Looking for new ways to make Valentine’s Day fun this year? Here are 14 ideas to help make this Valentine’s Day extra special!
- Make a Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board
While a simple cheese plate used to suffice, today the charcuterie board is all the rage. Technically a charcuterie board means a board of prepared meats, but these days anything goes! Cut cheeses or salami into heart shapes to make a beautiful food presentation. - Send Valentines
Sites such as Blue Mountain Cards, American Greetings or Punchbowl allow people to email fun cards for free. For a small fee, the TouchNote app lets users send postcards with a photo. They do the printing and mailing and your valentine receives a special postcard.Alternatively, go the old-fashioned route. Children love picking out their own stamps and mailing valentines. (Hint: They also like receiving them!) Depending on your child’s age, address the envelopes for them or use it as an opportunity to teach the finer points of letter writing.
- Decorate in Hearts
Heart-shaped balloons or pink and red heart cut-outs create a festive atmosphere at home. - Create a Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt
Put clues around the house and let your kids search high and low for a surprise sweet treat. - Have a Valentine’s Day Photo Shoot
Cut a heart out of construction paper (as a prop), dress the kids in red and have a photo shoot!Be sure to share your photos with long-distance relatives who miss your family. - Surprise Your Kids with Love Notes
Leave Post-It Notes of love and encouragement for your kids in the shape of a heart on the fridge, bathroom mirror and other key spots around the house. For extra fun, decorate their bedroom doors while they sleep.Read “21 Ways to Say I Love You to Tweens and Teens”: www.sandiegofamily.com/parenting/teen/21-ways-to-tell-your-tweenteen-i-love-you.
- Put Up a Valentine’s Day Tree
Haven’t taken down that Christmas tree yet? Don’t despair! Switch the decor to hearts and other festive ornaments! It may become a new family tradition. - Break a Heart-Shaped Piñata
Who doesn’t love breaking open a piñata full of treats? Heart shaped piñatas are available online if you can’t find one locally. - Play Tic-Tac-Toe
The x’s and o’s in tic-tac-toe make it a natural choice for Valentine’s Day fun! Winner gets the number of kisses and hugs on the board. - Bake to Your Heart’s Content
This may be obvious, but pink frosted cupcakes or sugar cookies with heart sprinkles are a big hit. - Indulge in Heart-Shaped Food
Make a special meal featuring heart-shaped pancakes, pizza or sandwiches. Sweetheart Pancake Breakfast: www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/dining-and-recipes/snacking-with-joy-sweetheart-pancake-breakfast - Make Pink Drinks
Find a delicious recipe for strawberry smoothies, milkshakes, cocoa or punch. - Read a Book
There are great picture books that complement love for family on Valentine’s Day. Try Mama Do You Love Me by Barbara M. Joosse, A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn, or ABC Love, a board book by Christiane Engel. - Make Chocolate-Covered Treats
Impress loved ones with delicious homemade truffles (made with Oreos and cream cheese!): www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/dining-and-recipes/oreo-truffle-balls.
Freelance writer Jill Morgenstern has 13 years teaching experience and is the mother of four.
Discover more ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in our round-up: www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/seasonal-happenings/valentines-day-round-up.
_____________
Free Summer Concerts 2024
San Diego’s Free Summer Concerts 2024Start the summer on a high note! Here are outdoor gigs and free summer concertshappening throughout San Diego County in 2024.CARLSBADTGIF Con . . .
Read more
119 Dad-Approved Gifts
Every Dad is unique, so have the kids spend time thinking about what they can do, make or give him that will speak to his soul and make him feel special, whether it's Father’s Day, Christmas or an . . .
Read more
9 Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice
In San Diego, June 20 marks the longest day of the year and heralds the start of the beloved summer season: summer solstice. The summer solstice presents another opportunity for families to celebrat . . .
Read more
Great news! San Diego’s favorite fair opens June 12–July 7 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Below are the best San Diego County Fair tips, deals and discounts to help your family make the . . .
Read more
Happy Father’s Day! 10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Dad
Every dad needs reminders of how much he is loved and valued. While you don’t want to forgo handmade cards and the kids’ sweet ideas for Father’s Day or a birthday, these creative ways to cele . . .
Read more
25 Affordable Date Night Ideas
Has date night with your significant other taken a back seat to everything else in your life? If the expense and planning for dates with your partner have kept you from enjoying each other’s conve . . .
Read more
31 Days of Summer Fun!
Who’s ready to get out and have some fun in San Diego this summer? Here are 31 awesome ideas—one for every day in July.Plan a late-night date with the kids. We recommend going out for chocol . . .
Read more
25 Summer Boredom Busters
Boredom is a precursor to creativity, so being bored is not all bad. But if you're ready for a change of pace, our boredom busters encourage families to get moving and start making memories!Go O . . .
Read more
San Diego Family's Ultimate Summer Sand-Bucket List
San Diegans have it really rough—living in a top travel destination that many people dream of visiting. One thing is sure--there is no shortage of fun things to do, especially when the kids are ou . . .
Read more
