7 Valentine’s Day Teaching Ideas
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated December 21, 2024
Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to bring a little love, kindness, and creativity into the classroom! There are endless ways to make the day memorable for students. Here are some fun and educational ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day while keeping learning at the heart of the festivities.
Looking for some ready to teach Valentine’s Day teaching ideas that you can print and use right away with your learners? Click on the image or button below to see all of the Valentine’s Day teaching ideas available in my TPT shop!
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7 Creative Valentine’s Day Teaching Ideas
Check out some of our very favorite Valentine’s Day teaching ideas below!
1 – Valentine’s Day Card Exchange
The classic Valentine’s Day card exchange is a student favorite! Encourage creativity by having students make their own cards during class. Provide art supplies like construction paper, markers, stickers, and glitter to let them personalize their creations. For a meaningful twist, ask students to write one compliment or kind message to each of their classmates to foster a positive and inclusive atmosphere.
Download some sweet Valentine cards to share with your learners here or by clicking on the image or button below!
2 – Kindness Challenges
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by focusing on kindness. Create a “Kindness Jar” filled with ideas like “say something nice to a classmate” or “help someone with a task.” Throughout the day, students can draw challenges from the jar and spread acts of kindness around the classroom. This is a wonderful way to emphasize that Valentine’s Day isn’t just about cards and candy but also about showing love and care for others.
Download a FREE list of 30 ways for teens to share kindness here or by clicking on the image or button below!
3 – Valentine’s Day Themed STEM Activities
Incorporate Valentine’s Day into your STEM lessons with fun, hands-on projects. For example, challenge students to build a heart-shaped structure using marshmallows and toothpicks or conduct a science experiment like making “Love Potions” using baking soda and vinegar. These activities combine holiday fun with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
See all of the STEM activities available in my TPT shop here.
4 – Heartfelt Writing Prompts
Get students writing with Valentine’s Day-themed prompts. Ask them to compose a letter to someone they admire, write a poem about love and friendship, or create a story about a character’s Valentine’s Day adventure. This is a great way to blend creativity with literacy skills while giving students an outlet to express their feelings.
5 – Valentine’s Day Read Alouds
Set the mood with heartwarming books about love, kindness, and friendship. Stories like Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch or Love Monster are perfect for sparking conversations about empathy and inclusion. Follow up with a discussion or activity, like having students draw or write about what love means to them. Check out a few of our favorite Valentine’s Day read alouds below!
Love Monster by Rachel Bright
Love Monster is on a quest to find someone who will love him just the way he is. This charming and funny story teaches children about self-acceptance and the joy of finding friendship in unexpected places. This sweet story is a must-add to your list of Valentine’s Day read alouds.
The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
Cornelia Augusta catches hearts falling from the sky and turns them into special valentines for her friends. This whimsical book celebrates creativity, thoughtfulness, and the joy of giving.
Somebody loves you Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
Mr. Hatch leads a lonely life until a mysterious Valentine’s Day gift changes everything. This touching story of kindness and community shows the power of small gestures to transform lives.
Read more about Valentine’s Day read alouds on the Creative Classroom Core blog here or by clicking on the image or button below!
6 – Create Crafty Keepsakes
Let students make a special Valentine’s Day craft they can take home as a keepsake. Ideas include heart-shaped photo frames, “love bug” bookmarks, or friendship bracelets. These projects not only spark creativity but also give students something tangible to share with their families.
7 – Celebrate with Snacks
If your school allows, end the day with a small Valentine’s Day party featuring themed snacks like heart-shaped cookies, fruit skewers, or popcorn with red and pink sprinkles. Make it extra special by having students decorate their own cupcakes or cookies as part of the celebration.
For tips and tricks on planning your own Valentine’s Day classroom party (and more Valentine’s Day teaching ideas), check out this blog post.
Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate love, friendship, and kindness in your classroom. With these Valentine’s Day teaching ideas, you can create a fun and inclusive atmosphere where students feel valued and appreciated. Whether you’re exchanging cards, solving STEM challenges, or crafting keepsakes, your class is sure to have a memorable and meaningful Valentine’s Day celebration!
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Inside, you’ll find calendar pages to help you stay organized, curated February read aloud lists, fun activities and worksheets for Valentine’s Day and Black History Month, and a variety of February planning tips and tricks. Engage your students with February themed graphic organizers that encourage interaction and learning. Make your monthly planning smooth, efficient, and enjoyable with this essential planning guide!
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Looking for more activities for the month of February?
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