When I was little, every Valentine’s Day morning there was a box of conversation hearts at our place at the table. I loved that, and so I wanted to find something to do for my own kids each year. I tried the conversation hearts, but the kids didn’t really like the taste. I tried making heart-shaped pancakes, but that ended in a temper tantrum. (Mine. It turns out I am more the sort of person who serves cereal in heart-shaped bowls.) I tried small boxes of chocolates (the kind made for kids, with a puppy or a panda or whatever on the heart-shaped front, and 4-6 pieces of chocolate inside), but the chocolates weren’t very yummy even for children.
One year I was out shopping before Valentine’s Day and the couple of kids with me went NUTS over the giant Hershey Kisses at the store. I went back later secretly and bought one for each kid, and they loved them, so that’s what I’ve done every year since—even now that they’re marked “#1 Teacher,” which, if you ask me, and I realize you haven’t, is a silly and limiting thing to do.
But perhaps your child responds to giant Hershey Kisses the way mine did to the boxes of assorted chocolates. Or perhaps your child has allergies, or gets too many candies from the classroom exchange already, or already gets the giant Hershey Kiss from the grandparents. In that case, I have some other, non-food ideas.
Melissa and Doug Heart Beads Set (photo from Amazon.com). (That one looks like it’s about to sell out; here’s another option, and another.)
Human Anatomy Heart (photo from Amazon.com). Ha ha, gross. But for the right child, this would be hilarious and awesome. (Here’s another option.)
A Valentine’s BOOK. This wins you the parenting award for educational/enriching holiday-celebrating! I’d choose this Phineas and Ferb one (photo from Amazon.com).
Clothes (photo from OldNavy.com). Well, clearly this will not be for every child. For some children, this would be like unwrapping a package of plain white underpants on Christmas morning. But for children who like clothes, this is more like opening a package of super-fantastic SUPER-HERO underpants on Christmas morning, except it would be Valentine’s Day morning. Elizabeth likes clothes very much, and would be happy with, for example, the $4 heart tights from Target and a clearance Valentine’s Day shirt bought last year.
Lego Heart Box (photo from Amazon.com). I wish there was a review or two about this, because there’s not much information but it looks kind of awesome.
Heart stickers (photo from Amazon.com). This would have been my second favorite after candy, when I was a child. Stickers! Lots of different ones! (These would be good as a craft supply, too, if your kids are making their valentines this year.) And if you’re mailing a Valentine’s Day card to a child, this sticker booklet would fit well into a greeting card.
I <3 that lego box and found it on the actual lego site for $4.99.
Amanda | February 1st, 2012 at 3:12 pm
We usually do the book idea–not Valentine themed, just $1 Scholastic book themed.
And a big container of dairy-free gummy somethings for them to share.
Nowheymama | February 1st, 2012 at 3:31 pm
I think they shall get green beans and toothpaste.
They get WAY too much candy at school already and THEN a holiday on top of that.
Bah humbug, I guess.
Maybe I’ll get stickers or something, but that’s likely as far as it goes (in addition to the class parties and boxes of valentines and stickers and tattoos we have to do). I’m more inclined to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a ROMANTIC LOVE holiday, which is not for children, in my opinion.
Am I a holiday ruiner?
Alicia Cross | February 2nd, 2012 at 12:07 am
We usually do something for our kids too…usually a little gift and toaster waffles on Valentine’s paper plates. Because I am fancy! Last year when they were all done, I remembered that doh! I have a heart-shaped waffle maker in the cupboard that we received as a wedding gift and I’ve never had the heart to donate. Maybe this year I’ll dust it off and rock some of those too.
Melanie | February 5th, 2012 at 2:03 pm