Valentine’s Day for Kids: How to Make the Holiday Fun and Teach Children About Love

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples—it’s a wonderful opportunity for families to connect and celebrate love in all its forms. Valentine’s Day for kids can be filled with fun activities, meaningful lessons about kindness, and special moments shared with family and friends.

Before diving into the festivities, it’s helpful to explain the holiday’s meaning in a way children can understand. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to make Valentine’s Day memorable for your kids, from simple explanations to creative activities you can enjoy together!

Contents:

• What Is Valentine’s Day? A Child-Friendly Explanation
  • Why Do We Celebrate It?
  • Valentine’s Day Traditions and Symbols
  • When Did the Valentine’s Day Card Tradition Begin?
  • Different Valentine’s Day Traditions Worldwide
• How Kids Can Participate in Valentine’s Day Celebration
• Fun Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids
  • DIY Valentine’s Crafts
  • Valentine’s Day Cards
  • Valentine’s Day Games
• How to Teach Kids the Meaning of Love & Kindness
• 7 Fun Facts About Valentine’s Day for Kids
• FAQs

What Is Valentine’s Day? A Child-Friendly Explanation

Valentine’s Day happens every year on February 14th. It’s a special day to celebrate love and friendship. While it’s named after Saint Valentine, today it’s all about showing people you care about them—whether it’s your family, friends, classmates, or even teachers.

Adults and kids often exchange cards, small gifts, candy, or drawings to say “thank you” or “I appreciate you.” It’s not just about hearts and chocolates—it’s about kindness, gratitude, and making someone feel special.

Why Do We Celebrate It?

Valentine’s Day has been around for a very long time, with roots that stretch back to ancient Rome. Back then, there was a festival called Lupercalia, which celebrated the start of spring. But it was pretty wild—there were big parties and even some strange rituals that wouldn’t make much sense today.

Eventually, a kind-hearted man named Saint Valentine became part of the story. Legend says he was a priest who secretly helped people in love, even when it was against the rules of the Roman Empire. Because of his bravery and kindness, Pope Gelasius I decided to honor him by creating Valentine’s Day.

Today, the holiday isn’t about ancient festivals or history—it’s about the simple, powerful idea that love and friendship matter, and it’s always a good thing to show people you care.

Valentine’s Day Traditions and Symbols

Over time, Valentine’s Day has developed its own special traditions and symbols that help people celebrate love in fun and meaningful ways:

• Valentine’s Cards: Exchanging cards with sweet messages is one of the most popular traditions. Kids often make handmade cards for family, friends, and classmates.
• Gifts and Treats: People give small gifts like chocolates, candies, flowers, or little toys to show appreciation. Heart-shaped treats are especially popular!
• The Heart Symbol: The heart is the most recognizable symbol of Valentine’s Day because it represents love. You’ll see hearts everywhere—in decorations, cards, and even cookies.
• Cupid: A cute little character with wings, a bow, and arrows. Cupid comes from Roman mythology and is said to make people fall in love when he shoots his magical arrows.
• Red and Pink Colors: These colors are often used in decorations because red symbolizes strong feelings like love, while pink represents kindness and caring.

Valentine’s Day is more than just cards and candy—it’s a chance to spread kindness, friendship, and love in simple ways that make others feel special.

When Did the Valentine’s Day Card Tradition Begin?

The oldest example of something that might remind of a Valentine’s Day card dates back to the 15th century. Charles, Duke of Orleans, spent some time in prison after the Battle of Agincourt. He used that time to write a love poem that has the phrase “Valentine” in it to his wife Bonne of Armagnac.

That letter was in French, but English also started writing love letters for Valentine’s around the same date. Margery Brews wrote to her fiancé in 1477 and you can find this letter in the British Library. The great thing about this letter is that the couple actually married later.

Valentine’s Day cards became a tradition somewhere in the late 18th century. Ester Howland was the first to mass-produce them in Massachusetts in the 1840s. Over time, cards have been turned into a true art. Some prefer to make them themselves, while others use variously shaped printed cards in red, pink, and other colors.

