library, Tully Community Branch Library, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.

Valentine's Day Craft (Cambrian Branch Library, San Jose)
Come and make cute Valentine's Day Crafts. This activity is suitable for preschoolers.


February 11, 2017
One Love: A Celebration of Art and Community (San Francisco)
Celebrate love, tolerance, and diversity at the de Young this Valentine’s Day weekend. Enjoy music, art making, tours, and more while exploring the many voices reflected in our permanent collections and discovering various expressions of love.


Valentine Card Crafting Event (San Jose)

Visit Hanna Andersson at Westfield Valley Fair for kids Valentine's Day card crafting!

Valentine's Zip Line Delivery
Play science cupid this year by creating a Valentine’s zip-line. For children 6 and up.
Village Square Branch Library, East San José Carnegie Branch Library, Alum Rock Branch Library, Alviso Branch Library. 

Make Valentine's Day Cookies - Kid's Club at Michael's (Multiple Locations)
Kids 3 and up can decorate Valentine's Day Cookies. Sign up online or just drop in. $2 per project, supplies included. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.

Will Zoo Be Mine? (San Francisco)
Feel the love at San Francisco Zoo & Gardens! Celebrate Valentine’s Day at SF Zoo by taking a “Lovers Stroll” to visit animal couples, mates and families and decorate a Valentine for your favorite animal. 

Make-A-Valentine! (Rose Garden Branch Library, San Jose) 
Come for weekend fun and create valentines for family, friends and loved ones! This arts and crafts program will have you exercise your artistry, creativity and imagination skills as you paint, draw, cut, color, paste and design beautiful valentines! All ages are welcome to join in on the fun!

February 12, 2017
Love and Ice Cream at Hidden Villa (Los Altos)
What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than by making sweet treats? Enjoy learning how to make delicious vanilla-lemon chocolate chip ice cream flavored with fresh fruits and herbs you pick from the beautiful garden. Meet the lovely dairy cow Vida up close and learn how she converts the work of worms into the main ingredient for this favorite treat!
For ages 5 and up. $30 for an adult and first child, $15 for any additional adults or children.

Will Zoo Be Mine? (San Francisco)
Feel the love at San Francisco Zoo & Gardens! Celebrate Valentine’s Day at SF Zoo by taking a “Lovers Stroll” to visit animal couples, mates and families and decorate a Valentine for your favorite animal.

February 13, 2017
Valentine's Zip Line Delivery
Play science cupid this year by creating a Valentine’s zip-line. For children 6 and up.
Santa Teresa Branch Library, Hillview Branch Library.  

February 14, 2017
Valentine's Zip Line Delivery (Almaden Branch Library, San Jose)
Play science cupid this year by creating a Valentine’s zip-line. For children 6 and up.

Ardenwood Historic Farm Naturalist Program activities - February 2017

Ardenwood is a Victorian era working farm with a blacksmith shop, farmyard, Victorian garden and house, train rides and more. Read about our visit here. 

Thursday, 2/2/17

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Friday, 2/3/17

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Saturday, 2/4/17

Hens Lay Eggs - Bring the little ones to the farm to meet the chickens. We’ll listen to a story, see what a hen’s feathers feel like, and search the coop for eggs. 10:30-11am.

Wonderful Wool – 11am-noon.

Victorian Table Top Games - Ready for some old-fashioned fun? Challenge your family and friends to a game of ball and cup, tops, or Jacob’s Ladder as you delve into the box of games from days-gone-by. 1:30-2:30pm.

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Sunday, 2/5/17

Sweet, Spicy and Scented - Sometimes sweet, sometimes spicy, and always scented, sachets are more than an olfactory de-light. Discover the numerous historic uses for sachets, and personalize your own scented bag to bring home. 11am-noon.

Rabbit Rendezvous - Hop on over for a warm welcome from some of the farm’s furriest residents. Learn why rabbits are great hoppers and how they use their long ears to sense danger. 12-12:30pm.

