Celebrating Valentine’s Day in the Classroom: Tips, Activities, & Free Printable Holiday Cards

Every February 14th, millions of people around the globe find fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day – a day dedicated to acknowledging the love humans share in romantic relationships, friendships, and families. We’re sure you’re pretty familiar with the concept of Cupid and the cutesy red and pink decor that homes and classrooms are adorned with this time of year. But, as an educator, how do you find ways to incorporate this heart-centered holiday into your lesson plans? If you’re unsure, don’t worry! That’s what this post is all about. Below, you’ll find tips for teaching students about Valentine’s Day, ideas for classroom activities, vocabulary words and printable holiday cards that you can download for free!

In this post:

• Essential Tips for Teaching Your Class About Valentine’s Day
• Inclusive Classroom Activities to Try With Students
• Vocabulary Words Related to Love and Friendship
• Free Printable Valentine’s Day Cards

Essential Tips for Teaching Your Class About Valentine’s Day

Have you been looking for ways to teach your students about Valentine’s Day or the concepts of kindness, respect, and friendship? You’re in luck! We’ve gathered some tips to help you incorporate these ideas into your lesson plans.

• Engage students with hands-on activities. Instruct your class to make their own valentines or work as a group to create a bulletin board display.
• Inform students of the history and cultural significance of Valentine’s Day. Lessons around the holiday’s origin can focus on how its evolved over time and how the day is observed in different countries around the world.
• Encourage students to express themselves. Assign poems or other creative writing projects to allow students the opportunity to talk about what friendship, love, and kindness means to them.
• Use visual aids and multimedia resources to keep students engaged. Show school-appropriate films and photographs related to Valentine’s Day. Or find fun ways to incorporate Clipart vectors into your lessons.
• Emphasize the importance of love and kindness for human wellbeing. Use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to discuss the important role that love and friendship plays in one’s life. Then encourage your students to find ways to practice acts of kindness toward one another.
• Foster ideas about empathy and gratitude. Valentine’s Day can act an important reminder to see things from another person’s perspective. It can also be an opportunity to express gratitude. So, why not incorporate those ideas into your lesson plans this time of year.
• Promote inclusiveness. Remind students that Valentine’s Day is not just about romance. It is a day that can be used to show appreciation for all sorts of relationships – including the love and synergy shared between friends, colleagues, mentors and their students, as well as families.

Inclusive Classroom Activities to Try with Students

Searching for activities to try with your class? Whether you teach students in a traditional classroom or you homeschool your own children, this list classroom activities will come in handy.

1. Create a friendship or family collage. Have students create a collage that represents what they love about their friends or siblings.
2. Encourage kindness. Teach students about the importance of kindness and encourage them to engage in activities that express their appreciation for others – like exchanging nice notes or treats with others.
3. Share sweet treats. If your school district allows, bring treats for your class to enjoy.
4. Practice poetry. Have your class read and write poetry about love, friendships, and the bonds families share.
5. Explore different cultures. Research how Valentine’s Day is celebrated in different countries then present that information to your class. Or assign this task as homework and have your students do presentations of their own.
6. Craft friendship bracelets. Teach students how to make a friendship bracelet and encourage them to exchange them with family members or friends as a symbol of togetherness.
7. Make classic heart art. Provide students with art supplies such as construction paper, scissors, paste, and popsicle sticks. Then have them create heart-themed works of art.
8. Listen to an audiobook. Gather your students around to listen to an age-appropriate story about friendship or about how love prevails.

Vocabulary Words Related to Love and Friendship

Talking to your class about love and friendship? Review this list of vocabulary words then quiz your students on their spelling, definitions, or have them incorporate the words into an essay.

Free Printable Valentine’s Day Cards

Keep scrolling to find the cutest Valentine’s Day cards for your class! Each design features an adorable animal and an endearing message that students can share with friends and family members!

FREE DOWNLOAD

Animal-Themed Valentine’s Day Cards ✂️🖍️

Download & Print

FREE DOWNLOAD

Animal-Themed Valentine’s Day Cards ✂️

Download & Print