Different Valentine’s Day Traditions Worldwide

It might be interesting to share unique facts about how Valentine’s Day is celebrated in different countries. Here are some insights to use to sparkle children’s interests:

• 🇮🇹Italy. The local belief is that a single woman should go outside, and the first man she sees will become or look like her husband. In Verona, you can participate in contests of writing love letters and other themed events.
• 🇹🇼Taiwan. Flowers are the best gift you can give to a woman for Valentine’s Day. If a man gives 108 roses to a woman, that’s considered a proposal!
• 🇰🇷 South Korea. The interesting thing is that women are those who send gifts to men, and it’s usually chocolate. Men return the favor a month later on White Day.
• 🇵🇭 Philippines. There’s an official marriage ceremony sponsored by the Government on Valentine’s Day. Numerous couples use this opportunity to exchange their vows and get married.
• 🇿🇦 South Africa: Women pin the names of their crushes on their sleeves—a tradition from ancient Roman times!
• 🇪🇪 Estonia: Valentine’s Day is called “Friendship Day”, where people celebrate not just romantic love but also friendships.

How Kids Can Participate in Valentine’s Day Celebration

If you want the children to truly experience the spirit of the holiday, you should invite them to participate in activities surrounding it. Here’s how you can make the holiday better for the entire family:

• Cook together. You can find an old family recipe and tell your kid that grandma used to make that treat. As a way to celebrate the holiday, you can make that treat together.
• Watch a Valentine’s Day movie. Don’t forget to get some popcorn or candies. Dim the lights to set an atmosphere and find a romantic movie for all generations.
• Prepare a picnic in the yard. You can also go to the local park or beach. While preparing the picnic, make sure you pack some heart decorations. You can even cut food into this shape and bring some grapes and strawberries.
• Prepare gifts for family members and other people. You can set a tradition where the family exchanges small gifts for Valentine’s Day. Alternatively, talk to your child about taking some gifts to people who often go unnoticed, such as homeless individuals.

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Fun Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids

The activities you choose will depend on the age, sex, and your child’s interests. You know your children best, so pick the activities accordingly. Do you believe they will enjoy watching a romantic movie? Sit down and watch it together. But do you know that your kids are full of energy and can’t sit through a movie? It’s a better option to play a game or head out for a picnic. It’s all about spending time together as a family and enjoying it.

DIY Valentine’s Crafts

Let’s cover several suggestions regarding things that children could make for Valentine’s Day. For starters, here’s a video on how to make a flower full of love:

It can be an excellent gift for mom, grandma, or friend.

Now, here is a bit more complicated guide to making beautiful heart hangings:

The video above could be more tailored to older children, such as teens. Making these hearts and hanging them in the living room will really lighten up the space and fill it with love.

Here’s another great guide on how to make a honeycomb heart decoration:

It will take time and effort, so it’s best to set aside an afternoon for the project. However, the result will be impressive. You can ask your child to spend some time together decorating the room with these and other paper decorations.

Valentine’s Day Cards

If you are looking for a cute gift idea, here’s a great surprise:

This short guide shows you how to create a heart waterfall card that shows “I love you” or any other words you want displayed. The card doesn’t take much time to make, so it can be a fast way to surprise someone.

Here’s another guide that you can follow when making Valentine’s Day ideas with your kid:

You can follow these instructions, but decorate according to your ideas. The important thing is to get everything ready before you start. It could include visiting a local shop or bookstore to get the necessary items.

Now, let’s check out another greeting card:

It has a pop-up system and it’s trickier to make. However, if you have children that enjoy DIY, this could be a true challenge. It’s also something that teachers can do in the classroom with their pupils.

Valentine’s Day Games

Some children don’t enjoy arts and crafts, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun for this holiday. Here are some Valentine’s Day activity ideas to try:

• Candy matching game. You will need some candies and stickers to put on it. The idea is to put two or more identical symbols among the stickers. Kids have the task of finding all candies with the same stickers. Those who succeed get to keep the goodies.
• Hunting hearts. It’s a game that’s something similar to an Easter Egg hunt. However, you can put heart stickers around the yard or home. Once you set everything, it’s time for children to go on the hunt. You can think of a prize for the participant who collects the most stickers.
• Candy dice game. Here’s another game you can play with candies. Each participant starts with a certain stack. Set the rules by establishing what each number on the dice means. It could be taking one or two candies, putting one back, taking one from someone else, etc.
• Use a sensory bottle. If you have small kids, you can use these to help them deal with negative emotions like anger and stress. You can use baby oil or dish soap, along with food coloring, to create the bottle.

