Valentine’s Countdown for Kids

Love is in the air, and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Let’s make the days leading up to it extra sweet and exciting with a fun Valentine’s Countdown for Kids.

One of the cutest ways to do this is by filling envelopes or gift bags with simple crafts, fun activities, sweet notes, and tiny surprises. Decorate the envelopes with hearts, lace, and all the Valentine’s flair to build excitement.

Because let’s face it, who doesn’t love a surprise every day?

I have some adorable ideas to help you pull this off.

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Valentine's Countdown for Kids

Why a Valentine’s Countdown?

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. When my daughters were little, I loved making it extra special for them with sweet surprises and fun activities. Even though they’re grown now, I still find ways to sprinkle a little magic into this season — and you know what? I’m going to make myself a countdown this year, too. Because why should the kids have all the fun?

If you are hosting overnight guests with children, make their time at your home special with Valentine’s countdown gifts and activities; and create lasting memories together.

Valentine’s Countdown Ideas

1. You Make My Heart String Along

Grab some heart-shaped cutouts, string, and clothespins. Voilà — instant Valentine’s garland. You could even write sweet messages on the hearts for an extra touch.

2. You Make My Heart Feel Fuzzy

Create a felt pom pom garland.

  • felt pom poms, use needle and thread to create a pom pom garland (According to reviews, these blunt needles work well for threading felt pom poms.)
29 pun-filled Valentine's Countdown Cards

Make your Valentine’s season unforgettable with these 29 pun-tastic countdown cards! Each pairs perfectly with the puns, activities, and gift ideas mentioned in this blog post, making it easier than ever to create a fun and sweet countdown for your kids.

Spread love and joy with Valentine’s countdown cards.

Available in the USA and Canada.

3. We Are on the Same Page

Surprise your child with a book or a set of cute bookmarks. A thoughtful gift for quiet moments.

4. I’m A-Maze-d by You

Here is a quick game to play at the breakfast table: Valentine’s maze: help the squirrel to find his way to the party; find out which gift the owl gets.

free printable Valentine's maze with woodland designs

FREE printable Woodland-themed Valentine’s Maze.

5. You Are the Best Chapter of My Life

A fun activity to accompany with this one is storytime. Come up with your own Valentine’s stories and write them down. Or get cozy and read stories about friendship together. Or gift your child a book.

6. You Knock My Socks Off, Valentine!

Kick off the season with new Valentine’s socks. (Not into hearts? Go for red or pink instead.)

7. You Warm My Heart

Give your child something warm and cozy like a scarf, sweater, or blanket.

Perhaps you’ll get something cute for yourself, too, so you both can proudly wear your Valentine’s gear.

8. You’re Just Write for Me!

Yay! Something super simple. Put a fun Valentine’s pencil or pen in the envelope.

9. You’re Warm and Cozy Like Cocoa

What could be more warm and cozy than a cup of delicious cocoa. Include a homemade cocoa mix and a cute mug in the gift bag.

10. I’m Stuck on You

Stickers never go outof style. Everywhere you go, you see stickers for sale, and no wonder — they are an inexpensive little gift that delights the receiver.

These waterproof Valentine’s stickers are fantastic for water bottles, notebooks, or for making Valentine’s cards for friends.

11. You’re the Missing Piece to My Heart

Cut a heart into puzzle pieces and let your child put it back together.

12. You Make Every Moment Picture-Perfect

Plan a mini photo shoot with Valentine’s-themd props. Silly, funny, cute, beautiful, dreamy — the choice is yours.

13. You’re My MVP

Most valued player gets a game night!

The games don’t have to be Valentine’s themed. Play your favorite board games or buy a new one for this special occasion.

How about playing some musical hearts? (details below.)

Musical Hearts Without Tasks

All you need is foam hearts or cardstock hearts and some upbeat music.

Arrange the hearts in a circle, with one fewer heart than the players. Since we don’t have carpet, I taped the hearts to the floor to prevent slipping.

  • Turn the music on, and the kids walk around the circle.
  • The music stops, and the kids step on a heart. Only one person can be on each heart, and whoever is not on a heart is out.
  • Remove one heart.
  • Continue to play until one player is left.

If you don’t want to do the elimination, then have as many hearts as there are players. This version does not have an exact ending with this version.

Musical Hearts with Tasks

Prepare the hearts by writing fun tasks on them and flip them over so you can’t see what’s written on them. You need as many hearts as there are players. You could make some extras and switch them up during the game.

How To Play

Arrange the hearts in a circle or a fun shape like a heart.

