School Valentine's Day Games

Teachers and students can create an atmosphere of learning and fun with many holiday activities. Here are school Valentine's Day games that help students to get more exercise and receive gifts in the process.

The Sweetheart Race
Setup one dozen heart shaped stations or "holiday destinations" in different areas of your school. These stations should include a variety of Valentine's Day gifts and clues on how to reach the next destination. The leader in charge of this school Valentine's Day game can also name the stations after different cities, states or countries. Divide selected students into three groups of four. Instruct the members to each take turns finding holiday gifts from each destination based on clues from the last member's discovery. Designate one central area of the school to serve as a main point of interest for all players in this Valentine's Day game.

Keep one basket for each group at the main point of interest. Assign one student to keep scores of how far along each group is in filling their holiday basket. The first group to reach all scheduled holiday destinations and fill their basket with each item wins. This Sweetheart Race can also be played by allowing pairs of school couples or friends compete against each other instead of four group members. There would be a difference in rules where each pair has to take every other turn to find the next destination. The Sweetheart Race is one of many school Valentine's Day games that can be adapted to fit the interests and playtime goals of students on different learning levels.

The Cupid Hunt
Send students on a quest to find cupid, which is hidden at your school. This game is similar to a scavenger hunt but valentine's gifts are hidden around the school along with clues. Place greeting cards, lollipops, teddy bears, jewelry, holiday candy and related gifts around the school, out of plain view. These gifts should be hidden with a clue that explains where another Valentine's Day gift may be hidden. All students participating in this school Valentine's Day game should be divided into several groups.

Set a start time for all groups to search the school for cupid him. Each gift has a certain amount of points but the group that finds cupid wins. Ask the principal to allow you to play music over the PA system during your school Valentine's Day games. If the principal agrees, play songs with cupid in the title such as "Cupid" by Otis Redding, "Stupid Cupid" by Connie Francis, "Cupid" by the Spinners and "Cupid" by 112. Unrelated love songs can also be played if you run out of songs related to the game, such as "Heart Shaped Glasses" by Marilyn Manson. Use a cupid cutout, sculpture or photo and show students an example of what they are searching for in advance.