If you’re head is still spinning from the just-celebrated holidays and you inadvertently can’t seem to write 2016 without errors, then the presentation of ANOTHER Hallmark Celebration may feel overwhelming. With Valentine’s Day close by, it often feels like a last minute rush for us to try to meet Cupid’s expectations of romantic. The truth is, for our family every year it has felt forced and frustrating. Since we had children, it’s gotten worse! Not because we don’t love a night out…trust me when I say, we do! For us, Valentine’s Day just feels like we’re leaving someone special out. It’s about LOVE, but we don’t have all of our little loves with us. Most of the time after putting forth all of the effort and conforming to the hype, we end up having dinner at restaurant we already frequent, landing at a bar for a few drinks and then eventually looking at each other sadly only to admit that we both are tired and miss our children. Then we tab out early and rush home to love on our little ones.
So here’s a thought: Why not include children in your Valentine’s Day Celebration? Try one of these fun ideas!
Start the day off with a fun food – think heart-shaped pancakes or this Valentine’s Day smoothie:
“I Love You Berry Much” Smoothie
Yield 1-16 oz. serving
½ cup Strawberries
½ cup Pineapple
1-2 Beets (canned or cooked beets blend best, make sure they aren’t pickled! Those don’t scream I love you much.)
1 Banana
1 cup Almond Milk
Pack them a lunch with a theme.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes in their sandwich.
- Include a love note or a mad lib for fun.
- Add heart-shaped confetti to the lunch box merely for giggles.
A family dinner by candlelight (flameless candles are great for toddler safety!).
Include heart healthy foods for a nutritious themed twist.
Make a dessert together.
Heart-shaped cookies, berries and cream, or a strawberry cake all sound delicious (then again, I love those things EVERY day – stop judging).
Stay in and have a movie night and share your wedding video with them.
A happily every after story they’re sure to enjoy!
Get crafty!
A quick Pinterest search will give you an abundance of projects both big and small.
Have Family Game Night
Nothing says I love you like a competitive game of Uno in our house! I can’t help it if I win and they all want do-overs.
Read some Valentine’s Day Children’s Books
Click Here to access the Valentine’s Day Children’s Book Reading List from the Wichita Public Library.
Have a pajama party, a pillow fight, or fort building contest!
Guaranteed to bring out the inner child in all us! Feathers may fly, but the memories will last a lifetime. Adult Warning: You will have to embrace your inner child for this. They make footed pajamas for adults. If this will help, I recommend you invest in a pair.
Family Date Night Out
Feeling adventurous and don’t want to stay in? (I commend you). There are tons of adventures to be found in Wichita! Take the family bowling, ride go carts, pretend you know how to ice skate (bruises are free), have a hot cocoa date or specialty ice cream excursion. Making memories is the key, so think outside of the box and have fun!
Do you include the kids in Valentine’s Day plans?
