Make your kid’s day special this February 14 with one of these easy, heart-felt ideas.

Now that I’m a parent, Valentine’s Day is less about romance (sorry, honey) and more about making the day special for the whole family. There’s nothing like showering my daughter with a little extra love, especially during this cold, dark, post-Christmas, pre-Easter stretch on the family calendar.

Plus, I’ll take any excuse to eat a little extra chocolate.

Here are some of our favorite easy ways make to Valentine’s Day memories with your kiddo.

1. Serve Dessert for Breakfast

Your child will flip when she sees chocolate or whipped cream on the breakfast table. Amy Palanjian, the lifestyle director at Family Fun, makes chocolate heart pancakes for her girls. Other sweet ideas include a whipped cream-topped smoothie, chocolate waffles, or a powdered sugar dusted Dutch baby. Even a small box of chocolates in the morning will make your child’s day.

2. Pack a Fun Lunch

This year Valentine’s Day is falling mid-week so it’s the perfect opportunity to add extra love to the lunch box. That might mean sending in a sweet note, cutting a sandwich into a heart-shape, or including an extra cookie.

3. Let Her Wear Her Heart on Her Sleeve

Marisa LaScala, the news editor at Parents, gives her daughter Eloise a piece of clothing with a heart on it every year. “Last year it was little moccasins.”

4. Leave a Surprise Gift

Parents assistant editor Leslie Corona remembers, “My mom used to leave little boxes of chocolate on our pillows after my brothers and I left for school. We came back home in the afternoon to a sweet, surprise treat.”

5. Serve a Fancy Dinner

Catherine McCord of Weelicious and One Potato, a family-friendly meal-kit delivery company, says, “My favorite family Valentine’s Day ritual is to throw a special dinner party for my husband and my kids. It’s something they look forward to every year.”

I love Catherine’s ideas for making the meal extra-fun:

  • Pull out your fancy china and cloth napkins for the meal.
  • Put a stuffed toy, a box of chocolates, or another Valentine’s day treat in front of your kid’s place.
  • Write a special Valentine’s day love note and put on their plates.
  • Talk about love! Foods you love, friends that make you feel good, things you love to do with your mom and dad, or things you love most about school. Or ask your kids to name five people they love most in the world and why (animals included).

 

We couldn’t have said it better, that is why this is a direct repost from Parents