6 Cute Valentine's Day Activities For All Ages

Here are some cute ways you can celebrate at home and show your children how to share the love they feel every day of the year with friends and family.

Sweets For Your Sweeties

Photo Source: Kimberly Vardeman

Nothing says Valentine's Day like chocolate covered strawberries, but did you know that it's really easy to dress your strawberries up in fancy tuxedoes? Simply dip the front of your strawberry in melted vanilla chips to form a V-shape and coat the sides and back of the strawberry in melted milk chocolate to form the jacket. Then dip a toothpick into melted chocolate to create buttons on the white shirt front and a bow-tie shape. Let it dry on wax paper for about an hour.

For a less fancy design, dip the strawberries in white chocolate, then add sprinkles, colored sugar, or a candy conversation heart and let it dry. Wrap the hardened strawberries in saran wrap or cellophane for a perfect homemade gift for teachers or friends.

Not a strawberry fan? Rice Krispies Treats can be shaped like hearts and decorated with chocolate, sprinkles, and colored sugar, too!

Valentine's Day Activities for Kids

Chocolate Treasure hunt: Have kids follow clues that eventually lead to a sweet surprise! Depending on your kids' ages, you can print out picture clues (a picture of a milk carton would lead them to the fridge, for example), create riddles, or have the kids complete rhymes to find out the next destination. For example: "To find this clue, it won't take an hour. Clear your mind and look in the ___". Then leave the next clue propped up in the shower! For the littlest kids, place paper hearts all over the house or yard and challenge them to find them all for a sweet reward.

Make colorful crayons: Here's a great way to use up all those broken crayons: have kids remove the paper wrapping from all of their broken crayons. Place the crayons in a silicone muffin tin- you can use a standard round tin or a heart-shaped one. Bake in a 230 degree oven for 15 minutes. Let them cool and wrap in cellophane for handmade valentines your kids can take to school.

DIY Slime: For a great science-based sensory experience and cool gift idea, make glittery Valentine's Day-themed slime. All you need is ¼ cup glitter glue, ¼ cup clear glue (like Elmer's), ½ cup of water, and ½ cup of liquid starch*. Using a spoon, mix together the glitter glue, clear glue, and water, then add the liquid starch. It will turn into slime before your eyes! Add tiny foil harts or foil confetti if you'd like. Place it in a plastic container and cover it tightly between uses.

* If you can't find liquid starch in the store (try Walmart), you can make your own by boiling ½ cup of water with ½ tablespoon of corn starch and whisking it constantly until it boils and has a smooth texture. Let it cool and then add it to the glitter glue and clear glue mixture.

Photo Source: Lynn Greyling, ArtSeasons

Keepsake Handprints: Have your child dip their hand in non-toxic red tempera paint and stamp it on a paper heart for a simple keepsake. Paste your child's school photo next to the handprint. Create a handprint and photo page each year and turn it into a book for a keepsake that grows with your child.

Decorated with Love: Get out all your favorite craft supplies and make pink, white, purple, and red paper chains and paper hearts, then string or tape the decorations up around the house.