Quality time with your kids on Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s common for parents to go out and buy kids special treats. However, don’t forget to give them something more; quality time with you!

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner,Valentines hearts it’s common for parents to go out and buy kids candy, stuffed animals and other special treats. Sure, it’s fun to have a reason, like Valentine’s Day, to spoil the kids with things we don’t regularly buy. There’s nothing wrong with getting kids a special treat, especially on a holiday, but don’t forget to give them something more; quality time with you!

Parenting.com has several Valentine’s Day ideas for Kids including:

  • Cozy up on the couch: Grab some blankets and watch a Valentine’s Day themed movie such as Lady and the Tramp or A Charlie Brown Valentine.
  • Add a splash of color: Decorate your living space with red, white and pink streamers. Create placemats to spice up meal time and even consider decorating yourselves with some temporary Valentine’s Day tattoos.
  • Eat in Cupid’s kitchen: Put a twist on dinner with a Cupid-inspired menu. Serve “a slice of heaven” (pizza) or “in the clouds” (root beer float). See what other Valentine’s themed food the kids can find.
  • Create a house of hearts: Make some hearts out of construction paper and hide them in the house. See if the kids can find them!
  • Say “I love you:” Go around the table and have everyone share five reasons they love each family member.

Getting quality time as a family can be a challenge, especially during any holiday. For more information about spending quality time as a family, read Spending Quality Family Time Together Is Very Important  or Planning Play With Your Kids.

The Michigan 4-H Youth Program uses the Targeting Life Skill Model as a guideline in making the connection between 4-H and life skills learned. Nurturing relationships is one of the many life skills that youth involved in 4-H Youth Development Programs can gain. To learn more about Michigan 4-H Youth Programs and get youth involved in 4-H to help them develop life skills, visit your local Michigan State University Extension office.

Did you find this article useful?