Patience

Tips for celebrating Valentine`s Day with your little Sweethearts Every kid is aware of Christmas day existence. They expect gifts, love, special meals etc. Much as its origin is mysterious, Valentine`s day is the most commercialized day after Christmas. More gift cards, more present except that the message is love centered. The day is inescapable and at one point in time your little ones will be raising queries on what the day is all about. What will you tell them? Considering that for most adults and teens the day is a celebration of romance and commercialism, do kids fit in? When it comes to love, for kids it`s completely innocent. They adore their families, teachers and friends. Coming to think of it, that`s a perfect starting point. But what symbolizes love? A heart definitely and for kid`s it is easy to draw earning it a first position on tips for celebrating Valentine`s day with your little sweethearts: 1. Arts and crafts Get colored papers and engage the kids to cut as many heart shaped pieces as possible. For starters, you can fold the paper and cut a heart outline using scalloped kid`s scissors. Come up with more creative ideas on how to go about it. Once tired, pin the heart shaped papers on the wall. Get the kids to write their name etc. or attach their pouts. In addition you can try getting the kids trace their arm on the paper, cutting it out and fixing small heart shaped papers on top using glue. Have them write special message on their prepared pieces. For the case of bought Valentines pictures, get your kids to color them. 2. Bake On a well flattened (about ¼ each) dough, get your kids to make heart shaped pieces using cookie cutters. Instruct them to place each piece on to a baking tray. After they have cooked, engage your sweethearts in adding sprinkles and frosting. Continue the cooking process and serve when ready or save them for dinner dessert. Alternatively, try the same idea using toast. Is Valentine`s Day all about making heart shaped items for kids? Of course not, try out the following tips too: 3. Scavenger hunts Be adventurous, come up with creative clues and hide them all over the house. Each clue will help the participants unlock the other on and on till they finally get to the big surprise gift or a love message. 4. Family traditions Are there family traditions that your kids long for? Try them out on V-Day. This could be unique activities such as: wearing funny love related costumes, dancing, pranking each other etc. 5. Homemade personalized gifts Just like giving an adult a personalized gift make them feel cared for, it`s the same case when it comes to kids. To make it fun, engage them in making the gift. Remember kids are mostly objects oriented. If you are unable to make them personally, purchase personalized items such as ted bare, drawing book etc. The key is outsourcing what the kid really love. 6. Say it (I Love You) While on a round table eating dinner or just on the coach cozying, engage your kids to say at least five reasons why they love and appreciate each member of the family. As a keen parent, this will help you understand them and take note on areas you need to improve on. 7. Fancy meals Just like on Christmas, such meals can work wonders Valentine`s day too. Cook them their favorite dish or come up with better, tasty recipe. To make it rhyme with the day`s agenda, serve red foods e.g. berries, tomato soup etc. 8. Have a photo session Photographing is fun. Come up with creative ideas on where and how to take such photos. Once tired, engage the kids to write special messages on the photo while placing them on their album or a family photo book. 9. Have a movie night/ and a love reading session Select best V-Day movies for kids e.g. ‘Ever after’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ etc. the best books to read on can be those explaining the origin of the day but any other kids love story can do. E.g. ‘I Would Tug You In’ by Sarah Asper-Smith. 10. Have kids party Invite their favorite friends in the neighborhood to your home and serve finger sandwiches with jam or cream cheese, cookies and tea. This can work too with your kid`s imaginary friends. Tea parties are very memorable. Not into indoor activities this year? Try these: 11. Doing good Have your kids accompany you to a neighboring orphanage, camp, to an elderly person`s home etc. and spend the day with them. This will help your kids understand and appreciate their surroundings. In addition your little ones will be equipped with love, compassion and caring skills for the needy, lonely and elderly. This can also be after your home activities where you give roses to your kids and encourage/instruct them to give the same to people of their choice in your neighborhood. 12. Family night out Make a reservation for the whole family on a fancy hotel of your choice. This`s good to break the norm. Get all dressed up and dine at the hotel. 13. How about a picnic? It`s evident that there`re a lot of activities you can engage your kids in on Valentine`s day. In fact, the only limitation is your imagination. Worried about the whole commercialism idea revolving around Valentine`s day? Relax, get your kids involved and there, you will have saved your day.