From Valentine’s Day to Presidents Day: Weekend activities for the family

Love is in the air — family love, love for our presidents and love for animals. Enjoy Valentine’s & Presidents weekend with these fun family activities.

Wild at Heart at the Philadelphia Zoo

Feb. 15-16

The Philadelphia Zoo hosts its annual Valentine’s weekend festivities and offers exciting love-themed activities all weekend long. Families will enjoy a self-guided “love tour” of famous couples at the Zoo and watch as some of your favorite animals receive special treats from their keepers. On Saturday, there’s a 3-D novelty cake decorating contest.

Paleopalooza 2014! at the Academy of Natural Sciences

Feb. 15-16

Academy of Natural Sciences offers an exciting weekend packed with activities, shows, and more—all featuring dinosaurs! Check out animal shows and presentations by paleontologists and see Dinosaurs Unearthed, featuring 13 animatronic dinosaurs, enjoy crafts, live music and digging for fossils.

Valentine’s Day at Northwestern Stables

Feb. 14 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Spend time with horses you love. Northwestern Stables is hosting a children’s (ages 8-12) event on Friday night so parents can go out together. You will glamorize horse, compete in a horseless horse show (indoor arena), make crafts and enjoy pizza and snack.

Annual Freedom Essay Contest at the Johnson House

Feb. 16 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Students will read their essays on three topics related to the topic “First Protest Against Slavery,” a document written in Germantown in 1688.  Two unsung heroes will be honored for their work to cultivate leadership, advance education and community development. Refreshments will be served.