Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and love is in the air. But not just a romantic love. I often see people make Valentine’s Day just for them and their special someone. While there’s nothing wrong with that, there are many different types of love. Familial love. The love that we have for our parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and kids (if you have any) shouldn’t be neglected.

The whole point of this heart-shaped holiday is to celebrate love. Here are 12 ways to make Valentine’s Day fun for the whole family.

1. Get crafty with a Valentine’s Day activity. One of the best ways to bond with family, especially with kids, is to make a cute craft. So set up some red, pink, and white paper, markers, stickers, and glitter and let you and your family’s imaginations soar. There’s nothing like using a little creativity to make memories that can last a lifetime.

2. Have a family game night. Get everyone in the family involved in time for family fun. Who needs TV when you can be a participant of your own at-home game show?

3. Make homemade cards with your kids to share with their classmates. If you’d like to spend time with your kids and spread some love in your community, help them make homemade cards to share with their classmates. Even if you let them sign their name on pre-made cards, it’s always nice to do something nice for others. Sharing is caring.

4. Spread the love. There’s no better way to show those that you care than with simple acts. Make sure to really take advantage of this time of year for hugs (get your required 12 a day), compliment giving, valentine’s day card switching, or even donating to a local food bank. These acts can easily fill the hearts of your family and your community.

5. Make heart-shaped pancakes. Who said you have to wait until the evening to celebrate? Start the day with a nod to the fun that’s coming later on, and make some heart-shaped pancakes. And if you want to make it extra special, don’t be afraid to add some fresh berries, on top!

6. Go out on a family date night. Date night doesn’t have to be just for your romantic partner. It may be more fun to go out to dinner or to the movies with the whole family. You could even have a family movie night or a nice meal at home. And don’t be afraid to fill up your guest list with family and friends. It gives everyone an opportunity to dress up and catch up with people that they haven’t seen in a while. Memories are everything!

7. Make love notes. Whether you send it in the mail or stick it in your kid’s lunchbox, love notes that you write from your heart are short and sweet ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. And sometimes short and sweet moments are the same ones that stay with us for a lifetime.

8. Bake a sweet treat. Why go out to eat? Instead, take some time in the kitchen and make small, festive horderves perfect for any dinner table. Mini heart-shaped dessert pizzas, cinnamon rolls, and smores are all a few tasty options.

9. Take a photo shoot. Come on. Family photos are perfect for any holiday, but Valentine’s photoshoots allow for so much creativity with your props, costumes, and decor. Looking back, photographs are stamps of some of our most precious memories.

10. Say “I love you.” It doesn’t take a lot to make Valentine’s Day special. Sometimes, a simple phrase like “I love you,” has a greater value that almost any act. It’s the ultimate act of kindness and showing your loved ones that you care and are glad to spend this holiday alongside them.

11. Have a scavenger hunt. Try using candies, rose petals, or other small items to put together a scavenger hunt. Not only can everyone get involved, but a game as such really allows you to think on your feet and use clues on your hunt. Activities like this can be fun for everyone!

12. Send someone flowers. Ahh, a classic. If you want to keep things classy, mail or deliver flowers to your kids, neighbors, friends, and special someone. Flowers are beautiful ways to express how you feel and brighten someone’s day. And kindness is a huge part of love; what Valentine’s Day is all about.

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Hopefully, this gave you lots of ideas for how you can make Valentine’s Day a family endeavor. Like I stated, love can be for your romantic partner, for your family, for your friends, and for your community. And love can be shared in a multitude of ways. That’s the beauty of Valentine’s Day: you can spend it with anyone whom you love.

Have a beautiful, blessed, and loving day, y’all! 💖