Valentines show is a day where we celebrate and our compassion, love and kindness for our friends and family. It is not just about romantic love.
5 fun things to do on Valentines day with your kids including our teens and tweens:
1) Have them participate in Operation Valentine. Encourage them create a Valentine for a senior citizen. The Riverhead Parks and Recreation Department will distribute them during their "Meals on Wheels" run. They will also be handed out at local nursing homes and senior communities. This is a great opportunity, to not only share their creative side, but to spread the love and joy of Valentine's day to our seniors. Drop off to the Riverhead Recreation Center at between by Feb 9 located at 60 Shade Tree Lane, Riverhead.
2) Make a card for a hospitalized kid. Make someone feel special and maybe make a new friend. Drop off to the Riverhead Free library ASAP.
3) Create a annual family tradition. Somethings like: 1. Make heart shaped pancakes that everyone makes together for breakfast or dinner. (It is a Wednesday this year, so dinner may be a more reasonable idea) https://www.midgetmomma.com/valentines-day-pancakes/, 2. At dinner on V Day, share with each other an act of kindness you displayed recently. Ask each other "how it made you feel and how you think you made the other person feel?" If you can't think of one, tell the family of one you would like to do and why. 3) Make Valentines for each other; tell each other why you love them. 4) See 4 & 5.
4) Game night Play games like "Would you rather", "Do You Really Know Your Family?" or Gartana Games Family Connect Game (All on Amazon) You could play UNO, Charades, or have a scavenger hunt around the house.
5) Create your own "Get to know us game" My favorite activity we do as a family on V Day is to make our own game with index cards. Everyone make their own 5-10 cards, shuffles them and puts them in a stack on the table. Next, the youngest at the table goes 1st, then clockwise around the table. On a turn, the person draws a card from the stack and picks someone they have to answer the question for. (Questions like "What is my favorite item to order at a restaurant?") They have to guess what they think the other will answer. In the meantime, the chosen person writes down their answer and only shares with the non card holder. They don't reveal it until they hear the card holder's answer. Every right answer gets a point. (card holder and chosen have the same answer or close enough-Oldest of group is the judge) The idea is to be together and learn more about each other. Keep track of points and separate paper. You will need index cards/small, evenly cut paper and something to write with. Play to 7 points.
Some questions ideas:
My favorite color is_____, My birthday in ______? Do I prefer Cats or Dogs? If I had a superpower it would be______ My favorite thing to do in Fall is_____? I love December because______ My favorite season is______. I think that the best holiday is ______? I want to be or I wanted to be _______when I grow/grew up. If I went to the beach, the 1st thing I would do is__________? When/If it snows, I want to _______as soon as possible.
Tell us your ideas or Top 5 list you would like to see! Email me at Stacin@macaronikid.com
