Valentine’s Day offers a perfect opportunity to create sweet memories with your children. While chocolates and candies are traditional favorites, ice cream provides a delightful alternative that kids of all ages can enjoy.
Treating your children to ice cream on Valentine’s Day can be a fun and memorable experience, with many parlors offering special flavors and presentations for the occasion. From classic scoops to elaborate sundaes, there are numerous options to satisfy every palate and create a joyful celebration of love and togetherness.
1) Swensen’s Ice Cream
Swensen’s Ice Cream has been delighting children and adults alike since 1948. This beloved ice cream parlor offers a wide variety of flavors and treats perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Kids can enjoy classic sundaes or create their own from the extensive menu. The Mini Sundae, featuring vanilla ice cream, sliced banana, and chocolate fudge, is a popular choice for younger patrons.
Swensen’s is known for their unique ice cream flavors and toppings. Children can explore options like Lemon Sherbet, Very Strawberry, and cookies ‘n cream.
For an extra special touch, ask for a cone dipped in chocolate. This signature offering adds an exciting twist to any ice cream experience.
Swensen’s has expanded globally, with over 350 locations in 9 countries. However, visiting the original San Francisco location provides a taste of nostalgia and tradition.
Address: 1999 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Website: www.swensens.com
2) Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop
Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops offer a delightful ice cream experience for Valentine’s Day treats. These shops serve a wide variety of flavors, including classic favorites and innovative creations.
Kids can enjoy their ice cream in waffle cones, sundaes, or milkshakes. The shops also offer certified vegan Non-Dairy options for those with dietary restrictions.
The vibrant atmosphere of Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops makes them a fun destination for families. Colorful decor and friendly staff contribute to a cheerful environment that children will appreciate.
Many locations feature special Valentine’s Day promotions or themed flavors. This adds an extra touch of excitement to the outing.
Ben & Jerry’s commitment to using high-quality ingredients ensures a tasty treat for both kids and adults. Their ice cream is known for generous mix-ins and creative flavor combinations.
Contact: Visit benjerrys.com to find your nearest Scoop Shop location and contact details.
3) Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins offers a delightful Valentine’s Day experience for kids and families. The ice cream chain is known for its iconic 31 flavors, ensuring there’s something for every taste preference.
For Valentine’s Day, Baskin-Robbins creates special themed treats. The Crazy for You Cake is a heart-shaped delight featuring fudge accents, chocolate drips, and OREO cookie pieces.
Kids can enjoy customizing their own ice cream creations with various toppings and mix-ins. The shop’s cheerful atmosphere and colorful displays add to the festive mood.
Baskin-Robbins also offers ice cream cakes in different sizes, perfect for sharing with family or classmates. These can be personalized with messages and designs for a unique Valentine’s Day surprise.
With locations across the country, Baskin-Robbins is easily accessible for most families. Their website allows for convenient online ordering and customization of treats.
Baskin-Robbins: Multiple locations nationwide. Website: www.baskinrobbins.com
4) Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop
Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop offers a sweet treat for Valentine’s Day. Known for their decadent sundaes and rich chocolates, this iconic brand provides a special experience for families.
Kids will delight in the variety of ice cream flavors and toppings available. The shop’s signature hot fudge sundae is a popular choice, featuring creamy vanilla ice cream drizzled with warm chocolate sauce.
Parents can indulge in gourmet chocolate squares while the little ones enjoy their frozen desserts. The shop’s atmosphere is welcoming, making it an ideal spot for a family outing on Valentine’s Day.
Ghirardelli has multiple locations, including their original shop in San Francisco. They’ve also recently opened a store in New York City, expanding their reach to East Coast families.
Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop
Original Location: 900 North Point, San Francisco, CA 94109
New York Location: 20 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001
Website: www.ghirardelli.com
5) Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone Creamery offers a unique ice cream experience perfect for Valentine’s Day treats. Founded in 1988, this chain is known for its super-premium ice cream made fresh in-store daily.
Kids will love watching their custom creations come to life on the signature frozen granite stone. They can choose from a variety of flavors and mix-ins like candy, fruits, and nuts.
For a special Valentine’s Day touch, consider ordering one of Cold Stone’s signature creations or ice cream cakes. The vibrant atmosphere and friendly staff add to the fun, making it an enjoyable outing for families.
Cold Stone Creamery’s commitment to quality ingredients ensures a delicious treat for both kids and adults alike. With locations across the country, it’s likely there’s one near you for a memorable Valentine’s Day dessert.