Farewell to the Monarchs - Discover what life is like for monarch butterflies as they begin their journey home. Meet at the granary for a slide presentation, make your own monarch butterfly craft and then stroll out to the greenhouse to see their life cycle in action. 1:30-3pm.

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Thursday, 2/9/17

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Friday, 2/10/17

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Saturday, 2/11/17

Fun with Felting - Have some good, clean fun as you learn how felt is made from sheep’s wool, and then make a felt toy to take home. 10:30-11:30am.

Beginning Embroidery - Victorians loved to embroider, and you will too! Learn some basic embroidery stitches and you will be able to decorate all sorts of cloth objects. Training materials supplied. 12:30-1:30pm.

Learn the Ropes - Make rope with an antique machine, and then see how lots of rope plus a few pulleys make hoisting hay bales into the barn loft a cinch. 2-3pm.

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Sunday, 2/12/17

Sweet, Spicy and Scented - Sometimes sweet, sometimes spicy, and always scented, sachets are more than an olfactory de-light. Discover the numerous historic uses for sachets, and personalize your own scented bag to bring home. 11am-noon.

Curious Caterpillars - Come find the hungry monarch caterpillars as they munch away on lots of milkweed leaves. Learn about their lifecycle and make your very own caterpillar to take home. 12:30-1:30pm.

Meet the Chickens - Check out the coop full of chickens! Discover why they like to roam around the farmyard and scratch and peck at the ground while you feed them a little snack. 2-2:30pm.

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Wednesday, 2/15/17

Toddler Time - Bring the tots out for an exciting morning at the farm. Read a story, do some chores, and meet some farm friends. Little ones will enjoy a variety of activities at their own pace. Ages 1-4. 10:30-114:45am. 


Thursday, 2/16/17

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Friday, 2/17/17

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm.


Saturday, 2/18/17

Farmyard Storytime - Little Red Hen, the Billy Goats Gruff and other farmyard friends are waiting to meet you! Join the story circle for some classic barnyard tales before visiting the main characters. 10:30-11:30am.

Beginning Embroidery - Victorians loved to embroider, and you will too! Learn some basic embroidery stitches and you will be able to decorate all sorts of cloth objects. Training materials supplied. 12:30-1:30pm.

Meet the Bunnies - Come meet the farm rabbits. Learn why they have big ears, their favorite food and how they communicate. 2-2:30pm.

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm.


Sunday, 2/19/17

Chores for little farmers - Rise and shine! Lend a hand! Start with a story before preparing a morning treat for the farm animals, clean a corral, and meet the sheep and goats. 10:30-11am.

Milkweed for monarchs - Meet at the greenhouse to plant some milk-weed seeds to bring home to grow in your own garden and learn about the cool relationship between milkweed and monarchs. 11-noon.

Victorian Table Top Games - Ready for some old-fashioned fun? Challenge your family and friends to a game of ball and cup, tops, or Jacob’s Ladder as you delve into the box of games from days-gone-by. 1:30-2:30pm.

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm.


Wednesday, 2/22/17

Toddler Time - Bring the tots out for an exciting morning at the farm. Read a story, do some chores, and meet some farm friends. Little ones will enjoy a variety of activities at their own pace. Ages 1-4. 10:30-114:45am.


Thursday, 2/23/17

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Friday, 2/24/17

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Saturday, 2/25/17

Farmyard story time - Little Red Hen, the Billy Goats Gruff and other farmyard friends are waiting to meet you! Join the story circle for some classic barnyard tales before visiting the main characters. 10:30-11:30am.

Beginning Embroidery - Victorians loved to embroider, and you will too! Learn some basic embroidery stitches and you will be able to decorate all sorts of cloth objects. Training materials supplied. 12:30-1:30pm.

Meet the Bunnies - Come meet the farm rabbits. Learn why they have big ears, their favorite food and how they communicate. 2-2:30pm.

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm. 


Sunday, 2/26/17

Fun with Felting - Have some good, clean fun as you learn how felt is made from sheep’s wool, and then make a felt toy to take home. 10:30-11:30am.

