VIDEO: Families create valentines the old-fashioned way

Using construction paper, scissors and glue, kids learned to make valentines the old-fashioned way at Poughkidsie’s family studio Sunday.

Instead of picking up something store-bought, children stamped, painted and cutout cards with personal touches for their classmates — all for less than the cost of going to the movies. Glue was aplenty and symmetry was optional.

Manager Sara Murali said Sunday’s event demonstrated what Poughkidsie is all about: bringing out kids’ creative sides and creating family memories.

“Every age has something to do and the adults aren’t just sitting around or bored,” she said. “Everyone can find something and everyone can enjoy themselves. ... Poughkeepsie needed a place like this. That was the whole goal — to bring the community here and getting everyone engaged.”

Poughkidsie, which opened in 2014, regularly offers events for children and adults of all ages. Parents can watch their toddler playing in the kids' village, while also keeping an eye on their young adult painting in the studio, Murali said.

“My wife usually takes the kids here fairly often,” Jason Pettit, of Poughkeepsie, said while helping his son, Jack, glue cutouts of bees to his valentines.

Beth Fox and her daughter, Madison, 7, traveled from Goshen to make valentines together.

“We’ve been here a few times before,” Beth Fox said. “There aren’t many places like this for kids, and (Madison) loves crafting. We’ve just signed up for the calendar of events and we thought we would check this out."

This year, Poughkidsie is branching out with more trivia nights for adults. For a full list of upcoming events, visit Poughkidsie.com/calendar.

Amanda J. Purcell: apurcell@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4807; Twitter: @amandajpurcell 

Video

For video of Poughkidsie's valentine-making event, visit www.PoughkeepsieJournal.com.