Valentine's Day is a few weeks away. If you or your little ones are interested in making some custom valentines, we have our popular list of very punny Valentine's Day ideas to help you out. Even if you're not sending a physical valentine, many of these can be easily adapted to a virtual card.

All you need are a few easy-to-find items, a printer (or Canva account), and some creativity! You can make valentines that include a sweet treat, or if you're trying to avoid a major sugar rush, something useful or homemade. The key is to connect a sweet saying with a fun item. Make cards, tags, stickers, or bag toppers to attach to your item. Play around with fun fonts, and if you have a color printer (or are sending this virtually), colors. Then, wrap them, tag them, attach or tie them with a sweet bow, and voila! Cool, clever Valentines for friends, family, and even the whole class!

Some examples to get you started:

"To this saying" . . . . Attach this!

"I dig you!". . . . A plastic sand shovel with M&M's

"I like the way you roll". . . . Roll of Rolos or Toosie Rolls

"You rock, Valentine!". . . . Pop Rocks

"I'm hooked on you". . . . Swedish Fish

"You blow me away". . . . Balloon (uninflated) or bubble gum

"I'm crazy about you". . . . Crazy straw

"We're mint to be". . . . York Peppermint Patty

"I'm mad about you". . . . A page from a Mad Libs book

"I'm fortune-ate to have you as a friend". . . . Fortune cookie

"You blow my mind, Valentine!". . . . Mini-bubbles

"It's Valentine's Day…have a ball!". . . . Bouncy ball

"You make my heart glow". . . . Glow stick

"You light up my life!". . . . Glow stick

"You're #1 in my book". . . . Homemade bookmark

"Hope your day is chalk-full of fun". . . . A stick of sidewalk chalk

"Valentine, you are just write". . . . Pen or pencil

"You're a great catch!". . . . Bag of Goldfish crackers

"Can I co-coax you to be mine?" . . . . Hot cocoa packet

"You warm my heart". . . . Hot cocoa packet

"You rule!" . . . . Ruler

"I'm a sucker for you!" . . . . Lollipop

"You a-maze me, Valentine". . . . Mini-maze puzzle

"I'm stuck on you" . . . . Sheet of stickers

"I'm bananas over you". . . . Banana

"I like you a hole bunch". . . . Donut holes

"Won't chew be mine?". . . . Gumballs

"I think you're beary nice, Valentine". . . . Teddy Grahams

"You are awesomesauce!" . . . . Applesauce cup

"You're my main squeeze". . . . Squeezable applesauce

"A big bear hug for you". . . . Gummy bears

"You cracker me up". . . . Graham crackers or Cheez-its

Start the day off right! With a little bit of preparation, you can create a fun Valentine's breakfast made entirely out of these Valentines:

"You're my main squeeze". . . . Small bottle of orange juice

"You're the apple of my eye". . . . Small bottle of apple juice

"Donut you know how much I love you?" . . . . Donut

"I'm bacon you to be my valentine". . . . Bacon!

"Don't waffle: Say you'll be mine!". . . . Toaster waffles

"You're cereal-ously cool" . . . . Mini box of cereal

"You're my lucky charm". . . . Mini box of Lucky Charms

While you're at it, make one of these bigger valentines for teachers, parents, or other adults for your own family celebration!

"I love you a latte". . . . Gift card to Starbucks or Via packet

"You've got a pizza my heart". . . . Gift card for pizza

"You're my superstar" . . . . Tickets to a movie or concert

"Yo! Happy Valentine's Day!". . . . Gift card for fro yo

"We make a great pair" . . . . Cozy socks

"Sending you a whole lotto love". . . . Lottery ticket

"Don't ever change" . . . . Bag of quarters

"You are sew cool!". . . . Mini sewing kit

"Bee Mine". . . . Honey bear and tea

And, whatever you do this Valentine's Day, bee sure to have a grape day!

Julie

Lunar New Year at Kidspace

Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with Kidspace on February 5. You can practice your brush strokes with water and magic paper, and make a dance ribbon to learn the dynamic art of traditional Chinese Ribbon Dance with a special performance at 1:00 PM. Then, stay after the show to learn some moves of your own!

Out of the Pantry: Cooking Class for Teens

In celebration of Black History Month, your teens (ages 13-19 years old) can join the Hasting Branch librarians to learn how to cook calas rice fritters. Things heat up on February 7, from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM, and supplies, if needed, are available for pickup from the Hastings Branch. Please check the event listing for the recipe and supply list. Registration is required.

Take & Make: Inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat

Your family can join the San Rafael Branch librarians in being inspired by the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Register for a craft kit and learn to make a self-portrait inspired by his unique graffiti street art style. Kit reservations open on February 1.

Family Stories

Your little ones (ages 3-5 years old) and their caregivers can join this special storytime focused on celebrating the African-American family on February 10, from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM.

Mini Makers: Monoprints

Your kids (ages 5-12 years old) can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians on January 29, from 10:30 AM till 11:30 AM, to make unique art prints using bubble wrap, leaves, and cardboard.

Pasadena Grows: Grow Your Own Sprouts

Join the Hill Avenue Branch librarians on January 29 at 10:30 AM for a class on growing your own sprouts in your kitchen. Kits are available while supplies last. Registration and masks are required.

