How to Throw a Children's Valentines Party

Almost everyone enjoys parties, especially children. Valentine's Day is coming up, so why not throw a Valentine's Party for the students in your class. It is one of the easiest parties to decorate for. Everything is red and white and most things can be either handmade or bought inexpensive at your local department store or craft shop. You can also ask for the parents to volunteer in helping to decorate for the party and to attend the party with the children.

The first thing you want to do is decorate. Have on hand the following...

1. Scissors
2. Tape
3. Red and white (or heart shaped) balloons
4. Red and white streamer ribbon
5. Red and white decorations of your choice (ex. flowers, tissue paper, confetti, etc...)
6. Red and white hanging lights
7. Red and white tablecloths
8. At least 2 fairly good sized tables for snacks and crafts
9. Valentines boxes (these can be made from old crayon boxes or shoe boxes that you have the children work on a few days before the party)

Ask your students the day before to wear red and white and for the parents to do the same if attending the party. Send a list of the students names home with each child so that they can be preparing their Valentines cards for the lovely boxes that they have made.

Set up a refreshment table with lots of treats and drinks. A delicious Rose Bouquet would make a beautiful centerpiece that is also fun to eat. Place 3 bowls on the table and fill them with red and white jelly beans, Hershey kisses, and conversational candy hearts. The recipe for the Rose Bouquet is simple and fun to make. You can make them at home the night before or ask a parent who is more knowledgeable with cooking to make them for you.

Rose Bouquet
24 wooden skewers
Cotton swab
Food coloring
24 large strawberries
28 ounces of candy melts
Fresh mint

1. For flower stems, use a cotton swab dipped in green food coloring to tint the wooden skewers. Let them dry (about 2 hours).

2. Stem the strawberries, then insert a skewer into each one.

3. Heat the candy melts according to the package directions. Dip each strawberry into the melted candy, twirling it to coat it completely.

4. Stand the skewers in a vase or tall glass and let the candy harden. Add fresh mint to resemble rose leaves, and keep the bouquet chilled until it's time to give it to your sweetie.

Another fun treat for the children can be made by the children. "Blast Off Rocket Cards" are easy to make and fun for all ages. You can have the children make these in class the day before or you can send the directions and materials in zip-lock bags home with them and they can have their parents help them.

Blast-Off Rocket Cards
Scissors
Lightweight colored paper for the body and the flame (we used a 3 1/4-inch pink square for the body and a 3-inch orange square for the flame)
Double-stick tape
A roll of Lifesaver candies
A foil-wrapped Hershey Kiss
Marker

1. For the body, cut the paper to fit around the roll of candy, including a bit of overlap. Tape the paper to the roll.

2. Cut the tail flames and include a 1/4-inch tab, as shown below. Snip the tab in half along the solid line, fold the 2 flaps in opposite directions, and tape the flame to one end of the candy roll.

3. Tape a wrapped chocolate kiss to the other end.

4. Use a marker to write your message on the rocket or the flames.

Tips:
Write the recipient's name on the flames shooting out the back.

There are also many other great party ideas for treats and drinks such as the traditional cookies, cupcakes, and fruit punch. Your children's eyes will light up when they see how nicely everything looks and how much fun they are going to have. For a cool refreshing drink, we thought "Cupids Love Potion" would be perfect for the occasion. This drink is easy to make and refreshing to drink. You will find that the parents love these nice drinks as much as the children do.

Cupids Love Potion
8 - 12 ounce cans of pink lemonade
8 - cups pf raspberry sherbet
8 - 12 ounce cans of lemon/lime soda

1. In a pitcher, mix the lemonade concentrate with the recommended amount of water.

2. In a separate pitcher, combine the sherbet with 1 cup of the lemonade mixture.

3. Add the soda, stir, and serve. Makes 24 cups.

Let's not forget how much children enjoy doing crafts. Have a second table set up with activity sheets, glue, decorations, stickers, tape, and anything else you can think of. One very fun activity for the children can be the Valentine Hand craft that they can take home to Mom and Dad.

Valentine Hand Craft
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Markers
Poster boards (8x10)

1. Have the student trace their hands onto construction paper at least six times.

2. Cut the hand out of the paper and have the student decorate them with markers.

3. Arrange the hands to form a heart and glue onto an 8x10 poster board.

You can also watch the kids have fun making Cinnamon Heart Keepsakes. These keepsakes are a great gift to the child's parents and they smell fantastic. The parents will treasure them for years to come and they last a very long time.

Cinnamon Heart Keepsakes
10 - Cups ground unsweetened cinnamon
2 - 3 Jars of applesauce
Heart shaped cookie cutters
Drinking straws
Red ribbon
Wax paper
Paint
Paintbrushes

Note: There is actually no measuring to this recipe. Make about 2 cups of the mixture at a time and have no more than 4 students at a time doing this project as it tend to harden too quickly.

1. Place 2 cups of cinnamon in a large bowl.

2. Mix in applesauce until you have a very thick paste.

3. Help the children roll out the mixture onto the wax paper then take the cookie cutters and cut a heart out for each of the four children at the table. place the remaining mixture to the side for now.

4. Take the end of a drinking straw a make a small hole for the ribbon to tie into.

5. Let dry for about an hour or so (depends on humidity in the room).

6. After it is completely dry, fit the ribbon through the hole and tie. Then take the paints and have the children decorate them any way they want.

There are lots of fun things for children to do at parties. You could also ask the children if they have any ideas or suggestions. Fun games and activities keep children busy, fun and socializing. It is a very effective way to open the children up to new things and help them build their social skills. It also very helpful for them to know that they are very important and it makes them feel good when they are able to help out. There are many games, activities, recipes, and crafts for the children to do. You just have to use your imagination. I hope these tips help you and I hope you have fun. Have a wonderful Valentines Day!