  • Start the music.
  • Players walk around the circle.
  • Stop the music.
  • The players flip over the heart they’re closest to and perform the task.

Task Ideas

  • blow a kiss
  • hug yourself
  • say, “I love you”
  • dance
  • twirl
  • count to 14
  • say, “You are amazing.”
  • draw a heart in the air
  • pat your heart three times
  • give a high-five to everyone

14. Kindness Looks Good on You

Spread joy and love with simple random acts of kindness.

  • offer to shovel the neighbor’s walkway
  • leave quarters at a bubble gum machine
  • make Valentine’s cards for the elderly in nursing homes
  • read a book to a younger sibling
  • help to set up the table
  • hold the door open for someone
  • compliment a friend or family member
  • make friendship bracelets and hand them out

15. You Found a Way to My Heart

For this one, you could hide hearts around the house and send your child looking for them. Or create a scavenger hunt in which the clues will lead to a heart-shaped prize.

You’ll love these scavenger hunt clues for big kids.

16. I’m Lucky to Have You in My Card

This simple game works for any size group. Get a Valentine’s bingo game and have a fantastic time playing together.

29 pun-filled Valentine's Countdown Cards

Make your Valentine’s season unforgettable with these 29 pun-tastic countdown cards! Each pairs perfectly with the puns, activities, and gift ideas mentioned in this blog post, making it easier than ever to create a fun and sweet countdown for your kids.

Spread love and joy with Valentine’s countdown cards.

Available in the USA and Canada.

17. You’re Spa-Tacular

Children also need relaxing moments and this spa experience will provide just that. You can give your child a back massage, manicure, or prepare a bubble bath with new bath toys.

18. You Make Life Bubbly

What is bubblier than a fizzy beverage or a bubble bath.

If you’re like me, you might end up getting one of these for yourself, too. It would be sparkling mineral water for me!

19. You Make My Heart Sing

Sing together, or host a karaoke night.

20. I’m Nuts About You

Who is more nuts about nuts than a squirrel? Give your child anything squirrel-themed or a bag of nuts.

21. You’re the Apple of My Eye

This one is simple: get anything apple-themed or prepare apple-themed treats together.

22. You’re One In a Melon

For this one, the gifts would be something melon-themed.

23. I Love You Berry Much

Treat your child to a delicious Valentine’s beverage.

Whether it is a strawberry smoothie or a raspberry milkshake, this treat will for surely bring you smiles.

There are so many healthy recipes are available that you can avoid the sugar overload during this sweet Valentine’s season. My favorites are made with cottage cheese. They are packed with protein, loaded with berries, and taste amazing.

Here is one way to make a raspberry smoothie:

  • 3/4 cup of milk
  • 1/2 cup of cottage cheese
  • 3/4 cup of frozen raspberries
  • 1 TBS honey or maple syrup

Put in a blender and blend until smooth. If it is too thin, add some ice… or raspberries; if it is too thick, add some milk and blend again.

24. I Like You Wheelie Much

This one would you with anything with wheels, from toy cars and books about cars to wheel-shaped pasta.

25. You’re a Real Gem

Fill the gift bag with gems for craft making, or give your child a lovely new necklace.

26. You Blow Me Away

Blow some bubbles together or play games with balloons.

27. You’re the Butter to My Popcorn

Popcorn is one of my favorite savory treats, but for Valentine’s, I’d love some popcorn with achocolate drizzle… and a bit of salt. HU has a perfect one: Salty Dark Chocolate, sweetened with coconut sugar. Maybe your family would enjoy this, too.

You could add some fruit minis by BEAR for sweetness and color.

28. You Make My Heart Dance

Put on your Valentine’s shirts, scarves, or socks, and throw a bance party. You could even play some fun dance games.

29. You Color My World With Love

Include a coloring book or watercolors and paintbrushes in your countdown for a creative touch.

Wrap It Up With Love

Valentine’s Day is all about making people feel loved and appreciated, and these ideas are a great way to celebrate together. Whether it’s a heartfelt gift, a fun activity, or a quiet moement to read, every envelope or gift bag is a chance to create a lasting memory.

Ready to start crafting a Valentine’s countdown? Grab the Valentine’s countdown cards and other supplies and let’s make this season one to remember!

Valentine’s Countdown Cards with Puns

Valentine's Countdown Cards with Puns for Kids

I made it super easy for you by creating these Valentine’s countdown cards which have all the fun puns to go with the gifts and activities mentioned in this post. Attach the cards to the envelopes or gift bags, and get ready for a sweet season of love.

Which cards are you most excited to add to your child’s Valentine’s countdown?

Available in the USA and Canada.

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