When I do a countdown or sit down to plan a month of activities, I take into consideration days that the big kids will be off school as well as what day’s Little Bro has preschool. The days we don’t have PreK, we have more time to do bigger activities!
Then, it’s off to Pinterest I go in search of ideas that match my theme. For February, the theme is – of course – love, hearts and valentines!
Below you’ll find our “countdown” as well as links to the original sources! Why invent the wheel when there are so many awesome ideas out there! (Because I am only with the kiddos on weekdays, our countdown is 10 days.)
Day 1: Love Buckets via Simply Kierste
I love this idea of encouraging all the kids to be positive and loving toward each other. I grabbed some buckets from the dollar bins at Target and added each child’s name. Today after school, I’ll explain that they can leave notes, drawings, etc. for each other and that I will leave notes and treats in them as well. On the 12th, we will look in them together and feel the love!
Day 2: Candy Heart Pretzel Bites via Two Sisters Crafting
The kids love to help in the kitchen, so this simple treat should be fun!
Day 3: Valentine Heart Wreath
We’ve made simple wreaths for past holidays out of paper plates and glitter, ribbon, stickers, etc. They love to create, so we will be making one for this holiday as well!
Day 4: Valentine Hand Ice Melting via Little Bins for Little Hands
Frozen ice hands with valentines goodies that the kids get to explore? Yes please! I’m excited to see how they get the goodies out of the ice!
Day 5: Heart Tube Stamping via Housing a Forest
I’ve done this in the Preschool classroom as well, and it always turns out cute and fun! And simple crafts that only require leftover cardboard tubes and paint are always a win.
Day 6: Valentine’s Slime via Little Bins for Little Hands
Slime is simple, fun and a great sensory experience for little hands. This valentine’s version is sure to be a hit!
Day 7: I love you sign language and cards via Busy Kids Happy Mom
We’ll learn how to sign “I love you” with our fingers and then make a cutout to add to cards.
Day 8: Heart sorting and counting via Teaching 2 and 3 year olds
Sorting and counting is a great foundational skill for little ones. Candy hearts and heart shapes are both great ways to practice that skill! (This link even includes a free printable!)
Day 9: Candy heart printables via Tot Schooling
There are so many ways to use candy hearts to learn – sorting, patterning, color matching, one to one placement… This link includes printables to make it even easier! I’ll work at different levels with each kiddo, but there will be something for each of them!
Day 10: Heart cinnamon rolls
On this day we will also look in our buckets to see what love-ly things were left for us! Heart cinnamon rolls sounded yummy and simple (just partially unroll each roll out of the tube and connect ends to form hearts), so we will give them a try for our afternoon snack.
I’ll leave them with a special Valentine to open on the weekend, and we will probably end up making something for the preschool class as well.
What do you do to celebrate Valentine’s day with your family?
Diane McCall says
Wonderful ideas Anna. You always amaze me. You are going to be a great mama.
Sally says
Probably the most memorable tradition is Gene making heart shaped pancakes! Anna, your children are making wonderful memories.
Anna says
Heart shaped pancakes are my favorite memory, as you know! 😉
Anna says
Thank you!!