Sweetheart Ball

Miss Madame Candy Toodoo’s Swanky Soirée

Dress to impress and dance the day away at the Swanky Soirée! Hosted by the larger-than-life puppet Miss Madame Candy Toodoo, this stylish celebration invites children and their loved ones to hit the dance floor beneath a shimmering mirror ball. With tunes spanning the decades – from sweet and slow to upbeat favorites – get ready for twirls, laughter and heartfelt moments that will last long after the music stops.

Walk of Wonderful

Step onto the glamorous Red Carpet and let the cheers and kind words from loved ones surround you! Children can show off their style, strike a pose and feel the joy of being celebrated for the unique, wonderful person they are. It’s their time to shine!

Best Friends Forever Bundle

Every child attending the Sweetheart Ball will take home a BFF Bundle ­– a 4-pack of plush friends featuring our beloved museum mascots: BooZoo, Bird, Lillie and Lucy! A cuddly keepsake ready for hugs, snuggles and playful adventures.

Sweetheart Snapshots

Step into a classic sit-down photo booth, cozy up with loved ones and strike a pose with fun props! Capture timeless Sweetheart Ball memories with charming snapshots you’ll take home and treasure for years to come.

Yale New Haven Children’s Heartbeat Clinic

Immerse yourself into the role of a healthcare hero at our Heartbeat Clinic! Children can use a realistic stethoscope to listen to their own heartbeat – or a loved one’s – and learn from pediatric specialists from Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. Plus, enjoy exciting giveaways to take home!

Love Bug Bento Box*

Treat your sweetheart to a Love Bug Bento Box, available for purchase during Sweetheart Ball! Each box includes a white chocolate–dipped strawberry, crackers, cheese and grapes – a sweet little bite to enjoy between twirls on the dance floor.

*Every Bento Box purchase supports Stepping Stones Museum for Children and helps bring joyful learning experiences to families year-round.

Hearts in Harmony

Join Dan, Dan the Music Man for a Valentine’s Day mini-concert! Sing, dance and join interactive songs that celebrate love, friendship and self-confidence, highlighting the special bonds that bring us together.

Constructing Care

Little builders will love Constructing Care, a puppet experience that brings wooden blocks and busy construction vehicles to life through puppetry, music and playful sound effects – building moments of community, teamwork and caring hearts.

Sweet Silly-strations

Create a Sweetheart Ball memory to treasure as one of our wonderful in-house artists captures smiles in vibrant manga-style caricatures – each one a colorful keepsake full of personality and heart.

The Blossom Boutique

Add a touch of elegance at The Blossom Boutique! Children create their own boutonnieres and wrist corsages with faux flowers, pipe cleaners and slap bracelets – charming accessories to complete their sweetheart style.

Valentine Postcard Creation Station

Get creative and spread the love at the Valentine Postcard Creation Station! Kids can design and decorate postcards for family and friends using colorful stamps to share heartfelt messages.

Twinkle Tales

Gather in BooZoo’s Book Nook for Twinkle Tales! Cozy up with loved ones and enjoy magical storytelling beneath a sparkling ‘starry night sky.’

Sparkle and Shine Crowns

Celebrate each child’s confidence, creativity and unique sparkle! Children will embrace their inner royalty as they design their own crowns or tiaras, creating a wearable reminder of their special shine.