A Valentine for Your Sweetie and Your Community

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend $17.6 billion for Valentine’s Day. While there are probably some diamonds in the mix, it’s safe to say the world’s landfills will be clogged with drugstore stuffed gorillas and plastic hearts a few weeks from now. 

You could hunt around for dinner reservations or spend hours searching for that perfect gift – instead, plan your holiday around one of these activities that lets you celebrate with your favorite Valentines and help out some great kid-oriented organizations in St. Louis. 

A Valentine Ball for dads and daughters. Hey husbands – want to present your wife a really great gift? Give her the night off and plan a special Valentine’s treat for the little girls in your life. 

There are numerous father/daughter dances around Valentine’s Day, but one in St. Louis is dedicating to inspiring girls throughout the community. On February 11, Sisters of Hope, a nonprofit which provides prevention and empowerment programs to girls ages 4-18, will hold a Princess & Father Valentine Ball, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd. The evening will feature live music, Valentine’s photos, and dinner, and is $30 per couple and $8 per additional guest. Reservations for the event can be made online

 “The Princess & Father Valentine Dance will help benefit girl-centered school programs that enhance self-esteem and build confidence,” remarked Rainie Howard, CEO of Sisters of Hope. “Our fundraising events also help support our goal of opening an arts and performance studio.” 

Do the Zoo. You can go to a restaurant any night of the week, so why not go wild for Valentine’s Day? Leave the kiddos at home for an evening and head to the Saint Louis Zoo for Untamed Hearts: An Intimate Valentine’s Dinner

Instead of the usual kid-friendly zoo fare, you and your significant other can enjoy a romantic, four-course candlelight dinner, complete with a bottle of wine, at the McDonnell Center at River Camp. Afterwards, learn all the secrets of animal magnetism from some of the Zoo’s furry and feathered lotharios during a VIP look at the Zoo. 

Untamed Hearts is on Saturday, February 11 and Tuesday, February 14 with seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The cost is $125 per couple, which includes tax and gratuity, and reservations can be made by calling the Zoo at 314-646-4857 by February 10. Proceeds from the dinner will support the Saint Louis Zoo’s conservation efforts both at the Zoo and around the world. 

Whether exploring the Zoo at Untamed Hearts or stopping by on a playdate, pick up the red panda Valentine adoption package to surprise your loved one and to help keep your favorite animals fed. This special $40 gift includes a plush toy, adoption certificate, car decal and more. Plus, your recipient will receive his or her name on the Zoo Parents Donor Wall for one year and an invitation to the Zoo Parents Picnic. Walk-in orders are available now through February 14. 

A benefit for children’s theater. One of the greatest gifts we can provide our children is instilling in them an appreciation of the arts. Now in its 20thseason, Black Cat Theatre’s Piwacket Theatre for Children continues to awaken our kids’ imaginations and introduce them to a world of incredible stories and characters. 

This Valentine’s night, join Black Cat Theatre at 2810 Sutton Boulevard in Maplewood for a night of dinner and dancing with Hudson and the Hoo Doo Cats from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. to benefit Piwacket. Tickets are $40 per person, and dinner includes free champagne, beef tenderloin and dessert. 

Said Edie Avioli, artistic director for Black Cat, “This Benefit will allow for a grand time of great food, awesome dance band, good company and all in celebration of Piwacket, our original adaptations of fairytales filled with catchy songs, magical props and fun dances.” In fact, the next show at Piwacket is Westward Ho, a musical history lesson for kids ages two through 10, running March 1-3. 

For Valentine reservations, call 314-781-8300 or order online

By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting

Share This Story

Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL 

Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Things to Do

Music & Movement
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Monday, September 8, 2025

Explore songs, finger plays, music and more during this Music & Movement class for ages 0-6. Some sessions are held in person at various branches of the St. Louis County Library. Some sessions are virtual. 

 

 

View this event »
Twilight Thursdays Concert Series at the Missouri History Museum
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Free outdoor concerts are back at the Missouri History Museum. The fall series of concerts features favorite bands, food trucks, and exhibits inside the museum that are open to the public until 8 p.m. on concert nights. Concerts are held from 6-8 p.m.

View this event »
Toddler Time at The Magic House

Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!

 

 

View this event »
Toddler & Preschooler Dance Party
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Join Ms. Amanda in the Makerspace at the Edwardsville Children's Museum for a fun, lively Dance Party. The toddler-friendly tunes will accompany free play time and musical instrument exploration. 

 

View this event »
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Popular Stories

City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 4-17, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

Continue reading »
Take Your Kids on a Trip Through Time: History Exploration Days at the Missouri History Museum

Each day, the Missouri History Museum immerses kids in the stories of St. Louis, written over hundreds of years and told through hands-on exhibits, fun-filled activities, and special family-focused events. During the school year, young history buffs of all ages can take an unforgettable journey to our city’s past with a special monthly adventure designed just for them! The Museum’s highly-anticipated History Exploration Days, starting back up this September, lets kids engage with history in creative and unexpected ways and discover how those who came before us continue to impact their lives today.

Continue reading »
Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

Continue reading »
10 Ways to Improve Your Child's Listening Skills

Focused listening is one of the most important skills your child will ever learn. Children with strong listening skills do better in school, sports, relationships and, eventually, in their careers. But many children lack this important skill and parents are rightly concerned. First, listening is much more than just hearing.

Continue reading »
7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Continue reading »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us