35 Valentine’s Dates Your Kids Will Love
Valentine’s Day Ideas to Cater to Your Child’s Love Language
Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is a special time for couples.
Your child is really excited about this day too.
We are going to make it extra meaningful with ideas to create a more personalized and loving celebration that speaks directly to your child’s love language.
What are the five love languages?
The concept of love languages was first introduced by Gary Chapman in his bestselling book “The 5 Love Languages“. By understanding your child’s love language, you an create a special date that speaks directly to their heart.
Here is a quick recap from a previous article:
Words of Affirmation: these kiddos like to be told how much they are loved and appreciated through verbal compliments and words of encouragement.
Quality Time: these kiddos need you to spend quality time with them, engaging in meaningful activities and sharing experiences.
Receiving Gifts: for these kiddos, material possessions server as symbols of love and affection-however, they can be little notes or a card; they don’t have to be big or expensive.
Physical Touch: these kiddos want to be hugged and touched; they experience love through physical contact.
Acts of Service: these kiddos know you love them when you show you care through activities like helping with chores, explaining homework, cooking their favorite dinner, etc.
Tips for your special Valentines Day Event:
1. Leave Tradition Behind
Tradition says romance. Tradition says couples. Tradition says flowers and candy.
You are creating a unique and amazing time with your child.
You are engineering a special time that is tailor made to how your child hears that they are loved.
2. Ask Your Child
After you have figured out what your child’s love language is, try to come up with at least two “date” ideas.
Run the ideas by your child and ask them what they they think?
Would they improve your special date in any way? How?
3. Prioritize Your Child
I know, this seems silly to say, but this is a special event created just for your child.
This isn’t a time for you to finally get to go horseback riding (that is a little bit of me showing through 🙂 because you have always wanted to.
It should be something your child enjoys and wants to do.
4. I Have More Than One Child
No Problem!
Every child deserves this special date with mom!
You can schedule one event every Thursday in February, for example.
This way it is the month of love, you are making a big deal of it, you are celebrating with your children, telling them you think the world of them, and you are still carving out a special time for each of them.
I have listed for you, seven fabulous ideas for Valentine’s Day dates, according to love language.
There are many more, but these should get you started.
Words of Affirmation
- Compliment Dinner: Take your child out to a cozy, kid-friendly restaurant and have a fun “compliment swap” game. Between bites, share things you admire about each other or try “favorite memory” rounds.
- Memory Lane Walk: Go to a special place where you have cherished memories together (like a park, zoo, or library). Walk around and talk about your favorite moments there and why they’re meaningful.
- “Kindness Rock” Hunt: Take them to a place with a rock garden or art display, or bring rocks with you to hide together after painting kind messages on them.
- Letter Exchange: Write each other notes or letters and read them aloud, sharing what you love and admire most about one another.
- Affirmation Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt where each clue includes a kind or uplifting message about your child.
- Memory Jar Creation: Together, write down favorite memories and words of gratitude to each other on slips of paper and place them in a “memory jar.”
- Mirror Messages: Go around the house and leave sticky notes with compliments or encouragement on mirrors or doors, then read and collect them together.
Acts of Service
- Cooking Together: Make a meal or bake something your child loves. Let them choose the recipe, and work together from start to finish.
- Room Makeover: Offer to help them reorganize or decorate their room, focusing on what would make them feel more comfortable and happy.
- Gardening Date: Plant something together, like flowers or herbs, and teach them about nurturing plants as you bond.
- Special Errand Outing: Go to a fun market or store where you can pick out small essentials for someone in need or for a community donation drive.
- Museum Night: Visit a kid-friendly museum where you can assist each other in a scavenger hunt or an interactive exhibit, creating an experience of learning and helping each other.
- Craft Project Together: Work on a special project or DIY item for their room, like a personalized frame or a hand-painted sign.
- Build a Birdhouse or Feeder: Create something simple that can help animals, like a birdhouse, showing them the joy of caring for others.
Receiving Gifts
- Treasure Hunt: Create a little treasure hunt with clues around the house or yard, leading to a small surprise or gift.
- Personalized Bracelet-Making: Make bracelets for each other and exchange them as a small, meaningful gift.
- Miniature Memory Book: Gift them a mini photo album with pictures of favorite memories together, and add to it over time.
- Art Supply Surprise: Gift some new art supplies and then spend time creating something together.
- Story Time Gift Basket: Surprise them with a few new books and enjoy a reading night, complete with cozy blankets and snacks.
- Mystery Bag: Fill a small bag with little items they love (stickers, snacks, tiny toys) and let them open it to discover each item together.
- Create-a-Gift Workshop: Look for a local pottery or art studio where you can paint or build something together, like a cup or a figurine, as a special keepsake.
Quality Time
- Campfire and Storytelling: If you can build a fire (even a small one at home), gather around and tell stories or make up silly ones together.
- Nature Hike: Take a hike in a local park, pausing to explore nature, talk, and take pictures of interesting things you find.
- Cooking Class at Home: Choose a recipe neither of you has tried and make it together, like a mini cooking show!
- Music and Dance Party: Create a playlist of their favorite songs and have a dance party, just the two of you.
- Stargazing at a Planetarium: Go to a planetarium for a stargazing event, or find a clear spot outside the city to see the stars. Bring a telescope or download a stargazing app to enhance the experience.
- Themed Dinner and a Show: Take them to a themed restaurant where they can experience a new setting, or catch a show at a kid-friendly theater.
- Board Game or Puzzle Night: Let them pick a few board games and spend a whole evening playing just for fun.
Physical Touch
- Pillow Fight: Have a fun pillow fight in the living room or their bedroom to get out energy and bond.
- Spa Night: Have a mini spa night with lotion massages, face masks, or even a bubble bath.
- Ice Skating Date: Go ice skating (or roller skating) for a fun physical activity where you can hold hands, help each other balance, and create memories.
- Amusement Park Evening: If there’s an amusement park or fair nearby, go on the rides together, especially the ones where you can sit side-by-side.
- Dance Together: Play their favorite music and teach each other dance moves, with plenty of spins and laughter.
- Nature Trail and Wildlife Sanctuary: Go to a nature trail that offers hand-in-hand exploring, spotting wildlife, or birdwatching, with lots of physical closeness.
- Build a Fort: Create a cozy fort together with blankets and pillows, and spend time reading or playing games inside.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, consider giving into your child an unforgettable experience rather than traditional gifts.
By incorporating actualities tailored to each love language, you can strengthen your bond and show your child they are valued and loved.
Movie Quote:
“Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So, today is my new favorite day.”
– The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh