Valentine’s Day Ideas for Teachers and Moms: Classroom Valentine’s That Won’t Break the Bank

Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it, and it’s one of my favorite holidays to celebrate. It’s also something that many students look forward to at school. As a teacher, it’s a great time to celebrate kindness and friendship in the classroom. I know every school does Valentine’s Day a bit differently, so this blog post is a catch-all for different things you can do in the classroom. And if you’re not a teacher, no worries! Many of these ideas are great for mamas who are looking to celebrate with their kiddos too! I’ve also included some great ideas for Valentine’s Day cards and treats that your kiddos can pass out to their class. AND let’s not forget the FREEBIE of the month! 

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Valentine’s Day Exchange

One tried and true classic way to celebrate this holiday is to organize a simple Valentine’s Day card exchange in your classroom where students can share cards with their peers. This can create a sense of inclusion and camaraderie. You can do this as a class activity OR give your parents advanced notice and have students bring Valentine’s to school. Here are a few things to think about if you’re asking parents to buy/make Valentine’s at home. 

• Be specific about what students are allowed to pass out. Can students pass out edible treats, toys, or just cards? 
• Tell parents exactly how many children are in your class so they know how many to send. Consider also stating how many boys and how many girls.
• A list of students’ first names is always helpful to send home so parents and children can label their Valentine’s Day cards. 
• If you are limited on time for a Valentine’s Day exchange, ask parents/students to address all of their Valentine’s Day cards to “My Friend.” That way, there’s no confusion and the process of passing them out doesn’t take up as much time.

Goldbears | Disney Princess Valentine Set | Rice Krispies | Tootsie Roll Pops | Nerds Candy |

Super Mario Valentine’s Set | Fun Dip

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Fun Straws | Secrete Pens | Sunglasses | Push Hearts | Key Chains

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Mini Flowers | Funny Candle | Teacher Bracelet | Amazon Gift Card | Personalized Stamp | Planner

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Other Fun Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Classroom

• Valentine’s Day Decorations:
  • Decorate the classroom with heart-shaped cutouts, banners, and other Valentine’s Day-themed items to create a festive atmosphere. Amazon has so many affordable classroom decorations. 
• Valentine’s Day Cards:
  • Encourage students to create handmade Valentine’s Day cards for their classmates or family members. This can promote creativity and the spirit of giving.
• Valentine’s Day Crafts:
  • Plan craft activities related to Valentine’s Day, such as making heart-shaped bookmarks, paper flowers, or other themed crafts.  Here is a list of over 50 ideas for classroom Valentine’s Day crafts. 
• Valentine’s Day Book Reading:
  • Incorporate Valentine’s Day-themed books into your reading time. Discuss the themes of friendship, kindness, and love. I’ve rounded up my favorite Valentine’s Day books here. 
• Valentine’s Day Writing Prompts:
  • Have students write short stories or poems about friendship, kindness, or what they love about their classmates.
• Valentine’s Day Classroom Games:
  • Plan games or activities that are centered around Valentine’s Day, such as a heart-shaped scavenger hunt or a themed trivia game. There are even some affordable fun games you can buy on Amazon here.
• Kindness Challenge:
  • Use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to emphasize kindness and encourage students to perform small acts of kindness for their classmates and teachers.

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What My Kids Are Passing Out For Valentine’s Day

Ready for the FREE printable? I’ve created four different styles of these cute Valentine’s Day cards that read “I Mustache You To Be My Valentine.” I found a huge package of Valentine’s Day press-on mustaches on Amazon, so I just taped one to each card! You can fancy it up by gluing the printable to cardstock or cute Valentine’s Day paper, adding ribbon, etc.