Typically we think of Valentine’s Day being celebrated by romantically involved people, but Valentine’s Day is a chance to celebrate the love we have for our family and friends! Introducing Valentine’s Day to your kids and teaching them what that looks like creates a healthy understanding and appreciation for love that exists in all of our lives. Here are a few ideas of what your Valentine’s Day with your family might look like:
1. Get Outside! Weather permitting, family walks are an easy way to have conversations with your active kids. Hit a local park or hike a nearby trail and go around reflecting on things that each make you feel loved that you are grateful for. Consider inviting neighbors or friends to join along for great company.
2. Get Artsy! Nothing says you care like a handcrafted Valentine. It’s fairly inexpensive to get your hands on colorful construction paper, glue, scissors and markers to get creative. Help your kids and paste together unique handouts for family members or friends. Personalize them by including a note expressing how special that person is in their life. This might be to a peer, grandparent, or teammate. Handwritten notes don’t have to have the perfect rhyme or line, it’s more about how it comes from the heart. This is an opportunity to discuss with your kids how taking the time to make something from scratch is valuable and sincere.
3. Bake Away! Letting your kids take over in the kitchen can be a little hectic, but Valentine’s Day can be a special day for them to tackle an easy sugar cookie recipe or even something simpler like chocolate covered strawberries. Putting together little baggies of treats to go with a Valentine is a cute touch. A great lesson in giving and also a chance for kids to take charge, use reading and directional skills, and practice simple math with measuring/counting. Kids are often more engaged in activities when they feel they have control in the outcome. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could take your kids to a local nursing home or hospital to hand out treats.
4. Date! There’s no reason why your family can’t plan an outing as many couples do on Valentine’s Day. Planning something special to do together like bowling, dinner at a family favorite restaurant, skating at a local rink or arena, are all great ways to get out the house and take part in something memorable your kids aren’t able to do often.
5. Movie Night! Sometimes the best time to spend together is at the end of the day when everyone is winding down. As parents you might be as tired out as your kids, and this is an easy activity to take part in relaxing on the couch. Get in your pjs, pop some popcorn, pick out a wholesome family movie, and curl up to enjoy your own home movie theater. A movie night may seem simple, but even that time together can allow for laughs and chatter to be shared.
