Is it a coincidence that Valentine's Day is during Kindness Awareness Week? I think not! Because of this, I chose to use Valentine's Day to focus on helping others and being nice to each other.
Whether or not you choose to celebrate this way, here are Valentine's Day Resources and Activities for Your Classroom!
Disclaimer: There are links to resources in this post. Clicking on them will not cost you anything extra but will earn me a commission if you buy something.
Books
My favorite category has to come first! Although, sadly, Valentine's Day does not have as many quality books as I would like. Here, though, are a few favorites.
These authors have all written multiple books about the same characters. They are always a hit in our classroom because of it!
Going back to the lessons on kindness, the Roses are Pink book is perfect for that. Gilbert (the main character) learns a lesson on how to treat others. After reading this book, to really drive the lesson home, I do the next activity with my students.
These authors have all written multiple books about the same characters. They are always a hit in our classroom because of it!
Going back to the lessons on kindness, the Roses are Pink book is perfect for that. Gilbert (the main character) learns a lesson on how to treat others. After reading this book, to really drive the lesson home, I do the next activity with my students.
Wrinkled Heart Lesson
I like to take a heart made from construction paper. I show students how saying mean things affects us all. We tell the heart mean things. Each time we do, we crumple the heart a bit. Then we end by apologizing to the heart. I straighten the heart and try to flatten it out but it can never really go back to normal. This is even more powerful if you give everyone their own hearts that they crumple and try to straighten out!
Moral of the story: You can't completely take back what is said to others.
Cut out a large heart, either from construction paper or a find a freebie on TPT, for each child. Write their name in the middle. Pass the hearts around the room and have students write something they like about that person.
Word of Caution: I always check the hearts before handing them back out to the students. I know it would break a child's heart to get a mean comment.
To help with this, I tell students upfront that this is my favorite activity because we get to say nice things to each other and feel better about ourselves. I let them know I will read them all before passing them out and if I find any mean comments on any heart, I can't pass any of them out. I also let them know that I know they won't be the first class ever not to get their hearts.
By the way, I know some people that use paper bags with this activity. Then the students all have bags when passing out Valentine's later on.
If you have been teaching author's purpose or want a fun activity to review it, then this is perfect for your class! Here's how to do this.
If you just have an abundance of candy hearts, you can go the traditional route of graphing each color or the words on them. However, using them as a STEM activity is much more fun.
For a simple, no prep activity, divide students into small groups giving them each the same number of candy hearts. Challenge them to make the tallest tower they can with them.
You can also create mini challenges along the way like they can't have two colors next to each other or students have to hold one hand behind their backs.
Play the game of Simon Says but instead of saying Simon, say Cupid. This makes for a quick, no prep game that will definitely break up the day and keep your students entertained!
Some suggestions: Cupid Says give yourself a hug. Cupid Says give someone a high five. Cupid Says draw a heart in the air.
Before you go, would you like a little freebie to do with your students this week? Click the picture below to get these 8 pages free!
What is your favorite Valentine's Day resource or activity?
Moral of the story: You can't completely take back what is said to others.
Compli-Heart
Cut out a large heart, either from construction paper or a find a freebie on TPT, for each child. Write their name in the middle. Pass the hearts around the room and have students write something they like about that person.
Word of Caution: I always check the hearts before handing them back out to the students. I know it would break a child's heart to get a mean comment.
To help with this, I tell students upfront that this is my favorite activity because we get to say nice things to each other and feel better about ourselves. I let them know I will read them all before passing them out and if I find any mean comments on any heart, I can't pass any of them out. I also let them know that I know they won't be the first class ever not to get their hearts.
By the way, I know some people that use paper bags with this activity. Then the students all have bags when passing out Valentine's later on.
Valentine's Author's Purpose
If you have been teaching author's purpose or want a fun activity to review it, then this is perfect for your class! Here's how to do this.
- Give each student a box of candy hearts as well as a card with one of the author's purposes for writing on them (persuade, inform, and entertain).
- Students write about the candy hearts based on the author's purpose card they receive. For example, if they get the persuade card, they can write a story that tries to persuade me to buy the box of candy. I love the creativity of my students and always look forward to what they write.
- Let the students share their writings with each other.
Candy Hearts STEM
If you just have an abundance of candy hearts, you can go the traditional route of graphing each color or the words on them. However, using them as a STEM activity is much more fun.
For a simple, no prep activity, divide students into small groups giving them each the same number of candy hearts. Challenge them to make the tallest tower they can with them.
You can also create mini challenges along the way like they can't have two colors next to each other or students have to hold one hand behind their backs.
Cupid Says Brain Break
Play the game of Simon Says but instead of saying Simon, say Cupid. This makes for a quick, no prep game that will definitely break up the day and keep your students entertained!
Some suggestions: Cupid Says give yourself a hug. Cupid Says give someone a high five. Cupid Says draw a heart in the air.
Synonym and Antonym Freebie
Before you go, would you like a little freebie to do with your students this week? Click the picture below to get these 8 pages free!
What is your favorite Valentine's Day resource or activity?
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