5 Fun Things to Do With Your Family on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is here again, presenting lots of opportunities to fill the cups of your little sweeties and celebrate the love your family shares.

The key to a fun Valentine’s Day is to follow the KISS rule—Keep It Simple and Sweet. 

Here are five ways to bring joy to your little ones’ hearts this Valentine’s Day:

Stage a Morning Surprise

A delight that can be themed for any special day, decorate a room in your house that will surprise your little ones when they wake up.

At our house, we decorate our dining room, presenting a tablescape with a lot of heart: heart-shaped plates, a heart-covered tablecloth, perhaps some heart-shaped confetti, and a heart garland hanging from the chandelier. Roses in a vase or pink candles add a nice touch. We’re not going for understated elegance, here. It’s a Valentine’s Day explosion that the kids just love.

They awaken to the delight of lots of pink and red and are excited for what is sure to be a special Valentine’s Day! 

Give Simple Gifts

If you choose to give gifts to your children on Valentine’s Day, the simplest gestures are often the best. The focus of the day is love, so anything that shows appreciation for who they are and what they enjoy is most meaningful. 

For example, you may give tools they can use to further their acute interests or books on their favorite subject.

For extra fun, make up your own “Cupid’s Coupons,” a coupon booklet they can cash in for treats, including things like a night out for ice cream, staying up 30 minutes past bedtime, game night where they pick the game, a day out with Mommy or Daddy, and so on.

Make Everything Heart-Shaped 

Serve food with heart all day to everyone’s glee on Valentine’s Day. Halved strawberries and apple slices resemble hearts. With the help of a heart-shaped cookie cutter, you can enjoy waffle hearts, heart-shaped sandwiches, heart-shaped brownies, heart-shaped everything! It’s so easy and yet so much fun. 

Focus on Them

As the famous “Dear Abby” advice columnist Abigail Van Buren once said, “If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money.”

What your children want most of all will always be your time. Put away digital devices, set aside work and errands, and truly focus on and give gratitude for those you love this Valentine’s Day. The best way to celebrate a day of love is to simply spend it together.

Read Valentine’s Day Bedtime Stories

Cap off the holiday with stories that celebrate the loving, nurturing, compassionate relationships in the lives of children and send the message of true love home. Some of my favorites include these:

• “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney; illustrations by Anita Jeram
• “A Visitor for Bear” by Bonny Becker; illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton
• “Me With You” by Kristy Dempsey; illustrated by Christopher Denise
• “Corduroy” by Don Freeman