6 ways to celebrate love as a family this Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day looks pretty different as a parent. It’s less rose petals on the bed and more quick pecks on the cheek with kids running around your feet.

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For blended families, step-parents and single parents, this date can feel a bit complicated. But at its core, Valentine’s Day is about love. Whether that’s writing letters of appreciation, buying flowers for your neighbour, or having a dinnertime D&M about what love means.

That’s why we’re proposing 6 ways that your family can show love on Valentine’s. 

 

1. Write cards to show you care

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Handwritten warm and fuzzies never fail to make one melt, regardless of your love language.

For the craft-obsessed kids, you can DIY some love-themed cards (think heart-shaped cutouts and fantastically gold glitter pens). Otherwise, there’s no shame in a simple sheet of paper and an envelope. 

Give your family some prompts, like: “Thank you for always…, “I really admire…about you,” or “My favourite memory with you is….” 

Address these love letters to their soccer team bestie, the Grandma who always braves school pick-up or the cool neighbours who let you use their basketball hoop.

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2. Make some sweet treats

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Any excuse to dish up some chocolate-covered strawberries, right? 

Valentine’s Day is all about sugary sweetness, whether that’s in our actions or the snacks we divulge. Shortbread cookies, red velvet cupcakes, fudge brownies,  rice krispie treats, chocolate bark – sorry, where were we?

Pop on your chef hats and turn the kitchen into a storm of icing sugar and flour to get into the Valentine’s spirit. 

If you want to spread the love, box up your goodies and share with loved ones (but no judgment on keeping them to yourselves!)

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3. Read about love

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Love stories don’t always involve inventive meet-cutes, kisses in the rain, and misunderstanding tropes. Plenty of adorable children’s books explore all the different shapes and forms of love, from a parent’s love to friendships and self-love. 

Snuggle under copious blankets in a room lit by fairy lights and delve into classics like “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney or “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch. Newer stories can bring a fun touch, like  “Love Makes a Family” by Sophie Beer which walks readers through everyday acts of love. 

These bedtime tales are sure to get the whole family in the feels. 

4. Do a random act of kindness

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Show up on someone’s doorstep with a bouquet, offer to make dinner for friends going through a tough time, or donate a book to a local street library.

The small stuff can have just as much impact (if not more) as the grand gestures. You could challenge your kids to hold the classroom door open for their friends, let someone else go first in a game, or help the teacher clean up an activity. 

To quote Love Actually, “If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.”

 

5. Have a love-ly dance party

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Just like you might slow dance to some cheesy rendition of Elvis’ ‘I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You”, Valentine’s Day can also be a great time to have a boogie with your family unit. 

Let your Swiftie-obsessed tween have their time to shine with bangers like ‘Love Story’, or tune into some Wiggles classics that get your four-year-old bopping. 

When in doubt, the Bluey theme song is always a hit. 

Dancing creates adorable memories, boosts serotonin, encourages bonding, and takes any stress off your shoulders. Honestly, it’s a love language in itself. 

 

6. Talk about the meaning of love

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Valentine’s Day is, if nothing else, a prompt to delve into what love really means, and how you can show it to others. 

Find a quiet moment to ask your children what they know about love and what it means to them.

From there, you can have an open and inclusive conversation about everything from how you should treat your friends to why romantic relationships aren’t the be-all and end-all. It’s a chance to talk about all the other places you can find love, and enforce a healthy understanding of it. 

Wrapping it up

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So much of Valentine’s Day is spent on how to get time away from the kids (understandably). 

While you should definitely keep that date night reservation, there’s also a chance to include your little ones in this celebration of love. We don’t think you should miss it.