Quick and Easy Valentine's Day Ideas for Preschoolers

It isn't necessary to spend a lot of money, or a lot of time, to make Valentine's Day a special day for the little ones in your life. It's often just the simple little touches that children remember, and talk about, for months to come.

Decorations

Hang a variety of pink, red, and purple crepe paper streamers from bedroom doorways. I usually do this after the children have gone to bed the night before Valentine's Day. I hang them in long strips from the center of the door. If the children have decorated construction paper hearts, those can be attached to the ends of the streamers.

Red, pink, and purple balloons can also be used to set the mood.

Add a red or pink plastic tablecloth to your table. Often, I'll grab plain red tablecloths, for a great price, during the after Christmas sales. Use a heart shaped paper punch to make confetti for the center of the table.

Leave a Valentine's Day themed place card near each person's place at the table. Just a simple little "I love you" message or "I think you're great because..."

Everyone dress in Valentine's Day colors for the day.

Food Ideas

Heart shaped pancakes with pink milk (Either red food coloring in white milk or strawberry milk).

Heart shaped pieces of fruit. I use a small heart cookie cutter and cut up cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew melon, etc. You can even put them on sticks to make kabobs and dip them in yogurt-yum!

Peanut butter and jelly, or ham and cheese, sandwiches cut into heart shapes (Again, I just use a cookie cutter).

Red Jell-o and heart shaped Rice Krispie bars (You can also use red food coloring to make pink Rice Krispie bars).

Activities

Play with white shaving cream on the red, or pink, plastic tablecloth. Draw hearts, write "I love you," etc.

"Lost and Found Hearts"-You will need a medium sized box or Rubbermaid container (about the size that would hold a pair of men's shoes). Fill it with paper shred that's used to fill gift bags and baskets. Throw in lots of small hearts of various size and color for your little ones to seek and find. Construction paper would work just fine but I actually like to use craft foam. It seems that the texture actually makes it necessary for the kids to work a little harder to find the hearts. You can make matching sets of hearts so the children have an extra challenge.

Valentine Delivery (see photo)-Have your little ones make various paper valentines using construction paper, glitter, doilies, etc. Set up a box with various slots that will serve as a mailbox. The very best boxes I've found are actually liquor boxes that are sectioned to hold various bottles. Most liquor stores are happy to give their boxes to you so don't be afraid to ask. Label the various slots with the names of family members or make believe zip codes. Then label the valentines to match and your little one is ready to be a mail carrier delivering valentines. Give your little one an old visor and a canvas bag for an extra touch!

A simple Valentine's Day gift (see photo)

Take the cardboard tube from an empty roll of toilet paper. Fill it with small little gift items such as stickers, candy, or erasers. Wrap the cardboard tube up in tissue paper and tie ribbons at the ends (I use curling ribbon). Decorate it with your child's name and various hearts. Add one extra string from end to end and you can hang it on their bedroom doorknob for a special surprise (I actually do this as a surprise when they wake up from their afternoon nap).

A project for you

Take a few minutes to create a valentine for your child. Decorate it to reflect their personality or interests. Express your love for them in your own words. Then take a few minutes to read it with your child. When I taught preschool, I had the parents do this every year and I can't tell you what it means to the children. The time you invest, in this small little project, will leave a lasting impression on your little one.

Have a fun Valentine's Day!