I'll admit that Valentine’s Day was never a thing for me, but since having my daughter, I have absolutely loved celebrating the day of love. Becoming a mom has brought out the most “extra” version of myself—I'm talking all the heart-shaped, love-themed decor, crafts, treats, jammies, all of it—and I’ve decided to lean into it.
This year, my daughter is 3, and it’s the perfect age because she gets excited for all of it, too. Here are four fun Valentine's ideas for kids we’ll be doing to celebrate the big day, in case you want to try any of them with your toddler. Because as much as we may love the romance of it all, this day is the perfect chance to do something special with our littlest loves.
Have more than one pint-size valentine? Wrap up baby while you try these activities with their big sibling.
1. Bake Sweet Treats Together
I’ve always been a big baker and you can guess how tickled (pink) I was when my daughter started wanting to join me in all of my kitchen endeavors! Baking together has become one of my favorite ways to spend one-on-one time together. And there’s no shortage of baked goods to help get into the vibe of the holiday—heart-shaped cookies and cakes, strawberry goodies, all things chocolate, pink frosting, sprinkles, you name it.
This year, we’ll be baking mini heart-shaped cakes, so my daughter can decorate her own cake. (Try this recipe and these cute pans.) I love letting her go wild with the frosting and sprinkles. Eat your heart out, Duff Goldman.
Pro Tip: Turn up the tunes because nothing says baking party like belting your heart out into your frosting-covered spatula. My daughter has been loving rocking out to Guns ‘n Roses lately.
2. Spa Time at Home
As moms, it’s our job to teach our daughters, and one thing we cannot forget to teach them is the importance of relaxation. Nothing says Valentine’s Day better than a day of pampering. Throw on some Enya and a robe, light up that lavender candle, and voila! You’ve got yourself a DIY spa day. You can paint each other’s nails, give mini massages, do face masks. It’s a low-key way to spend time together while chatting about whatever comes up.
I love asking my daughter to tell me stories while I give her little feet a massage because inevitably we end up in a massive giggle fest.
Pro Tip: Add some extra pizazz to spa time with cute themed glasses of Shirley Temples, other bubbly pink drinks, or my favorite Grape Olipop.
3. Pajama Movie Marathon
As a pregnant toddler mom, the activity that speaks most to my soul right now is a cozy pajama movie marathon. It’s the perfect way to take a break from the busyness of life and just snuggle up and enjoy each other’s company. And I have to admit, I love how my daughter always wants to re-watch the same movies over and over again. There's something comforting about it, don’t you think? The Frozen movies are currently on repeat at our house.
Snacks are a movie must, so we’ll definitely make up a fun snack tray filled with fruits, cheese, and crackers to enjoy while snuggled up under a blanket. As an extra special treat, I’ll whip up some hot chocolate and homemade whipped cream.
Pro Tip: Wear matching jammies for the ultimate mama-daughter bonding. Good luck getting me and my daughter out of our Solly Rose Toile Sleep Sets. Seriously the softest pajamas we have ever worn.
4. Cutest Crafting Session
If there’s one thing I know about my daughter, it’s that she loves getting creative. Crafting is such a wonderful way for us to spend time together while also creating something meaningful to remember the day by.
We might cut out heart-shaped decorations, paint mini canvases, or make DIY valentines for the people we love. One year we made handprint heart art for our living room, and it’s still displayed with pride. I’ll cherish that sweet creation forever, especially now that her little hands have grown so much.
Pro Tip: Pick up a few extra special supplies—stickers, doilies, washi tape—and let her make a masterpiece she’ll adore.
Whether you choose to celebrate with one or two of these ideas—or even all four—the best part is that you’ll be spending time with your little love. Take the time to slow down, have fun, and create memories that you’ll both cherish forever. After all, these are the moments.