Take & Make: Hot Chocolate Fridge Magnet

Nothing says winter like hot chocolate, and this refrigerator magnet project is the next best thing to the drink. Reserve this all-ages craft kit by calling the Linda Vista Branch at 626-744-7278. The event is open through January 31 or while supplies last. Colors will vary.

Take & Make: Chinese New Year Headband

Your whole family can join the San Rafael Branch librarians in making a mini zodiac animals headband to celebrate the Year of the Tiger. Registrations for the craft kit open on February 1 and are available while supplies last.

Valentines Day Word Puzzles

Your kids (ages 5-12 years old) can join the Villa Parke Community Center Branch librarians for some fun solving (or creating) Valentine's Day puzzles. The fun happens on February 2, from 3:30 PM till 4:30 PM.

Valentines Cardmaking Party

Your whole family can stop by the Hastings Branch Library and use their cardmaking supplies to make some valentines on February 9, from 3:30 PM till 4:30 PM.

These events are regularly scheduled, and many do not require registrations. That said, please check with the event host in case of holidays, weather, COVID, or other reasons to cancel or reschedule.
 

Afternoon Games

The whole family is invited to the Villa Parke Community Center Branch Library to play games, from board games to giant dominos. The fun happens on Tuesdays, from 2:00 PM till 4:00 PM.

Infant & Toddler Storytime

Your little ones (ages 0-2) and their caregiver can join the Pasadena librarians weekly at 10:30 AM for 20 minutes of reading, rhyming, and singing fun! 

Lamanda Park Branch - Tuesdays

Allendale Branch - Wednesdays

Santa Catalina Branch - Thursdays

Outdoor Baby & Toddler Storytime - Altadena Public Library

Your little ones (ages 0-2) and their caregivers can join the Altadena librarians on the front lawn of the Main Library on Mondays, from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM for some fun with books, songs, rhymes, development, and bonding. Space is limited, and attendees must follow COVID health protocols. See the event listing for more details. This event will be canceled in the event of inclement weather conditions.

Preschool Storytime - Pasadena Public Libraries

Your kids (ages 3-5) can join the Pasadena librarians weekly for a selection of stories, songs, crafts, or a short movie. Activities vary by branch.

Villa Parke Community Center Branch - Tuesdays, 10:30 AM till 11:30 AM

San Rafael Branch - Wednesdays, 11:00 AM till 11:30 AM

Lamanda Park Branch - Thursdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Hill Avenue Branch - Saturdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Outdoor Preschool Storytime - Altadena Public Library

Children (ages 3-5) can join the Altadena librarians weekly (weather permitting) on the front lawn of the Main Library on Thursdays, from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM for fun with books, rhymes, and songs. Space is limited so arrive early to get a spot. This event will be canceled in the event of inclement weather conditions. Attendees must follow COVID health protocols. See the event listing for more details.

Toddler Playtime

Kids ages 2-5 can come to play, color, listen to music and make new friends at the Villa Parke Community Center Branch on Fridays, from 10:30 AM till 12:00 PM.

ASL Storytime

Kids ages 3-5 can join the San Rafael Branch librarians for a fun storytime featuring some American Sign Language signs to learn on select Thursdays from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM.

January: 6 and 20

February: 3 and 17

Storytime in the Park - Monrovia Public Library

Your kids (ages 0-5) can join the Monrovia librarians in Library Park for some active and engaging stores and songs on Wednesdays from 10:00 AM till 10:45 AM through February 23. The book fun is followed up with a sensory activity or craft project. Everyone is welcome. See the event listing for more details.

Family Films

Villa Parke Community Center Branch hosts a family movie for you on Thursdays, from 3:30 PM till 5:30 PM. Please contact the branch at 626-744-6510 for the movie title. And this is a BYOS (bring your own snacks) event.

Video Game Club

Your Teen (age 14-19) can stop into the Hastings Branch Library Meeting Room on Thursdays, from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM, for some gaming fun on the Nintendo Switch. They can make new friends and learn fair play every week. No registration is required. Must play well with others.

Crafting with Tish & Tosh

Join the Pasadena Library online for some all-ages crafting fun. You'll learn new crafts all year round. The crafting fun happens on every-other Monday on Instagram Live from 3:00 PM till 3:30 PM.

Book Talk

The Monrovia Library staff encourages a love of stories among young readers by providing engaging summaries of some of their favorite books on the library's YouTube channel. Great for kids five and younger, the series covers both picture and chapter books.

Picture books: January 8 and February 15

Chapter books: January 22 and February 19

Storytime in the Park - Monrovia Public Library

You and your little ones (ages 0-5) can join the Monrovia librarians every Saturday at 10:00 AM as they lead you through a story, a little music, some movement, and all-around fun. Everything is geared to get your kids dancing, singing, and learning. During COVID protocols, it all happens outdoors in Library Park, near the playground and Rotary Bandshell.

Storytime in Motion

Your preschoolers can experience books in a whole new, energetic way with the Altadena librarians on Tuesday mornings, from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM in Charles White Park. Storytime in Motion is held outdoors, weather permitting. Attendees will be encouraged to move, jump, and dance along to the stories. Space is limited, and following COVID health protocols is required.