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Best Kids' Valentine's Day Activities In Los Angeles

stargazing stars kid telescope
(credit: istockphoto)

Just because you have kids doesn't mean that Valentine's Day should become a thing of the past. While your idea of romance may have certainly changed and candlelit dinners for two have long been been replaced by giant blanket forts for three or more, you can still enjoy the holiday of love with fun Valentine's Day activities the whole family can enjoy. If you've run out of Valentine's Day gift ideas for kids, then try your luck with these kid-friendly Valentine's Day activities.

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Float Through Naples on a Gondola
Gondola Getaway
5437 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90803
(562) 433-9595
www.gondolagetawayinc.com

Show your kids what it means to be romantic by romancing them with a novelty gondola ride originally made popular in Italy where it is believed to spark closeness among those riding in the gondola together. The traditional gondolas available at Gondola Getaway can hold as many as six passengers, more than enough room to accommodate an average-size family. Gondola rides generally run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. everyday, weather permitting, of course. Each cruise last about an hour and takes you through the beautiful canals of Naples Islands.

Yojie fondue
(credit: Anton E./Yelp)

Indulge in a Little Fondue
Yojie Japanese Fondue
501 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite102
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 988-8808
www.yojie.com

Treat your kids to an interactive dinner where they can play with their food and cook it all at the same time.Yojie offers a very unique dining experience that involves dipping small pieces of meat or vegetables into a pot of boiling water. The kids get to play chef and you get to enjoy a healthy meal. Be sure to save room for dessert which includes dipping fruits and pastries into Yojie's signature green tea chocolate fondue, among other options.

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(credit: Gabriel Bous/AFP/Getty Images)

Spend Time Together Stargazing
Griffith Observatory
2800 E. Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(213) 473-0800
www.griffithobservatory.org

Stargazing has always been seen as a romantic activity, but you can make it more kid-friendly by putting an educational spin on it. In fact, the Griffith Observatory holds public star parties at least once a month, offering families the chance to play astronomer. When the skies are clear, you can see the sun, the moon, nearby planets and even star constellations through different telescopes available for use. You can learn anything you want to know about astronomy from knowledgeable people who volunteer their time to the LA Astronomical Society and The Planetary Society.

Related: Best Places For Stargazing In Los Angeles

LA KIngs valley ice center
(credit: Richard M./Yelp)

Discover the Beauty of Love on Ice
LA Kings Valley Ice Center
8750 Van Nuys Blvd.
Panorama City, CA 91402
(818) 893-1784
www.lakingsvalleyicecenter.com

The best part about living in Los Angeles is being able to surf and hit the slopes all in the same day if you so choose. If this Valentine's Day happens to be hotter than usual, you can escape the heat and find comfort in the coolness of an indoor ice skating rink. With more than 600 ice skating rentals available in all sizes, the LA Kings Valley Ice Center offers skating sessions for the general public. There are tons of other activities like hockey and figure skating if the kids happen to fall in love with the ice.

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(credit: LACMA)

Embrace Your Love forMusic
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 857-6000
www.lacma.org

Give your heart a rest from all of the Valentine's Day fun with some relaxing music at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Every Sunday evening, LACMA hosts a weekly one-hour music concert at 6 p.m. featuring the best of the best among local, national and international talent. These events are free to the public at the Leo S. Bing Theater inside LACMA itself. The genre of music you'll be exposed to ranges from classical and jazz to Latin-inspired and new age music. Visit the LACMA the Sunday after Valentine's Day and be treated to the sounds of the Colburn Youth Orchestra.

Related: Best Places For Classical Music In LA

Niki Payne is a freelance writer covering all things Entertainment in Los Angeles. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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