14 Sweet Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day As A Family

Valentine’s Day is all about LOVE! Make your child’s day a little sweeter by creating fun family traditions that they can look forward to every year. Whether you decide to make a heart-themed breakfast or create easy crafts, make it special. There are so many ways to celebrate this lovable holiday with your little sweethearts. In honor of this special day, I’ve compiled a list of 14 Sweet Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day As A Family.

MAKE A SPECIAL VALENTINE’S DAY BREAKFAST.

The perfect way to start the day is a breakfast full of love! You could either make breakfast together or surprise the kids with something special when they wake up! I like making heart-shaped pancakes or waffles for the boys. You can also make a strawberry smoothie or milkshake to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family.

HOST A TEA PARTY

Throw a tea party with Valentine’s Day cookies that you baked or purchased from a local baker.  Check out these local bakers and cookie shops: Cookies by Design, Twenty One Sweets, Moyin’s Sugar Cookies, Alessi Bakeries or La Segunda Bakery. Sip on some pink lemonade or strawberry apple juice. Stop by a local juice bar like Clean Juice, Fresh Healthy Café, Juice Factory, Karma Juice Bar & Eatery, SOHO Juice Co., Nékter Juice  Bar or Raw Smoothie Co. to pick up some fresh juices and sandwiches for your tea party. This is an adorable way to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family.

CREATE A FUN SNACK

Sweeten up snack time with these delicious and easy to make Valentine’s Day goodies for the kids! Check out these healthy snacks that are perfect for your little sweethearts.

HAVE A PICNIC

Celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family with a nice outdoor picnic. Pack a nice lunch from home and take a trip to your local park. If the weather is not the best, have a picnic in your living room.

PLAY A VALENTINE’S DAY GAME

Playing games together is one of the best ways to bond with your loved ones. My family enjoys playing board games and other activities with each other. Cut out the screen time and make some memories. Check out these fun Valentine’s Day-themed games: Heart Toss Game, Tic-Tac-Toe, Musical Hearts and Minute to Win it Games.

VOLUNTEER

Teach your child about love and compassion by offering to help someone in need. Visit residents at assisted living facilities or nursing homes. When my grandmother was in the nursing home, we brought flowers to her and some of the residents. It truly made their day. You can also volunteer at local food pantries, pet shelters, local charities, and homeless shelters.

TAKE A CITY TOUR

Discover new places in your city. How many times did you see a place on social media that you didn’t know was in your town? Check out this awesome guide by a fellow blogger about fun things to do in the Tampa Bay area.  A cool way to explore the city is by using public transportation. Check the routes for the bus or trolley online.

GET CRAFTY

I love making crafts with my kids! Stock up on Valentine’s Day craft supplies and let them make their own for loved ones or classmates. Don’t forget to use a coupon at the craft stores. You can always find them online at the store’s website. Check out my blog post for some Valentine’s Day Crafts for kids. If you need more ideas, you’ll love my Pinterest board.

GO ON A VALENTINE’S DAY CHOCOLATE HUNT

Now that my oldest loves chocolate, this will be a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family. Start by hiding miniature sized chocolate candy around the house. Make sure it’s in a cool area so that it doesn’t melt. Give each child a little basket or bin and let them go hunting. You can give clues to the younger kids so that they don’t become frustrated.

DELIVER TREATS TO FIRST RESPONDERS

Call your local fire station or police station and ask if you can stop by with some delicious treats. If you love to bake, make some homemade cookies or brownies with the kids. If not, pick up a box of cupcakes, donuts or cookies from the store or local bakery.

ENJOY A FAMILY DATE NIGHT

Taking the kids on a special date will make their day. Get dressed up and enjoy a night out at a family-friendly restaurant. Here’s a great post about kid-friendly restaurants in the Tampa Bay area.

BAKE A SPECIAL TREAT

Valentine’s is a perfect time to bake with your kids. I have a favorite recipe that I always use for each holiday to bake cookies. Check out these delicious cake batter chocolate chip cookies. Just use red, pink or white sprinkles for Valentine’s Day. I let my oldest son add the ingredients to the mixer and turn it on. Make sure you involve your children in the baking process. If you’re making sugar cookies, let your little sweethearts add frosting or sprinkles to the finished product.

READ VALENTINE’S DAY BOOKS

Snuggle up and read to your little ones. Visit your local library to check out new books. If you’re short on time, reserve your books online then pick them up from the library. Here are some awesome books that are perfect for Valentine’s Day:

• The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
• The Biggest Kiss by Joanna Walsh
• Hedgehug: A Sharp Lesson in Love by Benn Sutton
• Slugs in Love by Susan Pearson
• Love by Matt de la Peña
• This Is NOT a Valentine by Carter Higgins
• Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney
• Love from the Crayons by Drew Daywalt
• Love Is by Diane Adams
• Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
• We Belong Together by Joyce Wan
• Frozen: Anna Loves Elsa by Brittany Rubiano
• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
• Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Here Comes Valentine Cat by Deborah Underwood
• Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
• If You’ll Be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant
• Love, Mama by Jeanette Bradley

MOVIE NIGHT AT HOME

Finally, end a fun Valentine’s Day as a family with a movie! Cozy up on the couch or grab a large blanket to lay on the floor. Enjoy a bowl of popcorn or healthy snacks with your little sweethearts. Check out these family-friendly movies:

• The Princess Diaries
• Sleeping Beauty
• Madly Madagascar
• The Aristocats
• The Princess Bride
• Lady and the Tramp
• Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You
• The Little Mermaid
• Shrek
• Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown
• The Little Rascals
• Gnomeo and Juliet