Valentine's Day with Kids
Celebrating love is particularly meaningful for little ones, and there are so many ways to sprinkle special moments and surprises into Valentine’s Day in the Quad Cities.
Valentine’s Family Dinner
My children are going through a bit of a picky-eater stage (not so enjoyable for their foodie parents), so their palates are a bit limited. That said, I can expect cheers all around with any of the following:
Trattoria Tiramisu - This is my family’s long-time tradition on Valentine’s Day, going back to our first Valentine’s Day as newlyweds/transplants to the QC. There’s nearly always a special Valentine’s menu item and my kids have rave reviews of the buttered noodles and bread. Make sure to have reservations for your valentines - it’s a popular choice.
Red Lantern - My children love edamame, rice, and egg drop soup, which makes Red Lantern one of their favorites. The big, elegantly-decorated dining room and expansive menu satisfies adult tastes for a special evening, too. Red Lantern’s sister location with Japanese fare, Red Ginger, is also a family favorite.
Foundry Food + Tap - With a giant, varied menu and large dining space, this is a great option for families by the TBK Bank Sports Complex. My neighbor says it’s the best fish and chips in the QC. I’m a fan of the seared ahi tuna salad (cocktail choices are great too), and my spouse and kids enjoy the burgers. Reservations can be made online.
Charcuterie (various options) - For Valentine’s Dinner if you're staying in, order charcuterie! My kids have zero interest in Lunchables, but they go to town when you present them with a tray of gourmet crackers, cheese, and meat. We like to order a board from Brew in the Village, but friends also give high praise for Plate Me (pickup at The Rust Belt) and Eleven One Custom Charcuterie - orders can be placed via Facebook.
Dessert as an Activity
In the last couple of years, DIY desserts have become my kids’ favorite thing: sprinkles and custom creations - what’s not to love?
Hurts Donut Co - Beyond their massive case of fresh donuts, you can also order a box with all the toppings to design the perfect confection. My oldest decorated donuts at a birthday party last fall, and now this is at the top of her list for all occasions.
Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie - Call to order a cookie kit; Tiphanie also does Facebook Live sessions where you can learn from the pro. We’ve done this a couple of times and I stepped up my cookie-decorating game as a result. My kids love the seasonal designs and colors included in the kits.
Lagomarcino’s - Head there for classic Valentine’s chocolates and their famous fudge sauce. Am I the only one who thinks that the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert would be a build-your-own sundae? If you go to the Lago’s East Village location, make an extra trip down the street to Here’s the Scoop and pick out some special ice-cream flavors - both in-store and pints to take home.
Little Treats
Sometimes it’s the quick, little treats that earn the biggest smiles:
Cookies and Dreams - We’re fans of getting a box of cookies and then cutting them into sections so that everyone can try a range of flavors. They’re all so decadent!
392 Caffe - The owners have a young family, so they know that kids love to get a special drink when the adults do (my personal Valentine is the mango bergamot iced tea). My littles love the smoothies, and there’s a variety of non-caffeinated sips for kids.
More Special Events/Things to Do for Valentine’s Day
Moline/Rock Island Parks and Rec Sweetheart Dance - Feb 11, 5:30 - 8:30 pm. Call (309) 732-7275.
Moline Parks and Rec Mother/Daughter Tea - four programs available. Call (309) 524-2424.
Frozen Landing Ice Skating in Bettendorf; Mon-Tues, Thurs 3 pm-9 pm, Wed 1-9 pm, Friday 3-10 pm, Sat 11 am-10 pm, Sunday 12-6 pm.
QC Botanical Center - for littles to have fun playing in the sand.
Written by Catherine Petersen
Catherine Petersen grew up in Central Illinois, but the Quad Cities has been home since 2007. She is an assistant professor of English and Literature at Clinton Community College, one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. With her husband, Andrew, and two young daughters, she lives near the Village of East Davenport in a 100+ year-old home. Together, they love exploring the Quad Cities arts, music, culture, history, and food experiences.