I am preparing for celebrating Valentine’s Day with my kids. Anika and Jacob love celebrating ALL holidays. I know I only have so many years of this, when they are young and eager to share in the joy that each special occasion brings. I try to make holidays special and enjoy these moments while they last. But I don’t buy tons of stuff and spend a lot of money. I use 90 percent creativity and materials we already have and 10 percent money. Here’s my plan for celebrating Valentine’s Day with kids this year.
14 days of kindness count down
The whole entire world needs a little extra kindness right now, more than ever. For the 14 days leading up to Valentine’s Day, my kids and I will take part in some sort of act of kindness. I’m including the printable we are using free to download if anyone wants to join us!
Read Valentine’s Day books
Seasonal books are awesome. There is something so special about books we save to read during a certain time of the year. We have a few of our own Valentine’s Day books but for the most part, I access the library. The topic is not limited just to Valentine’s Day. I also read books with the kids specifically about love and kindness throughout the month.
Valentine’s Day breakfast
Surprising Anika and Jacob with a simple (emphasis on simple) themed holiday breakfast is one of my favorite things to do. I prepare the night before by putting a tablecloth on our kitchen table that is red or pink. This year I’m using a red one leftover from Christmas. I’ll blow up a bunch of pink balloons that I already have. I’ll make the kids heart-shaped waffles, pancakes, or toast, using our heart-shaped cookie cutter. To go with it they will have red food, like strawberries and raspberries and I think I might go a little wild this year and get them strawberry milk too. Sometimes I add themed sprinkles, sometimes food coloring. It’s very little extra effort to make the kids big time happy.
Valentine’s Day Treasure Hunt
A treasure hunt is always a hit around here. On Valentine’s Day, the kid’s hunt will lead them to their Valentine’s Day gift. This year they are each getting this heart-shaped box of chocolates.
When it comes to making holidays special with young kids I learned a little goes a long way and it’s so worth any extra effort on my part to see the excitement in their little faces. Have fun celebrating Valentine’s Day with kids!
And if you are stuck on what to do for your partner to celebrate this year check out this printable I have on Etsy. It includes 12 at home date night ideas that are low cost or free. Cut up each month, put it in an envelope, and now your partner has a year of gifts to open each month. I gave this to Jamie for Christmas this year and so far it has been a hit. He is IMPOSSIBLE to shop for and he loved this gift.
