Valentines Day Doesn't Have To Be Romantic: Showing Your Love In
Fun Ways Too
By Irena Koteva

To you, Valentine’s Day may be a day to spend with your
significant other or to spend out on the town. But, don’t forget
about the kids. You should insure that you think about them on
this day and find a way to express your love for them too. While
they may have a party at school even giving each other fun
Valentine’s cards, they still need to know that you are thinking
about them on this day of love.

For many parents, there is a fine line between spoiling and
showing that they care. That said, it is still important to
demonstrate your love to them and what better way to do this
than through Valentine’s Day? Here are some suggestions for
gifts and things that you can do based on the age of your child.

Preschoolers, Up To Age Four

At this age, even this young, they should be able to see the
value in giving a gift rather than just receiving one. Allow
them to do something for others. For example, make a batch of
cookies for the day (or purchase them) and allow them to
decorate the plate providing a piece of paper for them to
decorate. Make sure to reward them with a plate of cookies for
themselves after they have delivered their gifts. Talk about why
it is important to show love like this.

Gifts for this age group that you can give them include:

* Stuffed animals, perhaps personalized with their name.

* Books to read and color, perhaps with a theme of loving in
them.

* Take them out to lunch at their favorite restaurant.

* Start a tradition such as a visit to the zoo on this day each
year.

Young Children, Ages Five Through Seven

Now, they can do much more. Perhaps have a cookie making party
and invite their friends and mom’s to help out. Have them make
the cookies, decorate them and then help to pass them out.
Perhaps taking them to a children’s hospital or a nursing home
to help share the love of Valentine’s Day is a great solution.
Provide them to neighbors, friends or even Grandma.

At this age, kids love to make things. This is the perfect
project for them! Have them make cards, filled with great art
supplies and stickers. Make sure to provide them with a reward
for all of their hard work too.

Gifts here include:

* A stuffed animal, here think about their personal favorites.

* How about a movie?

* If you don’t want to take them to see a movie, instead
purchase one that they want.

Older Children: Ages Eight And Up

The same activities of making cards and cookies together will
still work here. They will likely take more pride in their work
and the results will show it. Also, think about incorporating
scrap booking into this activity. Kids can make a memory book of
all their favorite adventures and memories to share with special
people.

Another great suggestion is to remember to send pictures and
cards to the troops overseas. Make sure to allow them to send
their own messages and perhaps they’ll get a pen pal out of it
too.

Afterwards, spend some time as a family with a pizza.

About the Author: Nicola Kennedy enjoys spending Valentines Day
with her husband and children. Visit her site
http://www.Best-Valentines.info for more great Valentines Day
ideas . Copyright http://Best-Valentines.info All rights
reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the
resource box and the live links are included intact.

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