Corn mosaics - Learn how to turn the freshly-harvested Indian corn into a fun craft for the whole family! Use the rainbow of colored kernels to make your own mosaic. 11:30-12:30pm.

Rope making & hay hoisting - Make rope with an antique machine, and then see how lots of rope plus a few pulleys make hoisting hay bales into the barn loft a cinch. 1:30-2:30pm.

Animal Feeding - Check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. Learn all the animals’ favorite foods as we help tuck them in for the evening. 3pm.

Hanukkah Gifts and Decorations

Hanukkah is my favorite holiday, and I thought I'll share with you my favorite Hanukkah gifts and decoration :)

HANUKKAH DECORATIONS

• Make your own Hanukkah banner! This kit includes precut stickers and shapes to make your own banner.
• This activity kit includes foam shapes, paper stickers, glitter foam stickers, double sided foam stickers, self adhesive wiggle eyes and more to make your own banner, centerpieces and more.
• Hanukkah Ball Lantern Decoration - We have a similar set for 3 years now. It is gentle, but if you'll store it flat, it will be great for years to come.  
• This Hologram Light Set is so much fun. We have the blue and white version of it, but I like this colorful one, too. 
• This banner is not from paper, so it is perfect to be hanged outside. We will hang it and the lights today!
• Target have som fun Hanukkah things, too. We hanged this banner and bought this tablecloth. 

HANUKKAH GIFTS FOR KIDS

• Rite Lite Beeswax Candles - I LOVE anything DIY for kids, and what's better then rolling your own Menorah candles? I must say, it may be a little too fun, because I did half of the candles myself and had to buy another package. haha.
• RIte Lite Design Your Own Dreidel - 2 big (about 3" tall) dreidels to paint. The kit is really nice, we enjoyed painting the dreidels and decorating with the glitter glue, and plan to play with them throughout Hanukkah.
• If you want to decorate a dreidel with your family, but prefer not to deal with paint, check out this set which includes a large dreidel and stickers. We don't have this one, so I'm not sure about the quality, but it looks fun.
• KidKraft Wooden Hanukkah Set - Wooden Menorah and candles, dreidel, coins, spatula, pan, latkes and more in a convenient cute storage bag. Looks like a very good quality and durable. We started playing it before Hanukkah and started talking about the Holiday with our 3 year old, so much fun!
• Hanukkah Children's Melamine Set - This 3 piece set is very cute and it would be the second year we're using it. We bought it for over $16 and now it's for about $8, so it is a great deal, too!
• Stickers!! We love stickers, it makes a great quiet time activity. I found out my son's favorite are the foam stickers, but check out the glitter stickers, 3D stickers, and this awesome sticker book too.
• With this Melissa & Doug Mess-Free kit you can make your own 3D Glitter Menorah and Dreidel.  
• This Latke Bingo is going to be so much fun to play! We bought it, but keeping it for the holiday, so we didn't play it just yet, but it looks pretty good! 

HANUKKAH BOOKS
There are many books for Hanukkah for kids. We like the Night Before Hanukkah and The Story Of Hanukkah. We also love our books from PJ Library. If you're not registered yet - do it today! It's free and your child will get a new book every month.

Hanukkah 2016 Planner

December 1
Hanukkah @ Hicklebee's
Get Hanukkah Happy - ready to celebrate light, freedom and pride. Hear PJ Library Hanukkah stories in preparation for the holiday. Have fun with holiday-themed songs, finger play, and stories with friends.


December 4^th 

Menorahs and Miracles at the Children's Discovery Museum
Museum visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of Hanukkah activities, hosted by the Addison-Penzak JCC. 12noon-4pm, regular museum admission fees apply.

Hanukkah Party at the JCL in San Francisco
Party for families, with stories, crafts, donuts and more (in Hebrew)

 

December 11^th

Hanukkah Festival – Congregation Beth Jacob Redwood City
Featuring Andy Z
11am-2pm, free.

