Paris Crepes
Chocolate and strawberries, anyone? Seven Swans Crêperie KC (Kansas City, Mo.) delivers on the ultimate V-day craving with an order of Paris Crepes. This beauty comes with fresh strawberries and bananas (you can request no bananas) drizzled with Nutella.
Surprise your kiddo with a breakfast Valentine’s date! Kids 10 and under can order from the Little Swans menu for smaller portion sizes. Gluten-free or vegan batter is available at an additional cost.
Romeo & Juliet Brigadeiro
Try a brigadeiro, a Brazilian-style truffle of white chocolate, condensed milk, guava paste and Parmesan cheese. Known as the Romeo & Juliet due to its combination of sweet and salty, it’s a to-die-for pairing for the taste buds.
Order one for you and your child to enjoy from Sweet Kiss Brigadeiro (Kansas City, Mo.). Or choose a small box featuring flavors like Crunchy Strawberry, Crème Brûlée and “Little Lovers,” a half-white-, half-milk-chocolate delight.
Raspberry and Chocolate Macarons
For such a dainty cookie, this decadent combination satisfies with a lingering flavor. You could say it was love at first bite — that hint of raspberry jelly! These macarons were recommended to me from behind the counter, and … mmm!
Dash over to Kate Smith Soiree (Overland Park) to try them for youself. If you’re looking to make this Valentine’s Day stand out from the rest, this is the sweet spot.
Your family will be charmed by the bakery’s flower wall and heart-shaped chairs. Your child can pick from a case of vibrant macarons, snap an Insta-worthy photo by the flower wall and enjoy a sweet heart-to-heart with you.
KC Parent Pro Tip: Crossing your heart for a Valentine’s tea party? Attend a Sweet Soirée together. From top-tier patisseries to bottomless sips, it’s a pinkies-out, thumbs-up experience.
Fresh Bagel with Strawberry Schmear
Since Valentine’s falls on a Saturday this year, why not go out for a special breakfast with pink on top? Meshuggah Bagels offers bagels baked fresh every morning and crafts its schmears in-house. Any kid is sure to love a plain or chocolate chip bagel with a generous spread of fruity strawberry schmear. Stop in at the location nearest you: Power & Light, Midtown, Overland Park or Liberty.
Chocolate Croissant
The soft crunch of a chocolate croissant is almost as tantalizing as the buttery bite itself. Drizzled with chocolate on the outside and filled with more inside, it’s a taste of the City of Love, courtesy of Paris Baguette (North Overland Park and South Overland Park)!
KC Parent Pro Tip: Save with a “homemade” version! Trader Joe’s (Leawood and Kansas City, Mo.) offers a box off our frozen chocolate croissants. Proof them (let them rise) overnight on Feb. 13, and your kids will gather around the oven to watch their breakfast turn golden.
Sugar Cookie Decorating Kit
This dessert goes out to all the sprinkle lovers! Place an order at McLain’s Market for a Valentine’s cookie decorating kit. They’ll supply three sugar cookies, colored buttercream frosting and sprinkles. You’ll supply the quality time and a no-judgment zone for the amount of icing consumed. After all, what happens in Las Valentine’s stays in Las Valentine’s. Kits vary seasonally and aren’t customizable, so get creative with shapes and colors.
Pick up at one of McLain’s six convenient locations: Waldo, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lawrence, Stanley or North Kansas City.
KC Parent Pro Tip: For gluten-free goodies that still feel indulgent, Cupid’s arrow points to Billie’s Grocery (Leawood and Kansas City, Mo.). But you should taste test before taking your family on Feb.14—it’s the responsible thing to do, after all.
Strawberry Marble Bubble Tea
This dreamy, sweet drink is as filling as it is flavorful. It’s a milk tea with strawberry puree that comes with a pearly surprise. Nicknamed “bubble tea” or “boba” for its tapioca pearls (or popping pearls), this Taiwanese dessert is served with an oversized straw. Each drink comes sealed, so your kiddo will have the delight of piercing the top with the extra-large straw.
My little guy was thrilled with his first cup from Bruú Café (Leawood and Kansas City, Mo.), and I loved that they offer kids portions in smaller cups—most bubble tea cafes only offer one size. Request the Strawberry Marble with Rainbow Bubbles for your little valentine and try a Rose Milk Tea for yourself.
Made-to-Order Mini Donut Packs
Of all the many places you could go for Valentine’s Day, Donutology (Kansas City, Mo.) has “mini” qualities. For starters, this donut shop experiments with the science of sweet: from the test tubes of sprinkles to the seasonal flavors, it’s an astronomical delight.
In the time it takes your kiddo to customize a pack of six minis, Donutology will win your love and appetite. Take it from a mama who’s been there and is going back for another treat with my tyke. Last time he was double-fisting donuts with a sugary smile.
KC Parent Pro Tip: Donuts go best with a cold glass of milk. Surprise your Valentine with a pint of strawberry milk from Shatto — sold at Donutology and many local grocers.
Red Velvet Ooey Gooey
Start a holiday tradition of eating dessert first! Your kids will be tickled to begin their meal with a Red Velvet Ooey Gooey. This classic slice of buttery cake with cream cheese is garnished with raspberry coulis, strawberries and powdered sugar.
Order carry-out or dine in at your neighborhood Red Door Woodfired Grill (Leawood, Brookside, Overland Park, Liberty, Lenexa and Lee’s Summit).
From all of us at KC Parent, Happy Sweet Tooth Day!