1. Explore the history of Valentine’s Day together. Make guesses about the historical significance or traditions, then head to your nearest Free Library branch and do some research to see if any of your ideas are correct. This is a great way to also teach them the many uses of a library! While you are there, pick up some age appropriate Valentine-themed books. Pro tip: do a little research in advance and reserve the books to make sure they are on hand. 
2. Take a trip inside the heart at the Franklin Institute. Learn how the human heart works, and spend a quality bonding day together. 
3. Make handmade gifts at the Expressive Hand. If you are a family of five or more, make reservations. Otherwise, drop-in and make it a special arts and crafts day! If clay isn't your thing, there are many other art classes you can drop into across the city.
4. Take a train ride on the Frankford/Market El for the Love Letter mural arts tour. Comprised of a series of 50 rooftop murals from 45th to 63rd Streets along the Market Street corridor, the murals collectively express a love letter from a guy to a girl, from an artist to his hometown, and from local residents to their neighborhood of West Philadelphia.
5. Plan a unique scavenger hunt with the kids visiting some of your favorite spots in the city or your neighborhoods, and use clues from the past year to highlight special moments.  
6. Volunteer together. Find ways to show that love can also be about serving. One great spot to get involved with a special Valentine's theme is the Sunday Love Project. Each week, volunteers sign up to make a freshly prepared meal for Sunday delivery. Your family can volunteer by cooking together, shopping together, or heading out to serve freshly made meals on Sundays. 
7. Pay a visit to one of Philadelphia’s many independent arts and crafts or paper stores, such as Paper on Pine in Center City or Casa Papel in Northern Liberties, and gather supplies at an independent art store, like Artist and Craftsman Supply. Then head home and get crafty making extra Valentines to pass out as you go through your day. Have fun brightening the day of a neighbor, stranger, or even make a mission to give them to the homeless. 
8. Go on a family date at a kid-friendly restaurant. Make it a special night out, and hit up some of our favorites like delicious comfort food at Honey's Sit and Eat (with locations in Northern Liberties and Center City), take in an early meal at Reading Terminal Market where everyone can have their favorite dish, or, you can never go wrong with pizza, so try Pizzeria Stella in Society Hill for a family-friendly experience.
9. Have a relaxing date at Primp 'n' Play. Kids get arts and crafts or can join you in a Mommy and Me Spa Day Special. But this isn't just for moms! Dads can get their relaxation on, too!
10. Make a family tradition of taking photos in front of the Love statue at Love Park. Instead of formal family photos, make it a fun event with selfies and silly faces. 
11. Take a trip to one of the oldest chocolatiers in Philadelphia—Lore's in Society Hill. This landmark site uses original hand molds for some very traditional Valetine favorites. Check out our chocolate post, to find even more great places in the area. Maybe even take a tour!
12. Speaking of delicious treats, take a trip to South Philadelphia to sample the goods from Termini Bros. Sample legendary cannolis, and tell them you'd like a quick tour; if they aren't too busy they are always happy to oblige! 
13. Go on a Valentine's day ghost tour. This silly spooky tour is great fun for families!
14. Soak in the end of winter and cuddle up with your family by a roaring fire at Riverrink Winterfest. What could be more lovely than ice skating and sipping hot cocoa!

Photo via Mural Arts Love Letter.