Valentine’s Day. How do we turn this holiday into one of meaning for our children? Today I’m going to share with you ideas to use on the three days leading up to Valentine’s Day. Ideas that your kids will enjoy and that will also make lasting impressions on them.
Gather your kids together and tell them that Valentine’s Day is coming up and the next few days you are going to be doing things to help prepare. You can do as many or as few of the ideas as you’d like and can easily adapt for age.
Day 1: Hand of Love
These ideas focus on writing and drawing.
Draw a picture
It could be as simple as drawing hearts or as elaborate as coloring pictures of ways people show love or minister to others.
Make Up A Poem
Get the creativity flowing. It could be about images that come to mind on Valentine’s Day or ways love has been shown to you. Maybe a way a parent or grandparent has shown love.
Write a Story
How much fun could this be? Older kids could write it out and younger ones can dictate their plot to you. Fiction or non-fiction, this would be something you’d want to keep for when the kids are older.
Write a Song
If you are super creative, you could even write it for a melody that your kids know well. (Twinkle Twinke Little Star is a favorite of my daughter.)
Make a Heart Mobile
Cut hearts of various sizes out of red, pink, white and whatever other color construction paper or card stock you’d like. On each heart, write names of people you love and those who love you.
“Mommy loves little brother” “Daddy loves mommy” “Sister loves Grandma”
Hang the hearts to the light fixture above your dining room table with string or twine.
Create Invitations for a Tea Party
More on this fun idea coming up!
Day 2: Voice of Love
Here we focus on our voice and verbally communicating love to others.
Phone Call
Make that phone call to the friend, relative, or individual that your child has been influenced by or who has done kind things for them. The call doesn’t have to be fancy. Keep it simple and if your child feels uncomfortable help them come up with a simple script before hand. They can even rehearse it with you.
“Hi, Mrs. Sue! I want to say thank you for being my Sunday School teacher. I always want to come to class and I love the Bible stories and crafts you do with us.”
Or perhaps they can call someone that’s sick and just let them know they are thinking of them and give their love.
Call Daddy
Have your child surprise Daddy with a call at work just to say, “I love you.”
Visit
Maybe there’s a shut it you know or an individual that’s going through a rough time that would appreciate a short visit and maybe a picture drawn or poem written yesterday.
Skype
Some people we care about live too far away to visit and it can be costly to call. Skype is a great alternative. Set up a date for your child to call the missionary friend that moved to the other side of the equator and let them know they are being thought of.
Day 3: Deed of Love
Finally, we are going to do an act of love.
Tea Party for Widows
This one would take a little bit of advance planning, but would be memorable.
- If your children are young and your space is limited just have over 1 or 2 widows (this is often a lonely day for them).
- Simple invitations would have to be mailed or phone calls made before the afternoon of the event
- Plan a basic menu. Cookies and tea or juice that your child helps make would be sufficient.
- Your child could even draw a picture for each guest.
- Help your child come up with conversation starters.
Make Cookies or Treats
Make up little goody plates (similar to what we did here). Attach a valentine your child made and and deliver to widows, widowers, friends, and others that could use the encouragement. Your child can carry the plate, ring the door bell, say Happy Valentine’s Day, and give a hug. Depending on age, you can watch from the car.
Financial Donation
Your child can do some extra chores and collect their change. You can make a donation online or in person to an organization that helps care for and love others.
Toy Donations
Have your child pick out a toy and donate it to a pregnancy center, shelter, or any where else that could use it.
How do you make Valentine’s Day meaningful for your children?
Come back Thursday for ideas on how to celebrate the actual Valentine’s Day in your home with your children!
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