The Many Little Joys

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Valentine's Day

20+ fun ways to play & learn with conversation hearts this Valentine’s Day

Whether you use them at home or for school parties, these simple Valentine’s Day activities for kids will get kids laughing and learning in no time. One bag of conversation hearts…so many ways to play and learn!

Whether you use them at home or for school parties, these simple Valentine's Day activities for kids will get kids laughing and learning in no time. One bag of conversation hearts...so many ways to play and learn!

Conversation hearts…whether you love them or hate them, you’ve got to admit they are an iconic part of Valentine’s Day.

Even though I think they taste kind of like chalk, I love that you can do SO many simple and fun activities with them. Whether you want to practice preschool math skills, plan a classroom party, or have a raucous night of family fun, you can do it all with one little bag of colorful hearts.

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Fun printable Valentine’s postcards for kids you can actually send in the mail

Send some love the old-fashioned way with these cute printable Valentine’s postcards that your kids will love!

Child writing on a printable Valentine's postcard. One side has a heart and the words "special delivery" and the other side has lines for writing a personalized message.

Did you know you can make your OWN postcards? It’s true! As long as you meet the post office’s guidelines, you can print your own custom postcards and send them in the mail! Fun, right?!

Inspired by this fun fact, I made some cute printable Valentine’s postcards so we can spread some love through snail mail as part of our Valentine’s Day kindness countdown.

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No-stress Valentine’s Day traditions for families to help spread the love

Make Valentine’s Day special this year for your family without spending a lot of time or money with these simple Valentine’s Day traditions for families. No stress…just lots of love!

Make Valentine's Day special this year for your family without spending a lot of time or money with these simple Valentine's Day traditions for families. No stress...just lots of love!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

Valentine’s Day is coming! Have you thought about how you’re going to celebrate?

Often people focus on romantic love on Valentine’s Day, but I also like to use the holiday as a way to shower a little extra love on my kids…and to encourage them to spread love to those around them.

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Free printable Play Doh valentines for kids

These funny (or at lest punny) printable valentines are a simple way to help your kids spread some love this Valentine’s Day. Just print and attach to your favorite Play Doh!

Funny printable valentines for kids that attach to play doh.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

Let’s get one thing clear from the start: I am not usually a fancy, cutesy valentine giver. In fact, in nine years of motherhood, I have NEVER made homemade valentines. I am usually perfectly content to buy a box at the grocery store and keep things super simple. Maybe I buy a bag of lollipops if I’m feeling really ambitious. Maybe.

So if you’re in that phase of motherhood right now, that’s totally okay. You don’t need to do fancy. Feel free to skip this post and add valentines to your grocery shopping list instead.

But if, like me, you’re feeling inspired to do something a little special this year, I’ve got a fun (and still really simple) idea to share with you today!

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15 picture books about kindness to inspire your kids

Show some love to your favorite little people this month by snuggling up together with a good book…and inspire them to keep the good deeds going with these fabulous picture books about kindness.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

Let’s be real for a moment…my house is not always filled with gentle, loving-kindness. My three wild boys spend a lot of time wrestling each other and trying to push each other’s buttons.

They love each other, and when push comes to shove (and sometimes it really does) they really do take care of each other, but like most kids, they also have their difficult moments.

So, let’s just say, we can use all the inspiration we can get over here in the “choose to be kind” department.

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Valentine’s Day Marble Painting for Kids

Marble painting is a fun process art activity for kids, and this Valentine’s-themed version can be recycled to make adorable (and easy) Valentine’s cards.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

Have you ever done marble painting?

It’s a simple process art activity that kids love! There’s something about watching the paint-covered marbles roll around on the paper as you tilt the box, never sure exactly what their movement will create.

It’s a game…art…and science exploration all rolled into one activity!

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Heart Monsters: simple Valentine’s Day craft for kids

This easy Valentine’s Day craft for kids is fun for all ages, and it’s simple enough that even toddlers can do it independently!

This easy Valentine's Day craft for kids is simple enough that even toddlers can do it independently but older kids will have fun with it, too!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

It’s Valentine’s week! Valentine’s Day is a fun one for kids because there are just SO many ways to play and learn with hearts!

Today we’re making HEART MONSTERS!

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Valentine’s Day Secret Code Love Notes for Kids

These printable Valentine’s Day love notes are a perfectly simple way to surprise your kids…or for kids to secretly deliver to their friends!

These printable Valentine's Day love notes are a perfectly simple way to surprise your kids...or for kids to secretly deliver to their friends!

Do your kids love getting mail as much as mine do? If so, you’ll love today’s activity.

I don’t go ALL out on Valentine’s Day, but I do think it’s a great opportunity to send some extra love to the people we love.

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Strawberry Nutella Heart-shaped Hand Pies

Need an easy Valentine’s dessert that is sure to wow your sweetheart (and make your kids smile)? These strawberry Nutella heart-shaped hand pies come together quickly and they’re just so cute!

Strawberry Nutella heart-shaped hand pies for Valentine's day

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

It’s February, people. We survived the bitter cold of January. The boys and I even got outside for some pruning and soccer playing this afternoon! That’s HUGE for us since it’s been months since we’ve been able to play outside. There is hope for spring! In the meantime, I’m taking advantage of the still-brisk weather by baking. This week: Valentine’s treats!

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Love Monster: A Preschool Literacy Valentine’s Activity

Turn your trash into treasure with this simple preschool Valentine’s activity that includes a book, a craft, and a learning game that can easily be adapted for kids of various ages. Turn your trash into treasure with this simple preschool Valentine's activity that includes a book, a craft, and a learning game that can easily be adapted for kids of various ages. Is anyone else REALLY ready to be done with wintertime sniffles? It seems like at least one person has been sick with a cold in our house since Thanksgiving. Ugh. I’m so ready for summer. The good news, though, is that the empty tissue boxes that have resulted from all the recent nose-blowing are what inspired today’s Valentine’s activity!

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