Latkepalooza - Peninsula JCC (Foster City)
Annual community-wide Hanukkah celebration with live music, crafts and games for children and families, candle lighting ceremony and lots of Latkes.
1-3:30pm, free.
Family Hanukah Party on the Peninsula! Congregation Kol Emeth
Come sing songs, play dreidel, light the menorah, make Hanukkah crafts, and eat sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). The Jewish Baby Network, InterfaithFamily, and PJ Library®  are coming together to get ready for the holiday! This event is for families with babies and toddlers along with everyone else in the family. Bring your own menorah and candles with you for our lighting ceremony. Congregation Kol Emeth is kindly hosting this event, but you do not need to be a member of Kol Emeth or any synagogue to attend. This event is free, and no RSVP is required.

 

December 13^th
Family Pre-Hanukkah Celebration at Congregation Kol Emeth
Join Congregation Kol Emeth and the Religious School for the annual Hanukkah festivities. Details will be announced soon!

December 14^th

Make a holiday Mobile - Sunnyvale
Make a Christmas, Hanukkah or winter themed decorative mobile (Free). 
Hunukkah Maccabee celebration in Los Gatos
Explore Hanukkah with the brave Maccabees! Find out what being a Maccabee Hero is all about in a fun afternoon of music, stories, crafts, treasure hunting and much more!
Tickets are $6 per child. Adults free. (Children must be accompanied by an adult). Children are welcome to dress up as Maccabees!

December 15^th

Drinks & Dreidels - Chabad Fremont
Alcoholic Drinks, Latkes, Doughnuts, appetizers and desserts! Paint a beautiful ceramic Shalom sign for your home and participate in White Elephant gift exchange.

December 16^th

A Happy Hanukkah Happening - Congregation Beth David Saratoga
Kick back at this relaxing Kabbalat Shabbat experience. It will be an easy going evening of socializing, singing, good food and a happy, upbeat, Kabbalat Shabbat service.  ALL AGES are welcome to share an enjoyable Pre-Hanukkah experience. RSVP required. 

December 18^th

Hazak Hanukkah Extravaganza - Congregation Beth David Saratoga
A delightful forshpeiz of the approaching Festival of Lights. New York Deli Supper, Latkes & Dessert Enjoy the company of your friends, Chanukah Bingo and the intimate music of the Jerry Jay Quartet. RSVP required.
5-9pm, free.

Menorah Workshop - Palo Alto

Home Depot + Menorah's what could be better? Build your own menorah, Music & Hanukkah refreshments, Activities, Free worker’s apron, Dreidels & Hanukkah Gelt.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE, RSVP required.

Menorah Workshop - Fremont

Home Depot + Menorah's what could be better? Build your own menorah, Music & Hanukkah refreshments, Activities, Free worker’s apron, Dreidels & Hanukkah Gelt.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE, RSVP required.

Menorah Workshop - San Carlos

Home Depot + Menorah's what could be better? Build your own menorah, Music & Hanukkah refreshments, Activities, Free worker’s apron, Dreidels & Hanukkah Gelt.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE, RSVP required.

Hanukkah On Ice - Palo Alto 

Ice skating, crafts, olive oil pressing and more.

December 19th

Hanukkah Latke Cooking Competition in Los Altos 

Watch 4 culinary teams race against the clock to create the tastiest, most original potato latkes and earn the title “Top Latke Chef.” 

December 23
Chanukah Tot Shabbat Sha-Boogie - Congregation Beth Am
Join your friends at Beth Am for a rockin’ high-energy, Chanukah-themed Shabbat service. This festive and joyous Chanukah service will be perfect for all ages, from ages 0 through 5th grade and their families! Mike Mason, along with Rabbi Heath Watenmaker, will lead a Kabbalat Shabbat service with stories, songs and much more! After the service, join the Beth Am community to light the chanukiyah and then enjoy a delicious family Shabbat dinner (latkes included!). RSVP online by Tuesday, December 20. Suggested donation is $20 per family.

