Looking for new ways to make Valentine’s Day fun this year? Here are 14 ideas to help make this Valentine’s Day extra special!
- Make a Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
While a simple cheese plate used to suffice, today the charcuterie board is all the rage. Technically a charcuterie board means a board of prepared meats, but these days anything goes! Cut cheeses or salami into heart shapes to make a beautiful food presentation. - Send Valentines
Sites such as Blue Mountain Cards, American Greetings or Punchbowl allow people to email fun cards for free. For a small fee, the TouchNote app lets users send postcards with a photo. They do the printing and mailing and your valentine receives a special postcard.
Alternatively, go the old-fashioned route. Children love picking out their own stamps and mailing valentines. (Hint: They also like receiving them!) Depending on your child’s age, address the envelopes for them or use it as an opportunity to teach the finer points of letter writing. - Decorate in Hearts
Heart-shaped balloons or pink and red heart cut-outs create a festive atmosphere at home. - Create a Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt
Put clues around the house and let your kids search high and low for a surprise sweet treat. - Have a Valentine’s Day Photo Shoot
Cut a heart out of construction paper (as a prop), dress the kids in red and have a photo shoot! Be sure to share your photos with long-distance relatives who miss your family. - Surprise Your Kids with Love Notes
Leave Post-It Notes of love and encouragement for your kids in the shape of a heart on the fridge, bathroom mirror and other key spots around the house. For extra fun, decorate their bedroom doors while they sleep.
Read “21 Ways to Say I Love You to Tweens and Teens”: www.sandiegofamily.com/parenting/teen/21-ways-to-tell-your-tweenteen-i-love-you. - Put Up a Valentine’s Day Tree
Haven’t taken down that Christmas tree yet? Don’t despair! Switch the decor to hearts and other festive ornaments! It may become a new family tradition. - Break a Heart-Shaped Piñata
Who doesn’t love breaking open a piñata full of treats? Heart shaped piñatas are available online if you can’t find one locally. - Play Tic-Tac-Toe
The x’s and o’s in tic-tac-toe make it a natural choice for Valentine’s Day fun! Winner gets the number of kisses and hugs on the board. - Bake to Your Heart’s Content
This may be obvious, but pink frosted cupcakes or sugar cookies with heart sprinkles are a big hit. - Indulge in Heart-Shaped Food
Make a special meal featuring heart-shaped pancakes, pizza or sandwiches. Sweetheart Pancake Breakfast: www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/dining-and-recipes/snacking-with-joy-sweetheart-pancake-breakfast - Make Pink Drinks
Find a delicious recipe for strawberry smoothies, milkshakes, cocoa or punch. - Read a Book
There are great picture books that complement love for family on Valentine’s Day. Try Mama Do You Love Me by Barbara M. Joosse, A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn, or ABC Love, a board book by Christiane Engel. - Make Chocolate-Covered Treats
Impress loved ones with delicious homemade truffles (made with Oreos and cream cheese!): www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/dining-and-recipes/oreo-truffle-balls.
Freelance writer Jill Morgenstern has 13 years teaching experience and is the mother of four.
Discover more ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in our round-up: www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/seasonal-happenings/valentines-day-round-up.
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