Ready to add some laughter to your Valentine’s Day celebrations? Check out our collection of Valentine’s Day jokes for kids! From knock-knock jokes to funny puns, you’ll find plenty of fun ways to share love and laughter with your little ones.

How to Teach Kids the Meaning of Love & Kindness

You should teach kids about love and kindness every day. However, we agree that Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity for this. Here are some ways how to show them the acts of kindness and love:

• Put a pillow note to surprise them. Write down something like “Mom/Dad loves you”, or place a heart-shaped candy on their pillow.
• Do things together. You can cook, watch a movie, or head outside. Spending time together is an excellent opportunity to bond with your child.
• Express love and gratitude for others. Children learn by watching you, so make sure to show love and affection toward others at all times.
• Remember that you can express love differently. Physical touch via kisses and hugs is important, but you also should praise your kids’ efforts at all times and always be kind when talking to them.
• Teach the “ripple effect” of kindness. Explain how one small act of kindness can inspire others. Share stories about how helping a friend, sharing toys, or simply smiling at someone can brighten their day—and how that kindness can spread like ripples in water.
• Read books about love and kindness. Choose age-appropriate books that explore themes of friendship, empathy, and compassion.
• Practice gratitude together. At dinner or bedtime, take turns sharing one thing you’re thankful for. This habit teaches kids to focus on the positive and appreciate the little things in life, which fosters a loving and kind mindset.
• Model self-love. Show your child that loving yourself is just as important as loving others. Talk about the importance of rest, doing things you enjoy, and speaking kindly to yourself. When kids see you practicing self-care, they learn to value themselves too.

7 Fun Facts About Valentine’s Day for Kids

1. The holiday is always on the same day—February 14th.
2. People exchange over 145 million greeting cards for this holiday every year.
3. The estimation is that over 58 million pounds of candy and chocolate are used annually for Valentine’s Day.
4. Gifts like greeting cards and flowers are most commonly given to teachers. More teachers than moms or wives receive gifts for the day!
5. The florist industry grows about 250 million roses each Valentine’s Day.
6. If someone is in love, we tell that couple they are “lovebirds.” Those birds actually exist, and it’s what we call the Agapornis bird.
7. Best Valentine’s Day movies include Valentine’s Day, My Blueberry Nights, and Call Me by Your Name.

Valentine’s Day is a special feel-good holiday that celebrates love and affection for others. That’s why it’s perfect for children and entire families to celebrate together. Make sure to take some time to explain the holiday to your children properly.

Underline that small and symbolic gifts are the core of the holiday and that you should also spend time with the ones you love. You can come up with different activities during the day and even decorate the house together. Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to turn spending time with your kids into a beautiful memory.

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day with kids? Don’t hesitate to share your opinions in the comments. We are looking forward to hearing from you, as well as answering any questions you might have!

FAQs

How Do You Explain Valentine’s Day to Kids?

You can tell them that this is the holiday of love, affection, and appreciation for others. It’s a day when we give small and beautiful gifts to family members, friends, and classmates to share all that love.

What Do You Teach Kids About Valentine’s Day?

This one’s easy—focus on teaching them about love. Tell them how this day is perfect to tell someone they love them and show affection via gifts or other ways. Underline that gifts should be symbolic and not expensive, and the present can simply be spending time together.

How to Make Valentine’s Day Special for Kids?

You can organize different activity types, such as making Valentine’s Day cards or decorations for the house. Games like candy matching or heart hunting can make the day memorable and fun.

Can Children Celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Absolutely! You can celebrate the day together as a family. Start a few days in advance to prepare the decorations and consider the presents kids will give to other family members and classmates. Think about games and activities you can do during Valentine’s Day to keep things fun for everyone involved.

Cover image: Kiselev Andrey Valerevich/Shutterstock.com