Preparing for Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to help young children think about ways to show that they care for others and explore kindness. These skill-building activities encourage little learners to practice generosity and express their feelings in simple, meaningful ways.
To celebrate Valentine’s Day with heart and playful learning, here are three fun family activities: creating a decoration together to spark creativity and teamwork, making handmade Valentine cards to express care, and creating clay heart necklaces that blend baking and art in a big‑hearted way.
Pattern Power! Create a Heart‑Happy Garland Together
This quick and easy decoration is a fun way for kids to practice making and recognizing patterns while celebrating Valentine’s Day!
- Collect your materials
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Pink, red, or white pom poms
- String or yarn
- Glue or tape
2. Cut Out Hearts
Help your child cut out several paper hearts in different colors. Try using 2-3 colors so it is easier to create a repeating pattern.
3. Plan Your Pattern
Lay out hearts and pom poms in a line on the table. Encourage your child to create a simple pattern such as: heart, pom pom, heart, pom pom or red heart, pink heart, pom pom, red heart, pink heart, pom pom. Talk about what comes next in the pattern to build early math skills.
4. Glue or Tape Pieces to the String
Once the pattern is set, help your child glue or tape each heart and pom pom onto the string in order. Leave a little space between each item so the pattern is easy to see. If using glue, let the glue dry completely.
5. Hang and celebrate!
Hang your garland on a wall, doorway, or window. Point out the pattern together and ask your child to explain how it repeats.
For pattern inspiration, watch the “Work It Out Wombats!” episode “Patternpalooza” or play the related digital game “Pattern Palooza Fair”. Kids can see patterns in action before creating their own Valentine masterpiece.
Crafting Kindness, One Valentine at a Time
Valentine’s Day is a sweet time for kids to get creative. There are so many imaginative ways to make handmade cards! Kids can design something simple, adorable, silly, or sparkly. Every card is a chance to practice kindness and share some love.
PBS KIDS has many DIY Valentine’s Day card ideas to spark creativity! If you are looking for something quick and easy, they also have plenty of printable cards so kids can pair their message with a favorite PBS KIDS character.
Mix and Make for Friendship’s Sake!
These clay heart necklaces combine baking and art to create a delightful Valentine’s Day gift. They also give children a meaningful opportunity to practice a variety of skills while making something special for friends and loved ones. As kids roll, shape, and decorate their clay hearts, they naturally strengthen fine‑motor skills like pinching, pressing, and threading string. Choosing colors, patterns, and textures encourages creativity and expressive artmaking, helping kids explore their own ideas.
These creative activities offer meaningful ways to enjoy playful learning together while helping little ones experience the thrill of giving thoughtful, handmade gifts to friends and loved ones.
Find more Valentine’s Day activities at PBS KIDS for Parents.
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