Valentine’s Day is always going to be about love, romance and your special someone, but if you have or are caring for little ones for Valentine’s Day 2011, there’s no reason you shouldn’t include them in the festivities. But what are the best activities and gifts to make it a happy Valentine’s Day for kids? Check out these fun and inexpensive suggestions for ideas kids will love!
FUN VALENTINE CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES
Whether you’re trying to think of the best Valentine’s ideas for things to do with your own kids, looking for great classroom crafts, or need activities to keep your older kids entertained while you and your sweetie are out on a date, here are a few. Creative ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2011:
Valentines Cards – This is a classic and really easy way to enjoy Valentines with the kids – all you need is craft paper, glue, craft scissors, crayons, colored pencils or markers, and any other fun decorations to stick onto the card, such as glitter, stickers, or even thread. I love Darice glitter foam stickers from Kmart.com for a fancy 3D effect on my Valentines!
Sweets for my sweetheart: Instead of overdosing on cheap chocolates and candies, why not make your own quality truffles? It’s so easy and all you need is semisweet chocolate, vanilla, cream cheese, and icing sugar! Here’s a quick recipe from AllRecipes.com:
INGREDIENTS:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
3 cups of icing sugar
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
1.5 teaspoons vanilla
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in the icing sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. Refrigerate for approximately 1 hour. Form 1-inch balls.
That is all! If you and your kids want, you can roll your truffles in coconut or nuts or drizzle them with caramel (but watch out for allergies!)
Punch-out: You can make some really fun multipurpose crafts with just some craft paper, yarn/tape, paint, and a handy hole punch! Kaboose.com has a great stained glass heart craft where you take colored crayon or wax shavings and melt them into a heart cut out of waxed paper using an iron on low heat to create a wonderful pattern. Simply punch a small hole in the top and thread string, yarn, or ribbon through it to make an embellishment, or you can thread thread through the hole to make a bookmark.
THE BEST VALENTINE’S DAY TOYS AND GIFTS FOR KIDS
Wondering what gifts for kids will be in style for Valentine’s Day 2011, but don’t want to spend a small fortune? Check out these cute toys that have been on kids’ wish lists everywhere!
- Get Kinect-ed: Everyone is excited about the Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 with motion sensor, available from TigerDirect! It’s a great way to get your kids off the couch and moving, and there are plenty of sports, dance, and adventure games available for the system already.
- Let’s get to the Zhu: Kids still go crazy over Zhu Zhu Pets, so they’re definitely a go-to for Valentine’s Day; Try the Zhu Zhu Pets Pink Ballerina Costume from Kmart.com for a super cute gift for a girl.
- Get Gund: Gund’s super soft plush toys make super-cuddly bedtime toys and a great way to show your kids you love them this Valentine’s Day. I like the Gund Sesame Street Snuffleupagus, available at Sears.com.
- Kids’ Choice – If you’re looking for an easy gift idea, especially for teens and older kids, how about getting gift cards online for Valentine’s Day? They’ll love choosing their own gifts, especially if you get gift cards to electronics stores or online bookstores, plus it’s a great way to save since there’s no shipping cost on email gift cards.
Happy Valentines Day!