Cold Stone Creamery
Website: www.coldstonecreamery.com
(Check website for local store locations and contact details)
6) Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen offers a sweet Valentine’s Day treat for kids with their heart-shaped ice cream cakes. The DQ Cupid Cake is a popular choice, designed for two people and made with Dairy Queen’s signature Blizzard flavors.
Each year, Dairy Queen introduces new flavors for their Valentine’s cakes. Past offerings have included Red Velvet Cake and Dipped Strawberry with Ghirardelli Chocolate, providing a variety of options to satisfy different tastes.
Beyond cakes, Dairy Queen’s menu features an array of ice cream treats perfect for a Valentine’s Day outing. Kids can enjoy classic sundaes, Blizzards, and ice cream cones, all customizable to their preferences.
For those preferring to celebrate at home, Dairy Queen offers online ordering and delivery services through their app. This allows families to enjoy their favorite DQ treats without leaving the house.
Dairy Queen, Multiple locations across the United States
Website: www.dairyqueen.com
7) Creamistry
Creamistry offers a unique ice cream experience that will delight kids on Valentine’s Day. This innovative shop uses liquid nitrogen to freeze ice cream on the spot, creating a smooth and creamy treat.
The process of making the ice cream is a spectacle in itself. Children can watch as their chosen flavors are mixed with a blast of liquid nitrogen, creating a cloud of vapor.
Creamistry caters to various dietary needs, offering vegan and dairy-free options. Their menu features classic flavors like strawberry and vanilla, as well as more adventurous choices such as matcha green tea and milk coffee.
Kids can customize their ice cream with a variety of toppings, from fresh fruit to candy pieces. The shop also offers milkshakes, floats, and ice cream cakes for those looking for something different.
Creamistry has multiple locations across the United States. To find the nearest shop and view their full menu, visit their website at www.creamistry.com.
8) Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw offers a unique ice cream experience for Valentine’s Day. This small-batch, chef-driven ice cream shop uses local ingredients to create innovative flavors.
Kids will love exploring the ever-changing menu of creative concoctions. Some popular options include Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons and Freckled Mint TCHO-colate Chip.
For a special Valentine’s treat, families can try the Birthday Cakes and Blackberries flavor. It features seven layers of rainbow-flecked cake mixed with blackberry-vanilla ice cream.
Salt & Straw also offers a monthly rotation of seasonal flavors. This gives children the opportunity to try something new on each visit.
The ice cream shop prides itself on using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. This commitment to freshness and quality shines through in every scoop.
Salt & Straw has multiple locations across the United States. Families can also order pints online for nationwide delivery.
Contact: 971-271-8168
Website: www.saltandstraw.com
9) The Ice Cream Bar
The Ice Cream Bar offers a delightful Valentine’s Day treat for kids and adults alike. This charming establishment specializes in lactose-free soft serve ice cream with an impressive array of flavors and toppings.
Children can choose from 80 different ice cream flavors, creating over 100,000 possible combinations. The extensive menu ensures even the pickiest eaters will find something to love.
For 2024, The Ice Cream Bar has introduced a vegan vanilla soft serve option, expanding their offerings to cater to more dietary preferences. This addition complements their popular lactose-free selections.
Beyond ice cream, the shop serves artisan coffee beverages, craft sodas, teas, and lemonades. These diverse options make it an ideal spot for families with varying tastes.
The Ice Cream Bar’s fun atmosphere and customizable treats make it a perfect Valentine’s Day destination for kids. It’s a place where they can indulge their creativity and sweet tooth simultaneously.
Contact Information:
Piper’s Ice Cream Bar
41 W 11th St, Newport, KY 41071
Website: www.pipersicecreambar.com
10) Ample Hills Creamery
Ample Hills Creamery offers a delightful ice cream experience for families on Valentine’s Day. This Brooklyn-based creamery creates whimsical flavors that appeal to both children and adults.
The shop features a fun, welcoming atmosphere with booths and a children’s play area. Kids can explore unique ice cream combinations while parents enjoy classic favorites.
Ample Hills’ menu includes scoops, sundaes, milkshakes, and ice cream cakes. Customers can mix and match flavors in any size, allowing for creative combinations.
For those unable to visit in person, Ample Hills ships their ice cream nationwide. This allows families across the country to enjoy their treats on Valentine’s Day.
The creamery also hosts birthday parties, making it a potential venue for Valentine’s Day celebrations with friends or classmates.
