If your house is like mine, Valentine’s Day has turned into a holiday that is as much for the kids as it is for the adults! It used to be that my husband and I exchanged gifts or planned a special date. Now, there’s something special for everyone in the family. So each year I take the time to look around for fun ideas that let my kids participate in the holiday as well…and I’d like to share with you. Here’s my ideas, but don’t stop with this list- add your own!
Valentines Wake-Up
Cocoa mugs filled with treats, heart pencils and a few (insert shameless promo to our site here) printable games for kids get set out the night before. After they wake up, we’ll put on some love-themed music to get everyone in the holiday mood. Then I get set to make a heart-y breakfast of heart shaped pancakes with strawberries.
Bake From The Heart
Baking heart-shaped cookies, cupcakes, or even a big cake that the kids help decorate is HUGE at our house.
‘Acts of Love’ Notes
This one starts February 1, but it’s worth it! Decorate a shoe box and leave it on the kitchen counter with a pad of paper and a pencil next to it. Over the next two weeks, everyone in the family keeps an eye out for good deeds to write up and slip inside, such as “Alli helped me clean up my room” and “Matthew gave Mommy a thank you note.” On Valentine’s Day, we’ll open the box and read the ‘love’ notes aloud after dinner.
Dinner a-la Heart
When I tell the kids to wash up for dinner, they’re going to find the heart-shaped soap I put in the bathroom. Then, for the main course, I incorporate hearts into dinner – usually with a heart-shaped pizza (but I haven’t ruled out heart-shaped pasta just yet). Afterwards, we’ll be sending some love to grandma and grandpa with a phone call.
Side note: You may have noticed this is all about the kids. Many times the best laid plans get changed, and I have the feeling we may be sending Daddy out of the house in the afternoon (my treat to him), and dinner will turn into a homemade dinner (again, my treat to him) with lots of pink and red homemade crafts and decorations for Daddy. Not to mention, lighting candles, dimming lights, and jumping out to yell ‘surprise’ when he gets home is a BIG favorite.
Valentines Tuck-In
Since bath time is right before bedtime at our house, placing some bath color tabs and some pink bubble bath near the tub for a valentines bath will be part of our ‘tuck-in’. Of course, sending them up to bed to find new heart jammies and a new book to read will be icing on the cake of a great Valentine’s Day.