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Be Mine!

Inexpensive, Creative Valentine Options for the Whole Family

By Gina Roberts-Grey, LCSW

Tired of giving your kids chocolates and sugary candy? Try cutting out fruit in the shape of hearts or the letters L-O-V-E to serve them Valentine's Day breakfast in bed. Layers of French toast cut with varying-sized heart-shaped cookie cutters and topped with strawberries starts everyone's day with the feeling of love. You'll feel good about starting his Valentine's Day off on a healthy note and your child will appreciate being treated to a heartfelt treat!

Hide clues or messages of love around the house for your family to find throughout the day. You'll start a child's day off with a smile as he pops open the medicine cabinet and finds a simple love note tacked on the toothpaste. Younger kids will enjoy finding a love scroll in their backpack or lunchbox. Squirting mustard onto his sandwich in the shape of a heart, using honey to spell out "Be Mine" on his toast or preparing a meal where the different foods are clues to an overall message will get your family's imagination working.

Many craft stores and home improvement centers stock a bevy of do-it-yourself wind chime supplies. You can purchase a small, plastic gardening pot, fishing line and modeling clay that is baked in the oven (with adult supervision) after it is formed ito the desired shape. Your kids can make different-sized hearts or spell the word love to paint and add to the chime.

Turn a pot that your kids decorated with phrases of love or drawings upside down and drill a few small holes into the sides and one at the top. Tying the fishing line to bells, homemade chimes or shells creates a delightful valentine that grandparents and extended family members will love to listen to.

Want to see more?

• Valentine's Day the Preschool Way: Heart-y Activities for You and Your Child
• Full of Heart: Valentine's Day on a Dime
• Be Good to Your Valentine! Foods That Say "I Love You"
• Talk about it!

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