Plan the perfect Valentine's Day party for your child's class with our Valentine's Day School Party Ideas! We have included activities for a range of ages and class sizes so that you can select activities and ideas that will be most appropriate for your group.
Party Preparation
Planning The Party:
There are several things you should keep in mind while planning a classroom party and selecting activities:
Number of Children in the Class - If you have a group of 12 or more, you may consider setting up activity stations at which you can do a craft or activity with a manageable number of children (i.e. 6 to 8). For example, a class of 21 should be divided into three groups. Start by having the whole class play a game like "Hugs & Kisses," and then break the class into groups of seven to rotate between three station activities.
Age of the Children - Some activities may be more appropriate than others depending on the age of the children and their abilities. This consideration is most important when selecting crafts. Preschool children should be given fun, simple crafts without any objects that could potentially be choking hazards. While this may not be as important for active games, you might find that preschool children would delight in a non-competitive, Valentine's version of hot potato, whereas older children might prefer a heart matching game!
Length of the Party - For a two hour party, you might plan one active group game such as Hugs & Kisses, a couple of craft stations such as our Valentine's Mouse Craft and Edible Friendship Bracelets activity, and a game station with "Candy Relay" and "Breathless". If you're serving food, make sure you also set aside 15 to 30 minutes for this portion of the party.
Size of the Party Area - Make sure you have enough space for all of the activities you want to set up. If you want to plan more activities than you have space for, consider which games and crafts can be quickly set up and broken down.
Before The Party:
You or the classroom teacher should plan to send a flyer or invitation home with each child at least two weeks in advance if you will need any of the following for the party:
- Monetary donations to offset the cost of the party
- Donations of food, activity ingredients, or decorations
- Assistance at the party
Decide on the order of the activities, and have at least one easy backup game or activity prepared in case you need to fill time.
Decorating & Food Ideas
Decorating for Your Classroom Party
- Cut hearts from pink, white and red construction paper to hang throughout the party area. Older children may cut out their own hearts. To make each heart, fold a piece of paper in half. Cut a half heart along the fold. When you open the paper you will have a perfectly symmetrical heart. Allow your guests to decorate the hearts with crayons, markers, stickers, glitter glue, and other decorations. Send the hearts home with the children as keepsakes.
- Tie pairs of pink or red balloons to the edges of the chalkboard, teacher's desk, students' chairs, etc.
- Twist together strands of red and white streamers, and hang them from the ceiling.
- Take red balloons along the door frame leading into the classroom to create a balloon arch for the children to walk through. Or, hang streamers from the top of the doorway so your guests have to walk through them to get inside.
- Play a mix CD as background music of songs that fit the theme - like the theme song to Beauty and the Beast and "Be My Valentine" by Jack Hartmann.
What to Serve Your Guests- Make delicious, heart-shaped cookies with our Linzer Hearts recipe and a heart-shaped cookie cutter. (Recipe makes 48 cookies.)
- Make heart-shaped sandwiches by cutting peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Or, if any of the students have peanut allergies, try jelly and cream cheese sandwiches instead.
- Pick up different kinds of Valentine's candies from your local grocery or drug store, such as conversation hearts, heart-shaped lollipops, and Hershey's Kisses (or other inexpensive chocolates).
- Serve red and pink drinks like fruit punch, strawberry milk, and pink lemonade.
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