Ample Hills Creamery: 305 Nevins St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Website: www.amplehills.com
The Importance of Creating Memorable Family Experiences
Creating special moments with family strengthens bonds and provides children with cherished memories that last a lifetime. These shared experiences foster a sense of belonging and contribute to emotional well-being.
Building Lasting Memories
Family outings, like ice cream dates, offer opportunities to create positive associations and traditions. These shared activities become touchstones for children, forming the foundation of their childhood recollections. Simple pleasures, such as enjoying a scoop together, can become powerful symbols of family togetherness.
Engaging in new experiences as a family encourages curiosity and openness to trying new things. This cultivates a sense of adventure and resilience in children. Parents can use these moments to model important social skills and values.
Documenting these experiences through photos or journals helps preserve the memories. Children often enjoy revisiting these mementos, reinforcing the positive emotions associated with family time.
Quality Time with Family
Dedicated family time away from daily routines allows for deeper connections. During ice cream outings, parents can give their full attention to their children without the distractions of home or work. This focused interaction strengthens parent-child relationships.
Shared experiences provide natural opportunities for meaningful conversations. In relaxed settings, children may feel more comfortable discussing their thoughts and feelings. Parents can use these moments to offer guidance and support.
Quality time together helps build a family identity and culture. Recurring activities, like regular ice cream dates, become part of the family’s unique story. These shared experiences create a sense of continuity and belonging for children.
Family outings also offer chances for children to practice social skills in public settings. Parents can model and reinforce appropriate behavior while enjoying a treat together.
Choosing the Perfect Ice Cream Place
Selecting an ideal ice cream spot for Valentine’s Day requires careful consideration of several key factors. These include the shop’s location, flavor selection, and features that cater to children.
Location and Accessibility
The ice cream shop‘s location plays a crucial role in ensuring a pleasant outing. Look for places within a reasonable driving distance from your home or planned activities. Consider parking availability, especially if you’re visiting during peak hours.
Opt for shops in safe, well-lit areas with easy access for families. Some ice cream parlors are conveniently located near parks or playgrounds, allowing kids to burn off energy before or after their treat.
Check online reviews to gauge wait times and crowd levels. Popular spots like Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate in San Francisco may have longer queues but often provide a memorable experience.
Variety of Flavors and Options
A diverse menu is essential for satisfying different taste preferences. Look for shops offering a wide range of flavors, from classic vanilla and chocolate to unique creations.
Some establishments, like Biddrina in New York City, rotate their flavors regularly. This approach ensures exciting options like turmeric and amarena cherries or crema with marmalade.
Consider dietary restrictions when choosing a shop. Many ice cream places now offer dairy-free, vegan, or low-sugar alternatives to accommodate various needs.
Check if the shop provides toppings, mix-ins, or special presentation options like sundaes or banana splits. These extras can add fun and personalization to the ice cream experience.
Kid-Friendly Amenities
Ensure the ice cream shop caters to children’s needs. Look for places with ample seating, including high chairs for younger kids. Clean restrooms with changing facilities are a plus for families with babies or toddlers.
Some ice cream parlors offer kid-sized portions or special children’s menus. Others may provide fun extras like colorful spoons or toppings designed to appeal to young customers.
Consider shops with engaging atmospheres, such as vintage decor or interesting ice cream-making displays. These features can turn a simple treat into an educational and entertaining experience for children.
Check if the staff is patient and accommodating towards families. Friendly service can significantly enhance the overall experience, especially when dealing with indecisive young ice cream enthusiasts.
Valentine’s Day Celebration Ideas
Valentine’s Day offers opportunities for creative and heartwarming celebrations with children. Thoughtful decorations and personalized treats can transform the day into a memorable experience for kids.
Theme Decorations
Create a festive atmosphere with heart-shaped balloons and streamers in shades of pink and red. Craft paper chain garlands with the kids, alternating red and white links. Set the table with themed placemats and napkins featuring cute Valentine’s designs.
Use LED candles for a safe, romantic glow. Hang a Valentine’s mailbox for exchanging cards and small gifts. Decorate windows with heart-shaped suncatchers made from tissue paper and contact paper.
Customized Treats
Prepare heart-shaped pancakes or waffles for breakfast, topped with strawberries and whipped cream. Bake sugar cookies and let kids decorate them with pink and red icing. Create a DIY ice cream sundae bar with various toppings in Valentine’s colors.
Make chocolate-covered strawberries together as a fun activity. Serve pink lemonade in fancy glasses with heart-shaped ice cubes. For a healthier option, cut fruit into heart shapes using cookie cutters.
Surprise kids with personalized candy bags filled with their favorite sweets and a special note.