Bay Area Valentine’s Childcare Dropoffs
Getting Out 
on Valentine’s Day
You deserve some time alone with your honey–why not make Valentine’s Day the perfect excuse? Just a couple of hours without the kids can bring you closer, and you’ll remember why date nights are so important. If you’re flying single this year, gather some friends for dinner and come back to the little ones feeling refreshed. Here are some venues offering drop-off child care on the weekend of the 13th and 14th, making Valentine romance and renewal possible.
Valentine Kids’ Night Out at the Exploratorium
Your museum membership comes with its perks, including the chance to send up to 4 kids age 5 and older to a fun-filled night at the San Francisco museum while you follow through on those special dinner reservations. Kids will have four-and-a-half hours to enjoy both supervised group activities and free play, while their parents get four-and-a-half hours to gallivant around town. The cost is $40 per child, plus $25 for each additional child under the same membership. Add $5 extra per child for a pizza dinner. Don’t forget to sign up by February 5 to reserve your spot in this February 13th event. Located at 3601 Lyon Street in San Francisco. Read more.
Romantic Parents’ Night Out, courtesy of Habitot
You don’t need a membership to send your kids off on a night of exhibit exploration, studio art, circle time, and storytelling at Habitot Children’s Museum in Berkeley. The museum is hosting a special Parents’ Night Out on Sunday, February 14, in addition to their 4th Fridays sitting. It’s four hours, so with careful planning, you can catch both dinner and a movie between 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and pay just $30 per child you drop off. (Siblings get a discount price.) The cost covers pizza, juice, and water, and a qualified caregiver for every six kids age 2 to 7. (Younger kids will be considered if their sibling is present.) Book your reservation at 510-647-1111, ext. 14, with Lydia. Located at 2065 Kitredge St. in Berkeley. Read more.
Valentine’s Day Extended Hours at Kids Park If you live near San Jose, make a date with your Valentine for Sunday, the 14th, and send your kids to the shoeless play environs of Kids Park, which works with the State of California Community Care Licensing to offer flexible care resources for parents. You’ll have time to play while your kids enjoy games, crafts, cooking, and science. The cost for up to six hours of care is $45, and extended care on the 14th ends at 11 p.m. Kids Play is located at 5440 Thornwood Drive in San Jose. Read more.
Dinner & A Show, Parents’ Night Out, courtesy of Glitter and Razz The traditional 2nd Saturday parents’ night out at Glitter and Razz happens to fall on Valentine’s Day weekend, so kids 4 and up are invited for pizza, veggies, and dramatic play for $45 ($25 for each additional kid). In exchange, you get some adult time from 5 to 8:30, and when you pick the kids up, you also get to see a show, starring your kids! Located at 5951 College Avenue in Oakland. Read more.
Drop In at Play Well Marin Love can certainly blossom in the daylight hours—so how about a Valentine’s Day afternoon? Make your plans with the significant other, and while you’re gone, your kids age 5 and older will be psyched to choose from thousands of LEGO, K’NEX, Fischer-Technik, Capsela, ZNAP, and other building toys at Play-Well TEKnologies in San Anselmo. The cost is just $10 per hour between 11-5. And yes, they’re open Valentine’s Day! (Pleasanton parents: contact the Play Well in your area for their specific rates and schedule: 925-484-1547.) Located at 216 Greenfield Avenue in San Anselmo. Read more.—Renee M. Rutledge
