Every year, parents scoop up packs of Valentine’s Day cards for their kiddies to take to school. Every year, parents receive cutesy homemade love notes and gifts from the kids. Instead of showering them back with candies and stuffed animals, why not try something different?

You don’t have to be a Pinterest scout or arts-and-crafts maven to go full force with the Valentine’s Day spirit. It’s all about the L-O-V-E! Children love the small things that will make them smile or bring fun to their day. In this video, Elle from WhatsUpMoms shares 5 ways to help you spread the V-Day love among your little ones.

The good thing is since they’re all love-centered, you can actually use these ideas year round to show your kids how much you cherish them. That also means that you don’t have to do the classical Valentine’s theme colors of pink, red, and white if you don’t want to. With love in mind, highlighted below are a few of Elle’s suggestions.

Date Day/Night

If you grew up with siblings, then you might recall how special it was to have one-on-one time with mom or dad. No matter how old or young your kid is, they love “mommy and me” or “daddy and me” days. Even teenagers – whether they admit it or not – enjoy that time.

You can gear the day towards what your child’s interests and likes are. Shopping? Movie? Lunch? Rock climbing? Have at it! What’s most important is the time you spend, not the amount of money.

Artwork

Elle’s idea of drawing a picture for her daughter is too cute, especially with markers – the ultimate kids’ medium. You don’t have to be Picasso to draw something either, because anybody can draw a basic heart (or at least trace one). Add frills like glitter and stickers, or just unleash your inner crayon geek.

Don’t be surprised if 10 years from now you discover your child has kept your artwork forever. You probably already know what it feels like to have an entire priceless collection dedicated to you. Return the feeling!

A Personal Note

As Elle points out, some parents already do the note in the lunchbox thing. To mix it up, her family puts them in unusual places, like the toilet lid. They even draw notes on balloons! What spots do your children frequent where you can pop a note? In their shoes? Their laptop screen? How about their coat? Catching them off guard with a sweet note is sure to bring a smile to their faces!

 

Click on the clip below to see the rest of what Elle shares. And hey, if you’re a grandparent, auntie, or uncle, you can join in on the fun too! Kids need all the love and positivity they can get. Valentine’s Day is a great occasion to celebrate the loved ones in your life, so sprinkle the love where you can. But don’t forget the sweets!

What creative ways do you say “I Love You” to your kids? Do you have any special plans for them this Valentine’s Day? Tell us in the comments!