By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
10 ways to have fun with your family on Valentine's Day
3e39a045fd037a8330ab74d09b71bdb7ec706efd6121bca2e4597c997e2661b6
Fill your Valentines Day with deeds and words that fill the hearts of your family. Here are a few ideas to help you share the love. - photo by Gary and Joy Lundberg
Valentines Day is a fun opportunity to show your family you love them. You do it every day, but do it with a flare on this special day. Theyll love you for it. And youll be making memories they can carry in their hearts forever.

These are the moments that help them through their hard times. We suggest you try some of these suggestions. Do the first one, then choose from the rest, or come up with your own ideas.

1. Kiss your spouse with passion, first thing

Start this romance-filled day by saying I love you, followed by kisses and hugs that remind you of how much you mean to each other. Let it linger a bit, then jump out of bed and do more of this list.

2. Wake up the kids with a love song

Both of youmom and dadsing it together, if possible. It doesn't have to be good, just full of conviction.

A good one is Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? To refresh your memory, heres Rod Stewarts version. Or choose whatever your favorite is. Be dramatic and have fun with it. Make your kids roll their eyeballs. Theyll love it, even if they don't act like it. That's a promise.

3. Make heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast

Serve them up with syrup, whipping cream, peanut butter, fresh fruit and whatever else you and your kids love to slather on. Make it memorable. Really yummy food has a way of doing that. Here are some fun ideas from Pinterest.

4. Put a love note into the kids and hubbys lunch box or pocket

Make sure its where you know theyll find it. If the kids eat hot lunch, stick it on the cover of their math book. Just be sure its some place you know theyll see it. For hubby, you might put it in his pocketthe one he puts his keys in. This note will put a smile on their faces and a warm feeling in their hearts.

5. Ask family members for Valentine dinner ideas

Let dinner have at least one thing in it that every person loves. Have family members choose out of a hat a category, such as appetizer, salad, main dish, veggie, or dessert. Have them let you know what their wish is for that category. Do this a couple of days in advance so you can be ready with the ingredients. Then let that person help prepare his or her item. Don't expect perfection. Just have fun.

Let them know that everyone has to eat at least some of each item, and compliment the cook in some way about their item. After all, this is a day to express a little love and appreciation.

6. Gather around the phone and call grandparents

Expressing love on this day to grandma and grandpa can brighten their day. They will love hearing the voices of each family member. You could also Skype if you live far away and havent seen each other for a while.

7. Heart attack an elderly neighbor or your pastor, or both

You and the kids cut hearts of various sizes out of red or pink construction paper. Write a short message on some of them. For example, Were glad youre our neighbor. Or Your smile makes us smile. Or, to your pastor, Thanks for caring about us. Or Thanks for reminding us to be good.

Tape these hearts all over their front door. They will love being loved by you.

8. Give a special Valentine to your kids principalfrom them and you

Kids usually give their teachers a Valentine, and you have likely taken the opportunity to thank them in different ways. Thats a good thing. Keep it going at Valentines Day, but this time include their principal.

A principal's job is important and challenging. They often work without notice or appreciation. This is a good day to acknowledge her or his efforts to make your kids school run smoothly. Thank this VIP with a Valentine and a heart-felt expression of gratitude.

9. Take some heart-shaped cookies to a homeless shelter

Bringing some love to those who have so little can enlarge the hearts of your whole family. Those receiving your gift will be happy that someone remembered them.

If the facility allows it, arrange to have you and your children pass them out and personally wish the recipients a Happy Valentines Day. Stay close to your children as they give the cookies. Seeing these folks may help them appreciate what they have and at the same time, feel the joy of bringing a little happiness to someone less fortunate.

10. Finish the day off by playing this YouTube video for all the family to see and enjoy

It cant help but fill your home with love to watch and listen to the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing Love At Home.

The point of this whole day is to fill your home and family with feelings of love for each other and for others who need a little love. A little love can be a big thing in todays world.
Sign up for our E-Newsletters