Even though the history of Valentine’s Day may be a bit dark, modern Valentine’s Day is all about love and affection. Instead of the common belief that Valentine's Day is “just another Hallmark Holiday," let’s celebrate and have some fun with our kids!
There are so many possibilities for incorporating meaningful early learning skills into fun holiday activities. Here are a few unique, inexpensive ideas:
Collect Heart-Shaped Items and Create an Exhibit
Children love collecting! Task them with gathering heart-shaped items like: toy pieces, cookie cutters, stickers, ribbon and paper cut-outs. Encourage them to go out into nature and look for heart-shaped rocks or leaves. If you have snow you can create heart-shaped walking tracks in the snow!
Write Love Notes In The Snow
Speaking of going outdoors, put some red food coloring and water into a spray bottle and draw heart shapes into the snow. You could even write love-notes to friends and family in the snow! Check out this post from TheSpruce for tips and how-tos!
Go On a Date!
Incorporate toy food for a pretend restaurant "date" - Every special occasion calls for a fancy dinner!
Books About Love
Read books that teach love, empathy and compassion. Then reflect on those stories by brainstorming how you can implement what the book covered into your own life. This could be by doing good deeds, treating others with respect, showing unconditional love for yourself and others, etc. Check out this post by the TodayShow for some book ideas.
Learn About the Heart Organ
Borrow Science books that teach about how the human heart works. Hearts aren’t just shapes that symbolize love, hearts are one of the most important organs in the body and without a functioning heart, animals cannot stay alive.
Play a Board Game
Make up your own board game relating to love or a game that uses heart shaped pieces! Kids are experts at making up their own games. Arm them with heart-shaped “meeples”, pink, red and purple colored paper, markers, glue and see what happens! If making up a game isn't your thing, check out this post for 30 Valentine's Day Game ideas!
Edible Valentines
Use food to make edible valentines. Strawberries, apples, homemade cookies, chocolate. The sky is the limit! Check out this post on DIY.com for a list of how-tos! For a simple project, use Hershey Kisses to trace letters! Write their name in large letters on piece of paper and have them line up Hershey Kisses along each letter. Then let them eat a few!
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