Do you remember your classroom Valentine party? Fancy boxes with ribbon and lace. Hoping that special someone would drop a card into your Valentine box. Those Valentine's Day activities were the best!
I still love that classic classroom Valentine party, but I was ready to give mine a little twist. I wanted my students to have those same special memories of their Valentine party….but I also wanted to make sure it was a day of learning too.
If you're struggling to find a way to mix your academics and party day together, keep reading! Your kids will love these Valentine's Day activities!
New Twist On An Old Favorite
Have your students heard of Cupid, the god of Love? Do they know the origins of this holiday? The perfect way to get your day started is with the book Valentine's Day Is by Gail Gibbons. This story is the perfect mix of fact and fiction and will give your students a good background on the holiday.
Next, take a minute to read this story about Cupid to your students. It tells all about the little cherub and his joy of spreading love!
Tell your students that Cupid has placed an ad in the Loveland Gazette and he's looking for an assistant! They'll need to fulfill certain requirements for this position. Do they like candy hearts? Can they shoot a bow and arrow? Have your kids fill out this job application for the role of Cupid's helper.
Spend A Day In The Life Of Cupid
Finally, it's time for the fun! Set up these 8 different hands on learning stations around your classroom. Students can visit each station and try out some of the jobs that Cupid has to do in Loveland. Along the way, they'll be practicing math, reading and writing…..while still enjoying some Valentine's Day fun!
Station #1 – Write A Love Letter
At this first station, kids can practice letter writing by writing to someone they love. Maybe they want to write a special note to mom or dad or grandma? This simple template makes letter writing easy for all your students.
Station #2 – Mend A Broken Heart
Of course, everyone knows that one of Cupid's most important jobs is mending broken hearts. At this station, your kids will practice a little addition as they match the pieces of the broken hearts.
Station #3 – Unlock The Love
Your kids will love trying to unlock the love in your classroom as they search for Valentine locks you've hidden all over your room. Each lock contains a special part of the mystery Valentine message that your students will try to decode.
Station #4 – Make A Love Bug
Cupid's favorite pet is his love bug! At this station, kids will practice their fine motor skills as they cut and glue this simple little love bug craft.
Station #5 – Make A Love Potion
No Valentine party would be complete without a little treat. Your students will love sorting Valentine candies and making a special love potion for themselves with Hershey kisses, M&M's and more.
Station #6 – Shoot Cupid's Arrows
We all know Cupid's favorite sport is shooting his bow and arrow! If your little Cherubs want to be his assistant, they'll have to practice this skill as well. Give each student a straw, Q tip and target and they'll have a blast trying to beat their partner in the most hits!
Station #7 – Make A Love Match
At this station, kids will practice their subtraction skills as they roll a dice, subtract from ten and cover squares on this Love Match grid game. The first to fill their grid with candy hearts, wins the game.
Station #8 – Fill The Chocolate Box
Finally, at this last station, the kids will get to do Cupid's favorite job of all! Filling the chocolate box! In this fun game, students will read words beginning with the CH digraph, filling their chocolate box along the way. First to fill their box, wins.
A Day In The Life Of Cupid comes with everything you need for your Valentine's Day activities. Simply print the games and activities and you'll be ready for a day of fun and learning!
Looking for more ideas for Valentine's Day? Here's how you can keep your kids engaged and excited about writing with these Valentine Writing prompts!
