Creative Ways to Tell Your Child
‘I Love You’
Heart-warming ideas for
Valentine’s Day
and any day
of the year
By Kimberly Blaker
V Edible Ideas
A HEART A DAY Add a heart-shaped candy to
your child’s lunch box every day of the school
year. Be sure to stock up during clearances after
Valentine’s Day so that you don’t run out.

HEART-SHAPED LUNCH Use a large, heart-
shaped cookie cutter to make heart-shaped
sandwiches, toast and other treats. Your kids
will love the shape once you’ve eliminated
the crust.

A CUPFUL OF LOVE Give your child a “World’s
Greatest Son,” “World’s Greatest Daughter”
or “I Love You” cup. Use it when you serve hot
cocoa or graham crackers and milk.

DO LUNCH Pick up your child from school for
a surprise lunch date. Order carryout from
your kid’s favorite restaurant or go on a picnic
if the weather is pleasant.

The Written Word
A POET AND DIDN’T KNOW IT You don’t have
to be a poet to write a poem for your child.

If poetry isn’t your strength, look up simple
children’s rhymes. Then make revisions,
entertaining websites and free
e-greetings, you can send your
child something new every day
of the year.

SCRABBLE GREETINGS Wish your child a
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” congratulate him
or her on a great report card, or show how
much you appreciate your child’s help with a
Scrabble message. For younger readers, spell
out a simple phrase leaving a space between
especially for your child. Poems can be serious words. For older kids, make them figure out
or fun, but either way, your child will love them. your greeting. Intersect the words as you
would in playing Scrabble and see if they can
A VALENTINE WELCOME Welcome your child solve the message.

home from school with a Valentine banner
across your front porch or entryway. Add cute C IS FOR… Make a poster portraying your
sayings that remind your child why he or she child’s characteristics. Put your child’s name
is special. Create fun sentences by clipping at the top. List as many positive descriptive
words from magazine ads and add some words as you can that begin with your child’s
Valentine doodles.

initial. Use a thesaurus to find oodles of
words. For example, for Cassandra, you could
SNAIL MAIL SURPRISE Kids love to get mail. have cute, caring, creative, crafty and curious.

Why not send your child a card, letter or When you finish, laminate or frame it and
postcard? Don’t forget to let your child check hang it in your child’s room.

the mail to discover the greeting.

POETRY PRAISE Give your child a poetry
SAY IT WITH EMAIL Send your child an book written especially for sons or daughters
email with a link to a fun website or a funny such as “To My Son with Love” or “To My
animated e-greeting. With the abundance of Daughter with Love on the Important Things
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SIBERIANART/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
alentine’s Day is a perfect
holiday to show your child
how much he or she is loved. Try
these creative ideas to show how
much you care on Valentine’s Day
and any day throughout the year.