| Valentines day is a day that brings to mind romantic | | | | love. You can do more involved crafts with them, |
| dinners, slow dance, and dreamy looks in the eyes of | | | | perhaps letting them do most of the work on their |
| your beloved. But there are little people that have your | | | | own. Or where you only did one or two when they |
| heart also - your kids. As a child my mom always | | | | were younger, you can do more for various family |
| made sure to have a little something for my brother | | | | members now. Children of this age can begin |
| and I, just to say "I love you." And my dad would get | | | | volunteering and understanding that more, too. Maybe |
| me a flower on Valentine's day every once in awhile - | | | | you could take the cookies you've baked to a nursing |
| what a way to thrill a little lady's heart! | | | | home or to a shelter for women and children. It's a |
| You can create warm memories for your little ones in | | | | good learning opportunity for them. |
| the same way. Think about ways that you can tell | | | | Gift ideas: Stuffed animals, again, are a good gift. A |
| them how much you love them, even it it's small. Sure, | | | | small art or craft set could also be nice. Another fun |
| they're probably exchanging paper Valentines with | | | | thing could be a window garden so they can watch |
| everyone at school, but something from Mom or Dad | | | | their present begin to bloom - possibly in just a few |
| is sure to be special. | | | | short weeks! Taking them out to lunch or somewhere |
| It's sometimes challenging to think of something to get | | | | special is a big hit with this age, too. |
| them, because in all honesty, we tend to spoil our kids! | | | | Upper Elementary School: |
| So many days focus on children and on gift-giving. So | | | | Children this age are really motivated to do activities |
| give something simple on Valentine's Day, something | | | | without much help. They're also at a very empathetic |
| that you really want to mean "hey kiddo, I love you." | | | | age. You can use that to help teach them in big ways. |
| Here's some age-based ideas you can use or adapt | | | | If you haven't started volunteering with your kids yet, |
| for your children: | | | | now is the time to do that. Make cards, cookies, or |
| Preschoolers: | | | | anything and take them to a place of your choice. This |
| Your children are already beginning to see gift giving in | | | | could even be time to take small gifts to places often |
| a new light. It's not just the unthinking paper-party of | | | | overlooked - half-way houses for men, for instance. |
| their first year or two. They realize that there is a joy | | | | Show your children that you can and should care for |
| in giving gifts. This is a great time to help them learn to | | | | others, even the overlooked of society. |
| give gifts - paper Valentines are great, but you can | | | | Another good idea for this age is to make collages or |
| also help them with other activities. You'll find lots of | | | | scrap-book pages for their loved ones and close |
| great Valentines craft ideas online. Doing one of those | | | | friends. Grandma will really love getting such a |
| with your child can be a wonderful time for both of | | | | thoughtful Valentine's Day gift! |
| you, and they can give the craft to their other parent, a | | | | Gift ideas: Small art or craft sets are again a good |
| beloved grandparent, aunt, uncle, or someone else | | | | idea. And stuffed animals for the young ladies! You |
| special. | | | | might consider a Lego set or Erector set for young |
| Gift ideas for this age range are: coloring books and | | | | men. Consider a book they've been wanting as a gift. |
| crayons (these just never go out of style), a small | | | | And, yes, this age loves to be the "Valentine" for a |
| stuffed animal, or a Valentine card you've made for | | | | lunch "date" too! |
| them yourself. You can also take them out | | | | With a little creativity and planning, you can show your |
| somewhere special as your "little Valentine." Out to a | | | | children how much you love and treasure them on |
| special lunch or to the Children's museum can be a lot | | | | Valentine's Day, even if you're giving most of your |
| of fun. | | | | attentions to your beloved. Plus, this is a great time to |
| Early Elementary School: | | | | help your children learn about showing love to others! |
| Children this age also love to help out and show their | | | | |