Kitchen Bitchen
Why Valentine’s Day is Special to Our Family
For us the Valentine family, Valentine’s Day has always been more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a celebration of who we are. Our dad, Steven Valentine, the original Valentine himself, made sure this holiday was unforgettable for everyone in our family. He had a knack for making each of us feel special, whether it was through thoughtful gifts or his signature week-long celebration filled with dinners, candy, and love. One of our fondest memories is how he brought home flowers for all the kids, not just Mom, reminding us that Valentine’s Day is about cherishing all kinds of love. Dad truly embraced everything it means to be a Valentine, and his traditions have become the heartbeat of how we too celebrate this day.
How to Make Valentine’s Day Unforgettable at Home for Your Kids
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for romance; it’s also a day to celebrate love in all its forms, especially with the tiny humans who light up your life. Creating heartfelt, fun, and memorable moments at home for your kiddos is easier than you think—and no, it doesn’t require Pinterest-level perfection. Whether you’re a seasoned mom looking to up the ante or a rookie wondering where to start, we’ve got you covered with ideas for breakfast, school lunch surprises, fun family dinners, and baked goodies that are sure to make their little hearts flutter. So grab your aprons, sprinkles, and a dash of love—it’s time to spread some Valentine’s Day cheer!
1. Love at First Bite: Valentine’s Day Breakfast Ideas
What better way to kick off Valentine’s Day than with a breakfast full of love? Here are some ideas that are easy to pull off and packed with the kind of sweetness that doesn’t come in a candy wrapper (okay, maybe some chocolate too).
Heart-Shaped Pancakes
Take your regular pancake batter and pour it into heart shapes on the griddle. Don’t have a heart-shaped mold? Use a squeeze bottle or a spoon to draw the shape—imperfections make them cuter! Top with whipped cream, strawberries, and a drizzle of syrup or Nutella. Bonus: Add pink or red food coloring to the batter for an extra festive vibe.
Cupid’s Smoothie Bowls
Blend up a kid-friendly smoothie (think strawberries, bananas, and yogurt), then pour it into a bowl. Use toppings like granola, heart-shaped fruit slices, and chocolate chips to create a mini masterpiece. You can even write their name or “LOVE” with a drizzle of honey or melted chocolate.
Egg-citing Toast
Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the center of a slice of bread. Toast it in a pan and crack an egg into the heart-shaped hole. Serve it with a side of berries for a pop of color. It’s protein-packed and absolutely adorable.
2. Surprise, Surprise! School Lunch Love Notes and Treats
There’s nothing like opening your lunchbox to find a sweet surprise from mom or dad. Here are some easy ways to sneak some love into their midday meal:
Love Notes
My mom was always slip a handwritten note into their lunchboxes. It could be something simple like, “You’re the peanut butter to my jelly,” or, “Roses are red, violets are blue, lunch is better because I packed it for you!” She always added a surprise piece of candy, some doodles or stickers for extra flair.
Heart Sandwiches
Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to transform boring sandwiches into festive delights. For an extra treat, layer Nutella and strawberries or make mini peanut butter and jelly hearts.
Fruit Kabobs
Thread heart-shaped slices of watermelon, strawberries, and cantaloupe onto skewers. Add mini marshmallows or gummy hearts in between for a touch of sweetness.
DIY Valentine’s “Lunchable”
Pack a compartmentalized box with crackers, heart-shaped cheese slices, deli meats, and a little chocolate treat. They’ll love assembling their own snack, and you’ll love how easy it is to prep.
3. Family Dinner with a Twist of Love
End the day with a dinner that’s as fun as it is delicious. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all candlelight and steak—make it a family affair with these creative ideas.
DIY Pizza Night
Set up a pizza-making station with heart-shaped dough (store-bought or homemade), sauce, and toppings galore. Let the kids get creative with their designs—bonus points for making faces or writing messages with pepperoni. Check out our Instagram this year to see our pizza making abilities.
Pasta, but Make It Romantic
Serve up spaghetti and meatballs Lady-and-the-Tramp style. For extra flair, dye the pasta pink using beet juice or food coloring. Top it with heart-shaped Parmesan crisps (just bake shredded Parmesan in heart molds until crispy).
Fondue Fun
Our family is Fondue crazy. Set up a fondue station with melted cheese for dipping bread, veggies, and fruit. For dessert, switch to chocolate fondue with marshmallows, strawberries, and pretzels. It’s interactive, messy, and so much fun. Emma’s favorite is the chocolate!
Valentine’s Table Setting
Go all out with a themed table setting. Use a red or pink tablecloth, sprinkle heart confetti, and add some DIY crafts like heart-shaped name cards or paper flowers. Bonus: Let the kids help decorate beforehand.
4. Sweet Treats to Bake Together
Baking is a classic way to bond with your kids, and Valentine’s Day gives you the perfect excuse to whip up something sweet. Here are a few crowd-pleasers:
Conversation Heart Cookies
Bake sugar cookies in heart shapes, then decorate them with icing to look like conversation hearts. Write fun messages like “Be Mine,” “XOXO,” or even inside jokes you share with your kids.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Top these rich, chocolatey cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles. Add a candy heart or a drizzle of red icing for extra pizzazz.
Strawberry Shortcake Skewers
Thread cubes of pound cake, strawberries, and whipped cream onto skewers. Drizzle with melted chocolate for a no-bake treat that’s both easy and elegant.
Heart-Shaped Brownies
Bake a batch of brownies and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create individual portions. Dust with powdered sugar or add a swirl of pink frosting.
DIY Chocolate Bark
Melt chocolate and pour it onto a lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with Valentine’s Day-themed toppings like crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, and red M&Ms. Once it hardens, break it into pieces.
5. Fond Memories
Let’s not forget the most heartwarming part of Valentine’s Day—creating memories your kids will treasure forever. According to some internet sleuthing (thanks, Google!), people often reminisce about small, thoughtful gestures from their childhood, like waking up to a trail of candy hearts leading to a special breakfast or finding a handmade card waiting for them after school.
Why not start your own traditions this year? Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:
Create a “Love Hunt”
Set up a scavenger hunt with clues leading to small treats or notes around the house. It’s like an Easter egg hunt, but with a Valentine’s twist!
Valentine’s Movie Night
Snuggle up as a family and watch heartwarming movies like Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown or The Princess Bride. Serve popcorn drizzled with pink chocolate for a festive snack.
DIY Valentine’s Craft Station
Set up a crafting table with supplies to make cards, decorations, or even homemade gifts for friends and family. Bonus: It keeps them busy while you prepare dinner.
Write “What I Love About You” Notes
Take some time to write down a few things you love about each child and share them over dinner or dessert. It’s a simple gesture that will stick with them forever.
Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love, and what better way to do that than by creating magical moments with your kids? Whether it’s heart-shaped pancakes, a surprise lunchbox note, or a family pizza night, these little gestures will leave a lasting impression. So this year, skip the crowded restaurants and overpriced bouquets. Instead, pour your energy into making your home the coziest, most love-filled place on earth. After all, love begins at home—and it tastes better with sprinkles.
Happy Valentine’s Day from our kitchen to yours! ❤️
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