Celebrate love – Valentine’s day ideas for kids

Valentine’s Day is the day we get to express our love. Even though we do it every day in one form or another for those we love, there’s something to be said when February 14th rolls around.

When my kids were younger, we took them to the store. Each of them would pick out their favourite Valentine’s Day box of cards for each one of their classmates at school. The fun they had signing their names and just how happy they were to be giving someone a card knowing it would make them feel special. One of my boys wanted to buy extra in case some of their friends received less than they did.

It was a day that started at home, even as they got older. I made sure I had something special for each of them when they came for breakfast. I would give them each a gift bag with a card and buy them something small, nothing too substantial (this tradition carried on until the day they moved out). When they came home from school, I’d have a batch of cookies baked with a red heart in the middle. I’d watch and hear the buzz around the kitchen table as they pulled out their decorated paper Valentine’s Day bags filled with cards they had received. Seeing how happy and excited they were after receiving a small card with a special note was amazing. For our daughter, my husband always got her a card and a stuffed toy or trinket. That always warmed my heart.
Although the tradition for Valentine’s Day has always been known to be chocolates, flowers, and a romantic dinner, it doesn’t have to be.

In today’s times, Valentine’s Day is for everyone; whether you have a romantic partner, single friends, or a BFF, there’s always a way to celebrate.

The following are some ideas I’ve curated and done myself to make those special people in your life feel the love. It doesn’t have to be extravagant.

• Cook dinner or order in and watch a movie. There are so many memorable flicks like Valentine’s Day, The Notebook, Ever After, or Gone with the Wind. For kids, check out Lady and the Tramp, Frozen, Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You or Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown.

• Gifts are also quite simple. Consider Valentine story books with familiar characters they know and love such as Franklin’s Valentine by Paulette Bourgeois, Sesame Street: My Fuzzy Valentine to Elmo by Naomi Kleinberg and Christopher Moroney, Peppa’s Valentine’s Day by Courtney Carbone and EOne.
No matter what you do or what you get—show love. I am trying to remember where I read or saw this quote that resonated with me, “Nothing is better than someone who is happy because of you.”

Happy Valentine’s Day!