Valentine’s Day has always felt a little extra special since becoming a mom. It is not just about hearts and treats, but about slowing down and doing things together. In our home, my son remembers the games we played, the silly dances in the living room, and the little moments where we laughed without rushing.
I already shared our favorite Valentine crafts, but this list is for the days when you want to keep little hands busy without glue or scissors.
These Valentine activities for kids are all about movement, play, kindness, and spending real time together. Simple activities that fit right into a normal day, but still make Valentine’s Day feel warm and meaningful for our kids.
Valentine Scavenger Hunt
This is one of those activities that always feels exciting, even though it is very simple.
Start by hiding Valentine themed items around your home. You can use paper hearts, small toys, stickers, or even little treats. I usually hide them in easy spots at first like under a pillow, beside a chair, or near a favorite toy, then make the last few a little more tricky.
Next, give your child clues to help them find each item. Keep the clues short and easy. For younger kids, you can say things like “Look where you sleep” or “Check near your shoes.” If your child is older, you can write simple clue cards and let them read each one.
After your child finds all the items, swap roles. My son also loves hiding things, and this part always makes me smile. You will be amazed at their imagination and the places they come up with. Suddenly things are hidden inside toy bins, behind books, or in spots you would never think of.
Let your child find one item before moving on to the next clue, cheer them on, and give hints if they get stuck. When the hunt is over, sit together and look at everything they collected. It is a sweet way to turn an ordinary day into a fun Valentine memory without any prep stress.
Heart Hop Game
This is such a good one when your child has extra energy and needs to move.
Cut out or draw heart shapes on paper and place them on the floor. You can tape them down so they do not slide. Spread them around the room, close together for younger kids or a little farther apart if you want more of a challenge.
Ask your child to hop from one heart to the next without stepping on the floor. You can call out colors like red heart or pink heart, or count each hop together. Sometimes we pretend the floor is lava, which always makes my son laugh.
You can switch it up by hopping on one foot, tiptoeing, or jumping backwards. Keep it playful and short. It is simple, active, and turns a few pieces of paper into a fun Valentine game that gets giggles every time.
Love Freeze Dance
This is one of those easy games that always turns into lots of laughs.
Play some fun Valentine or favorite kids songs and let your child dance any way they want. Jumping, spinning, silly moves, anything goes. When the music stops, call out “freeze” and everyone has to stop moving right where they are.
To make it more fun, add a love word each time you freeze. Say words like hug, smile, kind, or friend. You can even ask your child to show the word with their face or body before the music starts again.
We usually play this for just a few songs, and that is enough to get energy out and smiles all around. It is simple, active, and a sweet way to mix movement with Valentine feelings.
Valentine Bingo
Valentine Bingo is a fun sit down game that still feels exciting for kids.
Start by making simple bingo cards with Valentine pictures instead of words. You can use hearts, teddy bears, chocolates, balloons, or flowers.
Each card should have the pictures placed in a different order so it stays interesting. Put the same pictures into a small bowl or bag. Take turns pulling out one picture at a time and saying it out loud. If your child has that picture on their card, they can place a small toy, coin, or snack on top of it. When a row is filled, shout Bingo together.
You can keep prizes simple like a hug, a high five, or getting to choose the next game. It is calm, easy to set up, and perfect when you want a Valentine activity that slows things down but still feels special.
Valentine Feelings Game
This is a gentle game that helps kids talk about emotions in a simple and safe way.
Start by naming a few Valentine related feelings like happy, loved, excited, shy, thankful, or kind. Write them on small cards or just say them out loud if your child is younger. You can also add simple faces to match each feeling.
Take turns picking a feeling. When a feeling is chosen, ask your child to show that emotion with their face or body. They can smile big for happy, give a pretend hug for loved, or hide their face a little for shy. You can join in too, which usually makes it feel more fun and less like a lesson.
After acting it out, talk about a time they felt that way. Keep it light and short. Even one sentence is enough. It helps kids connect words to feelings and understand that Valentine’s Day is not just about hearts, but also about caring and noticing how we feel.
Balloon Keep It Up
This is a simple game that always turns into lots of laughter.
Blow up one pink or red balloon and toss it into the air. The goal is to keep the balloon from touching the floor. Your child can tap it up with their hands, head, or even elbows if they want to be silly.
You can count how many times the balloon stays up or see how long you can keep it floating together. Sometimes we add little rules like only one hand or gentle taps only, which makes it even funnier.
This game is easy, active, and perfect when you want a quick Valentine activity that gets energy out without any setup.
Valentine Baking Day
This is one of my favorite Valentine activities because it feels calm and cozy at the same time.
Choose a simple recipe and let your child help in small ways. My son loves pouring ingredients, stirring the bowl, and sneaking little tastes when allowed. Even placing cupcake liners or pressing cookie cutters feels exciting to them.
Talk while you bake. Count scoops together, name colors, and let them feel part of the process. It does not have to look perfect. The joy is in doing it side by side.
When everything is done, sit together and enjoy what you made. That quiet moment at the table, with warm treats and happy chatter, often becomes the sweetest part of the day.
Red and Pink Dress Up Day
This is such an easy way to make Valentine’s Day feel fun without any prep.
Let your child dress up in anything red or pink they already have. It can be a shirt, socks, pajamas, or even a mix of colors that do not match at all. My son loves choosing his own outfit, and honestly, the sillier it looks, the better the mood gets.
Once dressed up, you can turn it into a mini photo moment. Nothing fancy. Just near a window, on the couch, or outside if the weather is nice. These little moments always end up being the photos I treasure most.
If you want need ideas, we have a Valentine’s photoshoot ideas to get you inspired here.
Tea Party Date
A tea party can be a really sweet Valentine activity, especially if you have a little girl.
Set up a small table with cups, plates, and her favorite snacks. Stuffed toys or dolls can join too. Keep it simple and cozy. The goal is not perfection, just time together.
You can turn it into a special date moment. Give her a small flower, sit across from her, and talk while you sip pretend tea. Some families love making this a daddy and little girl date, which makes it even more special. It is such a gentle way to show love and attention.
These are the moments kids remember. Feeling seen, feeling chosen, and having someone sit with them just because.
Kind Words Circle
This is a beautiful Valentine activity for a classroom or group setting.
Have the children sit in a circle on the floor. Explain that this game is about using kind words and making others feel good. Keep the rules simple. Only kind words and everyone gets a turn.
Start with one child and have them say one kind word or short sentence about the person next to them. It can be as simple as “You are nice” or “I like playing with you.” For younger kids, teachers can help by giving examples or whispering ideas.
Go around the circle until everyone has both given and received kind words. It may feel quiet at first, but by the end, the room usually feels calm and warm. It is a gentle way to teach kindness, listening, and confidence, especially around Valentine’s Day.