December 24 – 1^st candle

December 25 – 2^nd candle

Community Mega Menorah Lighting in Palo Alto

Etch on your own messages of light as the Menorah shines bright! Live Music, Latkes, Doughnuts and dancing! Meet Judah the Macabbee and Pika"jew". Delicious Dairy Buffet, Dreidel Bike selfies, Crafts and a grand raffle!

Annual Menorah Lighting in Los Altos

Featuring Chinese Appetizers and Wonton Soup, Latkes and Doughnuts, Live Klezmer Music by "Hot Kugel", Fun Crafts and Activities for Kids.

Hanukkah Flametacular – Congregation Etz Chaim Palo Alto

 

December 26 – 3^rd candle

Drop-In Art Studio – Contemporary Jewish Museum San Francisco
Create art that shimmers, reflects, and glows, in celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.
Free with Museum admission; youth 18 and under always free.

December 27 - 4^th candle

Drop-In Art Studio – Contemporary Jewish Museum San Francisco
Create art that shimmers, reflects, and glows, in celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.
Free with Museum admission; youth 18 and under always free.

Annual Hannukah Festival in Redwood City
Create a Unity Menorah, entertainment, music, latkes and donuts.

4th Annual Hanukkah Lighting in Fremont

It's back and it's bigger and better than ever! Selfies with Silicon Valley Selfie, Jelly Donuts & Matzoh Balls Face Painting, Starbucks Hot Coffee & Cocoa, Giant Menorah Lighting, Cotton Candy, Raffle Prizes and gift baskets and more! 
Chanukah Celebration on Burlingame Avenue
Ice-sculpture Menorah, Jewish Blues musician Saul Kaye live in concert, the Dreidel Mascot, hot Latkes, Sufganiot, and more! Kids: bring your boots and gloves to frolic in the (imported) snow!)

December 28 – 5^th candle

December 29 – 6^th candle

HanukkahTrain Santa Cruz - Gather at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on the 5th night of Hanukkah for the lighting of the menorah at 6:15 pm, and then set off on an incredible 1-hour train ride on Roaring Camp’s vintage excursion cars adorned with thousands of shining lights and Hanukkah decorations.
Sharing in Hanukkah traditions and ride the train through the streets of Santa Cruz listening to Hanukkah stories, playing dreidel and enjoying kosher refreshments provided by Chabad by the Sea.
Adult - $31, Children - $25, 2 and under - free.

Drop-In Art Studio – Contemporary Jewish Museum San Francisco
Create art that shimmers, reflects, and glows, in celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.
Free with Museum admission; youth 18 and under always free.

Hanukkah Celebration at Stanford Shopping Center 

Hanukkah winter extravaganza. Celebrate the Jewish holiday with musical performances, arts and crafts for the kids, face painting, dreidel games, candle lighting and a special Hanukkah puppet show and sing-along. 
Bounce! Light! Snack! with PJ Library in Los Gatos
Join PJ Library families for the Annual Bounce House Party. BRING YOUR OWN menorah and candles (7) for the 6th night. Light snacks will be provided. And, of course, stories will be read. 
Santa Clara Grand Chanukah Lighting
This year the light of Chanukah will shine publicly for the first time in Santa Clara History at Celebrating the triumph of light over darkness! Gigantic 10 ft. Menorah Lighting, Live Violinist, Delicious Latkes, Fire Dancing Performance by Rabbi Yigal.

December 30 – 7^th candle

Drop-In Art Studio – Contemporary Jewish Museum San Francisco
Create art that shimmers, reflects, and glows, in celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.
Free with Museum admission; youth 18 and under always free.

December 31 – 8^th candle
Chanukah Parade  with Chabad Palo Alto 
Watch/Join the parade of cars sporting Menorahs on top as we drive through Palo Alto spreading the Holiday light and joy!
Heading out from Chabad, 3070 Louis Rd.

January 1
Naama and the Hanukkah Miracle (in Hebrew)