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Everywhere you look, you’re being told how to celebrate Valentine’s Day–buy this, put chocolate on that, turn things that were never intended to be shaped like a heart into a heart. But for some of you, previous Valentine’s Days were already successful and as a result you have little bundles of joy running around your house touching everything. So what’s a parent to do this Valentine’s? Luckily, we have a list of events you and your kiddos are sure to enjoy.
Mario Kart: Grandparents-Grandchildren Teams Tournament
Feb. 11, 4-6 p.m. Bridge the generation gap with a piece of impossible-to-understand technology! Kids, don’t forget to bring a grandparent. Grandparents, don’t leave your kids on the bus like a pair of reading glasses. Team play only. Children age 6-16, grandparents—all ages. No registration needed. / Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke; 703-978-5600; fairfaxcounty.gov; Free.
Tot Rock-N-Roll Skate
Feb. 12, 10 a.m.-noon. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than bruising your coccyx? Recommended for ages 6 and under. You may bring your scooter, bikes, push toys etc. All kid friendly music (Disney, Barney, Nick, Elmo, Spongebob and more). Admission includes skate rental. / Skate-N-Fun Zone, 7878 Sudley Road, Manassas; 703-361-7465; skatenfunzone.com; $5.
Campfire Night Hike
Feb. 13, 6-7:30 p.m. Not all animals sleep at night. Enjoy a night hike to learn about nocturnal hunters. Listen to taped calls of owls and coyotes and catch a glimpse of them in the forest. End the evening with hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows round the campfire. Please be sure to register an adult with any child. Ages four and up. / Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly; 703-631-0013; fairfaxcounty.gov; $6.
Stroller Strides
Feb. 14, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Bring your little tub of love with you this Valentine’s Day to work off that baby weight. Classes are $15 each or $100 for 10. As always, the first class is free. / Commons Community Center, 5701 Roberts Parkway, Burke; 1-800-613-0651; strollerstrides.com; $15 per class, $100 for 10, first class is free.
“Sleeping Beauty–The Broken Spell”
Feb. 16, 1 p.m. End the holiday with a show! When Sleeping Beauty keeps falling asleep, her parents leave to find Magical, the famous magician. Magical comes to the rescue with his helper, Edgar, and his talking cat. They have to find a way to break the spell. If they don’t, Sleeping Beauty will fall into an endless sleep. / Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton; 703-584-2900; workhousearts.org; $12.